Nightlife

The crowd is definitely on the older side, but without a doubt the most high-quality live entertainment on Hilton Head Island [1] is at The Jazz Corner (1000 William Hilton Pkwy., 843/842-8620, www.thejazzcorner.com [2], dinner daily 6–9 p.m., late-night menu after 9 p.m.), which brings in the best names in the country—and outstanding regulars like Bob Masteller and Howard Paul—to perform in this space in the somewhat unlikely setting of a boutique mall, the Village at Wexford. The dinners are great, but the attraction here is definitely the music. Reservations are recommended. Live music starts around 7 p.m.

The premier live concert venue in Hilton Head these days is the relatively new Shoreline Ballroom (40 Folly Field Rd., 843/842-0358, www.shorelineballroom.com [3]), which has a very eclectic show calendar ranging from rapper Snoop Dogg to bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley.

For years islanders have jokingly referred to the “Barmuda Triangle,” an area named for the preponderance of bars within walking distance of Sea Pines Circle. The longtime heart of the Barmuda Triangle is the Tiki Hut (1 S. Forest Beach Dr., 843/785-5126, Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., bar until 2 a.m.), actually part of the Holiday Inn Oceanfront Hotel [4] at the entrance to Sea Pines. This popular watering hole is the only beachfront bar on the island, which technically makes it the only place you can legally drink alcohol on a Hilton Head beach.

Another Barmuda Triangle staple is Casey’s Sports Bar and Grille (37 New Orleans Rd., 843/785-2255, daily 11 a.m.–2 a.m.), which despite its moniker and its 40 TVs is not just for sports fans—there’s also a lively karaoke scene.

Inside Sea Pines is the Quarterdeck Lounge and Patio (843/842-1999, www.seapines.com [5], Sun.–Thurs. 5:30–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 5:30 p.m.–midnight) at the base of the Harbour Town Lighthouse [6]. This is where the party’s at after a long day on the fairways during the Verizon Heritage Classic Golf Tournament [7].

Within Sea Pines at the South Beach marina is also where you’ll find The Salty Dog Cafe (232 S. Sea Pines Dr., 843/671-2233, www.saltydog.com [8], lunch daily 11 a.m.–3 p.m., dinner daily 5–10 p.m., bar daily until 2 a.m.), one of the area’s most popular institutions (some might even call it a tourist trap) and something akin to an island empire, with popular T-shirts, a gift shop, books, and an ice cream shop, all overlooking the marina. It’s a fun place at night, with live entertainment and a fun-loving, reasonably diverse crowd. Margaritas are great here, but skip the food; if you’re hungry, try the affiliated Wreck of the Salty Dog nearby.