Beach Bars with Great Whisky Lists

Beach vacations often mean a predictable drinks lineup: frozen cocktails by the pool, icy beers tucked into coolers, and perhaps a rum punch garnished with a paper umbrella. But in the beachfront resorts of America, some bars and restaurants are thoughtfully curated whisky programs that offer everything from rare pours and private barrels to creative cocktails built for summer evenings.

CALIFORNIA

Strand House

Manhattan Beach

Just steps away from the Manhattan Beach Pier is Strand House, a seasonally focused restaurant celebrating California cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend-only brunch. Like many California restaurants, wines from the region are naturally a stronghold on the drink menu, but whisky lovers will find plenty to love. Take in the panoramic 180-degree views of the Pacific with a briny dram of coastal whisky in hand, such as Talisker 10 year old ($32/2 oz.). Or, sip on one of the bourbon cocktails, like the fruity Rambler, made with Four Roses, smashed blackberries, lemon, aged balsamic, and topped with ginger soda, or The Woodsman, a richer cocktail that blends Woodford Reserve, black walnut bitters, amaro, Bénédictine, and smoked thyme (both $20). Even after the sun goes down, patrons can find the StrandBar below the main restaurant, a cocktail lounge offers great service and excellent drinks.

Playa Provisions, Grain Whisky Bar

Playa Del Rey

Owned by “Top Chef” season 14 winner Brooke Williamson and co-owner and chef Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions is a massive 7,000-square-foot beach-side space that is home to four culinary concepts under one roof, one of which is a serious whisky destination. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and ice cream are daytime draws, while the nighttime ushers in a more intimate experience tucked away in Grain Whiskey Bar, a dimly lit back-room lounge that offers over 200 whiskies, mostly scotch, bourbon, and Japanese single malts. The bar menu features upscale classics like wings, fish tacos, and oysters. Eclectic cocktails are not to be missed, such as the Tajimamori, a blend of Japanese whisky, sake, tangerine cordial, and scallion for a savory edge ($13). Elsewhere are two proprietary single barrel Balcones rye cocktails: the Super Dope Old Fashioned and Super War Bonds, made with apricot and citrus bitters (both $22). Traveling whisky-lovers can pit-stop here while on the move, as it’s a stone’s throw away from LAX airport.

FLORIDA

Warren

Delray

Warren, established in 2021, is an American Bistro with one of South Florida’s largest whisky libraries, with 1,000 bottles. The menu features rare and single barrel bottlings, as well as over 40 barrel picks along with pages of whiskies from almost every corner of the world. If the options are too dizzying to choose just one, the bar team creates bespoke flights based on flavor and style preferences. On Wednesdays, it offers select whiskies at half price and $10 Old Fashioneds, or if you’re making a weekend trip, stop in for Saturday DJ brunches, often high-energy events thanks to ’80s and ’90s themed throwback DJ sets. Wake up with the Kentucky Carajillo ($15), a whisky twist on the classic Spanish cocktail (usually made with rum and brandy). This one includes New Riff bourbon, espresso, coffee liqueur, and demerara, plus a Grand Marnier foam. The food menu is a match for the robust whisky list, with prized Australian wagyu cuts as the star, alongside other American classics.

Sandbar Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach

Touted to hold the Sunshine State’s largest whisky library with a selection of over 1,200 bottles, Sandbar Amelia Island is a whisky-lover’s destination in its own right. Located right on the beach, it offers a “toes-in-the-sand” drinking and dining experience, in addition to indoor and outdoor porch tables. The whisky bible is organized by style, then alphabetically by label with options for 1 oz. or 2 oz. pours. Here whisky fans can explore everything from everyday standbys to unusual pours such as Florida’s own Hooten Young 12 year old American whiskey ($15/1 oz.) or Bain’s Cape Mountain single grain from South Africa ($6.50/1 oz). Rare bottlings from around the world include Rare Perfection 15 year old Canadian, ($31.50/1 oz.),Van Winkle Family Reserve rye ($25/1 oz.), and Orphan Barrel Muckety Muck SB90 single grain scotch ($53/1 oz.) There are over 23 pages of bourbon alone. The cuisine mirrors the location, with fresh seasonal seafood to round out the menu. Stick around for a nightcap at one of the live music events, sporting games shown in the bar area, or the lively weekend brunch.

