2 famous Pensacola-area beach bars made Southern Living's top 18. Can you guess them?
Southern Living has taken up the task of compiling the 18 Best Beach Bars in the South, and two Pensacola area spots made the list.
The list was compiled by Southern Living editors who report, research and visit resorts across the South. Their findings span from the Florida panhandle to North Carolina’s Atlantic waters to the Texas Gulf Coast, Southern Living reported.
While the Pensacola-area prides itself on its waterfront bars and dining experiences, two locations stood apart for their beautiful views of the water, friendly crowds, great music and abundance of beverages, according to Southern Living.
Which Pensacola area beach bars made Southern Living’s list?
Peg Leg Pete’s- Pensacola Beach
1010 Fort Pickens Road
Peg Leg Pete’s has been part of Pensacola Beach since 1991 and has remained one of the most easily recognized and recommended beach fixtures for a reason. The editors of Southern Living praise the bar’s décor, oyster shooters and signature cocktail.
“A pirate-themed bar at the beach just makes sense,” the Southern Living excerpt states. “Accessible by land and sea via Lafitte Cove Marina, Peg Leg Pete’s is as popular with visitors as it is with locals. First timers have to order two things. The first is an oyster shooter (components are as follows: one raw oyster, bloody mary mix, and beer or vodka), and the second is the Shipwreck cocktail, a fruity rum-based concoction served in a souvenir cup.”
While Peg Leg’s is a favorite for island-inspired cocktails to pair with a picture-perfect Pensacola Beach day, the food is equally as impressive. As a sister business to Maria’s Fresh Seafood Market, fish doesn’t get much fresher than at Peg Leg's. Entrees include snow crab, mahi-mahi, grouper, lobster, shrimp, oysters and plenty more. Suitable for a sit-down meal or to chow down a few oysters at the raw bar, Peg Leg’s has something for everyone.
Flora-Bama – Perdido Key
17401 Perdido Key Drive
Straddling the Alabama and Florida state line and known for the famed musicians that play surprise shows and sign the bar walls, the iconic festivals (like the annual Mullet Toss) and the creamy bushwhackers and Key Lime Coladas that win patrons over – Flora-Bama is a place Pensacola locals gather time and again, and every visitor should experience once in their lifetime.
The editors of Southern Living know this.
“There’s something truly special about this Gulf Coast beach bar that sits on the state line of Alabama and Florida. For 60 years, this legendary shoreside shack has been known for slinging excellent bushwackers, booking great live music, and welcoming everyone in,” the Southern Living excerpt states. “The fact that the dive bar’s ceiling is adorned with women’s bras, but you can still attend church there on Sundays tells you everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind spot.”
If you’re looking for a milder way to experience the Flora-Bama, try the Flora-Bama Yacht Club for lunch or dinner for waterfront views and local seafood.
Read what other famous beach bars made the list on the Southern Living website here: southernliving.com/beach-bars-8606772.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Southern Living finds 18 best beach bars in the South
