Stroll, Boat, Paddle or Bike to These Popular Outdoor Bars

Sun worshippers, surfers, beach babes, professionals, and entrepreneurs are all busy, whether in an office or on the beach. Everyone deserves to take a break from the daily grind to grab a cocktail and kick back. No need to rinse the salt water from your hair, the sand from your feet or polish your loafers - just walk in and belly up to one of these cool, laid-back outdoor bars where the rum flows and the frequenters feel right at home in our latest SoWal List.

 
Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge
Set atop The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach is the swanky Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge. Just up from the pool deck you can slink into a plush chair and a server will bring you specialty drinks and small dishes to share with your table. Take in the view of the pool and the Gulf of Mexico as you de-stress and chill. If you are looking for a little extra privacy, rent a cabana that will comfortably accommodate up to eight people and a server will take care of all of your dining needs. The Pearl is a popular vacation destination hotel with amenities galore.

Bud and Alley’s Roof Deck Bar
The famed and even revered Roof Deck Bar at Bud and Alley’s in Seaside, FL is still a much-loved stop for almost every visitor to South Walton.

In 2020 Bud & Alley's had an extensive renovation and addition which doubled the size of the rooftop bar and it now has a 360 degree view of Seaside.

With the best, unobstructed view on the Emerald Coast, patrons sit and sip for hours, as there is no schedule here. Different menus are served throughout the day, including lunch, an “in between” bar menu, a full dinner menu and a late night menu. The most popular drinks to toast are the “Mo-garita” (created by renowned local favorite bartender, Mo), the Seaside Punch ($1 of each drink goes to Alaqua Animal Refuge), and the Seaside Wine Project wines, created by the founders of Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis. Make sure you get there before sunset so you can claim a seat, settle in and wait for the sunset bell to ring.

Great Southern Cafe
Great Southern Café in Seaside, FL is best known for four things – the best happy hour in town, the best mojito of the Gulf Coast, the Grits a Ya Ya, and the Apalachicola oysters on the half-shell. Chef Jim Shirley, recently voted Grand Champion Executive Chef in the Perfect in South Walton Awards, prides himself on buying local produce, fresh seafood and offering the absolute best service. At happy hour, Great Southern welcomes a full house 365 days a year from 4-6 P.M.. (half off all cocktails and wines by the glass and $1 off beer). Some of the best and fastest bartenders in town serve up drinks that will entice you to come back again and again. The deck around the outside bar is always bustling with content customers devouring the fare and toasting the brews.

The Bay
The Bay is a “beachfront” bar with finger-licking food and mouthwatering drinks. Bring your paddleboard so you can get a little time out on the water and come back in to chill out on the beach or on the deck. You can even bring a group of friends for a game of CornHole as The Bay has all of the great beach games! Try the cutest little drink in the world while you’re there – the cotton candy champagne. Chef Jim Shirley has created a menu that has everything from fresh, gulf seafood to the best burgers on the beach. The sushi bar at The Bay is king. Using all fresh and mostly local ingredients, many have called it “the best in town”. Don’t forget that The Bay is the only place in SoWal to bring your boat right to the dock and enjoy great food and drinks.
 
Take it from the locals… These spots in our latest SoWal List are among the best outdoor bars in South Walton, each offering something unique. These are the spots where locals love to hang, visitors love to be entertained, and no one leaves without having a good time.