Iconic Gulf Coast venue outranks Hawaii beach bars in national poll

A legendary Gulf Coast watering hole held its own with Hawaii’s best in a new USA Today ranking of the 10 best beach bars in the country.

For this USA Today 10Best list, “An expert panel nominated their top beach bars across the country — places in postcard-perfect locations with diverse drink menus and great atmospheres to boot. Then, readers voted to decide which bars are most exceptional.”

Hawaii claimed the No. 10, 9, 6 and 5 spots. But as nice as it would be to sip a Mauna Kea Mule at the Copper Bar, it’s a little easier to get to Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar for a more familiar frozen concoction. The famed roadhouse on the Alabama-Florida line landed at No. 2. (Florida only claimed three spots, but the Ocean Deck in Daytona Beach topped the list.)

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USA Today said the Flora-Bama earned its place with its location, its multiple stages for live music, bushwackers and oyster bar.

Two venues in California and one in Hilton Head, S.C., rounded out the list.