Beach Bars & Local Favorites
Unlike larger beach destinations, many of the island’s bars and restaurants are woven directly into the shoreline experience, making it easy to go from the sand to a cocktail without much planning at all.
The Sandbar
The Sandbar Beach Eats is located just off Coligny Beach and was originally opened by the Reilley family, the group behind several long-running Hilton Head restaurants. The restaurant combines a beach bar atmosphere with live music, outdoor seating, seafood, tacos, and frozen drinks, creating a setting that feels distinctly tied to the island’s casual beach culture. Its proximity to Coligny Plaza and the beach itself makes it a natural post-beach stop throughout the day and evening.
The Tiki Hut
Tiki Hut sits directly on the sand behind Beach House Resort Hilton Head and is one of the island’s few true beachfront bars with oceanfront seating. The open-air setup, live music schedule, and frozen cocktails have made it one of Hilton Head’s most recognizable beach gathering spots for both visitors and locals. The Atlantic Ocean is only steps away from the tables, giving the space a much more connected-to-the-beach feel than most island bars.
Coco's on the Beach
Coco's on the Beach is located on Singleton Beach and is one of the only oceanfront spots directly connected to the public beach area. The restaurant focuses on casual beach fare, frozen drinks, seafood baskets, sandwiches, and outdoor seating overlooking the ocean. It's part of Hilton Head’s busiest beach access points, making it an easy stop before or after spending the day on the sand.
Poolbar Jim's
Pool Bar Jim's was founded by longtime Hilton Head bartender James “Pool Bar Jim” Lisenby, who began bartending on the island in 1979 before opening the original poolside concept at Marriott Grande Ocean Resort in the early 1990s. The bar became known for frozen tropical drinks made with fresh fruit rather than pre-made mixes, helping establish it as a long-running island institution. Today, the Sea Crest location continues using many of Jim’s original recipes and maintains the relaxed beach-bar atmosphere that made it well known on Hilton Head.
Sea Pines Beach Club
Sea Pines Beach Club reopened as a fully redeveloped oceanfront destination inside Sea Pines Resort, combining beach access with multiple restaurants, bars, and panoramic Atlantic views. The property includes Coast Oceanfront Dining alongside more casual outdoor bar and grill areas, giving visitors several different ways to experience the beachfront setting. Compared to many of the island’s more casual beach bars, the atmosphere here feels more polished while still staying relaxed and coastal.
Jamaica Joe'z
Jamaica Joe'z is located at Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort off Folly Field Road, directly beside the oceanfront pool and beach access. The open-air beach bar is known for frozen drinks, casual food, and regular live music, giving it a more lively, social atmosphere than many traditional beachfront restaurants on the island. Its location between the pool deck and the beach makes it an easy stop for visitors spending the day along the shoreline.
Bars Worth Visiting
Some bars on Hilton Head Island are less about the beach itself and more about the overall setting, atmosphere, or experience around them. Whether it’s a harborfront sunset, a more elevated cocktail program, or a quieter neighborhood feel, these spots stand out for reasons beyond simply being close to the water.
Quarterdeck at Sea Pines Resort
Quarterdeck sits at the base of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse inside Sea Pines Resort and reopened after a major redevelopment that transformed the space into a multi-level waterfront restaurant and bar. The rooftop oyster bar and outdoor seating overlook Calibogue Sound, making it one of the island’s strongest sunset spots. Its combination of marina views, cocktails, and proximity to Harbour Town gives it a more destination-oriented feel than many traditional island bars.
Starbird
Starbird is a cocktail bar on Hilton Head that describes itself as “Spirits & Bites,” pairing a focused drink program with a smaller food menu built around shareable plates. The bar places heavy emphasis on cocktail craftsmanship, from fresh ingredients and specialty ice to carefully selected spirits and presentation. Compared to many of the island’s more casual beach-oriented spots, Starbird feels more intimate and cocktail-driven, making it a strong evening stop for drinks and conversation.
Nunzio Restaurant + Bar
Nunzio Restaurant + Bar serves Italian cuisine rooted in the Patruno family’s Southern Italian background. The restaurant’s own story notes that the family comes from the Puglia region of Italy and brings a fresh, simple, local approach to its food. With dinner service, aperitif happy hour, and a full bar, it works well for a more refined evening out on Hilton Head.
Explore More in Hilton Head and Bluffton
- Best Coffee Shops in Hilton Head
- Best Restaurants in Hilton Head
- Things to do in Hilton Head
- Where to shop in Hilton Head
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