How does miles of beach sand supposedly made of quartz that washed down from the Appalachian Mountains sound? How about a 72-degree average annual water temperature? How about an average (May 22nd to September 28th) daily high temp of 84 degrees? 224 sunny days per year (according to bestplaces.net)?
Where is this tropical paradise you ask?
Roughly 60 miles east of Mobile Alabama and about 120 miles west of Panama City, is Pensacola Beach Florida. Located just across the Pensacola Bay on the thin barrier island of Santa Rosa Island, is 2020’s #4 ranked Best Beach in America, according to TripAdvisor.com.
Other accolades have included USA Today10best “Best Beach in Florida” 2018, Conde Naste Traveler’s 2018 Most Beautiful Place in Florida, and more. For a full rundown of many of the accolades Pensacola Beach has received over the years, check out this link.
Pensacola Beach is also home to the Navy’s Blue Angels as well as several of Florida’s best beach bars. In 2020, one beach bar on Pensacola Beach stood out above all others and was awarded the title of Best Bar Pensacola Beach: The Sneaky Tiki.
Pensacola History
In the early to mid-1500’s, a Spanish exploration lieutenant under the command of de Soto, named Francisco Maldonado anchored off the shore of Pensacola. In 1559 Don Tristan de Luna, and 11 ships carrying large groups of Spanish voyagers established Pensacola as America’s First Settlement. Later that same year, they held what is recognized as the first Catholic Mass in the U.S.
After a devastating hurricane and famine, the settlers left the area just 2 years after establishment. As legend has it, in 1686, Juan Jordan de Reina came across a group of Native Americans who referred to Spanish settlers as “Penzacolas”, or “hairy people”.
Throughout its rich history, Pensacola has seen the likes of Daniel Boone, Geronimo, a streetcar trolley system and more. In fact, it is believed that Daniel Boone secured a plot of land in Pensacola to settle down on, but his wife refused to leave North Carolina. I guess she preferred to retire in Missouri. Perhaps she wasn’t a beach person?
In 1929, the year of the Great Depression, the federal government sold the barrier island of Santa Rosa to the community of Escambia County. Guess what the price tag was for this 40-mile, white sandy beach, strip of real estate was?
$10,000.00.
After the purchase, the work started. By 1931, the Pensacola Bridge Corporation finished both the Santa Rosa Sound Bridge and the Pensacola Bay Bridge, as well as the famous Pensacola Beach Casino. Throughout the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the Casino Resort was a tourist destination hotspot, boxing matches, beauty pageants, and more. Sadly, it closed its doors and was demolished in 1972. Here is a great History in Photos of the Casino Resort and Bridges.
The Pensacola Beach area is also home to a few other famous things (aside from Flora-Bama, the Blue Angels, Fort Pickens, Margaritaville, former WWE Wrestling Champ Roman Reigns, and more – more on those in other articles): The Great Carrier Reef and the Bushwacker.
The Great Carrier Reef is a decommissioned, Korean and Vietnam War-tested air craft carrier, The USS Oriskany, whose final resting place is roughly 25 miles off the coast of Pensacola. It has become a popular destination for experienced divers.
The Bushwacker is a frozen, island concoction whose original recipe consisted of Vodka, Kahlua, Dark Crème de Cacao, Coco Lopez, a splash of Triple Sec, and a creamy mix made of fresh milk and nutmeg blended in with ice. It draws it’s origins to the Ship’s Store/Sapphire Pub in St. Thomas, where former Red Sox great, Tony Conigliaro’s cousin, Angie, invented this one of a kind drink. As the story has it, the drink was named after a guest’s dog, Bushwack.
Lucky for us, it found its way to the United States by way of Linda Murphy, owner of the Sandshaker Beach Bar, in Pensacola Beach. The first weekend of every August the community celebrates the famous beverage with the annual Bushwacker Festival. With so much to do on this topical barrier island, one place you have to be sure to visit (if you can find it😊) is Island Culture Brand’s “Sneaky Tiki” Bar.
The Sneaky Tiki Bar
This 2020 Best Beach Bar and Yelp #2 Beach Bar on Pensacola Beach got its name from the fact that if you don’t know exactly where you are going, you may not find it. Opened in June of 2018, the Sneaky Tiki would soon be named Inweekly’s 2019 “Best New Bar. It would also go on to earn Pensacola Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Month” twice, as several other accolades.
Visitors can drive up, bike up, float up, or boat up to this hidden gem on the beach, inside the Pensacola Beach RV Resort, located at:
17 Via De Luna Drive
Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
(850) 932-4670
30°20’05.8″N 87°08’09.7″W
Originally opening as a small resort concept bar, the Sneaky Tiki has since grown into something special. With its location and attention to quality, cleanliness, and professionalism, the Sneaky Tiki has created a very unique experience. Locals have embraced it, while guests come from all over the world to visit.
There are two bars on site, the main bar, and the satellite bar, while the beach holds 500-800 people. The atmosphere here offers an incredibly fun vibe! There is a lounge area, day beds, cabanas, umbrellas and more. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your lounge chair and venture up to the bar, they have waitstaff that will bring the drinks to you.
As a seasonal business the Sneaky Tiki is open March through November. During that 9-month span, they pack in the fun. There is live music on weekends, boat up or float up concerts, free cookouts with local chefs on Saturdays and Sundays, drink specials and happy hours throughout the week, and much more (see activities and special events).
