Open hours: Mon to Sun - 7 am to 3 pm
The salty wind caressing your skin, the waves crashing in a steady beat, and your favourite drink cooling your hand. Is there anything better than one of those beach bars? The perfect escape for those who want to chill, soak up the sun, surf, and enjoy the sand and those good-time vibes. If you have been searching for the perfect place where you can sip your cocktail, enjoy local delicacies, and enjoy some sun, search no more. This is your next beach bar experience.
You can’t find beach bars like that anywhere. There’s definitely some beach bar magic that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. But cocktails are not the only thing on the list—though, to be fair, they are great. But it is the laid-back vibe that allows you to truly unwind. No dress code, no reservations, just you, a good drink in hand, and the sound of the ocean. A beach bar experience gives you everything you actually NEED, nothing unnecessary. No matter if you prefer fruity cocktails or want an ice-cold beer, every sip is better when your toes are in the sand.
What does a perfect beach day consist of? A great drink, of course! Beach bars serve a variety of drinks, all made to complement the chilled spirit of the setting. You cannot go wrong with the classics: margaritas, mojitos, or even a tropical piña colada. But for the brave among you, try something new — beach bartenders do love their local, often odd, take on the classics. During the hot weather, a cold beverage, chips, and liquor quench your thirst. It transforms your day. For example, make a refreshing statement with a classic margarita that’s balanced between the sweet chips and liquor, and imagine yourself sitting in the sun. Now that’s living. If cocktails aren’t your style, plenty of beach bars have an excellent range of local beers and wines. Either way, you can expect a drink that will keep you cool while the sun shines down.
The food is worthy of its own spotlight while the drinks take centre stage. And what is a beach bar without a memorable bite to eat? A place for fresh seafood, be it shrimp tacos, fish and chips, or ceviche. Some of these bars take it a step further and use locally sourced ingredients, so you can get a sample of what the region does best. You can’t go wrong with a bite of crispy calamari or a bowl of the freshest local prawns in your mouth while having that cocktail! And of course, the relaxed, never-in-a-hurry beach bar eating manner. You are not here to feast on some dinner. You are here to devour every morsel, with plenty of time for the chips and the flavours to settle in between gulps of your beverage. Suppose you want fresh fish or a good old classic burger; there’s a bar in Waihi Beach that serves a menu that will get your taste buds tingling. Whether served as a light snack or as a heartier meal, each dish tastes as if it were meant to be on the water.
Let’s be honest: half of why we love beach bars is for the vibe. You do not experience it anywhere else. You realise—where else are you literally lying on a hammock, cocktail in hand, with absolutely nothing else to disturb your zen other than the sound of waves? It is a complete relaxation experience. There is no rushing, no pressure, and certainly no worry beyond deciding what to order next. The ambience is the icing on the cake at the best beach bars. Make you feel those island vibes regardless of whether you are on an island with its beach décor, tiki lights, and palm trees dancing in the wind. The chairs are typically laid-back and relaxing, and the view is always outstanding. All of those details come together to create the ideal scene for a sunshiny day.
What is a beach bar without its appropriate rhythms? Beach bars hit the mark every time with music: The major part of the vibe creation. From the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar to a reggae playlist, the sounds merge with the surroundings to elevate the relaxation. Maybe even some live music or a local band strumming beachy tunes to keep it casual. A cold drink in your hand, the sun setting somewhere on the horizon, and a dude strumming a guitar and singing to an audience. This is what beach bar dreams are made of. Or, if you’re fortunate, you get to listen to some local act that embodies the essence of the area.
Beach bars have the ability to attract fun and friends. Everyone is in the same laid-back mood, having fun, and willing to talk to whoever is next to them. Where strangers become friends and memories are made—at bars on the beach in Zakynthos that have so much better energy than their neighbouring crew, about an hour’s walking distance away. Ideal for beginning conversations with other travellers or locals who could provide you with information and guidance about the best places to be around. Part of the fun of a beach bar, especially on such a busy beach, is that you never know who you might be meeting. It’s a beach bar you would want to visit, so whether it is someone who enjoys piña coladas just as much as you do or a local with an interesting story, beach bars connect people naturally.
Of course, there is a sun to get attached to while you are sipping and enjoying. Beach bars are a chill excuse to bask in the beaming golden rays. but remember to slather on the SPF and drink water regardless. Because every bar-dotted beach day is better, and so is one not leaving you feeling like letter no. And remember—there is absolutely no hurry. You’re on beach time now. Relax, enjoy the slow pace, and allow the world to spin for a while without you. Because, after all, isn’t that why you go to a beach bar in the first place?
Fortunately, it’s not quite as difficult as that sounds. When you plan your next beach escape, seek local advice on the best eateries in town or look for those beachfront hideaways that always seem to be full of happy diners (the clue is in the people flocking there). People across the country share their fun new finds on social media, too. The best beach bar experience can be summarised by how and where they serve drinks, the quality of the food, and the ambience. So if you need a little sun, sand, and a cocktail (or three), remember: all you need to do is wander to the beach bar. So, who is up for a day at the beach?