Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Are Coming to Broadway at the Beach

There is a particular kind of excitement that settles over Myrtle Beach in the months before something genuinely new arrives. The buzz travels through the restaurants along Restaurant Row, through the conversations on the piers, through the group chats of locals who follow every construction permit and every ribbon-cutting rumor. The kind of buzz that says: this one is different. That is exactly the feeling surrounding the upcoming opening of Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. at Broadway at the Beach — and it is a feeling well worth paying attention to.

Ole Smoky is not a brand that needs much of an introduction to anyone who has spent time in the Tennessee mountains. Since its founding in 2010, it became the first federally licensed distillery in Tennessee state history, and it has since grown into the leading producer of premium moonshine in the world. Yee-Haw Brewing Co. earned its own devoted following across the Southeast with award-winning craft beers that taste like they were brewed by people who actually love what they are doing. Together, the two brands have already proven the concept works — their joint Nashville location on 6th and Peabody has been drawing crowds and racking up reviews since it opened. Now, that same energy is coming to the South Carolina coast.

The Myrtle Beach location is slated to open in May 2026 inside Broadway at the Beach. At 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, it will be one of the most substantial new attractions to land on the Grand Strand in recent memory. For anyone planning a vacation to the area this spring or summer, this is the kind of addition that earns a permanent spot on the itinerary.

Tennessee Roots, Myrtle Beach Bound

Ole Smoky Distillery was born in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where it operates the beloved Holler location that has introduced millions of visitors to real Appalachian moonshine culture. Over the years the brand expanded — The Barrelhouse just across the street in Gatlinburg, The Barn in Pigeon Forge, and the flagship 6th & Peabody campus in Nashville. The moonshine has won fans worldwide, with varieties ranging from classic White Lightnin and apple pie to blue flame and peanut butter whiskey, the latter taking a Master medal at a major American Whiskey blind tasting competition.

Yee-Haw Brewing Co. grew up alongside Ole Smoky in Tennessee and now has taprooms in Johnson City, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Nashville, Knoxville, and Greenville, South Carolina. Myrtle Beach will mark Yee-Haw’s second South Carolina location and the first joint Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw venue outside the state entirely. The decision to come here was not accidental — Myrtle Beach draws millions of visitors each year, and Broadway at the Beach is consistently ranked as South Carolina’s number one travel destination. When Joe Baker, founder of both Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw, called Myrtle Beach the perfect place to share their traditions and craft, he was not speaking in marketing abstractions. The numbers back him up completely.

Construction on the property is being led by Monteith Construction, a locally based company, with LSP3 serving as the lead architect. The design incorporates waterfront views and draws on the heritage of both brands while reflecting the modern, high-energy spirit that defines the Myrtle Beach experience.

What to Expect Inside

The venue is designed around the idea of spending time, not just stopping in. At 30,000 square feet, the space has room to breathe — and room to linger. Multiple bars are spread across the property so there is never a long walk between you and your next drink. The indoor-outdoor beer garden opens up into fresh air, while patio seating overlooks the Broadway at the Beach lake, giving the whole place a relaxed, lakeside quality that feels distinctly unlike anything else in the area.

One of the anchors of the space — and one of the more talked-about details — is what Ole Smoky’s vice president of marketing Will Ensign described as one of the area’s biggest TV screens. It is the kind of detail that matters when you are watching a game, catching a live broadcast, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of a venue that knows how to hold a crowd. Tasting rooms give guests an up-close look at the craft behind the product, and guided tours walk visitors through the full distillery experience, from raw grain to the finished spirit in the glass.

The family-friendly vibe is intentional. This is a place designed to welcome everyone — the group of adults on a weekend trip, the family with kids in tow who want to explore a working distillery and sample a root beer flight, the couple looking for a lakeside patio with good music and shareable plates. Ole Smoky has made a point of building venues that feel welcoming rather than exclusive, and the Myrtle Beach location follows that same philosophy.

