South Carolina's Beloved Dive Bar
A Lowcountry Legend celebrates 50 years.
Pull up a barstool, grab an ice-cold beer, and get acquainted with one of
South Carolina’s most beloved dive bars- an American original.
Harold’s Country Club stands in the middle of nowhere, as a ramshackle old filling station off Hwy. 17. It’s just past the remains of the Edisto Motel where we once ate the most memorable fried shrimp and hushpuppies in the Lowcountry.
Forget the golf clubs, your new tennis outfit, and fancy clothes, just bring a hearty appetite and some good buddies. Get ready to order a huge grilled steak, ribs, chicken wings, or perhaps a seafood basket with a frosty mug of beer.
Please take note of a sign on the wall stating: “ You are required to pay for every steak you order.”
When someone did not obey the rules Harold would ban them “for life, plus a day.” Then he’d let them back in after a heartfelt apology.
In 2023 Harold’s celebrated its 50th Anniversary of bringing community together. This filling station turned restaurant, which is completely family-run to this day, is a popular stop along the way for locals and travelers.
It offers some of the most mouthwatering Southern cooking you’ll ever taste. Open only Thursday through Saturday, Harold’s attracts the attention of famous visitors, like Hollywood producer Joel Silver, who often drops by when visiting his Auldbrass Plantation. A few years ago he asked Harold to go to his plantation and show Martha Stewart the best way to fry a turkey. He was “spittin’ mad” when she used his technique on her TV show without giving him credit.
Even Ted Turner and Mel Gibson would stop by for a cold brew.
Built in the 1930s as a Chevrolet dealership, it was purchased by Harold Peeples in the late 1970s after it had been converted into a gas station and auto parts store.
Located conveniently just off Interstate 95, many passers-through make Yemassse their overnight stop en route to Florida just so they can eat at Harold’s.
He had his way of decorating - truly unforgettable with his unique interior of collectibles, genuine auto parts, fan belts, trophies, racks of Lance crackers and chips, and a Pabst Blue ribbon beer clock. No white tablecloths here.
Remember the days when we drove into a gas station, we stayed in our car and a friendly man ran out to assist? “Fill ‘er up,” we said. Not only did he fill ‘er up but he looked under the hood, checked things out, and even paid attention to the tires. As a throwback to that time, Harold placed an old Fire Chief gas pump as you come in the door - right there at the entrance in full view in the right front corner.
A sign over the bar offers advice: “Win or lose, stick with booze.”
It all began because Harold supported the local softball team. He and a few friends formed the Yemassee Athletic Association, bought land, and built a ball field beside what today is the Country Club, known then as Peeples Service Station. After the games, they would all walk over to the club for a cool one. It didn’t take long for folks to start calling the business Harold’s Country Club.
Then Harold began to invite friends and neighbors there for covered dish suppers on Thursday nights. In the beginning, folks had to drive cars or get behind them and push them out of the garage to make room for tables and chairs. Soon the cars were all gone along with gasoline fumes and the garage evolved into a bar and restaurant. Sizzling steaks with their signature steak rub filled the air with their mouth-watering aroma. Some say their ribs and seafood baskets are the best in Dixie.
Black cast iron skillets took their rightful place adorning walls next to radiator hoses and fan belts. If you need a cane pole, they’ve got it. Bait and tackle, they have that too. They’ll even get you a bucket of live crickets and several pickled eggs for the trip back home.
Today Harolds lives on in the hearts of locals and travelers who love a fine meal at an authentic American South original in the little-known town of Yemassee.
Harold’s Country Club - a Lowcountry legend. Better make a reservation.
The first time I went to Harold's I met him and we all grilled our steaks outside. He was having as much fun as the rest of us. I remember thinking it was the best-baked potato I'd ever had. But the best part was watching everyone around me having a grand old time.