20 Florida beaches where you can (legally) drink alcohol

Cocoa Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour
Just south of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach is considered one of the best hangout beaches in Florida. Although animals, fireworks, glass bottles and camping are among the prohibited items and activities, you can legally enjoy a drink along the shoreline.

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Jensen Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 11 minutes
This Martin County beach is also open 24/7, and beachgoers can legally sip alcohol on the sand. Martin is the only county on the Treasure Coast where drinking and 24-hour access is permitted, despite a proposed alcohol ban in 2016. Jensen was named the “Pineapple Capital of the World” in 1895, and Downtown Jensen Beach is home of the annual Pineapple Festival.

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Treasure Island

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 26 minutes
Although alcohol is permitted on the beach, it comes with some major restrictions. Because of the massive limits, the only times beachgoers can drink alcohol are from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., according to Treasure Island Beach website. Although there are limits on drinking, tourists still flock to the beach for its white sand, crystal blue waters and watercolor sunsets.

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Bathtub Reef Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Bathtub Reef Beach is open 24/7, and the consumption of alcohol is accepted by Martin County, despite an attempted alcohol ban in 2016. Nearby attractions include The House of Refuge Museum, Island Princess Cruises, and Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, all of which are within 2.5 miles of the beach. Tourists and residents alike flock to the beach as a snorkeling expedition, known for its clear blue waters and tropical fish.

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Playalinda Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Found on Florida’s Space Coast, Playalinda Beach—spanish for “beautiful beach”—was rated the Quietest Beach by TripAdvisor in 2013 and made USA Today’s 2015 list for the best Florida beaches. Glass is prohibited, and pets are allowed in the lagoon, but not on the beach. This beach is reportedly a nudist favorite. You’ll need $10 per vehicle to enter the National Seashore.

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Siesta Key

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 45 minutes
With sand that is 99 percent quartz, Siesta Key is a popular vacation destination, attracting around 350,000 tourists a year. It has also been voted the “The Best Sand Beach in America” by The Travel Channel in 2004 and the #1 U.S. Beach by TripAdvisor in 2015. Alcohol is permitted in non-glass containers.

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St. Petersburg Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hour and 33 minutes
St. Pete has created recognition for itself because of its budding businesses and younger civilians, which encouraged the town to allow alcohol on beaches with some restrictions. The only people allowed to consume alcohol on the sandy shores are those who are registered hotel guests who are being served under their rented cabanas. Some of these hotels that tourists can stay at to enjoy alcohol are the Dolphin Beach Resort, Plaza Beach Hotel-Beachfront Resort, and the Grand Plaza Hotel Beachfront Resort and Conference Center. Otherwise, beachgoers are out of luck at this location.

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Redington Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 34 minutes
Unlike most beaches in the area, Redington Beach does allow alcohol consumption, but just not from glass bottles. The area has a plethora of food options after a long day on the beach, some of the more well-known restaurants near the beach are The Conch Republic Grill, Frog Pond, and Sweet Sage Cafe.

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Vanderbilt Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Vanderbilt Beach, located in North Naples, is another alcohol-friendly beach in Naples that allows non-glass beverages. Surrounded by upscale hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton of Naples, this beach is one of the most popular beach accesses in the city. Parking is limited, but there is plenty of sand to go around.

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Flagler Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Flagler Beach stretches for 19 miles along the Palm Coast, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Favored by tourists and its own seaside community, the beach is home to natural parks and allows dogs on the sand. You can go at any time of the day—yes, all 24 hours—to soak up the sun and drink up your beer on the sand.

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Hobe Sound Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 22 minutes
With its policy of being open 24 hours and allowing alcohol, Hobe Sound Beach is a must-hit spot among beachgoers. The beach was ranked first in a report from RealtyTrac in 2016 on the best beach towns in America for its crime rate, average temperature, home value and weather. Just a mile and a half from the beach, there is a slew of bars and restaurants for some after-beach drinks and dinner.

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Stuart Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 20 minutes
In 2016, a ban on alcohol for Martin County beaches was proposed but didn’t pass. Beachgoers can still bring alcohol to the beach, just not in bottles. Stuart Beach is located on Florida’s Treasure Coast, named for the Spanish galleons who shipwrecked on the coast during the 18th century.

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Lido Key

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 45 minutes
A seasonal nightclub scene and woodland trails bring many to Lido Key, located near Sarasota. Lido Key is known as a more relaxing alternative to the sometimes rowdy Siesta Key, but alcohol is allowed as long as the bottles are left at home, and the scenery makes for a popular wedding destination.

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Panama City Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Panama City Beach was once the hot destination for Spring Break, leading to a law that prohibits alcohol on the beach during the month of March. However, the beach is still alcohol-friendly for the remainder of the year and claims to have one of the highest concentration of bottlenose dolphins on the globe, as well as a an average of 320 days of sunshine per year.

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New Smyrna Dunes State Park

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour and 20 minutes
73 acres of dunes and saltwater marsh make up the alcohol-friendly New Smyrna State Park. This is one of the few beaches in which your pup can come along as well. In addition, the surrounding waters are perfect for fishing and swimming.

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Pensacola Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Besides one alcohol-free zone west of the pier, alcohol is permitted on Pensacola Beach in non-glass containers. The beach is accompanied by a flourishing commercial district which houses many shops, open-air bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. It’s also known for its sugar-like sand and crystal clear waters.

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Perdido Key

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 6 hours and 45 minutes
Perdido Key, located in the Florida Panhandle, overlooks the Gulf and is lined with white sand dunes. Known as the “Lost Island”, this beach is alcohol-friendly, with the exception of glass containers, and home to abundant wildlife and estuaries.

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Madeira Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Madeira Beach, nestled between Treasure Island and Redington Shores, allows alcohol consumption from non-glass bottles. The three beaches are the only ones in Pinellas County that allow alcohol on their shores, which allows visitors to jump between beaches for different sights and activities, all while still being able to drink.

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Turtle Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Turtle Beach is located on the southern tip of Siesta Key and allows non-glass alcoholic beverages. The beach gets its name from the large number of sea turtles that occupy and nest on the shoreline. It also offers camping and picnic areas.

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Naples Municipal Beach

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours and 30 minutes
The city of Naples, located directly across the state from Miami on the Gulf Coast, is home to many spotless beaches. Alcohol is allowed on the beach, but glass is not permitted. Many of the shorelines back up to the famous Port Royal and surrounding neighborhoods, known for their extravagant mansions, including a home owned by Gov. Rick Scott.

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