12 Fun Beach Bars in Clearwater Beach, Florida

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Clearwater Beach is one of those places where a beach day can very easily turn into “just one drink,” then sunset, then live music, then somehow you’re ending the night at a dive bar wondering how you got there.

The best beach bars in Clearwater Beach all have their own personality, so the move is less about finding one perfect spot and more about picking the right vibe for the kind of day or night you want.

Whether you’re craving rooftop views, tropical cocktails, live music, beachy dives, frozen drinks, craft beer, or a casual dinner with a drink in hand, Clearwater Beach has you covered. And if you’re planning a full trip, my guide to the best things to do in Clearwater Beach pairs perfectly with this one.

If you want to turn your bar-hopping into a game, check out my Clearwater Beach scavenger hunt! It’s adults-only and such a fun add-on for a girls’ trip, birthday, or casual beach day with friends.

Best Beach Bars in Clearwater Beach

1. Jimmy’s Fish House

Best for: waterfront drinks, sunset energy, loaded Bloody Marys, and a classic Clearwater Beach vacation feel.

I first discovered Jimmy’s Fish House years ago when I was visiting Clearwater Beach before I moved here. I asked some friendly locals where to find the best Bloody Mary on the beach, and they did not steer me wrong.

The Bloody Mary comes fully loaded with a shrimp-and-veggie skewer, plus a little beer chaser on the side. It’s basically brunch in a glass, which is exactly why it has become my go-to Clearwater Beach “breakfast” after a fun night out. If you need actual breakfast food too, I have a full guide to the best breakfast restaurants in Clearwater Beach.

Jimmy’s is also fun for tropical drinks, waterfront views, and that casual beach bar energy that makes you want to linger. Their Voodoo Juice and giant margaritas are perfect if you want something fruity and a little dramatic for the photo moment.

2. Bar Tiki

Best for: rooftop tiki drinks, marina views, groups, and starting a night out.

Bar Tiki is one of my favorite bars in Clearwater Beach for a reason. It’s a craft tiki bar with rooftop views, a prime marina location, and a playful drink menu that makes it feel like vacation even if you’re just popping over for one cocktail.

This is especially perfect if you’re in town for spring break in Clearwater Beach, a birthday, or a Clearwater Beach bachelorette party. There are games like cornhole and Connect 4, plus a Hawaiian-inspired food menu if you need snacks between drinks.

If you can’t decide what to order, ask the bartender for a “pick your poison” situation and let them surprise you. Otherwise, the menu has all the beachy classics: mojitos, mai tais, black margaritas, and even a spiked Dole Whip.

3. Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill

Best for: live music, bright beach bar energy, Crush cocktails, and a lively but casual group hang.

Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill is one of those spots that just gets the Clearwater Beach bar vibe. The drinks are solid, the music is usually going, and the whole place feels bright, fun, casual, and easy.

The signature Crush cocktails are the thing to order here. The orange crush is the classic, but they have a whole lineup if you want to branch out.

This is also a good pick when you want a real meal with your drinks instead of just bar snacks. Their menu is pretty stacked, and the vibe works for both a laid-back afternoon and a night out.

4. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill

Best for: beachfront drinks, seafood, and that classic Clearwater Beach experience.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is one of the most iconic spots on Clearwater Beach. It’s right on the sand, the atmosphere is casual and fun, and it’s exactly the kind of place visitors picture when they want a beach bar with seafood, drinks, and Gulf views.

The drink that always makes me smile here is the Loopy Lada. It tastes like Froot Loops in frozen cocktail form, which sounds ridiculous and is also exactly why it works. Frenchy’s is also a great pick if you want to pair drinks with grouper, seafood baskets, or a low-key beach dinner.

5. Vue 360

Best for: rooftop cocktails, sunset views, and a slightly more upscale Clearwater Beach drink.

Vue 360 is the rooftop bar at Courtyard Clearwater Beach, and the views are the biggest reason to go. You get a gorgeous look at both the Gulf and the Intracoastal, which makes it a dreamy sunset stop.

Mezcal has been my drink of choice for a while, and Vue 360 was one of the first places on Clearwater Beach where I found a mezcal cocktail I really loved. Their key lime martini is another fun one if you want something very Florida and very dessert-coded.

