Florida Beaches You Can Drink At
By Laura Fagan Originally published August 2021, updated June 2023
Listen up, fellow beach enthusiasts! Beach days and cold drinks go hand in hand, but the hard truth is that not every beach in the state of Florida allows the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Which means you’ll need to stay informed this summer.
Luckily for you, we've scoured the shores and statutes of the Sunshine State to give you the rundown on alcohol-friendly beaches.* Our at-a-glance guide is packed with grab-and-go summer drink suggestions and pro tips to ensure your beach day is both safe and fun, like remembering to purchase beverages in cans or plastic bottles, as glass is not permitted on these beaches. So, pack your cooler and grab your beach umbrella—let's dive into some summertime fun!
East Coast Beaches
Whether you’re in Florida to browse the iconic Cocoa Beach Ron Jon Surf Shop or explore the Space Center in Cape Canaveral, you’re never too far from a glorious east coast beach. Check out these alcohol-friendly spots:
-
Flagler Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
-
Cocoa Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
-
Playalinda Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
Pro Tip: As with any activity, safety should always come first. Make sure to check posted beachside precautions including scanning for beach flags and signs. Be sure to also pack ample water and use tons of sunscreen. It’s Florida, people! And, yes, you can still get sunburnt if your seaside sky is cloudy or overcast.
Summer Sip Suggestions
Señor Pedro’s Skinny Margarita
Señor Pedro's Skinny Margarita is a refreshing and low-calorie option that's perfect for sipping under the sun, no mixing or shaking required! All you have to do is pour it over ice for a perfect seaside marg.
If you're looking for something a little lighter, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is a great choice; it's bubbly, delicious and won't weigh you down under the Florida sun. You can also grab the brand’s bottled mineral water to sip on in between the hard seltzers.
High Noon Tequila Variety Pack
For those who prefer their tequila in ready-to-drink cans, the High Noon Tequila Variety Pack is a summertime favorite. With flavors like grapefruit, strawberry, lime and passionfruit, there's something for everyone in the cooler.
Pro Tip: Look, there is an art to packing a cooler. For maximum chill and proper stacking, we recommend using lots of ice, sprinkling in some rock salt (it reduces the freezing point so your ice lasts longer) and putting heavy cans at the bottom to layer foods by weight. Lighter snacks like sandwiches and wraps belong at the top. You can even throw a cheap, small garbage can to one side of the cooler to keep fruit or delicate items from getting crushed. If you really want to elevate your cooler game, try this Tetris-like technique when packing a canned cocktail or beer cooler for the beach:
-
Start by opening one end of each cardboard case and keeping the cans upright.
-
To neatly stack the beer, seltzers or canned cocktails, cover the open end with your hand, then flip the case over (speed is your friend with this maneuver) into the cooler and remove your hand.
-
Repeat this process for the remaining cases, leaving enough space between them for ice.
-
Once all the cases are in the cooler, tightly pack them by filling the gaps with ice and sprinkling rock salt around the ice.
-
To finish, slide out the cardboard cases and add more ice to fully cover the cans.
Watch this packing hack here:
West Coast Beaches
Enjoying some high-end shopping in Naples or taking in the vibrant street art of St. Petersburg? The west coast’s seaside cities have a plethora of boozy beaches to check out, grouped accordingly below:
Greater St. Petersburg:
-
Madeira Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
-
St. Pete Beach: Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the sand at beachfront hotels, but this is limited to hotel guests.
-
Treasure Island: Alcoholic beverages are allowed. However, no alcohol is allowed on the beach between the 8500 block and the 9900 block of Treasure Island Beach between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
-
Redington Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach. Please note that alcohol is not permitted on the neighboring (and similarly named) beaches of Redington Shores and North Redington Beach.
Sarasota:
-
Siesta Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
-
Turtle Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
-
Lido Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
Naples:
-
Naples Municipal Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach; however, they are not permitted on the pier (except beer and wine between noon and one hour past sunset). Please note that alcohol is not permitted one block north and one block south of the pier on 12th Avenue, 13th Avenue and Broad Avenue South.
