The Coolest Beach Bars In The US You Never Knew You Needed

Ballard's Beach Resort on Block Island, Rhode Island, is all about the surf and sand, cocktails, volleyball, good food, and everything you'd dream of when you think of summer fun. From an entire frozen daiquiri bar to bubbly champagne, Jello shots, and Ballard's famous pineapple drink served out of an actual pineapple, this beach bar is exactly what you never knew you needed to experience this summer — and beyond. Be sure to grab some scrumptious appetizers, such as lobster salad sliders, clam cakes, or coconut shrimp. Don't forget to check out the sushi and raw bar as well.

If you want to make a whole day of it, consider renting a VIP cabana at Ballard's if that's what your crew is about. In addition to a plush cabana, of course, you'll get beach and lounge chairs, a table, and lots of chill vibes for up to 12 of your bests. While you're chillaxin' and sipping at this unique beach party spot, you can expect some pretty rad live entertainment and festivals, like Block Island Country Fest, Block Island Reggae Fest, and Block Island Jam Fest. The good vibes and great reviews are always flowing. One five-star recommendation on TripAdvisor lauds the attentiveness of the staff, the quality of the fare, and the joy of having it all in front of the ocean. We'd have to agree.

Our next beach bar is as elusive as a receding wave. Some refer to it as an under-the-radar, undiscovered gem of South Beach, while others, like Culture Trip, know it as one of the top locations to enjoy a beach day in the city. So, you've got to wonder: Did you really even go to Miami if you didn't club it up at Nikki Beach? With an award-winning restaurant, a beach club, a nightclub on the second floor, a cabana bar, and a super cool lifestyle boutique, Nikki Beach is clearly not just a beach bar — it's a destination.

If sandy, shoeless extravagance is your jam, you've got to head to Nikki Beach and order up a World Famous Nikki Beach Mojitos in strawberry, coconut, mango, or their classic flavor. In fact, you can order up a long glass, a pitcher, or a bowl — yes, a bowl — of whatever specialty cocktail that suits your fancy. Nikki Beach also serves up some pretty fabulous mocktails and healthy juices to quench your thirst in the heat. There are plenty of delicious items on the menu to order if you're hungry, like conch fritters, Sexy Salad (with lobster, shrimp, and crabmeat), tempura shrimp tacos, and artisan bruschetta, just to name a few. Nikki Beach has clubs on elegant beaches across the globe; Monte Carlo, Mallorca, and Saint Barth, for example. Partying here basically makes you a world traveler.

Seacrets in Ocean City, Maryland, is not any old beach bar. No, the secret to Seacrets is that the bar is on the beach. And not just on the beach — it's in the water. You can order up some jerk chicken, shrimp, or Maryland crab dip for an appetizer while your toes are in the water. How is that for kicking off the beach vibes? When it comes to refreshments, check out the thirst-quenching delights like Frozen Orange Crush, which is triple sec, orange vodka, Sprite, and orange juice, or an Electric Lemonade, made of a lovely frozen blend of Blue Curaçao, sour mix, and Seacrets Lemondrop. There's even the buttery Dirty Banana, which has coffee liquors, banana, and cream. 

Overall though, the best part about Seacrets is the seating situation. You and your crew can grab a table on the sand or in the water, so you never have to come in from the ocean. Another cool thing about Seacrets is they have their own distillery, Seacrets Distilling Company, where they're whipping up quality spirits for use in your beverages. From blueberry vodka to coconut rum, you can't go to Seacrets without trying these handcrafted sips. This beach bar also serves as a regional music venue, with a stage that hosts concerts all season long. Okay, maybe the best part about Seacrets is all of Seacrets.

The Coast Guard House in Narragansett, Rhode Island, is a beach party goer's delight with hashtag views for days to make your Instagram followers so envious of your weekend plans. You can start your visit with all the East Coast seafood; a delicious cup of lobster bisque, a jumbo shrimp cocktail, or even a fresh lobster roll. Next, you'll have to order a bubbly glass of Prosecco, refreshing rosé, or some local beer. If specialty cocktails are more your jam, Coast Guard House has you covered with some special options. You'll love the Pineapple Whip, made with fresh pineapple, Captain Morgan Pineapple, Malibu Pineapple, pineapple juice, and vanilla ice cream. And if you need a caffeine kick to start your Coast Guard time off right (or to right yourself after a long day), order up the Coast Guard Cold Brew, complete with espresso, Jameson Cold Brew, and crème de cacao, cream, and caramel.

One reviewer on TripAdvisor gave Coast Guard House five stars but wished they could award it with more. Not many beach bars can beat the vibes at this sweet waterfront spot during golden hour and sunset, so grab a table with your pals and gear up for making some coastal memories. You can even create them in the winter, with one of the Coast Guard House's four designer Snowglobe Igloos.

The Beachcomber was dubbed one of the "Top Beach Bars on Cape Cod" by Culture Trip, and it's easy to see why. The list goes on, too. Throughout the years, Boston Magazine had voted Beachcomber "Best Bar, Cape Cod," while Esquire listed them as one of the "Best Bars in America" before the Beachcomber then took a slot in Travel Channel's "21 Sexiest Beach Bars in the World." 

That's a mouthful of bragging on our part, but Beachcomber's earned it. After all, they're right on the sand, they offer up music each night, they're serving the region's best seafood, and they're one of the coolest beach bar visits you could expect on vacation. Their specialty drinks include refreshing, classic hits like the Ruby Red Sunset with Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, lime, and club soda. Then there is the Comber Libre, a tropic sensation of spiced rum, lime, and Coca-Cola. Round out your sips with clam strips, crab cakes, steamers, or giant loaded nachos — the bounty of the sea is so fresh here, you can taste the sand. Beachcomber has all the goodies you'd hope for from a beach bar in a town that knows all about the vacay vibes.

The fun doesn't stop there, either. You can turn your bar visit into a whole beach-filled getaway. Beachcomber has cottages available to rent, complete with big, ocean-facing decks and situated next to Cahoon Hollow Beach. If you're unfamiliar, that's on the Cape Cod National Seashore Park.

We Americans love using other places to describe the feeling of the one we're at, and this next bar is no different. Dubbed the "Coney Island of the Gulf Coast," you can find Fajitaville right on the beaches of Corpus Christi, Texas. Nestled at the foot of a Ferris Wheel and directly on the sand, this is definitely more of a hangout spot than others on this list. However, if you're looking for more than just sipping your day away with a cool cocktail, there's a lot on offer close by. You're not far from the U.S.S. Lexington Museum or the Texas State Aquarium, so you can make an entire day of beach-related activities (also, there's A.C.).

The food and drink at Fajitaville are exactly what you'd expect: Yes, there are burgers, but you're likely heading there to start your order off with bottomless chips and Tres Tapas: homemade guac, queso, and endless salsa! If you dare, order up the Diablos (an order of half a dozen fire-roasted jalapeño peppers, halved, stuffed with chipotle cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, fried ... the served with ranch dressing on the side). They take the summer's heat and put it right onto your tastebuds. There are sweet desserts to cook it all down, like cheesecake chimichanga or a piña colada tres leches cake. Still, you can't make a pitstop at Fajitaville without getting the Gulf shrimp fajitas.  

Okay, we said it would be fun; we didn't say it was going to be an easy decision to order beverages once you're there. Fortunately, the signature tropical drinks are relaxing. Still craving spice? Taste the Pepino Caliente, which is made with Tabasco and a chili powder rim that really brings the heat alongside Svedka Cucumber, sweet and sour, melon liqueur, and Sprite. Of course, the flavors are bigger in Texas!