Blu Restaurant & Bar

This seems like the only decent place to eat around the area so we decided to try it out. The parking situation isn’t great around the area but if you’re lucky you can park in the hotel lot since the restaurant is part of the hotel.
I did enjoy the view of the ocean and the patio area is nice but the food is really average and there isn’t too much on the menu. The fish and chips was ok as was the burger, the sweet tea is great.

Prices are fairly expensive here so beware before you sit down. We got in house made potato chips with onion dip for the table and it was delicious. My companions got the catch of the day and said it was excellent. I got a burger (they only cook it well done) and it was so so.
What really made the night was the Brownie Napoleon. It was warm, topped with vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries and hazelnut ganache. I would go back to just have that again.
Other then that, very polite service albeit a little slow for my taste and I feel some things were overpriced.

Blu is the best of both worlds. It’s like a tale of two cities. The restaurant is a quiet, peaceful, classy dining experience. The patio is a party on the beach complete with live music.
I’ve had lunch here several times this summer. Blu is never crowded, the service is always great, and the food is really solid. The fish tacos and burger have both been great. Really though, it’s most appreciable to be able to have lunch with a view and not five million tourists like at every other restaurant on Folly. For that, I think lunch at Blu might be one of the best kept secrets on the beach.
The patio, however, is an always happening party, day or night, it doesn’t matter. There’s usually live music and lots of people in minimal clothing. It’s kind of like if they filmed Cocktail on Folly Beach. Ahhh that would be nice if 80s Tom Cruise would serve me a daiquiri… Since Folly became dry, drinking at Blu has quickly become the next best thing to drinking on the beach.
If you’re in Folly, Blu is definitely worth checking it out. My only complaint is that summer is officially over and summer patio parties are coming to an end. Here’s to the off-​season Blu. I’ll see you often.

Folly Beach has a lot of casual dining that is great, but if you don;t want to make the trek into Charleston proper for a fine dining experience, Blu is pretty much your only choice. My three dining companions all had the scallops which were VERY well seared but not overdone (a difficult feat to accomplish.) I had some of the best chicken and dumplings I can remember. The dumplings were actually airy pillows of ricotta cheese, and the chicken was the sort I remember from my childhood (that actually TASTES like chicken.) Wonderfully moist, and on-​the-​bone. Wine prices were reasonable, and our server was cheery and knowledgeable. We were very well-​taken care of. This place may lack the culinary adventure of a trip to FIG or SNOB, but if your intent is to enjoy an upscale dining experience while still watching the waves crash, there is no place comparable in FB.

Blu is a great spot to go for brunch. It’s peaceful, and has a great view of the beach and pier. The food is good, not exceptional. I enjoyed a mimosa and omelet. Everything was cooked well, and plated nicely. For a beachside meal, definitely a good place to go!

I am confused by the 4 star rating. Not even close. Food was average, service was ok, but there was a «mêlée“as the manager called it while we were eating and it was handled poorly by management. Customers who were uncooperative, rude and had a large boot knife on their belt were allowed to stay longer than they should have been. Their dog ended up attacking another dog. It was horrible! Would never eat here again!

Perfect spot to enjoy the beach with good food and drink. When there’s live music playing, it’s the closest thing to a day club in Folly Beach. Lots of people dancing, many people in their bathing suits enjoying the bar and the direct entrance to the sand. A hip environment but not too hip — anyone would be comfortable here!
The nachos are fabulous.

Very impressed, with the food and staff. We had our wedding at the Tides hotel, and they handled our small party with ease. The food was outstanding, I would have preferred the portions be a bit larger though.

Folly Beach has a large hotel and Blu is part of that.. .and as such, is overrun with tourists and beach traffic and seagulls. During a Sunday night dinner, I overheard more than one staff member confess to having learned to hate seagulls after working the outdoor dining. Our neighboring table was attacked with gulls (one landed right in the middle of a plate of fries and escaped with several) and they seemed to swarm in every ten minutes or so, bringing out staff and guests waving napkins and towels to ward them off. It’s not a place to relax and watch the beach traffic, but it could be if it was (1) not such a tourist spot and (2) scientists would develop a method to keep seagulls away from fries.
As for the food, it was well-​prepared and maybe only a little too expensive. The wait staff seems to think a lot of the place (maybe because it’s really the only «nice» restaurant on Folly?) which can be off-​putting. The beer and wine list is not bad and the cocktails are of the common variety – nothing you can’t find everywhere.
If you’re staying at the hotel and don’t want to cross the street, Blu will do.

dinner recently, pretty place and the bar outside is right on the beach, food very good, bartender was great! enjoyed the shrimp and grits (always seem to) and the osso bucco, very good.

