14 Best Bars in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL

If you want to be sipping a frozen cocktail at a beach-front bar with the most incredible sunset view, then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve got all the best bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL for a fun night out.

I love kicking back with a Bushwacker in hand at a beach bar in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. And there are so many different options, all with selections that go beyond the classic Bushwacker (though I can tell you who has the best one of those!).

I’ve curated this list of my favorite Gulf Shores and Orange Beach bars so you can find the perfect place to relax with an island cocktail.

Where to Drink in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

1. Pink Pony Pub

The Pink Pony Pub is an iconic beachfront bar that’s been a Gulf Shores staple since 1956. You can easily recognize its bubble-gum-pink exterior. After 9 p.m., it’s adults-only with a party atmosphere.

They make deliciously strong drinks here, served in no-frills Styrofoam cups. I recommend the Classic Mojito (they have a signature moonshine version, but I’m a classic girly).

137 E Gulf Pl, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

2. Flora-Bama

The Flora-Bama is a famous beach bar that’s right on the Florida and Alabama state line (though technically it is in Perdido Key, Florida, we won’t hold that against them). The bar got its start in 1962 and became popular with Alabama residents because Baldwin County, AL was a dry county at the time.

This is a great place to hear live local music. They have 5 stages across their maze of rooms, and as many bars, so you can hear live music every day of the year.

I recommend getting the Bushwacker. They’re known for their famous version of the drink; it’s thicker and colder than the rest (so it can stand up to the heat of their venue) and its more alcoholic than other versions.

17401 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507

3. The Hangout

The Hangout is a fun bar is located right on Gulf Shores’ main public beach. They have live music, dancing, games, contests, and a foam machine, so you know this place is a good time during Spring Break.

I recommend getting their signature cocktail, the Shark Attack. This beautiful blue drink comes with a toy shark filled with grenadine that you pour in for a blood-in-the-water effect.

101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

4. High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas

High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas is a really fun bar that serves flights of daiquiris and mimosas. They have two Gulf Shores locations, both very cute and trendy.

For their flights, they have so many fun flavors to choose from, and you can mix the daiquiri flavors together to make your own unique creation. I recommend the Bushwacker, the Key Lime Margarita, the Miami Vice, and the Blue Angel.

High Tide #2: 610 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

High Tide #3: 408 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

5. Picnic Beach Bar & Grill

Picnic Beach Bar & Grill is a picnic-themed restaurant and bar with AstroTurf floors and communal picnic bench tables. It’s fun and vibey and perfect for a younger crowd.

I recommend their Taste The Rainbow Flight so you can try four of their signature cocktails: I got the Emerald Coast Punch, the Grateful Dead, the Gulf Coast Cooler, and the White Peach Sangria.

128 E 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

6. 8 Reale

8 Reale is a speakeasy at The Wharf in Orange Beach hidden behind a vault door that you’ll need the code for (don’t worry, you can find the day’s code on their website and social media).

This is a super classy small space with cozy seating, live piano music, and a moody ambiance. They have a large menu of cocktails and wines. The cocktail descriptions are purposely vague to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, but the bartenders are great at making recommendations based on what you typically like.

I recommend the Oaxapan Trail, which is like their version of a Long Island. This drink comes with extra fanfare as you’re supposed to taste it before and after they add the cinnamon ember. Every drink is so artfully crafted, even their mocktails; our group tried a nice range of drinks like their Necro Dancer #1, Black Pearl, and zero proof The Queen’s Gambit.

4851 Wharf Pkwy W Suite D-112, Orange Beach, AL 36561

7. LuLu’s

LuLu’s is an iconic Gulf Shores restaurant that’s owned and operated by Lucy Buffett, sister to singer Jimmy Buffett. One of the things I love about this restaurant and bar is that it’s located right on the Intercoastal Waterway, so you can watch boats go by as you drink.

I recommend the Loopty Lu cocktail for something smaller, but if you really want a fun time, then I recommend the Bucket of LuLu’s Rum Punch (which let’s you take home a souvenir bucket).

200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

8. Cobalt

Cobalt is a large waterfront restaurant and bar in Orange Beach with great views of the bay from every table. When the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting outside on the waterfront patio.

I recommend the Bushwacker here; it’s the perfect tastes-like-a-milkshake drink, plus they drizzle the inside of the glass with a lot of chocolate syrup and top it off with a couple cherries.

28099 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

9. CoastAL

CoastAL is a beachfront bar and restaurant in Orange Beach with some of the best coastal views (I mean, it is in the name, after all). They have live music, plus two separate bar areas: the CoastAL Restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and a bar, or the CoastAL Beach Bar with a covered outdoor patio that’s more beachfront.

I recommend the Blueberry Mojito or a classic Bushwacker. And not like it’s actually alcoholic, but the Bushwacker Tiramisu is also delicious.

25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

10. Coast Restaurant

Coast Restaurant at The Beach Club Resort & Spa is a great on-site restaurant at the resort (that’s also open to the public) overlooking the pool deck and the Gulf. In the summer, their outdoor patio is a great place to sip a drink.

I recommend their Lavender Lemon Drop Martini, a drink so good our entire table got one.

453 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

11. Cactus Cantina

Cactus Cantina is a laidback Mexican chain with locations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach serving up huge margaritas (like as big as your head huge). They have about a dozen different types of signature margaritas (and a mojito!) on the menu.

I recommend the Cactus Margarita for a classic experience made with their own special margarita mix.

Gulf Shores: 3849 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Orange Beach (Perdido Beach Blvd): 25311 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Orange Beach (Canal Rd): 25908 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

12. Gulf Island Grill

Gulf Island Grill is an island-themed bar and seafood restaurant. It looks a little divey from the outside and a little kitschy on the inside, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. The beach house we stayed in was literally right behind this place, so we had to try it.

We were drawn in by their sign that proclaimed the “best Bushwacker” and you know what, yeah, it was a dang good Bushwacker. It was very desserty, with chocolate drizzle on the inside and a cute palm design drizzled on top.

244 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

13. Original Oyster House

The Original Oyster House is a popular restaurant that’s been a Gulf Shores institution since 1983. The line outside tells you just how good it is!

They serve a great Bushwacker here, prettily presented with a strawberry on top and a chocolate drizzle inside the glass.

701 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

14. Village Hideaway

The Village Hideaway at The Beach Club Resort & Spa is a pub that’s a great on-site getaway at the resort. They have an arcade, billiards, 11 flat screen TVs, and golf simulator.

I recommend the Peach on the Beach to drink.

925 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Bars in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Map

Ready to drink your way around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? Use the map below to find all the bars listed in this post.

I hope you have a fun night out at Alabama’s Beaches!

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Ready to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach using Booking.com and top vacation rentals on the Alabama Gulf Coast using VRBO.
• Get Packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

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Cheers!

Paige

Which of these Gulf Shores and Orange Beach bars is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!