These picks are AI-curated from local knowledge of St. Pete Beach — real spots that locals love, no chains allowed. Updated regularly with the best the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Top Picks
The Wharf
This weathered tiki bar right on the sand has been serving cold beer and stronger drinks to beach-goers since the 1960s. The wooden deck creaks under your feet, and you'll often catch live music while watching pelicans dive for fish just yards away.
Spinners Rooftop
Perched atop the Postcard Inn, this revolving lounge slowly rotates 360 degrees giving you the best sunset views on the beach. Local musicians play acoustic sets here most nights, and the craft cocktails are worth the slightly higher prices.
Jimmy B's Beach Bar
This laid-back spot draws locals with its cheap drinks, friendly bartenders who remember your name, and the best karaoke nights on Tuesday. The regulars here include fishermen, retirees, and service workers who treat it like their neighborhood living room.
Rum Runners
Tucked behind the main drag, this dive bar has pool tables, dart boards, and bartenders who pour heavy. It's where the restaurant workers come after their shifts end, making it one of the few places that stays lively past midnight.
The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
While known for seafood, locals come for the raw bar that transforms into a serious drinking spot after 9pm. The old-school bartenders mix perfect martinis, and you can sit right at the water's edge watching boats motor past the Intracoastal.
Toasted Monkey
This beachfront tiki bar gets wild during spring break but locals know to come on weeknight happy hours when the drinks are strong and the crowd is mellow. The sand floor and bamboo walls make you feel like you're drinking in a tropical hideaway.
Sloppy Joe's on the Beach
Not affiliated with the Key West chain, this local joint has been serving beer and basic mixed drinks to sunburned tourists and locals alike for decades. The patio overlooks the Gulf, and they often have live rock bands on weekends.
The Undertow Beach Bar
This tiny beach shack serves frozen drinks in plastic cups and has exactly the vibe you'd expect from a bar built into what used to be a bait shop. Locals love the no-frills atmosphere and the fact that you can walk straight from the sand to the bar.
Gators Cafe & Saloon
This locals' hangout features live country and rock music most nights, with a dance floor that gets packed when the right band is playing. The bartenders are characters themselves, and you'll find a mix of bikers, beach workers, and longtime residents holding down the bar stools.
Treasure Island Beach Resort Tiki Bar
Technically in Treasure Island but a favorite among St. Pete Beach locals, this tiki bar sits right on the sand with bamboo huts for seating. The rum punches are legendary, and they host beach volleyball tournaments that turn into impromptu parties.