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Note: All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This post was updated May 19, 2020. 

Dreaming of the return of all-day beach parties set to a wave-breaking soundtrack? While taking a trip might not be in your immediate future, you can start planning one now, and  look forward to stopping by these tropical Florida beach bars where a few cold cocktails will one day await you. These 13 beloved Florida beach bars will let you kick it on the sand, get a tan and drink up—all in one sitting, once it’s time to travel again.

 

Jimmy's Beach Bar

Jimmy’s Beach Bar

1. St. Pete Beach: Jimmy Bs Beach Bar

If you’re looking for Florida’s best beach bar, this is it. And it has the accolades to prove it. Awarded Best Beach Bar three out of the last four years by FloridaBeachBar.com, Jimmy B’s has multiple outdoor bars and stages, plus an impressive line-up of live bands. Celebrate the stunning sunsets each night with a free sunset shooter.

 

orbitz - 13 ultimate Florida beach bars
2. Panama City Beach: Spinnaker Beach Club

Home of the wild and crazy Mega Beach Party, Spinnaker Beach Club is exactly what you think of when you think of spring break — bikini contests, dance parties, celebrity DJs and a scantily-clad crowd. It all goes down on Panama City Beach, aka the spring break capital of the world.

Related: See America’s best sunrises and sunsets

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Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar

3. Perdido Key: Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar

Put one toe in the sand across the Florida-Alabama border and your first stop is the “The Bama.” Both Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney sing about this roadhouse on the beach. Every hoot scootin’ warm-weather loving cowboy’s dream, this oceanfront honky tonk is famous for its bushwackers, mullet tosses, bikini contests, chili cook-offs and bulls on the beach. Yes, real live bulls.

 

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Pensacola Beach

4. Pensacola Beach: Captn Fun Beach Club

They don’t call it the Capt’n Fun Beach Club for nothing. With weekly events like Fireball Fridays, this open-air watering hole is spring break headquarters on Pensacola Beach. It may be located on the Quietwater Boardwalk, but there’s nothing quiet about this place. Go for the nightly live bands and the Who’s Your Craw Daddy crawfish boils.

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Shephard’s Tiki Bar

5. Clearwater Beach: Shephards Tiki Bar

With a concert stage built to overlook the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Shepard’s Tiki Bar is all about the live music and the views. Nestled along the shore on a tiny sliver of sand, the live bands at this Clearwater Beach bar draw quite the lively crowd.

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Lani Kai

6. Fort Myers Beach: Lani Kai

Featuring six bars and killer ocean views, Lani Kai is THE place to be for spring break on the beach in Fort Myers. This non-stop party on the sand is all about competing for prizes — from limbo and booty shake contests to hunks in trunks and babes in bikinis.

Related: How many of these iconic American monuments have you seen? (Quiz)

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Clevelander

7. Miami Beach: Clevelander

Think models and bottles. The Clevelander hosts high-energy al fresco parties on South Beach. Located on glitzy Ocean Drive and featuring a beautiful beach backdrop, this hotspot hosts body painting shows and live DJs.

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Lorelei Cabana Bar

8. The Florida Keys: Lorelei Cabana Bar

Going for a more laid back vibe? Cruise with the windows down along Overseas Highway and look for the giant blonde mermaid at Mile Marker 82. That’s how you’ll know you’ve arrived to the Lorelei Cabana Bar in Islamorada. With live music every night of the week, happy hour specials and Sunday fun-day activities, this waterfront bar has it all.

 

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9. Jupiter: Square Grouper

Here’s another one of Jimmy Buffett’s favorite beach bars. The king of the Parrott Heads and his pal Alan Jackson filmed “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” at the charming, waterfront Square Grouper watering hole. Jam out to live bands under the tiki hut and enjoy the tropical scenery, including views of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.

Related: The 10 hottest destinations to hit this summer

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10. Captiva Island: Mucky Duck

For a chilled out spring break experience, leave the large crowds behind and escape to the tiny, and somewhat quirky, Captiva Island. Situated squarely on the sand, the Mucky Duck is the sunset connoisseur’s beach bar. Kick back in an adirondack chair with a cold cocktail and watch the show.

 
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11. Daytona Beach: Ocean Deck

A mainstay in Daytona Beach for more than 50 years, Ocean Deck is all about reggae music, two for one drink specials and a laid-back Caribbean vibe. This is the only oceanfront spring break party spot in Daytona.

 
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12. Treasure Island: Caddys on the Beach

Featuring live music every day of the week and drop-dead gorgeous views from the second-floor deck, Caddy’s on the Beach is a hidden gem in Treasure Island. It’s situated a little off the beaten path from traditional spring break hotspots, but still manages to draw a vibrant crowd of locals and tourists. To spice things up while you’re there, try the infamous Caddy’s hot sauce.

Related: Thinking about eloping? Tie the knot in one of these beautiful destinations

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13. Fort Lauderdale: Elbo Room

Ready for a piece of spring break trivia? The idea of spring break gained national attention in the 1960s when producers of the movie “Where the Boys Are” featured the Elbo Room as the ultimate party place for college students on the beach. It still stands in its original location today, right across from Fort Lauderdale Beach.

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Tagged: Florida

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Kara Franker
A purveyor of the coastal life and a self-admitted beach addict, Kara is a travel writer based in Miami. Follow her on Instagram @KaraOnTheCoast and check out her blog karaonthecoast.com.

One thought on “13 ultimate Florida beach bars”

  1. Awesome! Glad two of my favs in Pensacola are ranked. The pic you have of Capt Funs is Flounders, another awesome beach bar, but not Capt Fun

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