6 Top-Notch Tiki Bars to Transport Yourself to the Tropics

No need to hop a plane to a far-flung island retreat. These tiki bars – with their thatched roofs and retro allure – boast an uncanny ability to transport you somewhere far, far away.

Luckily, Opal properties are no stranger to the tiki bar. And while we love that classic Swiss Family Robinson vibe, no Opal tiki bar has ever been created the same. From Delray Sands Resort’s white marble marvel to Lido Beach Resort’s bamboo and rattan beauty, here are a few of our favorite experiences, plus the perfect drink to pair it with.

Tiki Bar at the Lido Beach Resort [Sarasota, FL]

Located right next to the resort pool’s trickling waterfall feature and overlooking Lido Beach and the Gulf of Mexico, this popular tiki bar embodies all the classic touches: a thatched roof supported by wooden post and beams, a large rectangular bar lined in bamboo, and hanging rattan pendant lights. But as gorgeous as the bar’s atmosphere is alone, its perfectly framed view of the epic Florida sunset still steals the show. In fact, according to locals, there’s no better place in all of Sarasota to sip a handcrafted cocktail while the sky transforms into a canvas of peach, pink, and red.

Drink to Try Orange Sherbet Colada, a dessert drink featuring Bacardi Tangerine Rum, valencia orange and pineapple juices, ice cream, and a touch of coconut cream.

Mckee’s Tiki Bar at The Capitana Key West [Key West, FL]

While there are dozens of tiki-inspired bars and restaurants all over Key West, there’s something to be said for the way this iteration housed within the poolside sanctuary of The Capitana Key West manages to summon the perfect mix of “happening” and serene when compared to its nearby rowdy alternatives. And when you need a day dedicated simply to parking it poolside, this is the place you want to be while bouncing back and forth between the covered bar, it’s neighboring Astroturf lawn featuring games, and the pool deck’s luxurious lounge chairs. To take luxury to the next level, reserve one of the Capitana Cabanas, featuring cozy furniture, a big-screen TV, and food service provided by Mckee’s.

Drink to Try Fresh Agave Margarita, featuring Sauza silver tequila, hand-squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar.

Wave Pool Bar at Delray Sands Resort [Delray Beach, FL]

Delray Sands Resort is known for its stunning on-site seafood restaurant, Latitudes, boasting a nautical look that is far from your typical décor. But that unique bubble-themed design doesn’t begin and end in this one particular dining venue. It extends outdoors to the re-imagined tiki bar that delightfully turns the thatched-roof concept on its head with a sleek white wooden pergola. Beneath it, a white marble horseshoe-shaped bar wraps around one central, stunning feature: a back bar consisting of a glass-paneled window filled with water that actually bubbles.

Drink to Try Cuban Punch, featuring Bacardi raspberry and mango rums, fresh Florida orange and pineapple juices, and a splash of amaretto and grenadine.

Sunset Deck at Opal Key Resort & Marina [Key West, FL]

There’s a reason they call this the “Sunset Deck.” Located on the rooftop of Bistro 245 – Opal Key Resort & Marina’s signature restaurant – it provides you with that much more of a birds-eye view of Key West’s acclaimed sunset and all the nightly festivities that occur in Mallory Square below. Inspired by Key West’s colorful “conch home” architecture, the bar is entirely built of wood, set on posts, and topped with a tin roof, while the surrounding bar stools and chairs come in a rainbow of pastel colors.

Drink to Try Rum Runner on the Rocks, featuring Bacardi Superior Rum, blackberry brandy, banana liqueur, pineapple and lime juices, topped with a splash of grenadine.

The Sandbar at Jupiter Beach Resort [Jupiter, FL]

The tiki bar gets an elegant upgrade in the resort’s poolside Sandbar: Instead of wooden posts supporting a thatched-roof bar, this version features stacked stone pillars, a shingled peaked roof, and a sleek concrete bar top. Settle into one of the 16 chairs surrounded by blazing tiki torches and order from the menu boasting artisan cheese and charcuterie, modern greens, and New York strip steak.

Drink to Try Sunset Lemonade, featuring New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka; raspberry, pineapple, and lemon juices; and 100% organic agave nectar.

Sandbar at Opal Sands Resort [Clearwater Beach, FL]

Located below Opal Sands Resort’s elevated pool area, on a sandy stretch of Clearwater Beach, Sandbar is home to a thatched-roof tiki bar serving quintessential beach snacks and drinks – think tiki cocktails and buckets and handhelds like fish tacos, buffalo chicken wraps, and grouper sandwiches. In addition to corn hole and regularly occurring live music, fire pits – bordered by plush outdoor seating and overlooking the water – are the perfect place to post up and while away a few hours over a shared bottle of bubbles and the popular smoked fish dip.

Drink to Try Coco Mango Bucket, featuring Bacardi’s mango and coconut rums, creme de cacao, mango purée, pineapple juice, and topped with a Bacardi Black Rum floater.

Where to Stay Delray Sands Resort | Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa | Lido Beach Resort | Opal Sands Resort | The Capitana Key West | Opal Key Resort & Marina