Is this SC beach bar among the best in the US? Here’s how to vote on it
USA Today is looking for the best beach bar in the United States, with a South Carolina spot making the ranks.
A panel of travel experts and editors nominated 20 beach bars, stretching from Hawaii all the way up to the New Jersey coast. Now, they are asking you to vote on the best spot for the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.
Polling is open online, and folks can cast a vote once a day through Monday, May 19, at noon.
After votes have been counted, USA Today will announce the winner on Wednesday, May 28.
From the shores of Hawaii to sunny Florida, each of these beach bars are popular destinations for visitors to kick back and relax as the waves roll in. This year’s nominations range across the country from the beaches of California to Texas and up the east coast to New Jersey.
What’s South Carolina’s best beach bar?
Hilton Head’s Tiki Hut Beach Bar at Beach House is the only spot from South Carolina on the list. As of Monday, April 28, it was ranked in the #2 spot.
Tiki Hut at Beach House was noted in the nominations as Hilton Head’s only beachfront live music venue that has been serving visitors and locals since 1977.
Some of their signature drinks include the Local Secret, made with bourbon, lemonade and raspberry puree served in a souvenir cup, or indulge in a 32-ounce bucket of fruity rums and tropical juice, all with sand and sea views.
Each spot nominated was based on atmosphere, diversity of the drink menu and location.
Other top beach bar nominations:
Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Waimea, Hawaii
Copper Bar’s farm-to-table menu features fresh-catch sashimi and a grass-fed burger, while mixologists create craft cocktails like the Mauna Kea Mule, a vodka and ginger beer creation, or the Barrel Bonfire, made with bourbon, pineapple, and honey. Steps outside the bar is Mauna Kea Beach, one of the best beaches on the island.
Descanso Beach Club
Avalon, California
Descanso Beach Club is Catalina Island’s only beachside restaurant and bar. You can enjoy sushi bowls and sample their creative cocktails, like a spiced rum Descanso Destroyer or a Cabana Colada, made with rum, pineapple, coconut, and whipped cream.
Duke’s Waikiki
Honolulu, Hawaii
Named after the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, Duke’s Waikiki is known for its coconut mojito and breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets. Bar staples include Duke’s signature Mai Tai and coco cold brew martinis.
Edge of Waikiki at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Edge of Waikiki beach bar offers a romantic dining and drinking spot. The restaurant serves up fresh seafood like ahi poke appetizers and grilled mahi-mahi, along with signature cocktails like Queens, a vodka, rose, grapefruit, peach bitters and club soda mix.
Flora-Bama
Pensacola, Florida
Flora-Bama is a honky-tonk bar that has been around since 1964. Named after its location on the Alabama-Florida state line, the beach lounge features five stages for live music and beachfront bars with a Bushwacker, a frozen cocktail with rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao and coconut cream.
House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel
Honolulu, Hawaii
This beach bar is named after the first Charlie Chan detective novel, set in 1920s Hawaii. The poolside restaurant serves brick oven flatbreads and fresh seafood, and there’s a daily hula show and sunset cocktails.
Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Santa Cruz, California
Named after legendary surfing pioneer and neoprene wetsuit innovator Jack O’Neill, this Santa Cruz restaurant and lounge offers fresh crab, oysters and daily catches from the Pacific along with fine California wines and signature cocktails.
Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian
Honolulu, Hawaii
Named after the renowned tropical drink, the Mai Tai Bar and resort dates to 1927 and is known as the “Pink Palace” of the Pacific. Enjoy some poke or a mahi sandwich to go with the bar’s signature Mai Tai.
Mamahune’s at Hilton Garden Inn Kauai
Kapa’a, Hawaii
Mamahune’s at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai features comfort foods like tacos, burgers and ahi poke nachos. Enjoy the coastal views with their rum-based concoctions like Trader Mac’s Macadamia Mai Tai or a Mai-Ka’i made with rums from the different Hawaiian Islands.
Nick’s Kitchen & Beach Bar
Galveston, Texas
What started out as a beachside coffee shop over 60 years ago is now home to po’boys and fresh seafood on Galveston Island. At Nick’s, the go-to drink is the frozen house margaritas.
Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar
Daytona Beach, Florida
Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar is known for their 32-ounce tropical Bacardi buckets, selection of draft and bottled beer and crab cakes. All make a perfect accompaniment to the ocean views.
Paradise Cove Beach Café
Malibu, California
Grab a table on the sand at Paradise Cove Beach Café, where you can indulge in iced seafood towers and watch dolphins or whales go by as you sip a cocktail or glass of wine.
Reunion Kitchen + Drink
Santa Barbara, California
Reunion Kitchen + Drink has several locations across Southern California, but its oceanfront place in Santa Barbara stands out for its modern comfort cuisine and exhibition kitchen. Menu favorites include fresh ceviche or beer-battered fish and chips, hibiscus margaritas and mezcal cocktails.
Salty’s Tiki Bar and Beach Lounge at TradeWinds Resort
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Stop in at Salty’s Tiki Bar and Beach Lounge at TradeWinds Resort to enjoy live music, sunset specials and curated cocktails.
Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach at Bilmar Beach Resort
Treasure Island, Florida
Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach is known for their Sloppy On The Beach drink, made with Grey Goose L’Orange vodka, peach schnapps, fresh pineapple and cranberry juice. They also have a variety of seafood options, like a grouper sandwich or shrimp tacos.
The Biergarten Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Biergarten has over 30 drafts as well as a wide selection of beer bottles and cans, which you can pair with their German-based food menu. For Bavarian pretzels and Guinness-smoked bratwurst, this is the spot for you.
The Columns
Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey
Enjoy the Jersey Shore at The Columns, a seasonally open combo restaurant, bar and nightclub where you can try lobster rolls and tuna taco dinner offerings all week long.
The Crow’s Nest
Santa Cruz, California
The Crow’s Nest has been around for more than half a century and offers seafood specials like lobster pasta, Norwegian salmon or the house-made favorite piña colada cheesecake. They have happy hour specials and a wide selection of beers and wines to complete the experience on the coast.
Zelda’s on the Beach
Capitola, California
Zelda’s on the Beach has been a staple since 1978, featuring beachfront dining, a full-service coffee bar and plenty of fresh seafood. Try their Spicy Mary, with Zelda’s famous Bloody Mary mix made with jalapeño vodka.
Click here to vote for your favorite beach bar.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