Whiskey Neat

Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to Whiskey Neat, a low-lit cocktail lounge just a few blocks from the beach. Over 200 whiskies are on offer. The list spans 2 oz. pours of American, Irish, Japanese, world, and scotch whiskies, with 1.5 oz. pours of limited cellar bottles, mostly ultra-aged bourbons and American whiskeys. Flights organized by style come in 1 oz. pours. Elsewhere, the cocktail menu features five Old Fashioned variations, alongside signature cocktails such as the Chai Me Up ($16), a Maker’s Mark-based chai-spiced libation, and the Midnight in Manhattan ($16) which combines Woodford rye, amaro, bitters, and spiced cherries. For nibbles, patrons can order from the neighboring Quarterdeck Restaurant’s full menu of burgers, tacos, or small format tapas.

General Horseplay

Key West

Ernest Hemingway spent roughly a decade in Key West, where he wrote about the island’s carefree lifestyle and affinity for whiskey (so much so his love lives on through island-based Hemingway Whiskey, of which his family is partners with). Visitors spill into every corner of town to imbibe at the beach. General Horseplay boasts a fun and lively atmosphere in the northwest part of town, a gem among the many dive bars in the area. Though generally considered a rum town, this island bar has more whisky than any other spirit, with bourbon and scotch standing firm. Elevated and playful cocktails, like the I Pity the Fool, combine Jameson IPA Cask Irish whiskey with peach, lemon, and black pepper ($14l) while you’d be hard-pressed to find an elegant Toki Highball ($11) elsewhere on the island. Sought-after pours include Thomas H. Hardy rye ($70/1.5 oz.) and Glenlivet 25 year old single malt scotch ($85/1.5 oz.). Snacks land on the high-low spectrum, with caviar available, as well as twists on classics like curried caramel corn and salty nuts.

MARYLAND

Dry 85

Ocean City

Ocean City is an attractive beach destination with endless activity at the amusement parks, arcades, and the picturesque three-mile boardwalk. Dry 85 offers a much-needed reprieve from the excitement. Oceanside and steps from the beach, this Prohibition-era speakeasy has 150 whiskies, craft cocktails, and a comfort menu of Southern classics to choose from.

On the flight menu, rare Van Winkle Family Reserve and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection are on offer, alongside curated Tennessee whiskey, scotch, and rye flights, rounded out by pours of several private barrel picks from Elijah Craig, Maker’s Mark, Weller, Knob Creek, Barrell Bourbon, and Peerless. On the cocktail front, smoke purists will enjoy the Bespoke Old Fashioned ($18), made with WhistlePig Piggyback 6 year old Bespoke Maple private barrel, amaro, Whistlepig-barrel aged maple syrup, smoked with maple-wood chips and garnished with applewood smoked bacon. For those itching for something fruity, the seasonal Old Fashioned ($15) fits the bill, blending Old Overholt rye, Giffard Banane du Brésil, St. George’s spiced pear liqueur, and walnut bitters.

Fager’s Island

Ocean City

Fager’s Island is a hotel, restaurant, bar, and nightlife complex on the bay and a two-block walk to the beach across the Coastal Highway. Guests can choose from over 180 whiskies by the pour or in flights like 15 Years of Pappy (10, 12, 15 year old bourbons and 13 year old rye; $105/4-1 oz. pours), Willett or Won’t It (purple top tasting; $68), a world whisky tour ($38), and more. The Bourbon of the Month program spotlights a specific bourbon at a discounted price, with Redwood Empire Pipedream cask strength selected for June. Enjoy what’s dubbed a “lazy summer afternoon in a glass” in the Porch Swing, made with Blanton’s single barrel, raspberry liquor, Earl Grey syrup, and lemon juice ($18).