Moonshine, Craft Beer, and More

The drinks menu at the Ole Smoky side of the house reads like a tour through Tennessee’s most celebrated spirits. Moonshine flights let guests work their way through the full flavor range — the classic White Lightnin that tastes exactly like it sounds, the dessert sweetness of apple pie moonshine, the electric blue flame, and the seasonal and specialty varieties that Ole Smoky rotates through with the kind of frequency that gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. Whiskey offerings round out the spirits side, including the award-winning peanut butter whiskey that has earned its own devoted following.

On the Yee-Haw side, the brewery brings its lineup of well-crafted core beers alongside rotating seasonal offerings. Expect the Kolsch, IPA, and pilsner that anchored Yee-Haw’s reputation across Tennessee and South Carolina, along with the Vol Lager and whatever specialty the brewers have been working on. Yee-Haw’s approach has always been to let the local market shape the tap list, so the Myrtle Beach location will likely develop its own personality over time — one that reflects what Grand Strand visitors and locals actually want to drink on a warm evening by the water.

The food program is built around shareable plates designed for groups — the kind of menu that works equally well for a first round of drinks or a full evening out. Details on the full food offering have not yet been released, but the philosophy matches the rest of the venue: generous, relaxed, and built for sharing.

Events, Live Music, and Private Spaces

Ole Smoky’s Tennessee venues have built a reputation not just for their spirits, but for the atmosphere they create around live music and community events. The Myrtle Beach location carries that tradition forward. Dedicated event spaces and private rooms are built into the property’s design, sized and equipped to host everything from birthday parties and rehearsal dinners to festival programming and live concert nights.

Will Ensign’s vision for the venue is clear: a Myrtle Beach go-to destination for good times, great music, and fantastic drinks. For a stretch of coastline that already knows how to throw a party — from the shag dancing legacy of Ocean Drive to the annual festivals that bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Grand Strand — this kind of addition fits naturally into the existing entertainment culture rather than trying to reinvent it.

Groups looking for private event options in the Myrtle Beach area now have a genuinely distinctive choice — one that comes with a built-in story, a branded experience, and a setting that most people in the room have not seen before. That novelty factor, combined with Ole Smoky’s track record at similar venues, suggests the private event calendar will fill up quickly once the doors open.

Broadway at the Beach: Already a Grand Strand Institution

Broadway at the Beach stretches across 350 acres around a central lake off U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach. It houses more than a hundred shops, restaurants, and attractions — everything from Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach and WonderWorks to steakhouses, seafood spots, and ice cream parlors that have been pulling in repeat visitors for decades. It is the kind of place where an afternoon can quietly become an evening without anyone noticing the time.

The Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw venue will occupy a lakefront position within the complex, adding a destination anchor that complements what Broadway at the Beach already does well. April Martin, Senior Vice President of Leasing and Design at Burroughs & Chapin — the real estate investment trust behind Broadway at the Beach — noted that the addition enhances the guest experience with unique craft beverages and lively events, calling it a fresh and vibrant spot for locals and visitors alike.

For anyone planning a day at Broadway, the Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw venue will be a natural anchor point — a place to start the evening, cap it off, or return to after a loop through the rest of the complex. The combination of waterfront seating, a working distillery, live entertainment potential, and a full bar program makes it the kind of stop that earns repeat visits on a single trip.

Staying in North Myrtle Beach for the Trip

Broadway at the Beach sits comfortably within reach of North Myrtle Beach — close enough to make a day trip feel effortless, far enough that the two areas maintain their own distinct personalities. North Myrtle Beach, with its quieter neighborhoods, wide beaches, and deep-rooted shag dancing heritage, serves as the ideal home base for visitors who want to explore the full length of the Grand Strand without being in the thick of it every night.

The four beach communities of North Myrtle Beach each carry their own flavor. Cherry Grove Beach is known for its fishing pier and unhurried pace, while Ocean Drive carries the legacy of the shag and the kind of boardwalk character that never really goes out of style. Crescent Beach sits in the center of it all with a relaxed, residential feel, and Windy Hill offers a quieter southern end of the strip for those who want ocean views without the foot traffic.

