When James Hughes, Steven Ramsey, and Matthew Connors moved to Florida together, they fished and lounged on the beach all day and worked at restaurants and bars all night. After returning to the Carolinas, the trio opened Sharkey's Raw Bar & Grill to capture the spirit of their favorite beachside pastime and the infectious energy of the area’s bustling nightlife. The private chef for the Masters golf tournament for five years, executive chef Steven steams, grills, and fries some of the ocean’s tastiest catches, including shrimp, oysters, crab, and fish. His menu also unfolds with crab-cake sandwiches, 10-ounce rib-eye steaks, and gator bites most popular with vengeful pirates with hooks for hands.

A second-place-award winner in the 2011 National Bartending Competition, Matthew manages a full stock of liquor that washes down each bite. Diners can dig in at the outdoor seating area or in the spacious 125-seat dining room, which evokes an oceanic feel with a large mural of octopi, sharks, fish, and a sunbathing Poseidon. Along with their fresh seafood, Sharkey's Raw Bar & Grill entices guests with live music every Friday and Saturday night.