2 Best Bars in South Walton, The Panhandle

In many ways, the Baytowne Wharf—with its restaurants, nightspots, shops, and jam-packed schedule of festivals and other events—is the beating heart of the Sandestin Resort. It's a great place to take the kids, with a playground, adventure zone, arcade . . . and a carousel! When the sun goes down, though, the fun really revs up. Live-music venues include John Wehner's Village Door Nightclub and Rum Runners, home of the "World Famous" dueling pianos. Fat Tuesday Daiquiri Bar adds to a "spirited" evening, and Hammerhead's Bar & Grille promises to stay open "until the fun stops." 

Locals mourned when the original location burned down in 2019, but the owners have done a good job recreating the funky, kitschy aesthetic at this new incarnation. With live music or a DJ nightly, the place really hops after dark. Although bartenders are particularly proud of their mimosas and Bloody Marys, the motto here is, "Whatever your fancy we’ll make it, or make it up." If you get hungry, you can order from a short menu featuring such Northwest Florida standards as crab cakes, shrimp, and crawfish. Note, too, that there's no on-site parking; rather, you park at a nearby city lot and take a free shuttle.