10 Best Bars In Destin, Florida
Want to wind your day with a drink in hand? From cocktails, and wines to draft beers, this list of the best bars in Destin Florida will show you where to go!
Destin has an unrivaled seafood game and the bar scene is treading along the same path of excellence.
The self-acclaimed “world’s luckiest fishing village” has no shortage of adult beverages! Want it brewed, shaken, or stirred? Destin delivers plenty of options to wet your whistle.
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The city’s nightlife revolves around funky bars, high-quality drinks with food accompaniments, and live music.
Whether you are looking for a spot to soak up the cool Floridan breeze amid scenic harbor views or to see local live music performances with a drink in hand, these bars in Destin are ready to serve you.
How to get around: The best way to get around Destin and see everything in the city and the nearby places is by driving a car. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can rent one via Discover Cars. You can alternatively use Uber, bikes, and public transport to get around though these can be quite limiting.
Must-do tours and experiences: Some of the must-do tours and activities while in Destin include; This Hydrojet Dolphin Cruise (4.5/5) to admire the local marine life on a unique jet, this Banana Boat Experience (5/5) the entire family can enjoy, this tiki sunset cruise (5/5) to sail to the famous BYOB tiki bar, and a day trip to the stunning Crab Island by joining this tour (5/5).
Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Destin (8.4/10) is the best hotel if you want to be close to everything with a mid-range budget. It is right in downtown, the beach is 3 minutes away and there is also a small theme park across the street. Those who are after unmatched luxury will love Henderson Beach Resort (9.2/10). It has private beach access to Henderson Beach State Park and the rooms are luxurious with all the amenities you can think of. If you’re a budget traveler, you can’t go wrong with SummerPlace Inn (8.3/10)
What to pack: Don’t leave sunscreen (take this one that is eco-friendly with SPF50), this beach cooler with rollers, this sand-proof beach mat, this wide-brim beach hat, a swimsuit, a beach coverup, and more.
Best Bars in Destin FL
From waterfront bars with stunning views to funky ones, here is a list of the best bars in Destin FL.
1. Red Door Saloon
Red Door Saloon is an unpretentious dive bar patrons can’t get enough of. Booze lovers flock here to enjoy cold craft beers, mixed drinks, and carefully-crafted cocktails.
Inside, the room is filled with an electric vibe but the show stunner is the smoking-friendly patio with water views! It’s the perfect place to keep the conversation going.
Getting hungry? They have a few finger foods like sandwiches, hot dogs, and pizzas — all perfect accompaniments to the quality beverages.
And if you want to save a couple of bucks, happy hour runs daily at varying times, and for the sports-hungry crowd, TVs are available to watch your favorites play. There are also shuffleboards, darts, and pool tables to keep you entertained.
This Destin bar is best known for affordable drinks, excellent service, and a surefire stop for entertainment.
If you’re looking for a calm time, go during the day because it becomes super electric (read crazy) and crowded at night!
Location: 240 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-424-5974
2. Tailfins Seafood and Oyster Bar
Looking for a beachfront restaurant in Destin, a breakfast place, or just a place to have a cold drink while taking in the beautiful harbor views? Whatever you fancy, Tailfins Seafood and Oyster Bar will meet your needs!
Unlike other bars in Destin that stay open till late, this one closes at 10:30 PM! Yes, it may not be the best place to go if you want to party all night, but for a few hours of connecting with friends over a drink, this is the place to be.
This uniquely designed multi-bar and multi-deck establishment offers expansive and unforgettable harbor views on each floor, but our favorite space is the rooftop.
Perfect for both a romantic dinner of fresh seafood and a chill evening out, expect an extensive adult beverages menu including 30 beers on tap with the Tailfins Blue Margarita being a must-try. If cocktails are your thing, there are several options to choose from too.
You can watch your NFL favorites play on the TVs available on each deck and make sure not to miss the happy hour every Monday to Friday, from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Location: Main Level-Top Deck, 172 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-650-1200
3. McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin
If you’re looking for the most authentic Irish bar in Destin, look no further than McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin.
Located on the Destin Harbor, the atmosphere of this bar is incredibly welcoming!
With its dim-red lights, the 20th-century setting adorned with Irish memorabilia, signed dollar bills hanging from the ceiling, and beers brewed in-house, you can’t ask for a better place to enjoy a drink while in Destin than this.
Beyond its home-brewed beers, this bar also serves Irish whiskey, Irish wake and ales, and traditional Irish food like shepherd’s pie, and corned beef and sauerkraut (cabbage). But if you feel like something less Irish, there is plenty on the menu to choose from.
They also have live music on most nights and daily late-night happy hour from 11 pm till closing.
Whether you grab a seat on the deck for scenic harbor views or stay indoors, you can be assured of a great time here.
