The 12 Best Beach Bars In Florida For Sun, Surf, And Stiff Drinks

The Salt Shack

Taking in a sunset with a fruity rum drink in hand is one of life’s great pleasures. These fantastic Florida beach bars deliver that experience, and then some. These crowd-favorite watering holes are famous for their drinks, their atmosphere, their unusual perks (like an actual swimming pool), or all of the above. Some are legendary spots have have been serving frozen cocktails and fried shrimp for decades, others are a bit more new. But they all have one thing in common—you’re guaranteed a good time.

How We Chose This List

These beach bars were picked by the editors of Southern Living who report, research, and visit bars, restaurants, and hotels across the South.

The Lemon Bar/Facebook

The Lemon Bar

Neptune Beach

If the name of this Jacksonville-area bar doesn’t make you smile, its long menu of fun specialty and frozen cocktails will. Try a Blackberry Margarita, Watermelon Refresher, or a Sailor’s Mule (Sailor Jerry rum with fresh limes and oranges, topped with ginger beer), or go for a Lemondrop Shot, which comes in a souvenir shot cup. Located in the courtyard of the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn, the Lemon Bar also serves tacos, fried and grilled seafood, and appetizers. Add to that the beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s easy to see how an afternoon here can turn into an all-day hang.

lemonbarjax.com, 2 Lemon Street Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Jimmy’s Beach Bar

St. Pete Beach

Come to Jimmy’s for the Bahama Mama (spiced and coconut rums, pineapple and orange juice, grenadine) and the large, breezy deck with views of St. Pete Beach. Stay for the live music, which happens seven days a week, on two stages. When the sun goes down, customers can toast the end of another great beach day with free Sunset Shooters. The beachfront bar, which is part of the Beachcomber Resort, also has a full menu of bar food like coconut shrimp, shrimp skewers, burgers, and wraps.

jimmybsbeachbar.com; 6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

The Cleat

The Cleat

Key Biscayne

This is not a glitzy South Beach spot with a dress code and cover charge. The Cleat is completely the opposite of that, which is what makes it a fantastic beach bar. First off, it’s located in a state park—technically on No Name Harbor in Bill Baggs State Park. You can enter The Cleat through the park (for a small fee) or cruise up via boat. Either way, you’re in for the most incredible waterfront sunsets over Key Biscayne, live music, sand under your toes (they bring it in) and reportedly, the best mojitos in town.

lighthouserestaurants.com/the-cleat, 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

The Golden Lion Cafe

Flagler Beach

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year, it always feels like happy hour at The Golden Lion. With daily live music, oyster specials, cold beer, and frozen drinks, this fun and laid-back spot is located right across the street from Flagler Beach, and has great views of the ocean from its upper deck. Its seafood-heavy menu offers everything from fish tacos to towers of steamed shellfish.

The Golden Lion Cafe, 501 N. Oceanshore Blvd. (A1A), Flagler Beach, Florida 32136

Juana’s Pagodas

Navarre Beach

There aren’t many beach bars where you can get a stack of pancakes, rent a pontoon boat, watch a volleyball tournament, buy a commemorative leather bracelet, and order a Key Lime Colada under one roof. But it’s all there, under several roofs, at Juana’s Pagodas. This Navarre Beach mainstay includes an all-day restaurant and bar called Sailor’s Grill, the Pagoda Bar (a large, round bar right on the sand that’s covered with a thatched roof), the Deck Bar, Juana Bites (a take-out window for snacks), and a gift shop. It’s home to volleyball and cornhole leagues, a calendar of concerts and events, and a very loyal fanbase.

juanaspagodas.com, 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre, FL 32566

MATTHEW COUGHLIN

The Flora-Bama

Perdido Key, FL

When a bar is claimed by two states—Alabama and Florida—you know it’s something special. Located between those state lines on the Gulf Coast, this 60-year-old rag-tag beach bar is known for its bushwackers, live music of all genres (there are five stages), and church service on Sundays. The Flora-Bama is a legendary dive, and as you’ll see from the layers of names and notes penned on its walls, home to so many memories.

florabama.com; 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key, FL 32507

Joia Beach

Miami

You’ll feel like you’re at your own private party at this restaurant and beach club overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Located on Watson Island, Joia Beach is a sleek nightclub on the sand, complete with a DJ, lounge furniture, fancy cocktails, and a menu with a full raw bar and dishes like crispy lobster tails and beef carpaccio. Yes, reservations are required.

joiabeachmiami.com, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132

Robbie Caponetto Aruba Beach Cafe has been a favorite since 1983.

Aruba Beach Café

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

If Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is the quintessential coastal town, then Aruba Beach Café is the ideal waterfront watering hole. Located right on the beach, with sunny yellow patio umbrellas and a menu of tropical rum drinks, classic cocktails, wine, and snackable food, it’s easy to see why it’s a local favorite. Best of all: happy hour lasts from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.

arubabeachcafe.com; 1 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308; 954-776-0001

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

Marathon

This tiki bar (reportedly the largest in the state) on the east end of the Seven Mile Bridge is pure fun. Sunset views don’t get much better than the ones here, and the Electric Margaritas don’t hurt either. But this isn’t your typical beach bar. Sunset Grille also has a full-sized swimming pool, a surprisingly large sushi menu, and a beach party every Sunday with live music, barbecue, and more.

sunsetgrille7milebridge.com, 7 Knights Key Boulevard Marathon, FL 33050

The Salt Shack

Salt Shack On The Bay 

Tampa

Not only does this beach bar have excellent sunset views of Tampa Bay and delightful frozen drinks, the food here is worth a trip alone. Named one of The New York Times’ best restaurants in 2023, the Salt Shack is a charmingly rustic, open-air restaurant with a “gulf to table” menu that spotlights locally-caught seafood in dishes like Smoked Mahi Fish Spread, Bahamian Conch Chowder, and Avocado Shrimp Salad.

salt-shack.com, 5415 W. Tyson, Tampa, FL 33611

Sharky’s On The Pier

Venice

Since 1987, Sharky’s has been serving up seafood and stiff frozen cocktails (try the Megalodon Margarita: tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, sour mix, and fresh Florida orange juice) at the Venice Fishing Pier. The two-story deck is a prime spot for taking in the sunset, or you can watch it from the lower level with your toes in the sand. Unlike many beach bars, this one has a mocktail menu for people who want to kick back without imbibing.

sharkysonthepier.com, 1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice, FL 34285

The Whale’s Tale

The Whale’s Tail Bar & Grille

Miramar Beach

This laid-back spot is located right on the beach at Seascape Resort, but you don’t have to be a resort guest to roll right up to the bar in your flip flops. Open all day, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here with live music on most nights. Like the best beach bars, drinks are in plastic cups, food comes on paper plates, and everything is served with gorgeous views of the white sand and turquoise waters.

seascape-resort.com/the-whales-tail-destin, 112 Seascape Drive Miramar Beach, Florida 32550

Read the original article on Southern Living.