Top Bars with an Ocean View on 30A

Because drinks just taste better when the Gulf’s in sight.

There’s something magical about sipping a cocktail with salty air in your lungs and a panoramic ocean view in front of you. Luckily, 30A has no shortage of beachfront bars that deliver on both flavor and scenery. Whether you’re toasting at sunset or lounging after a beach day, these spots offer the ultimate coastal cocktail hour.

Here are 5 of the best bars with an ocean view along 30A—and yes, some of them have happy hour deals, too.

🌊 Vue on 30A – Dune Allen Beach

Known for its stunning panoramic views of the Gulf, Vue on 30A is exactly what the name promises. With a fresh seafood-focused menu and an outdoor patio perched just above the dunes, this place is tailor-made for sunset sips. It’s upscale, but still coastal casual—and the happy hour runs daily from 3–6 p.m.

Happy Hour Highlights: $5 wine, $6 martinis, half-off select apps

📍 Location:

Sunset happy hour on the patio at Vue on 30A in Dune Allen Beach
Sunset happy hour on the patio at Vue on 30A in Dune Allen Beach

🐟 Fish Out of Water – WaterColor

Looking for luxury with your ocean breeze? Fish Out of Water (or FOOW for short) offers a chic dining experience with big windows and an elevated deck that overlooks the Gulf. It’s the kind of place where cocktails come with citrus garnish and the view comes with a wow.

Happy Hour Highlights: Seasonal, but often includes wine and cocktail specials

📍 Location:

Guests dining with Gulf views at Fish Out of Water in WaterColor
Guests dining with Gulf views at Fish Out of Water in WaterColor

🍹 Bud & Alley’s – Seaside

No list of ocean-view bars on 30A is complete without Bud & Alley’s. This iconic rooftop spot in Seaside has been serving beachgoers since the ’80s. The open-air rooftop bar is the definition of good vibes—especially during their daily bell-ringing sunset tradition.

Happy Hour Highlights: $5 beers, $6 wines, $8 cocktails (select times)

📍 Location:

Rooftop bar with ocean view at Bud and Alley’s in Seaside, Florida
Rooftop bar with ocean view at Bud and Alley’s in Seaside, Florida

🍸 Pescado – Rosemary Beach

If you want rooftop elegance, Pescado brings it. This upscale spot serves craft cocktails and fresh seafood with sweeping views of the Gulf from its third-floor deck. It’s 21+ only, so it’s perfect for date nights, birthday toasts, or just celebrating being beachside adults.

Happy Hour Highlights: Small bites and drink features during weekday early evenings

📍 Location:

Upscale rooftop drinks with ocean view at Pescado in Rosemary Beach
Upscale rooftop drinks with ocean view at Pescado in Rosemary Beach

🦪 Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar – Santa Rosa Beach

Live music, oysters, Gulf breeze—what more could you want? Shunk Gulley offers one of the best oceanfront patios on 30A. Grab a cold drink, order a dozen on the half shell, and watch the waves from this easygoing, always-hoppin’ hangout spot. It’s a go-to for locals and visitors alike.

Happy Hour Highlights: $5 drinks, discounted raw bar items (select days)

📍 Location:

Crowd enjoying drinks and music with an ocean view at Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
Crowd enjoying drinks and music with an ocean view at Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

🌅 Wrap It Up

From posh rooftops to laid-back oyster shacks, these ocean-view bars on 30A are everything we love about beach life—sun, salt, sips, and scenery. Whether you’re watching the sunset or just sneaking away from the sand for a drink, these spots deliver the vibe.

✨ Find all this and more on AppyHour® — the easiest way to discover real-time food specials, drink deals, and oceanfront hangouts near you.