Today's Travel

21 Sexiest Beach Bars

Things Heat Up When the Sun Goes Down

by Erica Walsh

 

 

 

 

 

iStockphoto

We know there's no better way to end a day in the sun than with a cold one in your hand. That's why we're counting down the world's best beach bars. One bar for each year that makes you legal.

The Beachcomber
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
 

From Lake Michigan to the New England coast, number 10 on the list is The Beachcomber in Wellfleet, MA. Open from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day weekend, the bar and restaurant sits right on Cahoon Hollow Beach amidst 100-foot sand dunes. They are famous for their raw bar and crispy fried clams, and the kids' menu makes it the most family-friendly spot on the countdown.

Duke's Waikiki
Honolulu, Oahu
 

Located in the middle of the crescent-shaped beachfront, Duke's Waikiki is an institution enjoyed by tourists and locals. Visit the dining room for award-winning traditional Waikiki fare or grab a cocktail at the Barefoot Bar. There's no better end to a day in Waikiki than with salt in your hair, sand on your feet and a cocktail in your hand from Duke's.

Tropicana Beach Bar
Mykonos, Greece
 

In the Aegean Sea sits Mykonos, an island in the Cyclades cluster. Beloved for its gorgeous beaches, cosmopolitan lifestyle and upbeat atmosphere, Mykonos is a popular tourist destination. The Tropicana Beach Bar sits on Paradise Beach and throws the greatest early-evening beach parties. A hot spot for young people, the drinks flow from early morning until long past sunset.

Moonshadows
Malibu, California
 

Moonshadows is right off the Pacific Coast Highway and sits perched over the rolling swells of the Pacific. The perfect watering hole after a day at the beach, Moonshadows' restaurant serves up sizzling seafood while the lounge offers killer beats by California DJs.

Da Conch Shack
Provo, Turks and Caicos
 

 Da Conch Shack sits right on the beach in beautiful Provo, Turks and Caicos. In true island spirit, it's famous for two things: fresh local seafood and a wide selection of rum. As the name suggests, conch is the house specialty but the in-season grouper, snapper and lobster are not to be missed.

Sloppy Joe's Bar
Key West, Florida
 

Located in sunny Key West, Sloppy Joe's has been a local landmark since 1933. Customers can enjoy their favorite beverage with breakfast, lunch or dinner and listen to live bands starting around lunchtime. The relaxed atmosphere lasts from sunup long past sundown, and it's the perfect place to cut loose in Key West.

Sa Trinxa
Ibiza, Spain
 

Across the Atlantic lies Ibiza, one of Spain's Balearic Islands where hard-core beach enthusiasts head to 1 spot in particular -- Sa Trinxa. During daylight hours a hot theme party takes center stage at Salinas Beach, and by night it's all about cocktails and chilled-out grooves at Sa Trinxa.

Sunset Beach
Shelter Island, New York
 

On Shelter Island, New York City refugees, Hamptons residents and yachters know there's no better beach locale than Sunset Beach. The signature cocktail is the Sunset Beach Rose', a light fragrant rose' produced by Andre Balazs that patrons have been sipping since 1997.

Sagamore Art Hotel Bar
South Beach, Miami, Florida
 

This bar in sexy South Beach, FL, literally makes beachside entertainment into an art. At the Sagamore Art Hotel Bar, Miami's beautiful unwind amidst signature cocktails, balmy beach breezes and an impressive selection of art. But even if art isn't your thing, the stunning pool bar and grill is one of Miami's hottest scenes.

Foxy's Bar
Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
 

If you're in the mood for a whole lotta fun with a Caribbean vibe, then Foxy's Bar in Jost Van Dyke, BVI, is the place to be. The bar opens at 9:30 a.m. Foxy himself performs every afternoon, singing and telling jokes in a Calypso style that's made him famous. Sly Fox and Dread Fox are the specialty drinks of the house in addition to several draft beers fresh from their microbrewery.

Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill
Coney Island, New York
 

Number 14 on the countdown takes us to a very different island. Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill is located on New York's historic Coney Island. It's said that the bar housed an under-the-boardwalk cabaret before it became the Hebrew National Deli in 1934. Rubin Jacobs purchased the space in 1975, and it's been serving beer in plastic cups ever since. The history of Coney Island can be seen in photographs behind the bar, but grab a beer and hit the boards to experience this New York landmark firsthand.

Trump Plaza Beach Bar
Atlantic City, New Jersey
 

Cross the Hudson to number 13, the Trump Plaza Beach Bar in Atlantic City, NJ. Open seasonally and voted the "Hottest Beach in Atlantic City," the bar is packed nightly with exuberant dancers and drinkers. Grab a pizza colada and a lounge chair, and relax on the shores of the Atlantic.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Negril, Jamaica
 

Even if you're not a Parrothead, you'll want to visit Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville anytime you're in Jamaica. With margaritas in 52 flavors and white-sand beaches stretching 7 miles, this truly is a paradise beach bar. Wastin' away in Margaritaville never felt so good.

Oak Street Beachstro
Chicago, Illinois
 

Head lakeside and enjoy open-air casual dining at Oak Street Beachstro in Chicago. The Tahitian-inspired bar and restaurant sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers the sounds of waves combined with the city's vista. If you're in Chicago in the summer, there's no better place to soak up the Midwestern sun.

The Sidewalk Cafe'
Venice Beach, California
 

Located right on Oceanfront Walk and Horizon Avenue, there's no better place to enjoy beautiful Venice Beach than the Sidewalk Cafe. The outdoor patio has been a coveted spot to eat and people-watch since the cafe opened 25 years ago. Live acoustic music in the evening is the perfect complement to the fresh homemade food and the nightly happy hour.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Sydney, Australia
 

From Venice Beach, CA, we head down under to Icebergs Dining Room and Bar on Sydney, Australia's Bondi Beach. Actors, models, surfers and sun-worshippers flock to a scene that's part bar, part restaurant and part health club. There are 3 floors to this beach haven, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and immaculate views of Crescent Beach.

Willy T.'s Floating Bar
Norman Island, British Virgin Islands
 

Get off the beach and onto the water at Willy T.'s Floating Bar on BVI's Norman Island. Sitting just offshore, Willy T.'s promises a good time -- things tend to get pretty rowdy later in the day when ski shots and body shots heat up the bar area. Bring the party to shore by purchasing a bottle of Willy T.'s brand rum on your way back to dry land.

Hard Rock Beach Club and Bar
Las Vegas, Nevada
 

It might surprise you that we're heading to a desert for number 6 on the list -- but Vegas is a desert like no other. The Hard Rock Beach Club and Bar at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a man-made paradise. The pool's pristine blue water laps against real sand beaches. Swim-up black jack is a big draw, as are the beautiful Las Vegas bodies soaking up the sun.

The Surf Lodge
Montauk, New York
 

Montauk considers itself the "un-Hampton," a sleepy fishing village with miles of beautiful coastline. The Surf Lodge on Fort Pond in Montauk is nestled on the pond's coast, only half a mile from the beach. Don't feel like changing after riding the perfect fat wave? No worries. The Surf Lodge welcomes flip-flops and board shorts as much as a laid-back attitude. Chill out with a cold one while listening to Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones in front of a lakeside bonfire.

Sunset Beach Bar
St. Maarten
 

St. Maarten is an island in the Tropics owned equally by the Netherlands Antilles and France. Number 3 on the list takes us to Sunset Beach Bar in the southern Dutch region. Boasting beautiful views of the St. Maarten sunset, the bar is also where the beautiful people gather to cut loose. Each Tuesday the bar holds a bikini contest -- and they encourage participants to get a little crazy in order to walk home with a little cash.

Nikki Beach
South Beach, Miami, Florida
 

The Nikki Beach Bar in Miami's South Beach is comprised of a large oceanfront complex with an outdoor beach club, restaurant and nightclub. High rollers can enjoy full food and VIP bottle service in the club's sexy cabanas and lounge beds. At night, Club Nikki features fresh-spun music and live entertainment by dancers, percussionists and aerial performers. The hottest party in South Beach is also one of the hottest in the world, so make sure you don't miss it next time you're in "SOBE."