Best bars in Florida in 2024: See USA TODAY Network's 14 favorite spots

Following our story earlier this year on the best restaurants in the state, USA TODAY Network’s Florida food journalists have turned our attention to favorite bars. In addition to dining out, we also appreciate a fine spot for a strong drink.

Featuring bars from our respective local communities, from the Panhandle to South Florida, we’ve selected drinking destinations that we personally know and love. They range from a super-casual beach bar celebrated in song by the likes of Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett to an upscale craft cocktail bar that occupies a former library in the state’s capital.

Presented in alphabetical order by the name of the establishment, here are our favorite bars in Florida.

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AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar | Destin

Details: 116 Harbor Blvd.; (850) 837-1913; ajsdestin.com

A staple for 40 years, AJ’s is in the heart of Destin. The two-story establishment, which overlooks Destin harbor, features four bars. The signature drink is AJ’s Bimini Bash, a mix of five rums and a blend of tropical fruit juices. Old photos of days gone by in Destin, known as the “Luckiest Fishing Village,” cover the walls. AJ’s offers a vibrant atmosphere, with live music daily upstairs and in the Tiki Village downstairs on the harbor. During summer months, patrons can enjoy music performances on the Jumbotron Stage twice a week. And the big screen is always on, with sports fans gathering on the weekends to catch their favorite teams while enjoying wings and their favorite beverage. October is a big month at AJ’s, which hosts the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. People come and hang out, watch as the fish are brought in on the docks, and catch some of the best sunsets around from the upper deck. — Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log

Baby J’s Bar | Gainesville

Details: 7 W. University Ave.; 352-505-5039; babyjsbar.com

While Gainesville is perhaps better known for sports bars and cold pints of beer, a rise in mixologists over the last few years has helped transform this college town’s bar scene into one of inventive cocktails and intimate spaces. Baby J’s offers the best of both with a “Gatsbyesque” jazz club that gives off a cool vibe you’d expect to only find in places like New York City. The bar’s high ceilings and arched mirrors make the small space feel quite large as you listen to the vintage sounds of a standing bass. When the band is on break, a DJ has a seemingly endless selection of jazz vinyl to choose from. The drink menu features a selection of gin & tonics, classic and seasonal cocktails. Those looking for a beer have a simple choice: IPA or lager. Conveniently, Baby J’s is attached to Cry Baby’s (same owner), which serves up some of the best bar food in town. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun

Bar 1903, Library of Cocktails | Tallahassee

Details: 209 E. Park Ave.; 850-354-9739, bar1903tlh.com

You can still imagine books on the shelves of the wood-paneled Bar 1903, Library of Cocktails, housed in the 1903-era Walker Library in the capital city. You'll find rows of glittering bottles behind the bar and small tables in the cozy 36-seat space, operated by Seven Hills Hospitality Group. Perched next the large and modern Il Lusso restaurant downtown, vintage surroundings make it a special occasion destination. Choose your drink from the hefty book of cocktails that runs from pre-1880 specialties like Sazerac and Knickerbocker, to the 2000 era Espresso Martini or the always refreshing Bees Knees, made with Yaupon gin, honey and lemon. Bar snacks include house made pimento cheese on toasted sour dough with assorted olives and nuts. It's first come first, served and can fill up fast during popular times. Happy hour runs from 5-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday. — Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat

Read a full review of Bar 1903

Beach House Waterfront Restaurant | Bradenton Beach

Details: 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach; 941-779-2222; beachhousedining.com

Recently sold to new owners based nearby, with no noticeable changes during enjoyable visits since the transition, Beach House lives up to its name by placing guests right on the sugary white sands of Bradenton Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on the southern end of Anna Maria Island, just south of Tampa Bay. While Beach House offers indoor dining as well as an inside bar, the place to be is the covered patio area, where you’ll find a bar overlooking the public beach within earshot of the gentle Gulf waves. For libations, consider a glass of Lola, an acclaimed Napa Valley wine whose founder is from Bradenton, or perhaps a “Category 3 Margarita” featuring house-infused jalape?o silver tequila. As for dining, the restaurant’s grouper sandwich is among the best in the Sarasota-Manatee region, and you’ll also want to consider their signature burger, topped with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, smoked Gruyère cheese, and strips of bacon on a freshly baked bun — worth every extra calorie. — Wade Tatangelo, Florida Region Dining & Entertainment Editor

Read a full review of the Beach House.

