Here’s where to go ... or avoid. Myrtle Beach’s 84th Harley-Davidson Bike Week is coming.

Businesses say they are preparing for the throngs of bikers who will be driving along the streets of the Grand Strand next week as part of Bike Week.

Also known as the Spring Bike Rally, the 84th Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson Week will be May 12-21. It has been held since 1940.

Organizers say about 300,000 usually attend the festival every year.

The south end of the Grand Strand is where most of the bikers will park their bikes, particularly at such popular bars as Suck, Bang, Blow and The Beaver Bar.

Crowded establishments, loud music, and socializing in large groups make up the vibe of the week-long festival. People are usually gathered in and outside biker hotspots, visiting different vendors and stands.

Bikers also tend to congregate at the parking lots of nearby Harley shops, hoping to buy some gear or just post up on their bikes.

One of the ways businesses are preparing is by offering a number of events and live music for the motorcyclists planning to come to the longtime annual event.

Will Couch is the owner of Suck, Bang, Blow, one of the bars in Murrells Inlet that bikers usually frequent during their stay at the beach.

“We have made several improvements around our concert stage to accommodate more people,” he said. “We are expecting big crowds and are prepared for it.”

Couch, who also rides, said his team prepares all year for the event, adding there are many moving parts that make it a successful event for them.

Suck, Bang, Blow will host stunt shows and feature live music and DJs throughout the week.

“We at SBB just enjoy bringing everyone together,” Couch added. “We love seeing all different types of people coming together to have a good time.”

Myrtle Beach Bike Week LLC is a North Carolina-based company that provides information about the rallies, including places bikers can lodge and eat while they’re in the area.

Sonny Copeland, with Myrtle Beach Bike Week, said he begins planning for Harley week as soon as the last one ends.

It takes a lot of time and effort, he added.

Copeland said one of his priorities ahead of bike week is organizing the vendors, and that process hasn’t changed much.

Depending on the weather, there may be anywhere from 250,000 people to 300,000 staying in Horry and Georgetown counties to participate in the rally, he said.

Suck, Bang, Blow has been open since 1996. They rely on and appreciate their local customers throughout the year but look forward to the visitors that come every May, Couch said.

“It’s a fun, safe and easy going environment that’s welcoming to everyone,” Couch said.

For fall bike week, the crowds tend to revisit the same hangouts from the spring rally. Fall bike week usually happens around the end of September and beginning of October.

In September, some events for fall bike week were canceled more than halfway through the event as the area prepared for Hurricane Ian, which hit the weekend of Oct. 1.

Upcoming events during bike week

Plantation Pancake House - Offers a motorcycle-friendly breakfast every day

Location: 1003 U.S. 17 Business, Surfside Beach

Suck, Bang, Blow - The bar will have bike stunt shows, DJs and live music each afternoon and up until late.

Location: 3393 U.S. 17 Business Murrells Inlet

Spokes and Bones - With two stages, Spokes and Bones has plenty of live music for bikers to enjoy. Rock Gods, a rock tribute act with over 20 characters, is a featured concert on the evening of May 19.

Location: 2340 Highway 17 South, Murrells Inlet

Blitzburgh Sports Bar and Grill - The bar will host nine total concerts, including the Guns and Roses tribute band, Nightrain International, on the nights of May 12 and 13.

Location: 3100 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet

Barnacle Bill’s Rum and Raw Bar - Singer-songwriter Brandon Lambert is scheduled to perform at Barnacle Bill’s Rum and Raw Bar, according to bar staff. Check the Murrells Inlet bar’s social media for the upcoming full schedule.

Location: 3552 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet

The Rat Hole - The Socastee bar will host such events as biker Olympics and chocolate pudding wrestling along with vendors selling items such as patches and cigars.

Location: 3833 Socastee Blvd., Unit B, Myrtle Beach

Bubba’s Bar and Grill - Honky-tonk band Devil’s Cut will perform at Bubba’s Bar and Grill, located by Ocean Lakes Campground. For four nights, the bar has DJs scheduled until 2 a.m.

Location: 1125 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach

Fire to Table by Fat Boys - The Murrells Inlet restaurant, 3415 Highway 17 Business, has scheduled live music during bike week. The music begins from 6 to 10 p.m. May 12 and continues Friday and Saturdays and Wednesday and Thurdsday through May 20.