Throw back a shot, get up and move, find someone to dance with you. You know we play'n that music all night long. Move the beat, follow your feet, let this feeling carry you. Cause we've been held down for five long days and it's time to cut it loose.
- Nic Cowan
Cut It Loose
Bar 179: Whiskey Joes, Key Biscayne
Knowing that we were going to Miami, we searched the site to find a bar on Key Biscayne. Kenny Chesney sings about it in a few of his songs so we have always wanted to go. However, upon finding there wasn't one on the official site, we set out in search of one and found Whiskey Joe's. The view of Miami was perfect but the service and drinks left a little to be desired.
The thatched roofs and views were a great start to this beach bar day!
Ryan ordered a Gold Rush which is bourbon, honey and lemon juice. The waitress first told us that they couldn't make it because they were out of bourbon. I'm going to repeat. WHISKEY Joe's was out of WHISKEY!! How does that even happen? They eventually found bourbon and then served Ryan the drink in a plastic margarita glass... ugh.
Bar 180: The Clevelander
This is a must-see when you go to Miami Beach! Parking in
this area is a bit difficult but we lucked out and pulled immediately in to a
street spot right outside the Clevelander. Admittedly, Miami Beach is not our
scene. We prefer more laid back bars and a bit lower price point but we
appreciate the area for what it is and enjoyed ourselves for our time there.
The Clevelander sits on the corner across from Miami Beach and has a couple
bars, pool and dance floor. This place was pretty crazy on a Friday afternoon,
we can’t image it at night. What a great time!
The sex on the beach shot was pretty standard but also really expensive but you come here knowing that it is all part of the experience.
Bar 181: Mangos Tropical Café
Just down the street is Mangos Tropical Café. We
sat at the bar which gave us a great view of the crowd at Mangos. People
watching was the best! This also had one of the best reggae bands we have
heard. They did some amazing reggae covers of new pop songs. The atmosphere was
enjoyable. Again, only downside was the prices. There is a “hospitality
donation” along with added gratuity. Ryan’s shot was about $16!
Bar 182: Le Tub Saloon
Up the beach a little bit in Hollywood, Florida
is Le Tub Saloon. Easily a highlight of the day for us and a nice change of
pace to the crowded areas in Miami. Le Tub is all themed with....well, tubs! All kinds are seen throughout this little bar.
We sat at a small table on the water, in
the shade and were able to unwind from some of the stress of navigating Miami
traffic. The staff was down to earth and really nice. There is still a cost
for parking but that is something we found common in this area. They have a lot
of waterfront space so we were able to see several people dock their boats.
The Red Stripe took us back to our honeymoon in Jamaica. The mozzarella sticks we ate really hit the spot too.
Bar 183: Joe's Tiki Bar and Grill
We walked to Joe's Tiki bar just down the road from LeTub. It was a bit adventurous due to the construction on the Margaritaville hotel being built just across the street but worth the walk. It is a pretty unassuming tiki bar with a good view.
Ryan ordered a screwdriver. A pretty standard drink and bar.
Bar 184: Latitudes Beach Cafe
As part of the Marriott hotel on Hollywood Beach we weren't expecting a lot from this hotel bar but we were sure wrong. This bar had a great drink selection and even better views. The staff was very friendly.
I ordered a bloody-mary and they used a new mix that we hadn't had. It didn't quite compare to Zing Zang mix but it was enjoyable!
Bar 185: Walkabout Tiki Bar
Just next to Latitudes is the Walkabout Resort and Tiki Bar. It wasn't on the original list but with the pink architecture, thatched roof, live music, great drink specials and amazing staff we knew it had to be added.
They had $2 beer specials so I took advantage of it. This bar has a lot of locals which is a good sign! It is very small but it makes up for it's size by the fun atmosphere they have created.
Bar 186: Jimbo's Beach Bar
This was a quaint restaurant and bar on the waterway. While we enjoyed our time it wasn't incredibly memorable. Ryan had the Greyhound which was on happy hour special. He wanted a well margarita (well tequila and sour mix) but they wouldn't honor it as a "well" drink. Don't get it. We had an ok time nonetheless.
Bar 187: Dania Beach Bar
Across the way and on the side of the Atlantic is the Dania Beach Bar. It is a pretty small bar, with a lot of local traffic that only serves beer and wine. The live music was pretty good but we have had more fun in other areas. You can't really even see the beach from here but it is a typical atmosphere that you would find at any beach bar.
I still really enjoyed my Pinot Grigio!
Bar 188: Cafe Del Mar
We had completed our bars in Hollywood so we made our way to Fort Lauderdale to make a dent in the list of bars in that area. Our first stop was Cafe Del Mar. Not so much a beach bar but more of a restaurant. It was a good choice for us as we had dinner there and Ryan had a margarita.
