If there's one thing the Sunshine State has truly mastered, it's the art of imbibing. We'll belly up to the bar any day of the week, any time, and — thanks to our year-round picturesque weather — almost anywhere.
Thanks to a growing number of restaurants with outstanding bars and establishments dedicated to the art of crafting a quality co*cktail, there are more places than ever to enjoy a beverage or two in Palm Beach County.
A truly good bar is more than simply having a solid drink selection, however. It's also about the overall experience, be it the ideal place to sample wines or a cozy spot to sip expertly-crafted co*cktails.
Here, we've compiled a few of our favorites, from the county's oldest dive bar and a beloved Irish pub to a romantic wine bar and one of the area's very first co*cktail lounges.
BEST WATERFRONT BAR
Old Key Lime House
When it comes to South Florida, nothing says "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" quite like a waterfront escape. Equal parts tiki bar outside, and locals' college sports viewing bar inside (go Gators!), the waterfront appeal of this historic home at 300 East Ocean Avenue in Lantana makes for one of the best bar experiences in Palm Beach County.
Originally constructed in 1889 by Lantana pioneer Morris Benson, the storekeeper and postmaster who named the tiny fishing village later incorporated in 1921. Over the years the Dade County pine-built structure has housed several restaurants, including its current iteration as the main entrance to Old Key Lime House bar and restaurant. While the open-air dining room beyond has been designed to enjoy alfresco meals with views of the Intracoastal Waterway, the adjacent palapa-roof tiki hut is all about imbibing.
Open late, and considered one of the largest tiki bars in South Florida, the menu serves a bevy of tropical libations, be it a frozen drink or ice-cold beer. Plenty of seating makes it the perfect place to enjoy one or two of the bar's famous key lime pie martinis, a frosty rum runner, or a pitcher of the house-made sangria, which are best when enjoyed in view of the jumbo-sized projection screen often used for streaming sports, or alongside the regular lineup of local live music.
300 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana, 561-582-1889, oldkeylimehouse.com
BEST co*ckTAIL BAR
Sweetwater
Before there were any real co*cktail bars in Palm Beach County, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bartender capable of executing a perfect Aviation, balanced Manhattan, or tasteful Negroni.
The best you could hope for was a neon-hued mix-based margaritas, vodka and Red Bull, or a cheap bottled beer. That was until Sweetwater, today considered an imbibing experience that helped define the county's co*cktail culture. Located in a clandestine spot off Federal Highway in Boynton Beach, the bar offers guests a bible-like menu of libations and a staff talented at executing them. Behind the bar, a dizzying array of high-end specialty spirits and flavorful bitters are paired with house-made infusions, liqueurs, and garnishes — as well as a lineup of fresh fruits and herbs.
Although the drink menu themes change frequently and often with the seasons, a handful of favorite libations have stood the test of time, including staples like the "Spice of Life," a sriracha-spiked blend of tequila, amaro, cilantro, strawberry, cucumber, and lime. Can't decide? The barmen — and ladies — will gladly craft something by request, too.
1507 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, 561-509-9277, sweetwater33.com
BEST DIVE BAR
Ralph's Stand Up Bar
For decades, Ralph's Stand Up Bar has been the go-to spot for anyone looking to enjoy a cold beer and a friendly barkeep.
There's plenty of history at this Jupiter dive, said to be the holder of the oldest liquor license in Palm Beach County. The original Ralph's opened in 1948, a fish camp owned by Ralph and Blanche Crooks and located on the north side of the Pete Damon Memorial Bridge. It was later moved to Center Street and renamed, but managed to stay in the family until 2008, when it sold to longtime owners Ron and Anne Marie Cipriani.
Today, owner Tom Capasso is keeping Ralph's legacy alive, from its unassuming exterior and worn wood floors and shelves to the graffitied dollar bill-covered walls and cheap prices. No frills — or food — here. It's just a bar, but also one that hosts live bands, bike nights, and even a daily happy hour. A quaint outdoor patio is ideal for a low-key evening or late-night chill spot. Note: this establishment is cash only so come prepared.
113 Center St., Jupiter, 561-746-6812, ralphsstandupbar.com
BEST PUB
O'Shea's Irish Pub
A traditional Irish pub in the heart of South Florida? After a few drinks at O'Shea's, you'll swear you're not in South Florida anymore. The bar first opened in early 1994 by then up-and-coming entrepreneur Rodney Mayo and his friend, Kevin Shea.
This year the bar celebrates its 30th anniversary, and stands as one of downtown West Palm Beach's longest continuously operating bars thanks to Irish-born proprietor Maurice Costigan, who took over operations in 1995. He's brought the bar from its early days starting out with just four types of beer on tap to greeting his community of regulars with a smile, and perhaps a pint in hand.
Over the decades, the establishment has become a favorite for locals and out-of-towners alike, who belly up to catch a soccer match, listen to live music, enjoy an Irish meal, or even host hurricane parties, and where strangers often wind up becoming part of the bar's "extended" family. You can't go wrong with a perfectly poured Guinness, a pint of Smithwick's ale or Magners cider — and maybe a platter of fish n' chips or corned beef and cabbage.
531 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, 561-833-3865, osheaspub.com/menus
BEST SPEAKEASY
Radcliffe's Speakeasy & Supper Club
A well-hidden locale and even a daily "password" for entry is what makes Radcliffe's one of the area's best speakeasy-inspired bars. Accessible via a back alley door, and beyond velvet curtains inside the bustling dining room at the Wine Room in Delray Beach, this intimate space gives supper club vibes with its dim-lit interior and well-heeled staff. A carved wood bar serves a bevy of libations ranging from shareable drinks served in unique glassware to signature favorites like the charcoal-infused vodka "Raven" with lime, cucumber, and mint or classics like the Deke's cold brew-infused espresso martini known as "Java Jay." The space also offers live music and a full menu of French-inspired eats that include cheese boards, caviar service, oysters, and prime meats.
411 E. Atlantic Ave., Suite D, Delray Beach, 561-243-9463, thewineroomonline.com
BEST WINE BAR
Rem Bar
Husband-and-wife team Ewa Wyszynska and Richard Tyers are behind this gem of a wine bar at the Bluffs Square Shoppes in Jupiter. The warm and inviting space is inspired by Wyszyska's travels, especially the wine and mozzarella bars that dot the cobblestone streets of Rome, offering her take on the perfect enoteca.
A long bar and banquette seating make for a quiet escape to enjoy a glass of vino matched with a well-crafted dish be it a truffle-baked brie, a shareable charcuterie board, or foie gras and filet mignon. A wide range of wines cover all the varietal bases, with dozens of domestic picks alongside options sourced from France, Italy, and Spain to Africa and Australia. Weekly specials make tasting affordable, be it during the daily happy hour, "wine down Wednesday" when select bottles sell for $40 apiece with the purchase of an entrée; "thirsty Thursday" when the in-house sommelier leads guests through an informal wine flight tasting for $45 per person featuring four wines by the glass alongside a mini board of select meats and cheeses; or "date night Friday" when guests receive 25 percent off select wine bottles with the purchase of food.
4050 US-1, suite 310, Jupiter, 561-250-6224, rembar.wine
Nicole Danna is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at nicoleadanna@gmail.com. Help support our journalism.Subscribe today.
