Bar 1: Hula Bay Club and Duke's Retired Surfer's Island Bar, Tampa

"Well, if we're going to do this, then let's... do it!" - Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

On our way to cross the first beach bar off our list of 213!

"Duke" Kahanamoku (1890 - 1968) mastered his surfing and swimming skills on the waves of Waikiki beach as a young beach boy and later went on to win the U.S. several Olympic gold medals in swimming.  He traveled internationally to give swimming exhibitions and would incorporate surfing (previously known only in Hawaii) as part of these exhibitions.  His efforts of publicizing the sport of surfing reached Southern California 1912 and he is known today as the father of modern surfing.

In Tampa, the Hula Bay Club and Duke's Retired Surfer's Island Bar (hulabayclub.com) pays tribute to this "surfer of the century" and is where our adventure begins.

Apparently, the "Hula Bay Club" is the overall establishment (owned by the Green Iguana) and "Duke's Retired Surfer's Island Bar" is the bar section of the Hula Bay Club.  We smelled food toward the left entrance so the "Hula Bay Club Bar and Grill" was our first official stop to get through 213 beach bars.  

To gain credit on the Florida Beach Bar competition, we had to take our picture at the bar and enjoy at least one cocktail.

Check!

We asked the bartender to give us their "signature drink."  After some thought, she brought me a "Sweet Tart" drink and a "something she made up" drink for Sarah.  Good, but not the most memorable drinks... those will happen later.

It was fish and chips for Sarah and the Hula Burger (pineapple and bacon) for me.  I highly recommend.

We ended the night at "Duke's Retired Surfer's Island Bar" where we met up with our friend and Sarah's co-worker, Tara!

Luckily, Duke came to the rescue and we were able to have a memorable drink from our first beach bar as we listened to a great live band near the water.

The Hawaiian Freeze

Blue Bird Margarita + Kahanamoku Kick

Now this is a signature drink!  Thanks Duke!

As we were leaving, we told Harold (Hula Bay employee) about our quest.

He ran away from us.

He then excitedly returned with a pen that had the words "Florida Beach Bar" on it and said he knows the pink flamingo guy!  

So, Florida Beach Bar- well done!

Harold told us to come back in the summer because the bar has a pool they open in tribute to the surfing and swimming great, Duke Kahanamoku.  

But when we do, it will be very busy and cars will be parked along the street for hundreds of feet.  So he left us and other future patrons with a word of caution... 

Don't block the train.

Visit floridabeachbar.com to find a great Florida beach bar and to check out the contest!