Whether you are looking for a sprawling oceanfront home rental big enough to hold the whole family or a sleek oceanfront condo for a couple’s getaway, North Myrtle Beach puts you within easy reach of everything the Grand Strand has to offer — including whatever Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw Brewing decide to bring through those doors in May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring and summer on the Grand Strand are filling up fast, and an opening of this magnitude only adds to the reasons to make the trip. If you are thinking about planning a vacation around the North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach area — for the beach, the food, the music, and now a world-class distillery and brewery experience steps from the water — Thomas Beach Vacations has the properties to make it happen. Browse oceanfront homes and condos at northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call the team directly at (866) 249-2100 to find your perfect spot on the South Carolina coast.

Slime Kitchen Opens at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach — A Chef’s Unexpected New Venture

Published March 31, 2026 · Thomas Beach Vacations

From Fine Dining to Slime Making — A Chef Changes Course

Michael Donovan had his eye on a kitchen. The award-winning chef had been scouting locations across the Myrtle Beach area for months, envisioning a restaurant of his own — the kind of place where he could finally call every shot, from the menu down to the music. Then he stumbled across a listing for a kitchen franchise, and the trajectory of his career took a hard, gloriously unexpected turn.

It was not the kind of kitchen he had ever worked in before. No walk-in coolers. No line cooks. No sizzling flattops or prep lists. This kitchen dealt in glitter, not garlic. It was Slime Kitchen — a California-based franchise where families create custom slime from scratch using KitchenAid mixers, colorful bases, and dozens of scents and textures.

Donovan had never heard of it. But his 10-year-old daughter had. She had seen Slime Kitchen all over TikTok and Instagram, and she made the case with the kind of conviction only a kid who really, truly wants something can deliver. After consulting with his wife, Maria, the couple decided to bring the franchise to Myrtle Beach — and not just anywhere in Myrtle Beach. They chose Broadway at the Beach, the sprawling 350-acre entertainment complex that draws upwards of 14 million visitors a year.

This is the first Slime Kitchen location in South Carolina, and it sits near Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, one of the Grand Strand’s most visited family attractions. It is also a business that has become a true family affair — the Donovans’ daughter and 12-year-old son are fully invested in the operation.

What Is Slime Kitchen?

Slime Kitchen is a hands-on, interactive experience where guests create their own custom slime from scratch. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area, the franchise has been spreading across the country with locations in California, Oregon, Kentucky, and Lake Tahoe. The Myrtle Beach location at Broadway at the Beach marks the brand’s first expansion into South Carolina.

The concept is simple but irresistible, especially for anyone who has ever watched a slime-making video and felt the pull to try it themselves. Guests walk in, choose from a variety of slime bases, then layer on scents, colors, glitter, and textures before mixing everything together on a real KitchenAid mixer. The result is a stretchy, perfectly squishy creation that goes home with the guest. All materials are food-safe and non-toxic — something Maria Donovan was particularly proud to point out.

If you have spent any amount of time around kids in the last five years, you already know the appeal. Slime content dominates social media platforms, and the tactile, sensory nature of slime-making has turned it into one of the most popular hands-on activities for children and families. Slime Kitchen takes that internet fascination and gives it a physical space — a place where you can actually get your hands into it.

The 10-Step Slime-Making Experience

Slime Kitchen structures each session around a guided 10-step process that walks guests through the creation of their own custom slime. It is part craft project, part science experiment, and part sensory adventure — and the whole thing unfolds at stations designed to make every step feel like a choice, not a chore.

Guests start by selecting their slime base from six different varieties. From there, they move through stations where they pick scents — everything from cotton candy to tropical fruit — and add color using dyes and pigments. The texture station is where things get creative: options include glitter in multiple sizes, foam beads, clay mix-ins, and specialty toppings that give each slime a completely unique look and feel.

Once everything is selected, guests use a KitchenAid mixer to combine the ingredients — a step that gives the whole process the feel of an actual kitchen. The finished slime is stretched, tested, and packed up to take home. Kids earn a diploma in slime culinary arts at the end, a small touch that adds to the experience. The entire session promotes sensory learning and creative expression, making it more than just a novelty activity.

Birthday Parties and Group Events

Beyond the walk-in slime-making sessions, Slime Kitchen offers birthday party packages that have already made the franchise a hit with families across its existing locations. The parties are hosted by dedicated staff members — referred to as Head Chefs — and include games, prizes, diplomas, and a special birthday slime cupcake for the guest of honor.

