If you prefer your drink with a splash of sunset, these are the best places on the beach to sip, see and just be.
12 Best Florida Beach Bars | Peg Leg Pete’s | Pensacola Beach
Peg Leg Pete’s
Pensacola Beach
This old-school beach bar, with its sun-bleached wood exterior and license-plate-covered walls, is a maze of bars, dining rooms, tiki huts and playgrounds for the kiddies. There’s live music every night during the summer, and be sure to look for the restaurant’s sign on a ship’s mast complete with crow’s nest. peglegpetes.com
Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill
Panama City Beach
Fried pickle wedges go great with a domestic pint at this laid-back surf stop on PCB’s main drag: Front Beach Road. The prime spot on the pier will have you debating which is better: the view or the fresh fish tacos. On your way out, order a 24-ounce beer you can schlep out to the beach. hookedpierbar.com
The Setai
Miami Beach
In November 2013, the hyper-luxurious “six-star” hotel completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, which included a total revamp of the resort’s Beach Bar. Secretly tucked behind sea-grape trees on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, you’re just a short stroll from the shoreline. Expect froufrou steak frites, not fried grouper sandwiches. thesetaihotel.com
Florida Miami Beach “Ocean Drive” alfresco dining Clevelander Hotel
Clevelander
South Beach
You’ll have to battle through the mist machines and tourists littering Ocean Drive to get to this quintessential South Beach drinking spot, where thumping music (think mmm-sst mmm-sst) blares around the clock. You’re in SoBe, so drink like a spring breaker and order the Raging Bull, a frozen concoction made from vodka and Red Bull. clevelander.com
The Beach House
Anna Maria Island
The expanse of beachfront at this toes-in-the-sand dining and drinks spot is stunning, which makes it quite popular for wedding receptions. Nibble a legendary Cuban sandwich and sip the sunset-inspired cocktail, the Green Flash, made with chartreuse and melony Midori. beachhouse.groupersandwich.com
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
Clearwater Beach
Tucked into a corner lot on Rockaway Street, halfway between the Sandpiper Resort and Palm Pavilion Inn, this Clearwater Beach staple puts you right on the sand facing the Gulf of Mexico. The she-crab soup and grouper sandwich are tops. Check out the dockside location on Poinsettia Avenue. frenchysonline.com
Whale’s Rib
Deerfield Beach
Atlantic Avenue isn’t the only cool place to hang in Deerfield Beach. This raw bar serves clams, steamed rock shrimp, house potato chips, beers by the pint and pitcher, and Clamato-juice bloody marys beloved by locals, which became even more popular after the 30-year-old venue was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. whalesrib.com
Nick’s Bar & Grill
Hollywood Beach
Weathered signs, Christmas lights, troughs of ice-cold beer: This place has all the requisites of a dive-y beach bar, and that’s part of the appeal. Locals frequent this eatery along the Hollywood Boardwalk for live music, mango margaritas and seafood (try the clams). There are plenty of TVs should you prefer to check out the game instead of the killer ocean view, but why would you? Nick’s Bar & Grill Facebook
12 Best Florida Beach Bars | High Tides at Snack Jack | Flagler Beach
High Tides at Snack Jack
Flagler Beach
Don’t call this Atlantic Ocean spot along A1A retro; it just looks like it did when it opened nearly 60 years ago. In fact, it’s decidedly modern: A valet parks your car. Find a seat at the surfer-inspired joint for a jerk-spiced fish Reuben or spiced steamed shrimp, a cold longneck and the surf report. snackjacks.com
Sliders Seaside Grill
Fernandina Beach
This laid-back venue’s tagline says it all: “If you’re lucky enough to be at the beach, you’re lucky enough.” Out of the three bars here, our fave is the Tiki Bar. Join Bob Marley fans on Reggae Wednesdays. Full-moon parties include live music and free glow sticks. slidersseaside.com
Bud & Alley’s
Seaside
Since 1986, this has become the prime spot to catch the sunset along Scenic Highway 30A. After 25 years, not only has it garnered accolades for longevity, it’s become a local institution. Case in point: You’ll need to arrive an hour early to secure a table on the roof deck bar. Nosh on smoked tuna dip, fried crab claws, shrimp and grits, and steamed Cedar Key clams. (Or simplify things at the taco and pizza bars.) budandalleys.com
Morada Bay Beach Cafe
Islamorada
While there are no waves here, Hawaiian and Californian surf culture permeates this outdoor beach cafe at mile marker 81.6. Grab a table (or an Adirondack chair) on the sand and sip a Painkiller (rum punch with coconut cream and nutmeg). Full moons are celebrated with blowout parties on the sand. moradabay.com