Summer Sip Suggestions
Mamitas Tequila Cocktail Variety Pack
Mamitas Tequila Cocktail Variety Pack is a canned option combining real tequila, sparkling water and tropical flavors of lime, paloma, pineapple or mango. All you have to do is chill, crack open and enjoy a perfectly mixed tequila cocktail on the beach.
Tanqueray Cocktail Gin & Tonic
For a classic cocktail on the beach, the Tanqueray Cocktail Gin & Tonic is a perfect choice. Crafted with fine gin and balanced with the crispness of tonic water, this canned cocktail delivers a refreshing blend of botanicals and a hint of citrus to sip seaside.
Happy Dad Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
And for the people who packed the car, dragged it all down to the shoreline and staged the beach day setup, we recommend the Happy Dad Hard Seltzer Variety Pack to quench your thirst. Packed with a range of fruity flavors, including juicy watermelon, zesty lemon-lime, wild cherry and refreshing pineapple, these hard seltzers offer a delightful burst of flavor with a crisp, cooling finish.
Pro Tip: The best beach picnics are the ones prepared in advance. Keeping the menu light and opting for low-maintenance foods, such as premade sandwiches and pre-sliced fruit, help take the hassle out of using your boogie board as a makeshift cutting board. And, since all the beaches on our list prohibit glass, swapping the breakable stuff for plastic, metal or silicone cups and containers will guarantee a safe and enjoyable surfside feast for all.
Panhandle Beaches
Fancy a more laid-back time with the family? The Florida panhandle’s small-town charm and famous Gulf of Mexico beaches make this area the perfect spot to kick back and relax.
Panama City:
-
Panama City Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted year-round, except for the month of March.
-
Shell Island: Alcoholic beverages are permitted year-round.
According to tripping.com, all the beaches in Panama City permit alcohol consumption throughout the year, except for the month of March.
-
Pensacola Beach: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach, omitting an alcohol-free zone located on a “... portion of the beach on the Gulf of Mexico on Pensacola Beach extending 320 feet west of the existing Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and 225 feet north of the shoreline to the sand fencing, encompassing an area approximately 1.75 acres” (Escambia County, Code of Ordinance, Chapter 6, Sec. 6-3. - Alcohol-free zone).
-
Perdido Key: Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
Summer Sip Suggestions
For simple beach day margs, try grabbing a case of the canned Cutwater Tequila Margarita. This ready to drink tequila cocktail combines agave nectar, award-winning tequila and a house-made mix of cane sugar, orange and lime. No bar or tipping required!
Jose Cuervo Margarita Lime Premixed Cocktail
For a shake and pour option, you can try the Jose Cuervo Margarita Lime Premixed Cocktail. This authentic margarita is ready when you need it with balanced flavors and just the right amount sweetness. You’ll just need a cup and some ice to enjoy this citrusy cocktail.
Truly Punch Hard Seltzer Mix Pack
For a fruitier option, the Truly Punch Hard Seltzer Mix Pack is a spirited seltzer with flavors designed for sunshine including fruit punch, berry punch, tropical bunch and citrus punch all mixed with real fruit juice and refreshing bubbles.
Pro Tip: Extras. Having extras of everything, whether that be plastic cups or playlist songs, goes a long way in minimizing stress and maximizing beach fun. This is especially true when it comes to trash bags. Bringing more trash bags than you think you need prevents the chance of running out of rubbish room and accidentally leaving more than footprints behind. Let’s make a summer pact to celebrate responsibly and keep our beaches pristine!
Grab your cooler essentials at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits store or shop online at abcfws.com.
It's important to note that local and state ordinances can and do change, and it's always best to check with the specific beach or local authorities for any rules or restrictions on alcohol consumption before visiting. Additionally, you must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly and follow all local and state laws and regulations related to alcohol consumption in public places.
*No glass is permitted at listed locations.
Sources
-
East Coast Beaches:
-
West Coast Beaches:
-
Panhandle Beaches: