Best Beach Bars in Clearwater Beach— and What to Drink at Them

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Lucky for you guys, I’ve been familiarizing myself with the drinks and acquainting myself with the beach bars of Clearwater Beach for the last five-plus years, and I’m here to give you all of the details. While there is plenty to do at Clearwater Beach, the beach bars and fun (often tropical) drinks are part of the experience. Regardless of what kind of drink you’re craving, I’ve got you covered with the best bar to go to.

Oh, and if you wanna make your bar-hopping experience even more fun and entertaining, check out my Clearwater Beach scavenger hunt (adults only)!

Best Beach Bars in Clearwater Beach— and What to Drink at Them

Best Bloody Mary in Clearwater Beach

Jimmy’s Fish House

I first discovered Jimmy’s years ago when I was visiting Clearwater Beach (prior to moving here) and asked some friendly locals where to find the best Bloody Mary on the beach—locals did not steer me wrong!

Their Bloody Mary comes fully loaded with a shrimp-and-veggie skewer, making it practically a meal. Plus, it’s served with a classic beachside touch: a beer chaser on the side (usually Miller or Bud Light). Craving a bit of heat? Ask for it spicy, and they’ll add Jimmy’s hot sauce for an extra kick.

This drink has become my go-to Clearwater Beach “breakfast” after a fun night out!

Best Martini in Clearwater Beach

Opal Sands Sea-Guini

Sea-Guini has all sorts of to-die-for martinis here, whether you’re looking for something sweet and fruity or the classic with some stuffed blue cheese olives. Personally, I dream about their strawberry shortcake martini. Stoli vanilla vodka, muddled strawberries, simple syrup, and a graham cracker rim— sounds amazing, right?

I’m going to give you a hack to make it even more amazing: ask them to add their ice cream mix to it. This makes the drink a little bit creamy. Normally, I can’t do a ton of sweet drinks, but when it comes to these, I can easily down a few— and in record time, embarrassingly enough.

This spot is also a great date night restaurant if you’re getting hungry!

Best Tiki Drinks in Clearwater Beach

Bar Tiki

This craft tiki bar is an absolute must if you’re on Clearwater Beach! Its prime marina location makes it perfect for grabbing a drink while waiting for any nearby Clearwater Beach activities to start. It’s perfect for groups, especially spring breakers or bachelorette parties (Clearwater Beach is seriously one of my favorite Florida bachelorette destinations, thanks to fun places like this).

The drinks at Bar Tiki are whimsical and expertly crafted. When we couldn’t decide, we left it to the bartender, Savannah, with a “pick your poison” request, and let me tell you, this drink was one of the most delicious heavenly drinks I’ve ever had!

We loved it so much we ordered another round. Of course, you can choose for yourself, with options like mojitos, mai tais, a black margarita, and even spiked Dole Whip!

And if you’re looking to hang out, Bar Tiki has games like cornhole and Connect 4, plus a Hawaiian-inspired menu to keep you fueled. Check out my TikTok for more of my Bar Tiki adventures!

Best Mezcalita in Clearwater Beach

Vue 360

Mezcal has been my drink of choice for a while now, and it’s still pretty hard to find a good mezcal cocktail on Clearwater Beach. Luckily Vue 360 came to my rescue. Their mezcalita (a margarita with mezcal instead of tequila) is PHENOMENAL. Actually, it’s too good.

Did I mention it’s also a rooftop bar? Their drinks paired with the views is a dangerous combination. You’re never going to want to leave! They also have plenty of other fun drinks including a key lime martini that straight up tastes like key lime pie. Graham cracker rim and all!

Best Beer Selection in Clearwater Beach

Surfside Taphouse

Surfside Taphouse is a beer lover’s dream. With 50 beers on tap and daily bucket and draft specials, you are sure to find something you like. You can get a bucket of Bud, Bud Light, Corona, Corona Light, or Premier for $16.

Best Mojito in Clearwater Beach

Salty’s and Jimmy’s Fish House

I have a weak spot for places that muddle fresh fruit into their mojitos instead of making it overly sweet with an artificial puree or just using a flavored rum or vodka to give it a different fruity flavor.

Both of these spots muddle the fruit and concoct the most refreshing mojitos. Salty’s has a delicious blackberry lime mojito, and Jimmy’s makes a mouthwatering strawberry pineapple mojito. At Jimmy’s, make sure you ask for Chris to make it— he makes the best!

Both of these spots are also on my list of best restaurants in Clearwater Beach.