We got in just around sunset and couldn't have had a better view!
The mirror on the back wall ensures that you have a fabulous view of the beach regardless of which way you are seated!
The margarita was okay, but they had a great wine selection and we would recommend trying that next time.
Bar 189: Elbo Room
Elbo room was a bar alive with energy when we got there. We know where the name Elbo room comes from because there sure isn't a lot of it here.
The live music was fantastic and people were dancing. We didn't spend much time here but it is definitely a place we would like to return to at our next opportunity.
We asked the bartender if there was a shot she could recommend and she suggest the OO7 shot. We were intrigued and tried it. One of the best shot suggestions we have had at a beach bar!
We enjoyed listening to the live music!
OO7- orange vodka, orange curacao, and 7-up.
Bar 190: Rock Bar
Along the same row of bars, right in the middle sits Rock Bar. Their outdoor seating is really expansive and based on the DJ booth inside, this is likely a place that rocks at night!
Ryan had a buttery nipple shot and it was pretty tasty!
With this, we decided to call it a night and continue our quest in the morning.
Bar 191: Fat Tuesday Beach Place
We were a little skeptical about the Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale. It is a new, multi-level mall area that has many bars all in one place. Any reservations we had quickly vanished when we sat at Fat Tuesday overlooking the beach and were able to enjoy our drink.
While Fat Tuesday wasn't one of our favorites in the area, it was still a nice start to the day and these views never get old.
Here is our swamp water, with the beach in the background!
Bar 192: Hooters Beach Place
We would have skipped this as our experience since the other Hooter's on the list wasn't a great experience; however, with this being in the same building as the others we thought we would give it a shot (pun intended).
The bartender suggested a Hawaiian Punch shot and at first sip we were happy we made the stop! Cherry vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple and grenadine.
Bar 193: Lulu's Bait Shack
Lulu's is on the other side of the Beach Place and a completely different feel from the other bars we had been to earlier in the day. This was the first one that felt like a standard beach bar even though it was several stories high. Same great views as the others in the place, but great reclaimed wood walls.
Can you imagine we had this much fun before even stepping in to the restaurant?
Ryan ordered a birthday cake shot but with the large selection of liquor it was hard to decide what we wanted. We would have spent more time here but it was early on our list and we had bars to see!
Bar 194: Atlantic Surf Club
We absolutely loved the decor and ambiance of this place! It was decorated similarly to how we just remodeled our living room. It was a little windy but we had a great time.
I ordered a pina colada shot and it was enjoyable. The bartender also let me try a new Widmer beer that was on tap (we have a soft spot for Widmer beer since our Great Dane is named after one of their pale ale's...Drifter). This new one was a new IPL and something I would order again in the future!
Bar 195: Da Big Kahuna Restaurant and Tiki Bar
This place is right at the top of the Beach Place. We saved it for the last because we had pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a disappointment. The bartender we had was new, she was extremely friendly but didnt really have any good recommendations for drinks. Since it has a Hawaiian feel, I settled on a Kona Castaway IPA.
They did have a pretty awesome "bowl"drink that we would have tried if we had more people and more time.
Bar 196: Aruba Beach Cafe
We traveled a little bit up the coast to find Aruba Beach Cafe in Lauderdale by the Sea. We were starving so took an inside table as the wait for outside was over an hour. The outside patio looked really nice and had a great view of the beach.
The food was really good and Ryan enjoyed his Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade.
Bar 197 Manatee Island Grill
Our first stop in Stuart was Manatee Island Grill. It is a charming location on the water. They have live music and a large thatched-roof tiki bar.
We were able to celebrate Dos de Mayo with the Most Interesting Man in the World.
Another behind the scenes shot of what goes in to making sure these trips get documented properly.
Bar 198: Twisted Tuna
A short walk from Manatee Island grill is the Twisted Tuna. We were greeted with a Florida Beach bar sticker! It is always a pleasant surprise!
This place was truly amazing! The back bar sits on a large deck where they had games and live music.
Ryan sitting at the bar overlooking the marina and the live music.
The green tea shot, jameson, peach schnapps and sour mix. We have been impressed by the creative drinks and shots the bartenders in this area have suggested!
Bar 199: Sailor's Return
Our last stop in Stuart was Sailor's Return. Surrounded by the marina and tucked away from all traffic. It was a nicer, more upscale bar and we enjoyed the live music and calming waterfall. They had nice happy hour specials!
After a day of very sweet, fruity drinks, a glass of pinot grigio really hit the spot! We would both like to go back for dinner some time.