MASSACHUSETTS

Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham

This luxury retreat, situated in the heart of Chatham, has a private quarter-mile beach on a stretch known as Aunt Lydia’s Cove. The adult-only location is known for its Curated Spirits Program at one of its more casual restaurants on the grounds, Sacred Cod Tavern. The program launched in 2018 with a Maker’s Mark Private Select barrel Vol. 1, becoming so popular among guests that the bar team expanded private barrels to tequila, beer, and other spirits. The newest restaurant on the property, South Bar Lounge, opened last year, with an expanded terrace to drink in the ocean view with a rare pour in hand, such as Glenmorangie Signet single malt scotch ($65/1 oz.) or the sought-after Macallan Time:Space Mastery single malt scotch ($285/1 oz.). Cocktails rotate seasonally, with the Thyme in Bloom Old Fashioned, made with Woodford Reserve, blackberry-thyme syrup, and orange bitters; a refreshing herbal drink to sip by the beach ($19).

NORTH CAROLINA

Village Table & Tavern

Duck

Situated on the Outer Banks, Duck is home to picturesque beaches, a boardwalk, and local spots that add to its charm. One of those is the Village Table, which offers a 200-plus whisky list, available in 1.5 oz. pours, as well as a dedicated Old Fashioned menu in which the guests become the mixologists. Guests are welcome to pick a riff style (think classic, tropical, coffee-focused, or maple-infused) and a whisky to create a personal take on the classic cocktail. The bartender will guide you through the signature cocktail menu, of which rye is the star in the two whiskey cocktails on offer. Settle in for a full meal, as the restaurant has inventive twists on tavern classics.

OREGON

Alchemy Lounge

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach attracts tourists thanks to the “Haystack Rock,” a monolith structure that defines this coastline, but whisky fans will find a lot to love not only in the views but at the Alchemy Lounge inside the Cannon Beach Hotel. There are 300 whiskies to choose from, including ryes, bourbons, and scotches, alongside a handful of American single malts, Canadian, and Japanese expressions. Check out the rotating menu of barrel-aged cocktails ($17), and the small cocktail menu, which offers classic whisky cocktails made with in-house bitters, syrups, shrubs, and vermouths. The Flights are tiered from $200 for Top Shelf Picks to reasonable $34-$38 for bourbon, scotch, Irish, Japanese, and Oregon-produced flights. The menu is short but thoughtful, with snacks, small plates, salads, and a few large format options.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Paddock & Whisky

Charleston

Located on James Island, just across the river from downtown Charleston and six miles from Folly Beach, Paddock & Whisky is a beloved neighborhood favorite with a collection of nearly 200 whiskies with an emphasis on bourbon-based classic cocktails, and casual Southern fare. The bar pays tribute to the Lowcountry with pours like 2XO’s Kiawah Blend, named for blender Dixon Dedman’s fondness for the nearby island. Elsewhere, local offerings such Hire Wire Distilling Co.’s Revival rye and Jimmy Red sherry-finished bourbon, plus a private Firefly Distillery barrel pick, Live Paddock. The cocktail list balances classics with inventive originals, including Russel’s Tussel, featuring Russell’s Bourbon Without Borders Barrel Pick bourbon, cognac, lemon sec, Benedictine, and peach and angostura soda ($15). For a dessert-worthy concoction, try the Lunch for Homer ($15), which combines Old Overholt bottled in bond rye with donut milk, orange citrate, brown sugar, and clarified vanilla butter.

VIRGINIA

The Cavalier Hotel

Virginia Beach

The historical Cavalier Resort offers drams served up from the hotel’s very own in-house craft distillery, Tarnished Truth, which produces whisky, gin, vodka, and canned cocktails. Next door is the Hunt Room, an intimate tavern that opens in the early evening, serving bespoke cocktails, classic libations, and a few flights of the Tarnished Truth’s high-rye bourbon, Discretion wheated bourbon, single barrels, and a bourbon cream. The food menu is anchored by hearty pub fare. A stylish lounge, the Raleigh Room, offers a slightly more expansive cocktail menu, featuring upscale classics–think Rusty Nail, Gold Rush, Boulevardier, Paper Plane–alongside signature cocktails such as tropical Gavel ($15), made with Glenmorangie, rum, sweet vermouth, pineapple syrup, and angostura bitters and Fern & Fire ($18), a blend of Tarnished Truth 3 year old High rye, Fernet, Dry Curaçao, coffee and pecan bitters.