Related read: Check out the 10 best restaurants in Clearwater Beach

Most Instagrammable Drink in Clearwater Beach

Jimmy’s Fish House

Check out Jimmy’s for their giant, Instagram-worthy margaritas! They come in blue, strawberry, or classic flavors, served in jumbo glasses for maximum tropical vibes. And if tequila isn’t your bestie, go for the Voodoo Juice—a rum-based drink that’s fruity, tropical, and practically made to make your friends jealous. I highly recommend it for that perfect beachside FOMO post!

Kick back and enjoy the clear waters of Clearwater Beach while sipping on a drink that screams tropical paradise. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Best Wine Selection in Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Wine Bar and Bistro

With over 50 wines by the glass and 200 bottle options, Clearwater Wine Bar and Bistro was calling my name! I had to go for a crisp, refreshing pinot grigio, and the Viti di Mezzo hit the spot. We were in for a treat when we saw the bill—happy hour had made it $10 for two glasses!

If you’re hungry, I hear the food is also phenomenal! They are closed on Mondays but have happy hour Tuesday-Sunday from 5-7 PM. Happy hour includes two for one house wine and sangria, $2 off all wines by the glass, and $1 off all draft and bottled beer.

Best Beer in Clearwater Beach

If you’re hunting for the best beer on Clearwater Beach, 3 Daughters Brewing is a must-visit! Known for their refreshing Beach Blonde Ale and creative selection of ciders, 3 Daughters is one of Clearwater’s top breweries (as well as St. Pete where their OG location is!).

I always love sampling their ciders, while Remi sticks with his favorite Beach Blonde. And if you’re craving a snack, their buffalo chicken dip pairs perfectly with any pint!

Best Pina Colada in Clearwater Beach

Salty’s and Frenchy’s Rockaway

Salty’s definitely has the best classic pina colada. They are the only place I know of on the beach that uses real pineapple instead of puree or just a mix. And it’s completed with a fresh coconut rim and pineapple slice.

It is exactly what you need to start your beach vacation. At Frenchy’s, you NEED to get the Loopy Lada. Holy crap, this seriously tasted like a bowl of Froot Loops, taking me right back to my childhood. 

Pro tip: have both places add mango. I started adding mango to my pina coladas, and it is a total game changer.

IMPORTANT: Both of these spots are currently closed due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. Here’s hoping they’ll be back up and running soon!

Best Rooftop Views in Clearwater Beach

Jimmy’s Crows Nest and Jimmy’s on the Edge

Jimmy’s Crows Nest gives you stunning views of the Gulf and Pier 60 (located on North Beach). The Edge gives you city views on one side and a view of the Clearwater Harbor Channel that leads into the Gulf (located on South Beach).

If you’re at either of these locations around sunset, they also pass around free Sunset Shots during their sunset celebration. They do a countdown for the spectacle, and everyone does the shot together!

Related read: Check out the Best Rooftop Bars in Tampa Bay!

Best Game Spot in Clearwater Beach

Brown Boxer North Beach

UPDATE: I am so sad Brown Boxer has unfortunately closed down, Salt House Social is now in its place. It looks like it has a similar vibe, and I have heard good things, but I haven’t been for myself.

Brown Boxer on North Beach is a total blast. As you may know, I like to get my game on while I enjoy my cocktails, so this is one of my favorite spots to hang on Clearwater Beach. They have numerous arcade-style games, pool, and darts! And the location is right by a lot of other spots I’ve listed in this post, so you can easily bounce around! You can expect DJs and lively music and crowds on most nights.

Best Night Club in Clearwater Beach

Wave at Shephard’s Beach Resort

Alright, technically, The Wave is the only nightclub in Clearwater Beach—but that doesn’t make it any less of a blast! Currently open Fridays through Sundays from 10 PM to 2:30 AM, this spot has DJs, dancing, and VIP tables if you’re up for a little splurge. The best part? It’s right on the beach, so you can step out for fresh air and feel the sand between your toes before diving back in for more fun!

Best Place to End the Night in Clearwater Beach

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck is Clearwater Beach’s oldest bar! When the other spots start winding down, this is where the locals head. It’s your quintessential hole-in-the-wall dive with a nautical twist, featuring pool, darts, and a jukebox.

Recently, they’ve added some playful cocktails (mine came with a rubber ducky and a popsicle!) along with a “shot of the month” that’s always an adventure. There’s really not a better way to end your night in Clearwater Beach.

Are you ready to experience the best bars in Clearwater Beach?!

No matter what kind of beach vibe you’re after, from laid-back locals’ spots to lively venues with DJs and dancing, there’s a drink, a view, and a good time to be had! Whether you’re sipping on a craft beer, indulging in a tropical cocktail, or munching on snacks while watching the waves, Clearwater Beach’s bar scene is here to make your beach day even better!

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Florida blog posts:

Best bars in Downtown St. Pete

What to do in Downtown St. Pete

Best things to do in Dunedin, Florida