Best Dockside Bar for Boaters

FIRST PLACE WINNER

Tiki 52 Bar & Grill at Blowing Rocks Marina

Tequesta, FL

Bright teal, orange and pink umbrellas, a huge waterfront beach, woven tiki huts, tropical drinks and genuine conch dishes ... it must be the Caribbean. Or you’ve docked at Tiki 52, the perfect little hidden gem directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with a breathtaking view of Jupiter Island. 

Blue water, calm breezes and whispering palms provide a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere even on busy Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. There is live music, not only on weekends but also on most weekdays. In addition to music, there are game nights featuring trivia, Family Feud and more. 

The food exceeds expectations of a beachside bar. Nicholas A. Mastroianni III, one of Tiki’s owners, talks about “keeping things authentic” by offering “traditional recipes made by Bahamian chefs.” Several reviewers have mentioned the conch dishes — chowder, salad or fritters — as the best they’ve ever eaten. Other reasonably priced items include seafood, burgers, tacos, bowls and handhelds, preferably topped off with dessert such as rum cake or key lime pie. They will also cook your day’s catch! 

The drink menu is equally ambitious with a couple of “Bucket” items sure to add some zest to the “Think ’n Drink” or Family Feud game nights. Whole Lotta’ Rum Bucket has spiced, white and coconut rums blended with orange, pineapple and lime juices, plus coconut cream. The Shark Attack Bucket features E11even Vodka, Blue Curaçao, lime and pineapple juices with coconut and club soda. Word of caution: bring a friend to share your bucket with! 

Other options include Bad Medicine, a mix of whiskey, lemon juice and honey, which offers the cause and the cure in the same glass! By far the most popular mixed drink is the basic margarita made on-site with all fresh ingredients, called the Channel Marker Rita. 

Tiki 52 has upscale food and drink in an intentionally casual setting which Mastroianni says is “all part of keeping things real.” 

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HONORABLE MENTIONS 

Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill at Lake Granbury Marina 

Granbury, TX 

At Stumpy’s you’re always a few steps away from a “hello” and a handshake. Newcomers ask, “What’s good here?” The answer is everything from the bottomless chips and salsa, the fried catfish and the unparalleled fish tacos, plus the goblet-size margaritas and Bloody Marys. Or combine drink and dessert in a Cinnamon Roll: a cinnamon spice fireball, Kahlua and creamy RumChata topped with whipped cream! 

Trader’s Dock Bar at Champlin’s Marina & Resort 

Block Island, RI 

Overlooking Block Island’s Great Salt Pond, the multilevel Dock Bar is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the sunset slip into the water while sipping fun cocktails such as the memorable Espresso Martini and crowd-pleasing Mudslide. Offering daily entertainment as well as quick food options from on-site food outlets, The Dock Bar is the place to be for locals and travelers alike as it embodies the laid-back yet lively energy of iconic Block Island. 

The Green Parrot Bar & Grill at Bay Street Marina 

Nassau, Bahamas 

Authentic island fare such as lobster or stone crab, as well as the ubiquitous burger, is served in this sunny island atmosphere. For the adventurous, there is a five-liquor specialty drink called The Squawker that provides a clue as to what happens after just one.