Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
If you thought Myrtle Beach was just funnel cakes, mini golf, and sunburns, think again. The Grand Strand is getting a serious glow-up in 2026, and the food and beverage industry is leading the charge. We’re talking Guy Fieri’s largest entertainment concept yet, Tennessee’s favorite distillery heading south, a 100-foot roller coaster, and enough live music to make Nashville jealous.
This isn’t your grandparents’ beach vacation anymore, it’s a full-blown hospitality revolution spanning 60 miles of iconic coastline. Here’s everything food and beverage professionals (and enthusiastic vacationers) need to know about what’s brewing at The Beach.
Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown: 50,000 Square Feet of Pure Chaos
Let’s cut straight to the main event. Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown is opening in early 2026 at the former JC Penney location in Myrtle Beach Mall, and it’s absolutely massive. We’re talking 50,000 square feet of chef-driven cuisine, craft cocktails, a tiki bar, an indoor bowling alley, and arcade games that’ll keep the kids (and let’s be honest, the adults) entertained for hours.
This isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a full-blown entertainment destination. The concept takes Fieri’s signature bold flavors and cranks the volume up to eleven with an immersive dining experience that blends casual American fare with high-energy entertainment.
For hospitality operators watching the evolution of experiential dining, Downtown Flavortown represents a masterclass in menu innovation meets entertainment value. The days of “just dinner” are officially over.
Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
Ole Smoky Distillery & Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Roll Into Broadway at the Beach
Tennessee is sending some liquid gold south this spring. Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. are opening their first joint location outside the Volunteer State at Broadway at the Beach, and it’s poised to become a major draw for craft beverage enthusiasts.
The indoor-outdoor venue will feature a beer garden, full-service bar, and immersive spaces where visitors can sample craft spirits and beers while soaking in that laid-back coastal vibe. Expect live entertainment, shareable bites, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.
For those tracking beverage industry trends, this expansion signals the continued growth of craft distillery tourism beyond traditional strongholds like Kentucky and Tennessee. Myrtle Beach is positioning itself as a serious player in the experiential beverage space.
9th Avenue North: The Culinary Renaissance You Didn’t See Coming
While the big names grab headlines, some of the most exciting culinary action is happening on historic 9th Avenue North in downtown Myrtle Beach. Local entrepreneurs are transforming this stretch into a community-focused dining destination with serious personality.
Recent standouts include:
- Winna’s Kitchen – Soul food with a coastal twist
- Boteco VIP – Brazilian flavors meet beach town charm
- The Dolly Llama – Instagram-worthy desserts and waffles
- The Tasting Room on 9th – Wine-focused small plates perfect for date night
And let’s not forget The Whistling Duck on Surfside Pier, which opened in 2025 and has already become a local favorite for locally sourced charcuterie boards with oceanfront views. The food and beverage scene here is evolving rapidly, and smart operators are taking notes.
Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
Family Kingdom Celebrates 60 Years With a Brand-New RMC Coaster
For six decades, Family Kingdom Amusement Park has been a Myrtle Beach institution. The iconic “Swamp Fox” wooden coaster has thrilled generations, but 2026 brings something completely new to the lineup.
A custom RMC-manufactured single-rail roller coaster is coming this summer, standing 100 feet tall and reaching speeds of 50 mph. The track layout was designed exclusively for Myrtle Beach, making this a one-of-a-kind thrill ride. Three additional rides are also joining the roster, proving that classic family entertainment and modern innovation can absolutely coexist.
Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
This investment speaks volumes about the destination’s commitment to staying relevant. Theme parks that rest on their laurels don’t survive, Family Kingdom is clearly playing the long game.
Live Entertainment: From the Carolina Opry to Post Malone on the Sand
Speaking of longevity, The Carolina Opry Theater is celebrating 40 years of entertainment in 2026 with its most stacked concert season yet. Grammy winners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, and country chart-toppers are all on the lineup. If you’re in hospitality and looking for group event opportunities, this venue should be on your radar.
But the real headline-grabber? The Carolina Country Music Festival returns June 4-7 with a lineup that includes Blake Shelton, Post Malone, Luke Bryan, and Riley Green. Yes, Post Malone at a country festival. The genre-blending speaks to the evolving tastes of festival-goers and the festival’s smart programming strategy.
For food service operators, events like CCMF represent massive opportunities. Thousands of hungry, thirsty festival-goers descending on one location for four days? That’s revenue waiting to happen.
The ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic: Golf Meets Gastronomy
Myrtle Beach has long been known as the Golf Capital of the World, and the ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic (May 7-10, 2026) continues to elevate that reputation. Now in its third year, this PGA TOUR event at the historic Dunes Golf & Beach Club is expanding its fan experiences.
For hospitality professionals, golf tournaments represent a unique intersection of premium dining, beverage service, and high-net-worth clientele. The hospitality suites, on-course dining, and post-round celebrations are all opportunities to showcase what the local food and beverage scene can deliver.
Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
New Lodging: Where to Rest Between Meals
All this eating, drinking, and roller coaster riding requires a place to crash. Fortunately, Myrtle Beach’s lodging scene is keeping pace with the culinary explosion.
Opening February 2026: Ocean Escape Boardwalk Oceanfront offers modern one, two, and three-bedroom oceanfront condos right on the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Full kitchens, private balconies, and steps-from-the-sand convenience make this ideal for extended stays.
Ocean Reef Resort completed a $15 million renovation in 2025, modernizing guest rooms, the lobby, fitness center, and meeting spaces. Meanwhile, Captain’s Quarters Resort is wrapping up major renovations through late 2026, including updated exteriors, modernized rooms, and enhanced pool areas with a new arcade and restaurant.
Looking ahead, Compass Hotel by Margaritaville is slated for North Myrtle Beach in spring 2027, bringing 150 guest rooms and the iconic “5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill” to the coastline.
Getting There Just Got Easier
None of this matters if visitors can’t get there easily: and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) just solved that problem. The newly expanded A-Concourse features six new gates, modern amenities, and improved passenger flow. With nonstop service from more than 50 destinations via 10 airlines, MYR is now recognized as one of the nation’s top small airports.
Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
Located just over a mile from the shoreline, the airport’s expansion removes a major friction point for travelers and opens the destination to new markets.
The Bottom Line for F&B Professionals
“Myrtle Beach is an ever-evolving destination that continues to grow and innovate, elevating the experiences available for both longtime fans and first-time visitors,” said Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach (visitmyrtlebeach.com). “With sunny skies, Southern hospitality and a refreshed lineup of activities and amenities, we look forward to offering new ways for everyone to enjoy year-round adventure and relaxation on The Beach.”
For food and beverage operators, the message is clear: Myrtle Beach is investing heavily in becoming a year-round destination, not just a summer pit stop. The influx of experiential dining concepts, craft beverage venues, and major events creates opportunities for suppliers, operators, and hospitality professionals across the spectrum.
Whether you’re scouting locations for expansion, looking for hospitality industry insights, or simply planning your next vacation that happens to double as market research, Myrtle Beach deserves a spot on your 2026 calendar.
What do you think about these developments? Drop a comment below and let us know which new attraction or restaurant you’re most excited to visit.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
