Gaming lounge in Myrtle Beach area will close at the end of 2025. What they said
A Surfside Beach gaming lounge known for providing a sensory-friendly atmosphere will close at the end of 2025 – seven months after it first opened.
Low Tide Gaming, located at 799-B U.S. 17 Business, provides a calming atmosphere with soft lighting, soundproofed gaming stations and games for all interests. The inclusive gaming lounge allowed people with autism and sensory sensitivities to enjoy retro arcade games and more.
Now, the business will cease operations in Surfside Beach at the end of the year, they announced in a Facebook post.
The arcade and gaming lounge is part of Beachfront Blessings, a Myrtle Beach area nonprofit that spreads awareness about sensory sensitivity.
The business opened in May 2025, offering gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, as well as arcade games and a soundproofed tabletop gaming room, The Sun News previously reported. Beachfront Blessings founder Bo Pamplin explained that the lounge was his son, Will Pamplin’s idea.
Will Pamplin’s sensory sensitivities from autism often made it hard for him to go out, Bo Pamplin explained. Because he was familiar with the struggle of not being able to go places, he wanted to create a space that was welcoming to everyone. Will Pamplin served as the manager of Low Tide Gaming.
“We wanted to create a sensory friendly location in the area,” Bo Pamplin said. “There really aren’t many places.”
In its closing announcement, the business acknowledged the need for sensory-friendly spaces in the area, but stated that they “weren’t able to make the business model work long-term.”
Bo Pamplin explained that, while the business got a lot of support from the community, it simply didn’t get enough patrons to remain open.
Beachfront Blessings will continue its work, and focus on placing communication boards for nonverbal people throughout Horry County, according to the announcement. As the nonprofit continues its work, Bo Pamplin said they will hopefully embark on creating another sensory friendly space in the future.
