Everyone loves sinking a few froths at a rooftop bar with panoramic views, or enjoying a tranquil beer garden in the city, but it’s hard to beat a beach bar when it comes to the ultimate way to spend a lazy summer’s day. If sipping cocktails, feasting on fresh seafood or dancing on tables is too taxing, you can always take a dip in the ocean and recharge. What’s even better is the fact you can wear boardies with nothing else, and nobody will blink an eye.
From the dance music fuelled beach parties at Ibiza’s Blue Marlin to the laidback vibes of Jamaica’s Rick’s Cafe, here are our picks for the coolest beach bars on the planet.
Nammos, Mykonos
Attracting a deep pocketed jet-set crowd, Nammos is your quintessential European summer scene. Good looking specimens can be found sunning themselves on blue and white loungers by the water, while the undercover areas are chock full of bronzed bodies sipping champagne, smoking shisha and devouring delectable bites from the Mediterranean-inspired menu. At around 3pm every day, the music turns up 10 notches, champagne is sprayed by Arab billionaires, and table dancing ensues. Very hard to beat.
Blue Marlin, Ibiza
It’s common knowledge that Ibiza is Europe’s party central and home to some of the best clubs on the continent, but it also has an exciting beach bar scene. Blue Marlin is the go-to venue for the rich and famous, thanks to its day parties that attract some of the biggest DJs in the world. Located on gorgeous Cala Jondal, revellers can spend the afternoon sunbathing on the golden beach before grabbing a Sushi feed, and hitting the dance floor until the early hours of the morning.
Blue Marlin Ibiza Los Cabos, Mexico
Clearly not content with being one of Ibiza’s biggest and most successful bars, Blue Marlin Ibiza went global, with the brand’s hotel and beach club in Los Cabos a great place to spend your holiday. You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy the facilities either, with the young crowd made up of beautiful people from all parts of the world. Swim towards the poolside bar and grab a cocktail, then work on your tan many sunbeds surrounding the two giant pool areas.
Mrs Sippy, Bali
Nestled between the famous Potato Head Beach Club and Alila Seminyak, Mrs Sippy is a poolside paradise catering to everyone from lads on the lash to families on holiday. Boasting the largest saltwater pool in the Bali, a deluxe kitchen serving up Mediterranean-themed dishes and a sprawling open-air club hosting some of the biggest names in the music world, Mrs Sippy has everything you could ever want from a beach bar. Make sure you get there for happy hour, taking place every Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 6 pm with ‘2 for 1’ deals on spirits, slushies and Bintangs.
Carpe Diem, Hvar
The premier Croatian party destination, Hvar’s Carpe Diem is a busy cafe by day that transforms into a raging nightclub during the evening. There’s a chill vibe during the daylight hours as people frolic by the water or get involved in the many activities on offer, such as volleyball and snorkelling. Things really kick off at night when Carpe Diem turns into one big party, with drink specials and international DJs spinning tunes all night. There are also monthly full moon parties with a reputation for debauchery.
Le Club 55, St Tropez
The French Riviera is an iconic stretch of coastline populated by sandy beaches and glamorous resorts. The equally iconic beach bar Le Club 55 is a favourite amongst celebrities and well worth a look if passing through the glitz and glamour of St Tropez. Built in 1955, this classy establishment is populated by polo wearing Frenchmen and scantily clad woman enjoying the bamboo forest surroundings of this lavish beach setting. It’s a great place for a spot of Beluga Caviar and Cristal champagne, you might even run into one of the celebrities that regularly visit Le Club 55.
Cloud 9, Fiji
While not stritcly a beach bar, Fiji’s Cloud 9 definitely deserves a spot on this list. A two-level floating castle with a fully stocked bar of international brews serving mouthwatering oven fire pizzas, Cloud 9 is a unique way to experience the South Pacific. Only accessible by boat, the entire platform is hooked up to a state of the art surround sound system, with DJs on the decks performing live mixes as you soak up rays on the multiple sun decks. Cloud 9 also offers jet ski tours, parasailing and can be booked for functions or weddings.
Lucky Bar, Formentera
It might not look like much, but this beachfront delight is an authentic Spanish haven right on Formentera’s famous Playa Migjorn. Little more than a white painted shack with a few tables out front, Lucky Bar offers a laidback experience where you’ll encounter backpackers, hippies and locals in a picturesque setting. Chow down on traditional Spanish fare while downing an Estrella Damm or three. Best of all, the ocean is just a few metres walk, so you can cool off with a dip in the water whenever you like. If you’re sick of the Ibiza madness, Formentera is just half an hour from Ibiza on the ferry, but a world away in atmosphere.
Hula Hula, Hvar
Another Croatian favourite is the beachfront Hula Hula bar on the edge of Hvar Town. It’s the perfect place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset before the music turns up. Offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, VIP table service and an open-air massage pavilion, Hula Hula is a great place to party after a relaxing day in the sun.
Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica
Thrill-seekers will be all about Rick’s Cafe. Perched atop a 35-foot cliff, tipsy tourists spend all day jumping into the crystal Carribbean waters below*. If risking life and limb isn’t your thing, Rick’s is still a great spot to relax while in Jamaica. Order a can of Red Stripe as the Bob Marley cover band serenades the crowd and watch the local cliff divers expertly plunge into the ocean below as the sun slowly sets.
*don’t be an idiot.
