Beach bar-hopping: New oceanfront bar opens, 2 others named ‘best’ in The South
There’s a brand-new beach bar in Palm Beach County, and it has something many beach bars don’t have: an actual beach location. The new Top Shell bar, which sits a few steps away from the beach on Singer Island, has been in soft-opening mode since Wednesday, March 20.
Top Shell, which took over the space most recently occupied by Coconuts on the Beach, is part of the newly rebranded Singer Oceanfront Resort. The resort, now part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, is expected to debut in late March, after a multimillion-dollar makeover.
The Top Shell beach bar, which is open to the public and takes its name in tribute to Singer Island’s sea turtles, offers a full cocktail bar and Florida-inspired pub bites.
The beachy menu items include blue crab fritters with chipotle aioli and a seafood “charcuterie” board that includes smoked salmon, pickled shrimp and fish dip. Complete the bar-in-paradise vibe with a rum-pineapple-coconut-cream cocktail that’s served in a whole coconut. It’s called “Top of the Tree”.
Some menu items may not be available, as the bar operates on a limited menu during its soft-opening phase. But a rep for the resort says “the full concept and menu will be available shortly.”
Top Shell: 3700 N. Ocean Dr. on Singer Island, Riviera Beach
Speaking of beach bars…
Southern Living just released a list it calls “The 18 Best Beach Bars in The South,” selected by the magazine’s editors. Eight of the bars are in Florida, two of them Palm Beach County favorites.
Sandbar, Delray Beach
The oceanfront Sandbar, part of the Boston’s on the Beach family, made the “best” list for location and vibe. The open-air spot offers a full beach-bar experience by day — tiki hut on the sand, fruity rum drinks, fish dip and Bahamian conch fritters for nibbling, a menu that lists “frozen concoctions” that include a Tropical Storm daiquiri, plus the scent of suntan lotion in the ocean breeze. Cue your Kenny Chesney playlist.
After sundown, the place revs up into nightclub mode. Think live DJs and bottle service by moonlight.
Sandbar: 40 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 561-278-3364, BostonsSandbar.com
The Square Grouper Tiki Bar, Jupiter
The rustic, Jupiter Inlet bar made famous by Alan Jackson’s 2003 video for “Five O’Clock Somewhere” (starring Jimmy Buffett) is about as iconic as the Jupiter Lighthouse that stands just across the inlet waters.
If you’ve seen the video, the place is easy to recognize, “even if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of sipping something tall and strong at this palm tree-blessed waterfront hangout,” writes Southern Living’s Marisa Spyker in describing The Square Grouper.
More upscale spots with lighthouse views have opened in recent years, but the funky Square Grouper offers those views with one of the most beachy settings on the inlet. Also, pets are not welcome.
Something to know before you go: You must be at least 21 and prepared to show a valid ID to visit the place, and the only foreign ID accepted there is a valid passport.
The Square Grouper: 1111 Love St., Jupiter, 561-406-6417, SquareGrouper.net
Other Florida beach bars on 'best' list
Aruba Beach Café — A lively bar/restaurant on the beach at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Kane Tiki Bar — A Marco Island resort bar on the Gulf.
The Mucky Duck — A British-style pub on the beach at Captiva Island.
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar — An oceanfront bar on St. Pete Beach.
Peg Leg Pete’s — A Pensacola Beach bar with pirate inspiration.
Flora-Bama — In Perdido Key, a 60-year-old bar that practically straddles the Florida-Alabama border.
You can find Southern Living’s full “best beach bar” list here.
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Liz Balmaseda is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network. She covers the local food and dining beat. Follow her on Instagram and Post on Food Facebook. She can be reached by email at lbalmaseda@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter, Delray Beach bars make 'Best Beach Bars' in The South list
