Looking for the best happy hours in Destin? This post will cover my favorite happy hour spots that have a winning combination of good happy hour drink specials, food specials and an enjoyable atmosphere.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of every happy hour special in town because I wanted to narrow it down to the best happy hour spots in Destin that many times only the locals know about. When I meet a friend for happy hour, it’s almost always at one of the spots on this list.
Marina Café on Destin Harbor
Marina Café is an elegant restaurant with panoramic views of Destin Harbor and it’s my absolute favorite happy hour in Destin. The combination of great food and drink specials and beautiful view here are tough to beat. It’s been a local favorite spot for a very long time.
At Marina Café, there is seating outside on a deck as well as at the bar and surrounding bar tables. Marina Café also has a restaurant dining section of tables but it is separated from the bar area.
Marina Cafe has a BOGO entree special in the dining room from 5-6 if you are interested in a fine dining dinner after enjoying happy hour but it’s really popular so be sure and make a reservation ahead for dinner.
Upon walking in to Marina Café, you will be immediately wowed by the huge bar in the center and it will become obvious why this is a local favorite spot as you settle in with a drink and menu.
Marina Café manages to pull off an upscale yet casual elegant vibe. They have been awarded the title of “Most Romantic Restaurant in Destin” several times.
I wouldn’t always recommend the indoor seating at most places because I usually find the outdoor areas to be more enjoyable but Marina Cafe is an exception.
The indoor atmosphere is so beautiful with high-ceilings, low-lighting, and spectacular views of the harbor from floor-to-ceiling windows that it’s an inviting atmosphere indoors or out.
Marina Café is one of the only happy hours in town that goes until 7pm.
Also the outdoor patio at Marina Café has spectacular sunsets all year. Just a few added bonuses to happy hour here.
Everyone loves Marina Café for happy hour so be sure to arrive early, especially during busy season (May-October) to get a spot in the bar. I try to get there right at 5pm when they open if I know it’s a busy time. There are barstools around the main bar and also bar tables scattered throughout the room around it.
Marina Cafe is my top choice for Happy Hour when I go out with friends for the elegant atmosphere, amazing harbor views, and the generous food and drink specials (and these are high quality offerings–not your typical bar food).
The Fish Tacos on the Happy Hour menu are one of my favorite item along with the sushi bar specials.
Marina Café Happy Hour Information:
Days: Daily
Time: 5pm-7pm
Drink Specials: Extensive list of Half-Price Drinks as well as varying daily drink specials
Food Specials: Half-price sushi and select special priced appetizers during happy hour.
790 (Formerly 790 on the Gulf)
The saddest update I’ve had to make to my blog for the 2022 season is the relocation of 790 on the Gulf restaurant. As you can guess from the title, it is no longer on the Gulf.
790 is now located on Highway 98 near Walmart so the outdoor atmosphere could not be more different. The good news is that the photos I’ve seen of the inside look beautiful and they did keep the same great Happy Hour menu so I’m keeping them on the list for now until I have a chance to go check out the new 790 happy hour experience.
It will be tough to beat the old 790 Happy Hour experience because the beach view really made it what it was but I’m keeping an open mind. 790 has been in my happy hour rotation since moving to Destin so I look forward to checking it out.
I’ve heard people are enjoying the live music there although I still need to get more details on the schedule. They have a popular ladies night in the new location too so I will report back soon with more information.
790 Happy Hour Details:
Days: Daily
Time: 3-6:00pm
Drink Specials: Large variety of discounted drinks
Food Specials: Several choices of discount appetizers and entrees including Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna, Steak and Bleu Cheese Flatbread, and varying special choices each day.
Grande Vista at Emerald Grande
Grande Vista is located on the pool deck level of the Emerald Grande Resort at Harborwalk Village. Take the elevator from the lobby or the parking garage to the “GV” level and you will find it near the doors to the pool.
The Grande Vista Bar and Grill has indoor bar seating as well as an outdoor side of the bar on the pool deck where they are open during tourist season.
The indoor bar is cozy and intimate with windows looking out at the pool area. The outdoor bar has a view of the pool and you can also walk out to the captain’s deck area for spectacular views of Destin Harbor.
They have great food specials during happy hour as well as drink specials including half price house wines, $2 and $3 beers, $5 daily drink specials such as Margarita on Mondays, Bahama Mamas on Friday, a Bloody Mary on Sunday, and several other fun concoctions throughout the week.
This is another spot where there’s always a good sunset so be sure and walk outside to enjoy it when you see the sun dipping below the horizon. Sunset is also when most of the boats are coming back into the harbor so it makes the view even more entertaining and enjoyable.
The ability to walk out to the pool deck at sunset while enjoying happy hour drinks is the main thing that puts this bar at the top of my list. This is the best harbor view in town and it’s a great deck to enjoy it from.
Grande Vista Happy Hour Details:
Days: Daily
Time: 3-6:00pm
Drink Specials: Large variety of discounted drinks
Food Specials: Several choices of discount appetizers including grouper or chicken tacos, slider burgers with fries, Snappy Dip, Cheese Board, and several other options.
Tommy Bahama at Grand Blvd Sandestin
Happy Hour at Tommy Bahama is a choice I’ve just recently added after finally checking this place out on the recommendation of a friend. I was commenting that I hate Marina Café being closed for renovations and I wished I could find something similar and she suggested Tommy Bahamas for a similar vibe.
I was pleasantly surprised at what a great happy hour choice this was and it definitely filled the void of having Marina Café gone for a bit.
Tommy Bahama is a beautifully decorated restaurant serving American food with an island flair. The restaurant has a gift shop attached where you can shop for Tommy Bahama clothing and merchandise.
The bar is a beautiful round bar (my favorite!) and reminded me a lot of the atmosphere I love at Marina Café. I love these round bars where you can see all around and there is plenty of seating. There are also some tables in the bar area.
The Tommy Bahama happy hour menu had great drink specials and probably the best food specials of anyone on this list. There were a lot of great options and the fish tacos are great!
One of my favorite things about this happy hour was the live music that started in the bar area during happy hour. It was a musician playing island themed music and he was really good but also the volume was the perfect level. Loud enough to enjoy it but low enough to enjoy our conversation without having to shout.
Tommy Bahama Happy Hour Details:
Days: Daily
Time: 3-6:00pm
Drink Specials: Large variety of discounted drinks
Food Specials: Several choices of discount appetizers including fish tacos, slider burgers, hurricane tots, macadamia crusted goat cheese, coconut shrimp, and several other options.
I hope this list helps you find the perfect happy hour spot in Destin!
Be sure to comment below if you have any questions or feedback. I love hearing from you and prefer to answer questions on here so my answers can help others as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss any posts!
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Hi, I’m Sarah–the creator, writer and photographer behind this site. I sell prints, books, journals, and calendars all made from my Emerald Coast photography and I also manage a few vacation rentals on beautiful Holiday Isle in Destin if you want me to be your helpful, knowledgeable host when you visit.
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I was checking out local bars and happy hours as my wife and I will be in Destin from 10/16 through 10/23 and came across this. Thank you for taking the time to post this. Are the specials still current?
We plan to check out real estate as we expect to move to Destin in the Spring. Any suggestions that you have concerning things we should check out during our visit would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Mike
Hi Mike! I’m so sorry I overlooked this comment somehow and replied too late for your fall trip. I hope you were able to checkout some of the great happy hour specials, especially Marina cafe! Good luck on your move to Destin!
Visiting for 2nd time and looking forward to happy hour! Wife and I are here are here 25th-27th. Love it so far