SC officials reverse course to allow Horry County bike week bar event permit
An Horry County bar will be allowed to hold fall bike week events after the state reversed a decision where it initially rejected a permit.
Suck Bang Blow in Murrells Inlet had its permit first rejected by the South Carolina Department of Commerce. As of Thursday afternoon, the department’s website listed the Suck Bang Blow’s permit as rejected.
But, in the afternoon the application was granted. Emails show the permit was granted. Owner William Couch said the confusion was over a miscommunication.
The permit is needed for events where more than 250 attendees are expected. The application for the bike week event lists 1,000-5,000 attendees
Fall bike week events are set to begin this weekend and run through next weekend, and Suck Bang Blow is a hub for motorcycle activities, particularly during the Harley-Davidson fall and spring rallies. The establishment also served as one of the main stopping points for the bike week event held in July after the 2020 spring rally was delayed because of coronavirus.
At the summer event, photos and videos showed little social distancing and few customers wore masks while mingling in the crowds.
The Murrells Inlet bar was one of several places the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division cited earlier this year for violating the state’s executive order designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“SBB believes that we were in compliance during the event in question and look forward to presenting our position at a later date. As this matter is litigated, we are operating as normal while remaining compliant with all guidelines and orders from government,” Couch said.
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 6:00 PM with the headline "SC officials reverse course to allow Horry County bike week bar event permit."
