FL’s ‘Best Beach Bars’ List Includes 2 Tampa Bay-Area Bars: Report

TAMPA BAY, FL — Two Tampa Bay-area bars are included in Southern Living’s recent list of “The 12 Best Beach Bars in Florida for Sun, Surf and Stiff Drinks.”

The list, which isn’t ranked, includes beachfront bars from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys.

The bars were picked by editors of Southern Living who report on and visit bars, restaurants and hotels across the South.

Salt Shack on the Bay in Tampa was among the dozen bars to make the list.

“Not only does this beach bar have excellent sunset views of Tampa Bay and delightful frozen drinks, the food here is worth a trip alone,” according to the list. “Named one of The New York Times’ best restaurants in 2023, the Salt Shack is a charmingly rustic, open-air restaurant with a ‘gulf to table’ menu that spotlights locally-caught seafood in dishes like Smoked Mahi Fish Spread, Bahamian Conch Chowder, and Avocado Shrimp Salad.”

St. Pete Beach staple Jimmy’s Beach Bar also made the list of best Florida beach bars, as well as the magazine’s list of “18 Best Beach Bars in the South.”

“Come to Jimmy’s for the Bahama Mama (spiced and coconut rums, pineapple and orange juice, grenadine) and the large, breezy deck with views of St. Pete Beach,” Southern Living said. “Stay for the live music, which happens seven days a week, on two stages. When the sun goes down, customers can toast the end of another great beach day with free Sunset Shooters. The beachfront bar, which is part of the Beachcomber Resort, also has a full menu of bar food like coconut shrimp, shrimp skewers, burgers and wraps.”

Find the full list of bars here.