Two party tiers are available. The standard package includes one slime creation per guest, while the premium option allows each child to make two slimes from any of the six varieties. Parties typically run between one and two hours depending on the package selected. Group workshops are also available for school field trips, summer camps, and team-building events, making the Myrtle Beach location a versatile addition to the Grand Strand’s family entertainment scene.

Why Broadway at the Beach

The Donovans chose Broadway at the Beach because it was already a place their own family loved to visit. Located at 1325 Celebrity Circle in the heart of Myrtle Beach, the complex is South Carolina’s largest entertainment destination — more than 350 acres of shops, restaurants, attractions, and live entertainment venues surrounding the 23-acre Lake Broadway.

Slime Kitchen fits naturally into the mix of specialty shops and interactive attractions that define Broadway at the Beach. Families who visit Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, or the Hollywood Wax Museum now have another reason to extend their day at the complex. The location also benefits from Broadway’s free parking and its position as a stop on the Myrtle Beach Connector bus route.

For visitors staying in North Myrtle Beach who are looking for a rainy-day activity or an afternoon break from the beach, Slime Kitchen adds yet another option to the long list of reasons to make the drive south to Broadway. It pairs especially well with a visit to the aquarium or lunch at one of Broadway’s more than 20 restaurants.

Grand Opening — April 10, 2026

While Slime Kitchen has already opened its doors to guests, the official grand opening celebration is scheduled for April 10, 2026. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and is open to the public. The timing places the launch right at the front end of the spring tourism season along the Grand Strand — a smart play for a business that thrives on foot traffic and families in vacation mode.

Walk-ins are welcome at the Myrtle Beach location, and reservations are not required. However, weekends and holidays tend to see higher demand, so booking ahead through the Slime Kitchen website is recommended if you want to guarantee your spot.

More Family Activities Near Broadway at the Beach

One of the best things about a trip to Broadway at the Beach is that a single activity can easily turn into a full day. Slime Kitchen sits within walking distance of some of the most popular family attractions on the Grand Strand.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach remains the anchor attraction, with its 85,000 square feet of marine exhibits, the famous 330-foot Dangerous Reef moving walkway, a penguin playhouse, and interactive touch tanks. WonderWorks offers an upside-down adventure with over 100 hands-on science exhibits. The Pavilion Nostalgia Park brings classic amusement park rides to the complex, and the Hollywood Wax Museum lets families pose alongside lifelike celebrity figures. For older kids, Backstage Escape Games provides immersive puzzle-solving challenges.

Broadway at the Beach is also welcoming several new businesses in 2026, including Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Company, which will bring a distillery, brewery, beer garden, and tasting rooms to the complex. It is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years the entertainment district has seen in some time. For families visiting from Cherry Grove Beach, Ocean Drive, or Crescent Beach, a day trip to Broadway at the Beach is always worth the short drive.

Getting There from North Myrtle Beach

Broadway at the Beach is located at 1325 Celebrity Circle in Myrtle Beach, roughly 15 to 20 miles south of North Myrtle Beach depending on which beach section you are staying in. From Windy Hill, the drive is typically around 20 to 25 minutes. From Cherry Grove, plan on closer to 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.

The fastest route is typically Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) south to Robert Grissom Parkway, which leads directly into the Broadway at the Beach complex. Highway 17 is the more scenic coastal route and offers plenty of stops along the way if you want to break up the trip with shopping or lunch. Parking at Broadway at the Beach is free.

Plan Your Grand Strand Vacation

Slime Kitchen is just one more reason the Myrtle Beach area continues to add new experiences for families every season. Whether you are visiting for a long weekend or spending an entire week on the Grand Strand, staying in North Myrtle Beach puts you within easy reach of Broadway at the Beach and every major attraction in the area — while giving you a quieter, more relaxed beach experience when you head home at the end of the day.

Thomas Beach Vacations offers a wide selection of oceanfront homes and oceanfront condos across all four sections of North Myrtle Beach — Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill. Book your stay and start planning your family’s next Grand Strand adventure. Call us at (866) 249-2100 or visit northmyrtlebeachvacations.com to browse available properties.

Frequently Asked Questions