Just got back from Blu after going there a little while ago for a drink. On Fridays and Saturdays, the patio bar just outside the hotel (the Tides) stays open until midnight. They have a band playing too for those wanting the added flavor. As it was my first time there, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but upon getting to the hotel, I was pleasantly struck by the beautiful and contemporary hotel lobby and restaurant’s designs. Hopefully the pictures I took help capture the essence of the place (although they were taken after midnight hence the lack of people around). While the band was good, the music was so loud it was virtually impossible to carry on a conversation with a family friend I bumped into there. First, I ordered a drink called Folly Peach (Smirnoff Peach Vodka, Malibu Sunshine, pineapple and orange juice) which was ok. I liked my second drink much better. It was called Tangerine Crush (Finlandia Tangerine Vodka, lemonade, and pineapple juice) — a really good drink. There were probably close to thirty people there right up till closing at midnight. With a full moon shining down on the beach sands and ocean beyond the patio, this is definitely one of the coolest bar scenes I’ve ever been to anywhere around here.

I’ve mostly been to Blu for the beach bar while hanging out on Folly. It’s always a good time with a nice crowd as well. Now that drinking has been banned on Folly, the crowd is even bigger as it’s pretty much the one spot to drink that’s actually on the sand. You’ll get the most stunning views imaginable while enjoying a cocktail or head inside for a bite. I’ve never actually dined at the inside restaurant, but I’ve had apps out on the porch and went to a wedding at the Tides hotel where the dinner was done by Blu. Any food I’ve had was great, but can’t really be judged because it was a catered dinner. Drinks at the bar are a must do for any folly trip.

What makes BLU special in my opinion is the outdoor bar boasting an unbeatable view of Folly Beach and the Ocean. It is for that reason alone that I head to this restaurant in particular for dinner, finishing with a drink outside to watch the sunset. Regardless of if you plan to visit their outdoor bar, BLU has great food and service for brunch, lunch or dinner, offering everything from burgers to pasta to salad to seafood. BLU is on the fancier, more upscale side for Folly Beach, which means higher prices but a more sophisticated environment when compared to the local bars and restaurants around. BLU is a great spot to celebrate a birthday with friends or any special occasion when you are looking for a break from downtown and an unbeatable view of the Ocean.
Must-​order items:
Fried Calamari
Fried Green Tomatoes
Curried Mussels
Any of their Fish Entrees

I’m torn on this one… The drinks were mainly juice, and the food was just ok (we each had burgers). The place itself is a cross between high end seafood restaurant and a semi cheesy resort restaurant but this part I was ok with! What I didn’t care for was our service (he seemed a bit overwhelmed and annoyed) and the view of the bar area. Being the only bar on the oceanfront of folly, they seem to pull a real… Semi trashy crowd… Which really puts a damper on the inside décor and the menu prices!
Will give major props however to the mussels appetizer!

This was a snap decision as it was a rainly anniversary night in the Folly Beach area, we were dressed up, but were going to go to one of the more low key local places, but I decided, when in Rome, lets kick it up and notch… so Blu it was.
My review standards apply as for me its about the basics:
–Location
–Service & Staff
–Cuisine
–For the money
Location is great for this venue as its right on the beach inside a hotel. You can visit without having to be a guest of the hotel, which is certainly nice and its easy to find and within walking distance of many of the B&B’s or hotels along and inside the center of Folly Beach.
once inside the restaurant, (a Wed night around 7pm), there were several seats still available and we were greeted and seated promptly from the hostess station. We were greeted by our waiter who immediately provided the specials for the evening with a solid review of the menu specials. I will say that once this was achieved and while we were impressed, it was as though his attentions from that moment on were not AS personal as with the first greeting, however in general service and staff performance was above average.
on to the food!.. well we were impressed. The Executive Chef and Sous Chef were on their game. The Menu while diverse was not over apportioned which again, a sign of a decent restaurant is a solid menu but not over stuffed.
We tried the Calamari with Sweet Thai Chili sauce which the Calamari were awesomely cooked in a light cornmeal. super tender and that thai chili sauce was a good compliment.
We also tried the Fried green tomatoes which were also very delicious, the creaminess of the Pimento which was spread on the plate mixed with Arugala and goat cheese was a very balanced bite with brightness and acidity to creamy and anyone knows that doing green tomatoes right isnt too easy since they can become soggy fast. well they timed it correctly and they were both crunchy and slightly bitter which the pimento and goat cheese really did tame. overall a good appetizer.
for the main course we shared a Tomato and Crab salad, which the Heirloom Tomatoes were some of the best I’ve had. bar none… it really makes a difference entirely when good local produce is used and its quality. the only drawback to this salad was the Bacon Lardons felt like they had been sitting around too long and were a bit too tough. but only a slight drawback there on a really good salad.
We also shared the main course which was the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops in a cold pea Pesto accompanied by Oyster Mushrooms and cured tomatoes, additional whole peas and a Vincotto (a cooked down wine reduction). This dish was spot on. the Sea Scallops were perfectly cooked, the Pea Pesto was a great color and super fresh and the Meatiness of the oyster mushroom tied into the Cured tomatoes. let me say, this was my first Cured tomato… all I can say is «wow» it had a density that rivaled a piece of fish and a flavor that had transformed an acidic fruit into what felt like something completely different. amazing. The only detractor for me was the amount of Whole Peas used in the dish. it felt as though they were compensating the Peas with a lack of other ingredients which kind of took away from the dish a bit, but did not make it a failure by any means.
There was a solid wine menu as well to accompany most anyones tastes, however since I am not a wine affcianado, I will leave that up to others to fill in.
So, the bottom line, the cost of the meal ended up being about 150bucks for 2, yes it was pricey, but I believe worth it as its not a every saturday night affair. well, unless you can afford it ! lol…
I believe just about everyone would be happy with this place. Executive chef Ryan Courtright and his Sous Chef should be proud.