A little fun just outside Sailor's Return. Anchors Away!
Bar 200: Conchy Joe's Seafood
200! What! Wow, as we sat at the bar at Conchy Joe's, we were able to reminisce about the last 199 stops along this journey. This bar had a lot of the same things as most bars. Stale popcorn, good drinks, tasty food, friendly bartenders and music.
A Brancott Sauvignon Blanc and The Ruby
Cheers to Bar 200! In my mind I had pictured this huge hooplah for Bar 200, but in reality it was anticlimactic- bar 200 came and went just like the other 199 before it. We were together, enjoying life and this journey. And isn't that all that really matters?
Bar 201: Shuckers on the Beach
We raced to the next bar just in time to catch the Kentucky Derby. Shuckers has a great outdoor patio and it was crowded with people cheering on their horses at the derby.
American Pharoah won the derby. The drink, Malibu Bay Breeze, was great!
Bar 202: Manatee Island Grill
We got here about 7:30 on Saturday night and the band was rocking out! There were a lot of locals dancing and having a great time. This was by far the best live music of the trip! We spent a fair amount of time here because the music was so good.
Ryan had fireball whiskey on the rocks. It gives new meaning to "this tastes like burning".
Bar 203: On The Edge
While at Manatee Island grill we heard from friends of ours that are local to check out On The Edge. The sun was setting as we stepped for on to the property to find this hidden gem in Fort Pierce! The bartenders have created a great balance of craft cocktail and easy beach drinks. You can tell they have put a lot of thought in to their menu.
We felt like we had stumbled on our own little piece of paradise.
We chatted with the bartender and manager for a while to get more information to be able to add it to the Florida Beach Bar site. This is a must-see if you are in the area!
The vanilla purple mutha fu*ka and the sunset.
Bar 204: Archie's Sea Breeze
This beer and wine only bar doesn't really have any water views but it does have live music and energetic staff. There were a lot of locals there but the atmosphere was upbeat with people dancing to Whipping Post.
Bar 205: Cobbs Landing
It was fairly late at night but we needed some dinner so we made our way to Cobb's Landing. Our waiter was new to the restaurant but down-to-earth and made us feel like we had been going there forever.
Ryan enjoyed an Old 43, knob creek, liquor 43, lemon, agave and orange/cherry garnish.
We got there just as the live music was finishing but we enjoyed it while it lasted. Even from inside, we had a good view of the marina.
I had one of the best salads I have ever had for dinner! It was a crab salad with edamame, cucumber vinaigrette and wanton strips. We will absolutely be back!
Bar 206: Original Tiki Bar
As the night was coming to a close, we were tempted to this bar as we could see it from Cobbs Landing. We sat in the corner and ordered a chocolate covered pretzel shot. We sipped it and talked about everything we had visited in the last two days.
We saw a street sign for one of the Highway Men! Ryan has been working on a script for the last few years about the Highway Men and it was fun to see a piece of history from the area they originated.
Bar 207: Mulligan's Beach House
We stopped in Vero Beach on our way home so we could have some lunch. This was the restaurant with the shortest wait so we went for it.
We were seated and provided one menu for the both of us to share. It was a little odd but they were somewhat busy so we went with it.
I ordered a Sweetwater 420 IPA and settled in for a relaxing and delicious lunch, or so we had hoped.
I ordered crab cake sliders that came with a side salad. The lettuce on the salad was fermenting but I did my best to eat around it until I found a hair on the plate. At that point I asked for a new dish and mentioned the salad with wilted lettuce.
My next plate was brought to me with the same issue with the lettuce and they mentioned that it was because of the heat of the crab cakes.
We were having such a great weekend and it just kind of put a damper on the weekend. I really wouldn't recommend it. Head to Fort Pierce instead!
Bar 208: Waldo's at the Driftwood Resort
This is a great pool bar, overlooking the ocean and had good live music. I know, the live music thing may sound like a broken record but it really can make a difference in deciding how long we stay at a place.
Ryan ordered a Key Wester. It was just okay, pretty standard for drinks we have had at other bars. We still enjoyed our Sunday afternoon trip but were kind of anxious to get back.
Well, we have done it! Over 200 beach bars in the state of Florida! So what's next? While we are by no means done, we will likely slow down and work on some other goals and travel to places on our bucket list. We will be making a book of our journey and will definitely keep this up if you want to follow our additional beach bar travels. Who knows, we may even branch out of Florida!? What we do know is that one of the things we are most looking forward to is RELAXING at the next beach bar.
We will be celebrating this journey in St. Pete at one of the Top 10 Florida Beach Bar celebrations! Maybe we'll see you there!
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