Our Favorite Florida Beach Bars

Get your beach fix with a side of tropical libations

Whether you’re here on vacation or relaxing after the end of a long work day—there’s nothing like enjoying a frosty drink while the waves crash just a few feet away. Here are two dozen of our favorites:

1. Peg Leg Pete’s - Pensacola Beach This old-school beach bar, with its sun- bleached exterior wood and license-plate-covered walls, is a maze of bars, dining rooms, tiki huts and playgrounds for kiddies. peglegpetes.com
2. Sliders Seaside Grill - Amelia Island From the three bars here, our favorite is the Tiki Bar for oysters with a cold one, as well as live music. Join Bob Marley fans on Reggae Wednesdays. slidersseaside.com
3. Bud & Alley’s - Seaside This is the prime spot to catch the sunset along Scenic Highway 30A. Arrive an hour early to secure a table on the roof deck bar. Nosh on smoked tuna dip or the fresh catch while toasting the day’s end. budandalleys.com
4. The Beach House - Anna Maria Island The expanse of beachfront is jaw-dropping stunning at this toes-in-the-sand dining and drinks spot. The sunset-inspired cocktail, the Green Flash (with Midori), is our fave. beachhousedining.com
5. High Tides at Snack Jack - Flagler Beach A valet parks your car at this Atlantic Ocean fave. Find a seat at the surfer-inspired joint for a fish Reuben, a cold longneck and the surf report. snackjacks.com
6. Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill - Panama City Beach Fried pickle wedges go great with a domestic pint at this laid-back surf stop. A prime spot on the pier will have you debating which is better: the view or the fresh fish tacos. hookedpierbar.com
7. Morada Bay Beach Café - Islamorada Grab a table on the sand and sip a Painkiller (rum punch with coconut cream and nutmeg). Full moons are celebrated with blowout parties on the sand. moradabaykeys.com
8. Nick’s Bar & Grille - Hollywood Beach It’s plenty divey, but that’s a big part of the appeal. Locals frequent this Boardwalk spot for live music, mango margaritas and the kickin’ ocean view. nicksbargrill.com
9. Whale’s Rib - DeerField Beach The raw bar’s clams, house potato chips and Clamato juice bloody marys are the best at this 30-year institution. whalesrib.com
10. Flora-Bama - Pensacola On Perdido Key, this bar serves Bushwackers, the local drink. florabama.com
11. Crab Trap - multiple locations Order garlicky crab claws and a chilled rum cocktail at this bar on Scenic Highway 98. crabtrapflorida.com
12. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill - Clearwater The grouper sandwich is tops at this Clearwater Beach staple. frenchysonline.com
13. Jimmy B’s Beach Bar - St. Pete Beach Celebrate sunset on St. Pete Beach with a Sunset Shooter on the sand. beachcomberflorida.com
14. Siesta Key Oyster Bar - Siesta Key This Siesta Key landmark, decorated in dollar bills, has 20-plus beers on tap. skob.com
15. Mucky Duck - Captiva Island This beachside pub has been a Captiva Island favorite since 1976. muckyduck.com
16. Quinn’s on the Beach - Marco Island The Sunset grenadine punch goes down easy when gazing at the Gulf. marcoislandmarriott.com
17. Clevelander - South Beach This is the quintessential Ocean Drive bar for the buff SoBe set. clevelander.com
18. Setai - Miami Beach The resort’s Beach Bar is secretly tucked behind sea-grape trees on the Miami Beach Boardwalk. setai.com
19. Aruba Beach Cafe - Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL Order an açaí-blueberry concoction at this Lauderdale-by-the-Sea spot. arubabeachcafe.com
20. The Sandbar - Delray Beach Delray Beach’s new tiki-hut-shaded hot spot serves a mean mojito. bostonssandbar.com
21. Waldo’s - Vero Beach This is Vero Beach’s go-to place for a Dark ‘n’ Stormy and great volleyball. historicwaldos.com
22. Sand on the Beach - Melbourne Beach Hit the second-floor bikini bar at this newbie in Melbourne Beach. sandonthebeach.com
23. Chase’s on the Beach - New Smyrna Beach Find cold beer and a pool for volleyball at this New Smyrna Beach hangout. chasesonthebeach.com
24. Golden Lion - Flagler Beach Sit on the upper deck at this Flagler Beach favorite, known for British beers and fish and chips. goldenlioncafe.us