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. 

The Seaside Times is dishing up and dishing on some of our favorite meals that will make you feel like it’s snowing – even if you’re really surrounded by sand. Read on to discover a few of our go-tos, including sweet treats to celebrate the holidays and savory delights that are perfect to snuggle up with on the beach. 

Modica Market

Modica Market is known for its unforgettable pastries – and one of the best is the chocolate croissant. Enjoy a quick and tasty breakfast by grabbing a croissant and pairing it with an enormous fresh squeezed orange juice, or perhaps a mimosa. After all, it is the holiday season, so ‘tis the time to indulge. 

The Shrimp Shack

The Shrimp Shack’s Cajun gumbo won Chef’s Choice at the Seaside School Foundation’s Taste of the Race in February 2023.

This hearty gumbo is a go-to, especially when the temperatures drop. Enjoy a cup or heaping bowl of the classic roux base made with Andouille sausage and fresh Gulf Coast shrimp, topped with rice to make it even more filling. It’s like the taste of New Orleans by the beach. 

Crêpes du Soleil Airstream

What could be better than a hearty, savory crepe? Pretend you’re Parisian with a cheese crepe – and if you really want to get ready for full-on hibernation, finish off your meal with a chocolate crepe or truly indulge with a bit of Nutella. There’s a reason this is a longtime favorite in Seaside; the crepes are truly unbeatable, and one of the best ways to warm up during winter. Simply take your crepe to the beach and bundle up for an unforgettable day. 

Black Bear Bread Co.

One of Seaside’s new additions is also one of its tastiest. Stop by Black Bear with the whole family for an unforgettable breakfast – or pop in for one of the memorable coffee drinks. One wintry treat is the Beekeeper, made with honey, almond milk and sea salt for a savory sweet treat. 

Pickle’s Burger & Shake

Sharing is caring, and where better than Pickle’s, a longtime favorite for families vacationing in town? While the famous fried pickles aren’t exactly seasonal, they just taste better shared with family (as long as you get your fair share of a serving, of course). Grab the pimento cheese dip as well to make sure there’s more than enough for everybody. 

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.