The bar opens daily at noon and closes at 10:00PM. Be sure to grab a signature cocktail, check out the live music from 2:00-6:00PM, and catch a beautiful sunset out over the water.
Activities
The Sneaky Tiki offers lots of great activities. From daily Happy Hour (M-F 4:00-6:00 PM- check out the great reviews on their happy hour here), to concerts and Sunset Yoga on the beach, every day at the Sneaky Tiki offers something fun to do. Theme days include:
Monday is Mojito Monday. Try one of their Specialty Mojitos.
Tequila Tuesdays offer Margarita and Tequila Specials
Wednesday is Waggy Wednesday. On this special day, the Sneaky Tiki has pet friendly happy hour to benefit the Pensacola Humane Society. Here they offer pet adoptions and Tito’s Vodka Specials.
Tumbler Thursdays have $5.00 Stoli Flavor refills
Island Fridays offer specials on Island-style specialty drinks.
Sundays are Fundays at the Sneaky Tiki, with Champagned and Blood Mary Specials.
Be sure to check out their Facebook page for a full rundown of all upcoming activities and drink specials.
Cleanliness
Island Culture has created a family friendly Tiki Bar with a clean, high quality, and beautiful tropical resort feel. With amenities including high end lounge chairs, hammock chairs, two great bars, and professional and courteous team members, it is no wonder they were voted Pensacola Beach’s Best Beach Bar in 2020.
Crowd
As the Sneaky Tiki is a very safe, family friendly-establishment and not the cheapest bar in town, it attracts a certain demographic. The average age ranges from 30-60 years old. It attracts locals in-the-know, guests of the RV resort, and beach bar adventurers from around the world.
The Sneaky Tiki is not known as a young party bar. The mixed environment provides a relaxed, yet, fun, welcoming, island atmosphere. Whether 30, 40, 50, or 60, guests may find themselves mingling or dancing on the beach in front of the stage. One thing is for certain, everyone is there to have a good time.
Special Events
From a full, once a month series, of boat up float up concerts on the beach to a big blowout Tiki-versary party, the Sneaky Tiki offers a great variety of special events. Below are some of the more popular events:
- Tiki-versary: the 3rd weekend every June. Just to give you an idea how much fun this is; last year’s event was a Fantasy Island theme party.
- Blue Angel Weekend: The weekend after the 4th of July. As Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels, there is an amazing air show and celebration of these prides of Pensacola.
- Boat Up Float Up Concert Series: One a month starting in May. Concert goers build bars in the water, dance on the beach, while enjoying great music.
And more. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for the full line up of upcoming events.
Beverages
How does a Spicy Blackberry Margarita out on beach sound? Or how about the Blue Angel, a mix of Stoli Crushed Pineapple Vodka Coconut Rum, Blue C, Lime, and Sprite?
Sneaky Tiki’s drink menu is filled with creative and well-crafted beverages. The Tiki-Wacker, their secret Bushwacker recipe, was runner-up for Best on the Beach in 2019.
The Margarita’s are incredible. The RV Rita is a double shot of Milagro, Agave, Lime, and Grand Marnier Floater, while the Classic offers a perfect mix of Tequila, Agave, OJ, and lime.
Vodka Cocktails include the 3 Mile Mule, the Happy Camper, Tito’s Beach Party (Tito’s, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry, OJ, and Lemon), the Blue Angel, and One Love (Stoli Strawberry Crushed Vodka, Strawberry Puree, Soda, Mint, and Champagne floater).
Whiskey, Gin, and Rum Specialty drinks include the Cantonment Mule (Whiskey, Ginger Beer, and Lime), the Sneaky Tiki Bucket (Coconut Rum, Banana Rum, Peach Schnapps, Sprite, and a Rum floater), Lei’d Out (For de Cana Rum, Coconut Crème, OJ, Pineapple, and Nutmeg), the Tiki Mama, the Mermaid Kiss, No Tan Lines (Club Caribe Coconut Rum, OJ, Pineapple Ginger-ale, Grenadine, Lime, and Cherry), the Beach Bum, and Sunburned AF (Jack Daniel Honey Whiskey, Ginger Beer, Lemon, and a Jack fire floater).
Beers include Corona, Corona Premier, Modelo, Local and Craft Beer’s, Truly, Coors Light, PBR, Bud and Bud Light, Mich Ultra, and more. Whines include Sterling Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rose by the glass, while champagne comes in either glass or bottle.
If you’re feeling really, ahem… “thirsty”, 32oz Margarita, Rum and Bloody Mary buckets are also available.
Bites
As this is truly a beach bar, simple Beach bites from the local seafood market are on the menu. They offer Yellowfin tuna, chicken salad, guacamole, hummus, and other light beach snacks.
Overall Rating
Toes in the sand Tiki Bar. Check
Great location. Check
Great specialty Cocktails. Check
Great mixed crowd and fun, beach vibe. Check
Daily activities, happy hours, and drink specials. Check
Live music on the beach. Check
Popular Special Events. Check
Great amenities and friendly, courteous staff. Check
5/5 Margaritas!
Contact Info
Island Culture’s Sneaky Tiki Bar
17 Via De Luna Drive
Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
(850) 932-4670
30°20’05.8″N 87°08’09.7″W
