Destin, Florida Nightlife
Several restaurants provide entertainment nightly in summer, and on weekends in the off-season. The dockside AJ’s Club Bimini, 116 U.S. 98 E. (tel. 850/837-1913), is like perma-Spring Break with DJs and live bands playing under a thatched-roofed deck.A somewhat older, if not more sober, crowd gathers at the Deck, on U.S. 98 E. at the Harbor Docks restaurant, overlooking the harbor (tel. 850/837-2506).
Tailfins Waterfront Grill, 172 Harbor Blvd. (tel. 850/650-1200) also has a pulsing bar scene in season.
For Irish tunes nightly year-round, head for McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery ★★, in the Harborwalk Shops, U.S. 98 east of the Destin Bridge.
The Sky Bar at Edge Seafood, 302 Harbor Blvd. (tel. 850/659-3549), is a view-rich, adults only harborside rooftop bar that draws the after-dinner crowd from the Back Porch and other adjacent restaurants. Another fab rooftop bar is at The Henderson Beach Resort.
For more of a roadhouse vibe, Nashville import The Red Door Saloon ★★ has a location at 240 Harbor Blvd. (tel. 850/424-5974) has a fantastic outdoor patio and is open daily until 2am.
Out toward Sandestin, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill, 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin. (tel. 850/654-4200), opposite the Henderson Beach State Park, offers double the fun with two summertime stages.
Fort Walton Beach Nightlife
Country music and dancing fans should head for the High Tide Oyster Bar, at Okaloosa Island off the Brooks Bridge (tel. 850/244-2624). Papa Joe’s Hideaway, 104 S. Perry Ave. (tel. 850/244-5599), is another great hangout for live music—everything from country and blues to experimental jazz—and, on Thursdays and Saturdays at 6:30pm, final table poker.Docie’s Dock, 24 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, (tel. 850/810-5555), is the oldest watering hole in town, a beloved dive bar with live music Thursdays through Saturdays and the area’s best bourbon and whiskey selections.
Beaches of South Walton/30A Nightlife
For a mellow night out, Rosemary Beach’s Courtyard at Pescado, 74 Town Hall Rd. (tel. 850/213-4600), is a New Orleans-style oasis featuring live music nightly from 6pm to 10pm, except on Tuesdays.In Alys Beach, NEAT, 11 N. Castle Harbour Dr., (tel. 850/213-5711), is a cool bottle shop and tasting room dedicated to craft cocktails and spirits with live music and wine tastings.
The Old Florida Fish House at 33 Heron’s Watch Way, Santa Rosa Beach (tel. 850/534-3045) is best known for The Porch—literally a screened in porch overlooking Eastern Lake and featuring live music and lots of locals lingering and lounging.
Over in Seaside, sunset or late-night drinks are a must at the Roof-Deck Bar, upstairs at Bud & Alley’s (tel. 850/231-5900). But it’s the Red Bar (tel. 850/231-1008) that sees the funkiest crowd, from rowdy locals to bona fide celebrities. As the night goes on, the place gets crazier. Brace yourselves.
Want more local color? Redd’s Fueling Station, 2320 W. County Hwy 30A, Blue Mountain Beach, (tel. 850/325-0252), is a local dive bar best known for the bawdy beltings of owner Redd, who goes by the moniker “The Singing Bartender.” She takes requests for tips. They also play “Dirty Bingo” here to raise money for local charities. It’s an experience that’s fun sober or otherwise.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