The Bounty at Flagler Tavern | New Smyrna Beach

Details: 414 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-8861, flaglertavern.com

Created from a love for “all things bourbon” The Bounty at Flagler Tavern cultivates a true speakeasy experience right in New Smyrna Beach. The luxe bar, accessible through a hidden lot entrance to the side of the building, sits upstairs in part of the 1928-built space, originally a family home, that the Flagler Avenue restaurant now occupies. According to general manager Kristin Chmielewski, its nautical interior, designed with wood reclaimed from the near-century-old home, includes the space’s original fireplace and coquina — not to mention a prohibition-era door grille for password entry. The intimate bar captivates locals and vacationers alike with its sexy scarlet-hued interior, scenic deck and award-winning craft cocktails. While you can enjoy a classic aviation or espresso martini, locals are often found sipping on a smoked maple old fashioned or rum-based monkey business. — Helena Perray, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Crafted Concoctions Coffee & Cocktail Bar | Tavares

Details: 115 E. Main St., Tavares; facebook.com/btwcrafted

Whether you want a classic Old Fashioned or Bloody Mary with succulent slab of bacon, or an artful creation with an icy dome or mist emanating from the top, you can expect excellence at Crafted Concoctions, an intimate Tavares haunt that's one of three venues in an epicurean trifecta owned by the same couple and beloved by downtown patrons. Bru Tap House and BTW Burgers join Crafted in creating an unholy trinity of indulgent delights, conceived with originality, affection and flair. Crafted Concoctions also features the Miracle pop-up bar during the holidays, which gets you in the spirit with some of the most colorful, fruity and herbaceous spirit combos. "Aperitivo Hour" features specials on food and drinks between 4 and 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. If you're not a drinker of alcohol, choose from a wide variety of espresso drinks, flavored coffees, chais and other cupfuls of bliss. — Julie Garisto, Daily Commercial

Flora-Bama | Perdido Key, Florida

Details: 17401 Perdido Key Drive; 251-980-5118, florabama.com

The world-famous bar on the Florida-Alabama state line can capture almost anyone’s heart, from greats like Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett to the bikini-wearing, Bushwhacker-drinking barflies who have claimed Flora-Bama as their watering hole since 1964. Decades of Sharpie signatures line the bar’s wooden walls, and a string of well-worn bras sags over the main performing stage. While live music is a main attraction, the Flora-Bama’s calendar of annual events has patrons packing the sandy beaches in April for the Interstate Mullet Toss and gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving potluck. While Flora-Bama screams down-home beach bar, you can splurge on dinner next door at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club with waterfront views, award-winning chefs and local seafood. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal

Read a full review of Flora-Bama.

The Gator Club | Sarasota, Florida

Details: 1490 Main St.; 941-366-5969, thegatorclub.com

Located in downtown Sarasota near the city’s famed Bayfront, The Gator Club is a two-story bar and nightclub boasting more than 110 years of history, including bootleg whiskey, illegal gambling, an upstairs brothel and the kind of spirits that can’t be contained by a glass. Upon entering, guests encounter two bars and an elevated stage frequented by bands such as the beloved reggae act Jah Movement. Patrons are advised to proceed with caution up the rickety old staircase to the second floor, where DJs transform a former living room into a pulsating dance floor. In the back of the same floor, a cozy bar offers high-end hooch, the madam’s teller’s cage and the setting for The Gator Club’s scariest ghost stories. — Wade Tatangelo, Florida Region Dining & Entertainment Editor

Read a full review of The Gator Cub.

Lou’s Blues Bar & Grill | Indialantic

Details: 3191 SR A1A, Indialantic; 321-779-2299, lousbluesbarandgrill.com

From the breezy ocean view to the ever-popular Mahi sandwich and eclectic décor, Lou’s Blues moves past “best” and on to funky and fun, day and night. This legendary beachfront bar and grill has wowed since 2002 with daily live entertainment, a multitude of drink selections for any palate (don’t pass up the mango margarita) and homemade dishes (try the blue cheese chips, with balsamic glaze.) There’s a story behind every piece of the décor and the building’s past as a Chinese restaurant that was maybe once a brothel, too: Over here, an alligator and a bear; up there, a typewriter and a vintage Charlie McCarthy puppet. Grab a table and watch the band, take the mic and sing karaoke or play trivia, depending on the night. And do ask about the history of Lou’s roots as the Dragon Lady — you’ll probably stay for another round.  — Amber Olesen, Florida Today

Read a full review of Lou's Blues Bar & Grill.

