Best Bars

Wine, handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and small bites, Gulf Babe has it all! This cute bar provides a fun, lively, and photo-worthy space to sip and snack with your friends. Gulf Babe regularly hosts events like mahjong nights, trivia and bingo, and even Pilates classes. It’s an excellent spot for a girls’ night out or pre-concert drink. 

Tucked away behind a vault in a jewelry store, 8 Reale is an exclusive speakeasy at The Wharf that requires a secret code to enter. This intimate bar serves upscale, handcrafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients in a sleek and sophisticated atmosphere. 8 Reale is the perfect spot for classic cocktails like old fashioneds, martinis, and mules with a modern twist. It’s a true hidden gem in Orange Beach.

Tip: Make sure you know the daily entry code before you go (you can find it on their Facebook or website.

Serving savory bites and a carefully curated wine selection, Isla Wine is a charming neighborhood bottle shop and bar in the waterway district of Gulf Shores. The wine here isn’t what you find at the grocery store. Handpicked by a seasoned wine professional, the unique bottles at Isla range from light-bodied and fruit-forward to rich and earthy, offering something for everyone’s taste.

If you want to drink with and like the locals, there’s no better spot than OSO at Bear Point. A bayfront restaurant, OSO doles out the tunes every day in their outdoor tent bar, Freddie’s Open Container. When the moon comes out, this laidback eatery transforms into a spirited bar with live music, coastal cocktails, and lots of dancing. 

For a more local dive experience, visit Icehouse Tap Room, a lively watering hole tucked away on the lagoon. This hideaway boasts delicious made-to-order food, live local music, and 24 beers on tap, including plenty of local brews. Grab a late-night snack and draft beer and enjoy a memorable night out by the water.

Tip: Ask what local beers are on tap, then grab a deck spot if you want water views with your drink.

A beachfront restaurant and bar, Pink Pony Pub is the perfect place for daytime drinks by the shore. This Gulf Shores staple has been serving beachgoers refreshing libations and laidback vibes for over 70 years. Take a beach break and savor mouthwatering meals and signature cocktails while watching the waves from the restaurant’s Gulf-facing deck.

As the only brewery on the island, Big Beach Brewing is the best spot on Alabama’s Beaches to grab a pint. This dog-friendly brewery offers guests a laidback and open space to sip, snack, listen to live music, and watch sports. Big Beach always has 12 brews on tap, with several flagship beers and a rotating selection of seasonal flavors. 

Tip: Order a flight to sample four of the brewery’s incredible craft beers.

Lively yet cozy, O’Choppers Almost Irish Pub is a favorite among the Orange Beach community for friendly service, hearty Irish dishes, and traditional bar food. This sociable spot allows diners to easily strike up conversations at the bar while watching a game or sipping a cold draft beer. It’s an excellent place to get to know the locals or enjoy a night out with friends.

You’ll transport across the pond as soon as you step into Galway Irish Public House, as the smell of classic Irish fare and Guinness fills your senses. Irish coffees, specialty martinis, and draft beers are a few of the pub’s offerings in addition to its delectable dishes. The cozy atmosphere invites hungry and thirsty visitors in to grab a seat at the bar or hunker down at a table.