Enjoy the timeless charm of the restaurant bars in Seaside while you savor the flavors of the Gulf with inventive cocktails and spectacular views. Two hot spots on the beach side of town have made enhancements, making for a vibrant and easygoing drinking and dining experience. 

Restaurateurs Ashley and Clark Beecher and operating partners Courtney and Baron Fields are constantly working to bring their customers the hottest new food and drink items. They bring a new vibe to Pickle’s Sandbar and the Shrimp Shack’s Boardwalk Bar for the summer.

Pickle’s Sandbar is a popular outdoor bar where guests can order both their drinks and food from either the bar or main restaurant. The Sandbar features craft cocktails, including the Savannah Street Skinny Rita, named after the Beechers’ beach home address. The menu also includes craft beer, wine, and other frozen drinks. 

The Sandbar recently underwent cosmetic renovations. And new lounge seating designed by Courtney, situated directly on the sand, creates a welcoming experience. Enjoy a spicy margarita with a burger and fries from the main Pickle’s restaurant while relaxing on the cushioned seating, digging your toes in the sand. 

It’s not just the menus they’re famous for. With the addition of the Shrimp Shack’s expanded seating at its new Boardwalk Bar, adjacent to the Gulf-facing seating, you’ve got two perfect spots in which to enjoy your meal. Enjoy the grouper sandwich (blackened is a favorite style) with a refreshing cocktail. “The Seabreeze would be delicious to pair with the grouper sandwich, especially on a warm and sunny day,” Courtney says. “We use Stoli vodka, hand-squeezed lemon juice, fresh muddled mint and cucumbers with soda water.” 

The Shrimp Shack’s Boardwalk Bar has recently expanded its cocktail lineup. What was previously a selection of beer, wine and wine-based drinks now has more inventive cocktails. “We have hand-crafted cocktails made with freshly squeezed juices,” Courtney says, “plus draft beer, canned beer and a great selection of wine, including high-end options.”

Summer calls for a refreshing watermelon-inspired cocktail. Featured at both bars, the Watermelon Refresher is unique this year too. “We use locally sourced Half Shell Vodka produced by Distillery 98 here in Santa Rosa Beach,” Courtney says. “It has fresh muddled mint, fresh pressed watermelon juice, fresh squeezed lemon juice, shaken and served over ice topped with a splash of club soda and garnished with a watermelon wedge.” 

The sunset views at both bars are a part of the celebration of summer in Seaside. 

The Sandbar opens daily at 8 a.m. along with the restaurant and has happy hour daily from 3 to 5 p.m. offering discounted draft beers, half-off select wines, and $7 house margaritas.  In addition, it offers a grumpy hour from 8 to 10 a.m., featuring discounted bloody marys, mimosas and a breakfast taco plate. 

The Boardwalk Bar opens from 10 a.m. to a seasonal closing time and also offers happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. with discounted raw oysters, beer and wine. 

If you follow our @seasidefl Instagram account, every day you’re given a sneak peek behind the scenes of our town. Whether it’s a walk to the beach, an adventure at Sundog Books, or a look at one of the many events – like the recent Southern Living Home Builder Summit – these women are on hand to share snaps of all the activity and make you feel like you’re right there with them. 

If you’ve ever been curious about who’s behind the camera, get to know the marketing team – from their favorite places to snap Instagram photos to what their day-to-day looks like. 

Kendall Andrews, a Santa Rosa Beach native, serves as the Senior Director of Brand Management & Marketing, boasting a rich history with Seaside since her teenage years. From part-time gigs since she was 14 to full-time dedication for the past 11 years post-college, Kendall’s journey reflects her deep-rooted connection to the community. Her days oscillate between dynamic meetings and inspirational brainstorming sessions, shaping the brand’s narrative.

When asked about her cherished spot in Seaside, Kendall enjoys spending time at the Seaside Amphitheater, which to her and many others is more than a venue; it’s a place to make memories. She enjoys bringing her almost three-year-old daughter, Bizzy, to dance and play during the Huck & Lily concerts. 

When creating content, Ruskin serves as Kendall’s preferred backdrop for Instagram photos, capturing the essence of Seaside’s charm.

Madison Spence grew up in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., attended Florida State University, and then moved to New York City for a few years, where she worked in social media for major travel brands. 

Madison made her way back to Seaside four years ago, and is now working as the Director of Marketing – while she started out by managing the town’s many social media on her own, her team has since grown. 

Look for Madison at the new Boardwalk Bar at The Shrimp Shack, which she describes as “the perfect spot to watch the sunset while enjoying fresh seafood and a glass of bubbly.”  

And this Instagram expert is always up-to-date on the most creative places to snap memorable vacation photos. 

