MYRTLE BEACH. Don't be surprised to find this pub packed most nights ­ it seems folks can't get enough of Blarney Stone's. What do you expect, though? After all, they celebrate St. Patrick's Day not just in March but on the 17th of each and every month AND serve up a rathering intimidating 64-oz. beer bong! Add in the fact that they book nightly live entertainment Thursday through Sunday (during peak season), and "getting" the pub's popularity is as easy as finishing off their tasty Guinness Pie. Upstairs, the cigar bar gives aficionados a cool, loungey space where they can kick back, puff, sip and look cool while doing it.

LITTLE RIVER. Irish hospitality is ever present at this North Strand road-sider. Live entertainment is featured most nights, taking the shape of everything from classic rock or Irish folk music to karaoke or stand-up comedy. During the fall, football fans make regular visits here to catch the latest NFL or collegiate action on the tube, and the place is a year round haven for golfers needing a spot to regroup after spending a day in pursuit of birdies. As for consumables, Pat & Mike's serves up some pretty mean pub grub as well as an impressive selection of tapped and bottled brews.