Location: 33 US-98 E, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-650-0000
4. The Craft Bar – Destin
This Destin Florida bar is a local favorite for its rare and sought-after craft brews and elevated dining experience with a regional twist on southern pub fares.
Set in a casual atmosphere, The Craft Bar – Destin is replete with a seasonal list of 30 craft beers on tap and well-crafted cocktails mixed by creative bartenders.
While beer is what they’re known for, they also serve some good food from burgers (you’ll love their famous half-pound burgers, served with hand-cut fries and homemade sauce), pulled pork, Nashville Hot chicken, and various sides.
Happy hour at this gastropub runs from Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Location: 4424 Commons Dr E, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-460-7907
5. Lucky’s Rotten Apple
Cheap drinks, live Dj sets, and fun vibes are some of the things to expect at Lucky’s Rotten Apple.
And did we mention the power hour that runs from 11:00 pm to midnight every Friday and Saturday? If there is one thing to make you come here, this should be it.
The bar serves a number of classic cocktails like S*x on the Beach and Blue Lagoon which pair well with the regular live local entertainment with DJs spinning diverse genres.
And if you get tired of shaking to DJ mixes, you can play some pool table.
Location: 205 Mountain Dr, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-424-7619
6. The Harbor Tavern
Offering the best of both the drinking and dining worlds, this bar & grill solidifies its place as one of the best bars in Destin.
While it is impossible to stop at The Harbor Tavern without trying their impressive seafood menu featuring the much-loved Mediterranean bowls, tacos, and burgers, save room for their specialty cocktails, craft and draft beers, and wines. And if you’re not sure what to get, try their Blueberry Hard Lemonade.
This tavern isn’t lacking in the vistas department either as it offers scenic Marina views.
Location: 306 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-842-2377
7. AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar has had no trouble attracting crowds since 1984 and it still continues to offer one of the city’s most relaxing and scenic atmospheres to enjoy a drink from.
Offering one of the best nightlife in Destin, this tri-leveled bar boasts a scenic Club Bimini on the top floor, a festive open-air space on the second with captivating East Pass views, and a restaurant and Tiki Village on the first floor with marina views.
Regulars come here for the picturesque views from all floors, chilled beers, delicious seafood, and regularly scheduled live music.
With all this, AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar also qualifies as one of the best restaurants in Destin.
Location: 116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-837-1913
8. Bric à Brac
Got kids? Bric à Brac is the perfect Destin bar to enjoy a glass with kids in tow. The funky bar team whips up house specialties like crab island and tipsy lemonade but classics like Martinis and Margaritas are also available.
Voted the “best crab cakes in Destin” from 2015-2018, this is also a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and Southern-style classics.
Keen to let your hair down? Then head to the second floor with all the right ingredients to lose hours in.
The adult-only nightclub holds themed events like the “Latin nights” on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 pm and live music from Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Location: 824 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-424-6369
9. Boathouse Oyster Bar
To step foot into Boathouse Oyster Bar is to walk into a big bear hug where locals and first-timers meet to enjoy cold drinks and daily live music in a funky and rustic space.
The dollar bills and hats give the interior an unpretentious Floridian vibe and the water views heighten the experience! In our opinion, the patio is the best place to kick conversations with friends or even strangers.
Though their menu is limited, you’ll find beers, cocktails, champagnes, and daily specials. The food menu doesn’t disappoint at all, as it is the main attraction here.
You can enjoy fresh oysters in your preferred serving choice but the award-winning gumbo and the crab claws are worthy mentions too.
Sitting on the harbor with daily live music and happy hours, Boathouse Oyster Bar is indeed one of the best Destin FL bars.
Location: 288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-837-3645
10. O’Quigley’s Seafood Steamer and Oyster Sports Bar
Everything special about O’Quigley’s Seafood Steamer and Oyster Sports Bar can be summed up into three words: seafood, beers, and sports.
The drink menu features bottled beers from around the world, including their own backyard, and 24 draught beers on tap.
Alongside its wide selection of beers, O’Quigley’s serves some of the best seafood in the city, including made-from-scratch “Award Winning Gumbo,” wings, blackened Grouper, and steaks.
Recognized as one of the best sports bars in Destin, it has 64 TVs and projection screens to watch your favorite games.
Location: 34940 Emerald Coast Pkwy #101, Destin, FL 32541.
Contact: +1 850-837-1015
Final Thoughts on the Best Destin Bars
Whether you are visiting Destin for the first time or as a regular, these bars are lively local hangouts and places that foster a sense of neighborhood.
From regionally-sourced craft beers to meticulously-crafted cocktails and specialty drinks, expect the best drinks and the most excitement at these bars in Destin.
Which bar in Destin will you be checking out first?
But before you go, consider sharing these Destin Florida bars if you found the article helpful!