“If you’re looking for a true hidden spot to snap a fun photo, head out of Central Square and choose a sandy path that winds through the residential area to explore. There are countless spots that are sources of inspiration to capture – unique picket fences, sundials, pastel-colored homes, and so much more,” Madison promised. 

Meanwhile, Jami Ray, hailing from Freeport, Fla., infuses her creativity into the role of Content Marketing Manager. Jami’s days are a whirlwind of capturing the essence of Seaside through her lens, sketching designs for posters and events, and ideating content that resonates with the community.

What captivates Jami about Seaside is its boundless ingenuity. From the iconic picket fence designs to the endless Gulf views, inspiration awaits at every corner. Her favorite photo spots include the sandy beaches and the quaint post office, each offering a picturesque backdrop that encapsulates the essence of Seaside.

Kendall Nieball lived in Fayetteville, Tenn. before making 30A her home. Kendall worked as an intern in the summer before becoming Marketing Coordinator – a role she’s happily held for the last year. 

Kendall appreciates how unique every day is, and tells The Seaside Times, “Some days, I go around town to take pictures and video content, while others, I’m at the office planning and brainstorming new ideas for our social media channels.” 

You might find Kendall at Pickle’s Sandbar, which she thinks is “perfect for lunch or happy hour drinks after work.”

And it’s likely you’ll see her with a camera in hand during the golden hour. “My favorite time to capture photo and video content is at sunset, whether at the beach or Central Square,” Kendall says. 

Working at Seaside has been a full circle moment for the Tennessee native. “When I was younger, I used to look at pictures of Seaside and wish I was there on vacation. It still amazes me that I now have a part in creating the content people see when searching for Seaside,” Kendall said. 

Danni Donofro Eubanks calls Freeport, Fla., home and works as the Community & Culture Manager. She’s worked for Seaside for the last three years, doing everything from capturing social media content to planning behind the scenes.

Look for Danni at 87 Central, where she’s grabbing sushi or sipping wine – she’s also a fan of snapping beach pictures for Seaside’s Instagram accounts, and can be found by the Coleman Pavilion. 

“My favorite thing about working in Seaside is just getting to be in Seaside everyday,” Danni shared. “It’s such a unique, magical place and I feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of this community.” 

As the Summer heat begins to relinquish its grasp on Seaside, Fall begins to creep in. When everyone switches from swim trunks to cardigans and the colors start to change, beachgoers swap beach balls for footballs and our town comes alive.

Autumn is full of fun events, fantastic foods, and a full calendar of football games. Watching your favorite team isn’t complete without a game-day snack. Luckily, vacationing in Seaside means you never have to choose between a good time and great food. Read on to discover some of the best Autumn eats, whether you’re tailgating or heading to the beach.

Modica Market

The classic market offers fantastic wings, which are the perfect pre-game meal. These wings are ideal for the armchair quarterbacks and are available for the whole fan club. Modica Market also offers a variety of snacks to round out your tailgate – after all, what tailgate is complete without chips and dip? Modica Market sells Buffalo Chicken dip, Southern-Fried Pickle dip, and Street Corn dip, just to name a few.

Shrimp Shack

Shrimp Shack is carrying on the Southern tradition of gumbo on game day and the Seafood Gumbo is famous around town for a reason. This gumbo is made up of a classic roux base and includes shrimp and andouille sausage, which is then topped with rice. The warm gumbo comes in two sizes: a cup or bowl. The smaller size is the perfect snack for a chilly tailgate.

Barefoot BBQ

This barbecue spot has your tailgate covered with their take on the shareable snack, nachos. The BBQ nachos include your choice of pork, chicken, or beef brisket, and the tortilla chips are then smothered with beans, cheese, onions, jalapenos, and sour cream. Be on the lookout for these nachos come kickoff.

Daytrader Tiki Bar

With many fantastic menu items like their Tuna Crispy Rice, Maui Fries, and Maui Burger, Seaside’s newest tiki restaurant and bar has your game day party needs covered with a tropical twist. Daytrader’s boiled peanuts were recently featured in The New York Times and make a lovely game day snack. Daytrader also offers happy hour wings that are easy to pick up on your way to watch the big game.

Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs

Swap football vibes for baseball vibes with specialty hot dogs, including the “Chi-Town” made with Chicago relish, celery salt, pickle, poppyseed, tomato, and white onions, or “The Carolina,” made with mustard, chili, and homemade slaw. You’ll be transported to your favorite field instantaneously. Of course, they also offer the classic hot dog and their famous soft pretzels if you prefer that local park feel.

Pickle’s Sandbar

Pickle’s Sandbar is the place to be during football season! Spend your gameday here while watching the Sunday Ticket and playing a game of cornhole in the sand. You’ll be bringing your tailgate to the beach! They now offer delicious wings, which are the perfect gameday meal as well as refreshing drink specials.