by the eu professional drinkers
Where do you go when you want to disappear from life? You go to the beaches. Whether it’s for an afternoon or a three day bender of binge-drinking, the Beaches will never let you down. And when you live there? Well you are a whole different sort of character. From classy places to dirty dives, the Beaches has it all in a nutshell. But they divide that nutshell up into smaller components, and they take those subdivisions seriously. This week we hit some Atlantic Beach staples, a few new joints, and a Neptune Beach hidden treasure.
Location: On Ocean Dr in Atlantic Beach across from the Sea Turtle Inn
Type of Place: Martini bar and continental cuisine fine dining restaurant
Serving: Bottled beer, top shelf liquors, and fine wines from their wine bar.
Atmosphere: A rotating gallery of original art on the walls.
Amenities: Live music on the weekend and on some weeknights.
Drink Specials: Happy hour 5:30pm – 7:30pm, half-price martinis. Mondays, late night happy hour from 10pm – 12am. Wednesday night is ladies night.
I just got fancy all over my pants. This upscale martini bar is exquisite, while warm and inviting, don’t make the mistake of going between Ocean 60 and Pete’s, just up Ocean Street. If you are dressed for one, you are not dressed for the other. Enjoy live bands, which range from reggae to Latin jazz on the weekends, and acoustic acts at night during the week. Take a hot date or impress a visitor with an upscale night out at the beach. Your tab might not be cheap, but if you like to dress up for a night out, you would fit right in at Ocean 60. The crowd is hip enough to make young people feel comfortable and the atmosphere is posh enough to let old money enjoy something new.
-Johnny St. Thomas
Location: 207 Atlantic Blvd. on the corner of Atlantic and Ocean, Atlantic Beach
Type of Place: Family-style casual dining restaurant with 3 bars and an outdoor patio area.Serving: Imported and Domestic Beers, Wine, Liquor, and full menu, as well as their own freshly brewed beers.
Atmosphere: Open with very family friendly dining areas and fun bar areas.
Amenities: Live music in the Tap Room, a full menu of Award-winning entrees, appetizers, soups, and salads.
Drink Specials: Happy Hour Monday-Friday, 4pm-7pm, $1 off micro brews, wine, and well drinks, also $.50 chicken wings.
Ragtime Tavern in Atlantic Beach, I’ve been told, is like a classic northern-style pub. My Yankee friends like it for the nostalgia, but a born-and-bred southern gent, I’m in it for the delicious food. Check it out; this place is really cool with its neat brick interior and eclectic artwork strewn throughout the vast dining areas. It even has two bars that serve up the lot, including liquors, fresh-brewed beers, and any wines that you could want. And dig this…they even have a Tap Room in the back where they brew a variety of award-winning beers and feature live bands on a regular basis. Swing into Ragtime with friends, family, or even by yourself to enjoy great entertainment, tasty vittles, and fine spirits!
-John Dooling
Location: Neptune Beach, on Atlantic Boulevard just West of Penman
Type of Place: Full bar and restaurant.
Serving: Domestic and imported draft and bottled beers, full liquor bar, and a variety of wines.
Atmosphere: Sporty beach bar with a surf theme and several televisions.
Amenities: Watch the game, play pool, darts, or one of their video games. Featuring every kind of live entertainment from live bands to karaoke.
Drink Specials: Happy hour from 4pm until 7pm, everything is discounted.
This surprisingly spacious bar is connected to the Day’s Inn and has two full bars, one with a luau vibe, and the other, when first walking in, has more of the sports bar feel. With high tables throughout the whole venue, this tiki-type sports bar serves a full menu until 9pm on weekdays, and 10pm on the weekend. They even have a “sushi night.” Cliff’s at the Beach opened about ten months ago, and although it’s not as busy as their other location in Arlington, Anson, a bartender at both, commented that Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights tend to get pretty packed. To be honest, I didn’t think that this bar would have so much going for it before checking it out, because it was attached to a Day’s Inn and I had not heard much about it; however, with the two differently themed bars, assortment of games, weekly live bands, karaoke, and sushi, I was pleasantly taken aback and elated to find a new venue to hang out in and have drinks. And if you have too many, the hotel stay is pretty cheap.
-Katie Veltri
Location: 1013 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach. In the Publix shopping center.
Type of Place: A very punk rock beach bar serving a full menu of bar foods.
Serving: Domestic and imported drafts and bottled beers, house wines, and hot sake.
Atmosphere: This is a punk rock beach bar and café with rock and roll décor that is welcoming to every type of person.
Amenities: Live music ranging from punk rock and ska to reggae, sick video games, pool tables, and patio seating.
Drink Specials: Daily specials include discounted drinks. Happy hour happens every Monday – Friday, from 2pm – 8pm, 2-for-1 drafts.
Finally, Landshark Café rocks the beach with a much needed punch in the face. Forget your posh martini bars and trendy night clubs, this place brings the noise, literally. Weekend punk rock shows are a staple, but if you’re lucky you can come in on a weeknight and find a live show as well. Whether you want to slurp down suds at the bar or get out on the floor and bang your way to inebriation, there’s plenty of room in both arenas. Stop in and be the booze gladiator you know you are. Chantelle will be happy to serve you up whatever you’re craving, and speaking of serving up, don’t forget to take a look at a menu and soak up some of that fun with fish tacos. Landshark is rad, so bring your game face and prepare to ROCK!
- John Dooling
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