20 essential beachside bars within driving distance of Orlando

Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 34 minutes
No, they don’t just serve whiskey here. There’s other options for those who want more fruit, less bite, to their drinks. Play a game of cornhole and sit at the tiki hut tables when you’re not trying to figure out what glass to take on next.

7720 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607
Photo via jimmboslice17/Instagram

The Getaway
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 37 minutes
This newbie wasn’t birthed until 2014, but it’s already leaving its mark on beachgoers. Floribbean cuisine is the staple here — that’s the lovechild between Florida and Caribbean food for your Getaway virgins out there — making everything from the costa conch fritters to the bimini basket an adventure. Musical acts shift depending on the night; you might catch rock or reggae groups one visit or a DJ the next.

13090 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Photo via The Getaway/Facebook

Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar
Distance from Orlando: 54 minutes
A lot of beach bars are of the Jimmy Buffet variety, but occasionally you’ll come across a nice little tiki establishment such as this one. Sure, you can sit and order a zombie, but you can get that anywhere. Instead, take advantage of their specialty, the tiki tango, for some kiwi-strawberry-flavored delight.

505 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Photo via Google Maps

Palm Pavilion Beachside Bar & Grill
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 1 minute
This beachside eatery and bar is probably older than most if not all of its customers, having opened its doors way back in 1926. Bite into the self-proclaimed “Best Burger on the Beach” while you bob your head to the beat of the local musicians. Performances happen twice a day, so you’ll almost always have music accompanying the rhythm of nearby waves.

10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater, FL 33767
Photo via carissa.warner/Instagram

The Breakers Restaurant
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour
If you can get a seat here, Breakers is one of the best spots in New Smyrna to grab a drink or some grub. Try one of their many burgers or their shrimp skewers.
518 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach
Photo via Tanya K./Yelp

Milliken's Reef
Distance from Orlando: 53 minutes
You might be in Port Canaveral, but it’ll feel like you’re all the way down in the Keys. When you’re not appreciating the style on site, you might find yourself at the tiki bar, where you’ll have a faultless view of the incoming cruise ships on the horizon. Every order of food comes with a generous plate of hush puppies and a helping of cinnamon butter.

683 Dave Nisbet Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Photo via Milliken's Reef/Facebook

Racing’s North Turn
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 9 minutes
This beach bar isn’t just for drinking and dancing. The spot is brimming with history given that it’s sitting right by the birthplace of racing in the Daytona Beach area, making it a perfect fit for racing fans. And really, any place that’s made it onto Floridabeachbars.com’s Top 10 list five years in a row is worth checking out.

4511 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127
Photo via Brad.D/Yelp

Hula Bay Club + Duke’s Retired Surfers Island Bar
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 33 minutes
This tropical duo sets out to fashion a Hawaiian paradise, and there’s no doubt that it accomplishes its goal. If you’re tired of swimming in the ocean, swim at one of the bar’s pools for a few laps. Just don’t forget to try the Hula Burger once you dry off.

5210 W Tyson Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Photo via Hula Bay Club/Facebook

Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
Distance from Orlando: 54 minutes
Not everyone clings onto the looseness and occasional craziness of beach living, and for such people, this bar is a comfortable companion. The laid-back atmosphere here has been establishing itself for over 60 years. Sit back, order a drink and some oysters and watch a band play or keep up with you favorite sports team on one of the 42-inch TVs.

628 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Photo via rustysseafood/Instagram

Ocean Deck
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 8 minutes
There’s plenty of alcohol to go around here. Drinks (they’re served in Mason jars!) can conveniently be bought at both the first-floor and second-floor bars, so you’ll have easy access to your fair share of margaritas no matter where you’re dancing. Musicians can be caught performing nightly, but it’s only on the weekend that you can see them jamming out on the only on-the-beach stage this side of the U.S.

127 S Ocean Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Photo via oceandeck/Instagram

Shephard's Beach Resort Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 3 minutes
Party, party, party. That’s what it’s all about at Shephard’s. The stage for the band is huge as is the one for dancing, the latter of which goes over the water. Drinks keep on coming, so if you’re worried about not being able to make it home, the accompanying hotel is a quick, stumbling walk away. Oh, and the food is good too.

601 South Gulfview Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33767-2643
Photo via Shephard's Beach Resort Tiki Beach Bar & Grill/website

Squid Lips
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 8 minutes
Maybe the mental image that comes to mind with the name isn’t necessarily appealing, but that’s not reflective of the quality. Squid Lips technically isn’t a beach bar, at least in the natural sense, but the man-made “beach” location on the Indian River works just as well for your tiki needs. Dock your boat right on the spot after a long day of sailing around in preparation for an order of cracked conch and something from the impressively long 50+ Bloody Mary Bar drink menu.

1477 Pineapple Ave, Melbourne, FL 32935
Photo via gtflorida/Instagram

Tropix Island Tiki Bar
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 1 minute
Checking into the accompanying resort isn’t necessary to grab a drink here. Live music may find its way to the bar, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re really itching for some tunes, your best bet is to call before heading over.

655 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33706
Photo via Quality Beach Resort/Flickr

Rick’s on the River
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Being right next to the marina would probably explain why Rick’s is such a hot spot for boaters. Convenience isn’t the only offering, however. It steps away from the bustle of bar life and establishes itself as a place where you can slurp on oysters and cold beer during a football game viewing. It’s okay to calmly unwind, sometimes.

2305 N Willow Ave, Tampa, FL 33607
Photo via Jessica M./Yelp