Happy Hour Heaven | Eat inside or outside at the PIT in Pawleys
THE LOCALE
▪ Pawleys Island Tavern
FIND IT
▪ 10635 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island. 843-237-8465 or go to www.pawleysislandtavern.com.
THE LOWDOWN
Pawleys Island Tavern is a well-known locals hangout, which also invites people just having their first experience visiting Pawleys Island.
The secluded spot, underneath towering oak trees, is still within a very short distance of busy U.S. 17.
The green mailbox on the highway, with the initials “PIT,” is the true sign that hungry drinkers and diners have arrived.
The funky, unique interior of the restaurant and bar features thousands of dollar bills plastered to every surface. The dollar bills are signed by previous patrons who wanted to leave a calling card at the Pawleys Island Tavern.
Patrons can gather at the bar or sit in the widely spaced indoor tables. Twinkling, white lights are scattered around the bar and dining area.
The decor is not the only interesting aspect of the PIT.
The food and drinks are fun and fresh, and the fresh-made crab cakes can be eaten at the PIT, or frozen, uncooked cakes are available for take out, said bartender Ian Brown.
Ditto for the fresh-made pimento cheese, pasta salad, shrimp salad, chicken salad, crab dip, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and remoulade.
“The PIT makes their own pizza dough,” Brown added. “We cut our own steaks and make our own chips. Our grouper is fresh.”
Outdoor dining is also available, and offers a real slice of Low Country peacefulness. The small tables are underneath towering trees.
The peel and eat shrimp are cooked in Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and Old Bay seasoning, Brown said. The generous serving of shrimp is large, and tasty, according to local diner Ashley Fuller.
Other offerings include house salads, soup of the day, and the always simmering veggie beef soup.
There is a kids’ menu available, with grilled cheese, chicken tenders, fried shrimp and fried fish.
The food is not the only attraction to the Pawleys Island Tavern. Live music, with local groups and those from out of town, are featured Thursday through Sunday at the PIT.
Day Manager Mary Ridk said there is no cover charge to hear the bands on Sunday.
The PIT always has a full selection of wines, beer and liquor available for sipping.
Wines include Hess Select Chardonnay and William Hill Chardonnay, both from California. The PIT also has New South beer on draft.
TIPS
The PIT has a room available for private parties.
Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
The PIT opens at 11 a.m., with the front kitchen closing at 10 p.m. The pizza kitchen closes at 11 p.m.
Happy hour specials include a $1 off domestics, imports and house wines, as well as well drinks.
The PIT has daily blue pit specials and dinner specials.
By Kelly Fuller, For The Surge
This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Happy Hour Heaven | Eat inside or outside at the PIT in Pawleys."