It’s not easy to escape the doldrums of what can be a harried scene of smoke-filled, overcrowded bars on Myrtle Beach’s main strip. Comedy Cabana, however, is a refreshing gem in the tourist- saturated Grand Strand, offering quality dining, drinks and laugh-out-loud, hold-your-stomach entertainment. Each week spotlights three different comedians who have appeared on popular TV shows like Mad TV. The featured comedians here are, well, no joke. Even the venerable Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong fame has headlined here at the Cabana.

Locals usually plan an entire night at the Cabana, starting with cocktails and dinner at the Cabana’s own Good Humor Bar and Grill -- which is open before and after shows for both food and drinks -- and then moving on to the theater for a show. The light menu at Good Humor offers a standard array of hamburgers, pizza, salads and sandwiches. The full bar carries top-shelf liquors, beer and wine. As with most comedy clubs, a two-drink minimum is the rule. Doors open at 6:30pm, and each show is two hours long. --C. S. Oh