If rooftop bars are your thing, you’ll definitely want my full guide to the best rooftop bars in Clearwater Beach too.

6. Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest

Best for: Pier 60 views, sunset shots, frozen drinks, and an easy North Beach stop.

Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest is iconic for sunset. You get beautiful Gulf and Pier 60 views, and the whole place has that laid-back rooftop feel where you can show up sandy from the beach and still feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

If you’re there around sunset, they usually do a sunset celebration with free sunset shots, and everyone counts down together. Is it a little cheesy? Sure. Do I love it anyway? Absolutely.

7. Jimmy’s on the Edge

Best for: rooftop pool views, live music, casual bites, and South Beach sunset energy.

Jimmy’s on the Edge gives you a totally different rooftop view from Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest. Here you get city views on one side and Clearwater Harbor Channel views on the other, plus a poolside setting that makes it feel extra vacation-y.

I love this one when I want a tropical drink with a view but don’t necessarily need to be right on the sand. They also do nightly sunset celebration moments and often have live music, so it can be a great pregame before heading somewhere louder.

8. Surfside Taphouse

Best for: beer, sports bar energy, casual food, and an easy stop near Pier 60.

Surfside Taphouse is the move when your group wants something casual, central, and easy. It’s steps from Pier 60.

The beer selection is the big draw, with a huge tap list and plenty of cold, easy beach-day options. They also run food and drink specials, so check the current menu or ask what deals they have going when you visit.

9. 3 Daughters Brewing

Best for: local beer, cider flights, and a brewery break from tropical cocktails.

If you’re hunting for beer on Clearwater Beach, 3 Daughters Brewing is such a fun change of pace from the frozen drink scene. The Clearwater Beach tasting room sits right in the action near the roundabout, and it’s a great stop when you want something local.

Remi is a Beach Blonde guy, but I always love sampling their ciders. If you want more brewery ideas beyond the beach, I have a whole guide to breweries in Clearwater.

10. Clearwater Wine Bar and Bistro

Best for: wine, happy hour, and a calmer break from the beach bar chaos.

Clearwater Wine Bar and Bistro is perfect when you want to swap frozen drinks and beer buckets for a crisp glass of wine. It’s tucked away from the sand a bit, but still close enough to fit into a Clearwater Beach night.

They’re known for a large wine list and a daily happy hour, which makes it a nice little reset after a hot beach day. I’d check the current specials before you go, then order something crisp and refreshing.

11. Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

Best for: Live beachfront music, DJs, dancing, and a true late-night nightclub vibe.

Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar & Grill is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail, listen to live music, and enjoy the beach. You’ll find everything from reggae to national acts and other live performances.

Grab a spot, soak up the white sand and Gulf views, and stick around for sunset. It’s open daily from 11 AM–12 AM, until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

And if you’re looking for a late weekend night, The Wave is the only nightclub on Clearwater Beach and is located at Shephard’s. If you want DJs, dancing, VIP tables, and a real late-night scene, this is the spot.

The Wave is only open Friday and Saturday nights from 10 PM to 2:30 AM.

12. The Shipwreck

Best for: ending the night, dive bar energy, pool, darts, and local-feeling chaos.

The Shipwreck is Clearwater Beach’s oldest bar and exactly where you go when the polished rooftop moment is over, and you want something divey. It’s a nautical little hole-in-the-wall with pool, darts, a jukebox, and that locals-after-midnight feeling.

They’ve also added playful cocktails over the years (mine came with a rubber ducky and a popsicle), plus a shot of the month that’s always a little bit of an adventure. Is it fancy? Absolutely not. Is it one of the most memorable ways to end a Clearwater Beach night? Yes.

Are you ready to experience the best bars in Clearwater Beach?

No matter what kind of beach vibe you’re after, Clearwater Beach has a bar for it. You can keep things chill with a tropical drink and sunset view, go full rooftop mode, grab local beer, sip wine, dance late, or end the night somewhere delightfully divey.

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Florida blog posts:

Best Things to Do in Dunedin, Florida

Best St. Pete Beach Bars

Best Day Trips From Clearwater Beach