Nice Guys | Cape Coral

Details: 1404 Cape Coral Parkway; 239-549-7542; niceguyspizza.com

When this no-frills, punky, edgy, innovative and eclectic gem opened 11 years ago, there was nothing else like it around. The same holds true today. Picture the craftiest of craft cocktails (like the Golden Girls – house recipe passionfruit margarita with citrus pomegranate foam), specialty pizzas (Crab Rangoon pie anyone?) and unique bar food (think corn dogs with black truffle honey). A glowing neon hallway leads to a live-music-hosting, pinball-machine-lined arcade room on one side and a dark, Christmas lights lit bar area on the other. Enveloping it all is an unpretentious vibe and comforting familiarity you sense the instant you walk in. The kind of place to come back to and hang out at over and over again. Welcome to Nice Guys. — Robyn George, The News-Press

Old Key Lime House | Lantana

Details:  300 E. Ocean Ave.; 561-582-1889; oldkeylimehouse.com 

When it comes to South Florida, nothing says "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" quite like a waterfront escape. Equal parts tiki bar outside, and locals' college sports viewing bar inside (go Gators!), the waterfront appeal of this historic home at 300 East Ocean Avenue in Lantana makes for one of the best bar experiences in Palm Beach County. Originally constructed in 1889 by Lantana pioneer Morris Benson, the storekeeper and postmaster who named the tiny fishing village later incorporated in 1921. Over the years the Dade County pine-built structure has housed several restaurants, including its current iteration as the main entrance to Old Key Lime House bar and restaurant. While the open-air dining room beyond has been designed to enjoy alfresco meals with views of the Intracoastal Waterway, the adjacent palapa-roof tiki hut is all about imbibing. Open late, and considered one of the largest tiki bars in South Florida, the menu serves a bevy of tropical libations, be it a frozen drink or ice-cold beer. Plenty of seating makes it the perfect place to enjoy one or two of the bar's famous key lime pie martinis, a frosty rum runner, or a pitcher of the house-made sangria, which are best when enjoyed in view of the jumbo-sized projection screen often used for streaming sports, or alongside the regular lineup of local live music.  — Nicole Danna, Palm Beach Post

Pete’s Bar | Neptune Beach

Details: 117 First St.;  (904) 249-9158; petesbar.com

Pete’s is a hole-in-the-wall, and proud of it. You can still play pool there for a quarter or get a shot and a beer at the bar. Pete’s, the first bar in Duval County to open when Prohibition was repealed, finally banned smoking in 2021, but it took them 88 years to do it. Ernest Hemingway and J.D. Salinger drank there, and John Grisham based a good chunk of his 2000 thriller “The Brethren” at Pete’s. The bar is perhaps best known locally for the huge festival thrown right outside the front door every Thanksgiving morning, where people party in the streets before heading home for turkey and pie. — Tom Szaroleta/The Florida Times-Union 

Rebecca's | Naples

Details: 2955 Bayshore Drive; 239-799-1801; rebeccasnaples.com

Where do I end up when I can’t decide where to go? Usually Rebecca’s. It’s swell as an only stop, but I also head to this timeless temple of Balinese minimalist chic décor for post-event nibbles and nightcaps when hoping to end my evening on a high note. And while the spot is known for its expansive wine list, potent, pretty cocktails developed by beverage director Matt Johnson are always my pick. As for Rebecca's next-level bar bites from culinary director Darren Veilleux? Simple and shareable: think caviar service with all the accoutrements from $28 and up, pizzas (white with caramelized onion and leeks is a favorite) and a seriously decadent chocolate trifle. — Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News

3rd Planet Brewing | Niceville

Details: 1400 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville.; 850-424-4257; www.3rdplanetbrewing.com

Known as The Mothership, 3rd Planet Brewing was founded by two U.S. Air Force veterans and has quickly become one of Okaloosa County's premier gathering places, with 10 locally crafted beers brewed in-house and a revolving door of local food trucks offering patrons something different each day. Along with cold brews and some of the best the Emerald Coast provides in terms of food, 3rd Planet has become a place that hosts many events, from live music to car shows and community bonfires. — Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 14 best bars across Florida in 2024: See USA TODAY's top picks