Can’t beat the great beach bar, and the food is usually very good. The mai tai is legendary. We eat or drink there at least 15 times a season.
Today was very disappointed in the turkey Ruben. Basically just turkey, very little if any sauerkraut, cheese or thousand island dressing. Both of us had the sandwich and both Asked for more sauerkraut and were given a table spoon of it in a tiny little condiment bowl to split. Geez, sauerkraut is less than a dollar for a big can of it. Make the customer happy and pile it on the sandwiches.

Wow. Very lovely atmosphere very empty cause this time of year. My hubby and I bought the Surf and Turf with the cheese and pickle veggie plate appetizer. Amazing. Tge hanger steak melted in our mouths, the crabcakes paired with oyster mushrooms earthy with an salt water kick. The pickled veggies were astounding matched with unquie cheeses. The wairt was attentive and polite. My only complaint is the horrible state the construction around the resturant kinda kills the view but cannot be helped. Plus my mixed drink was a lil to sweet but my own fault for ordering it. Either way when we stay at the Tides again we plan to dine here and try the breakfast or lunch choices. Oh loved the odd music playing.

The interior of the restaurant is nice. There’s a modern beach casual feel to it all if that makes any sense.
Me and my family decided to sit outside since it was nice and sunny. There’s a nice view of the beach, but the patio isn’t as clean as the inside. The cleared tables weren’t wiped down and the patio floor looks like it’s it need of a power wash.
Our waiter was simply an order taker. So, that’s my take on the service.
We are calamari and mussels for appetizers. The appetizers were seasoned well.
Two members in my family ate the fish and chips platter. The batter was bland and so was the cole slaw that accompanied the fish.
My other family members tried to the mahi tacos, which they let me have a bite of… It was SO SALTY.
The lettuce of my Caesar Salad was half green and half yellow and the Parmesan cheese tasted like it was from the bag and probably about to expire.
Fortunately for me I ordered the shrimp and grits, which was fantastic!!!
That’s why I’m giving this restaurant three stars instead of two.
I could eat their shrimp and grits everyday
I’d want to try a different restaurant around the area if I’m ever around again.
Hope this helps.

The best view of the a beach from any bar on Folly! It’s also the only bar beach side so that gives it an advantage! Regardless you’ll find that Blu’s bar is a great place to unwind with a cold rum drink. You’ll find a mix of locals and tourists on any given day or night. It gets pretty crowded on holidays so if you’re thinking of hanging out by the bar, get there early! On some nights you’ll get live music, but really who needs extra entertainment when the ocean is right there?
From the kitchen, try the shrimp bruschetta!

When on Folly be sure to check out Blu’s outdoor bar. It’s the closest you can get to drinking on Folly Beach without getting a $ 500 fine. The bartenders here are pretty friendly and make a nice strong drink, but it can get a little pricey here since most drinks are a dollar or two more than other bars on Folly.
The few times I’ve eaten at Blu it has been a pretty good experience. We first ate there on New Day where they served a buffet complete with ham hock, black eyed peas, and collard greens; and I have to say we were not impressed by the food or service that day. But we did give them a few more tries and they have pleased us each time since then. They serve a great breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday for around $ 10 that includes eggs, grits, pastries, potatoes, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and a few other items that along with a bloody mary can cure what ills you.
Back to the outdoor patio /​bar area. That is where it is at. You won’t find a better view of Folly Beach when you eat or drink than you will here. Not to mention on the weekends they have some pretty good live music during the day. And and added bonus is out there shoes and shirts are not required!