Recently updated on September 3rd, 2024
On your visit to Saint Simons Island in the Golden Isles, you’ll fall in love with the food, the beach, and the southern hospitality. But what about the bars on St. Simons Island?
In my family, we love to grab a drink together when we’re on vacation. Whether it’s meeting up for happy hour before dinner or heading out on the town for a late night adventure, Saint Simons Island has a variety of places to wet your whistle, no matter your travel style.
Village Inn & Pub
This is one of our family’s favorite places to grab a drink. The Village Inn & Pub is an adorable place to stay, but even if you’re not staying there you should definitely check out the pub.
The Inn was built around a 1930s beach cottage which now serves as the bar and dining room for the hotel. It’s a small place, but full of character with friendly bartenders, a beautiful solid mahogany bar, stone fireplace, and regular live music.
Insider Tip: The Village Inn is also on our list of the best places to stay on St. Simons for their charming rooms and perfect location.
Murphy’s Tavern
Right across the street from the Village Inn in the pier village you’ll find Murphy’s Tavern. Now this place is totally different and is a favorite for the party animals in our family for its quirky atmosphere and reasonable drink prices.
This late night spot is smoky, dark, and unique with classic oil paintings on the walls and private nooks with floor to ceiling book cases full of antique books.
Murphy’s has live music on the weekends and can get a bit rowdy during peak seasons. During the week or the off seasons when it isn’t so crowded you’ll find a small band of locals playing pool or darts or enjoying the fireplace.
Insider Tip: If you are in the mood for a scavenger hunt, check out the plaques on the bar and try to find the one that says “THE BRANDS”- an homage to our family that has been there for over 35 years.
Georgia Sea Grill
Georgia Sea Grill is one of the best fine dining restaurants on the island, but I added it to this list because they also have a delightful full-service bar area! You’ll find it on Mallery Street right next door to Murphy’s Tavern.
If you come by during happy hour you’ll find the piano bar hopping and deals like $5 appetizers, $3 house wine, and $3 well drinks. Outside of the happy hour specials, their craft cocktails are to die for. Make reservations and stay for the incredible dinner, too!
Insider Tip: You’ll also find Georgia Sea Grill on our list of the best restaurants on the island– this is our go-to spot for special occasions!
Rafter’s
Still in the pier village but a little closer to the water you’ll find Rafter’s. Go up the stairs near Iguana’s and you’ll enter a smoky dive bar packed with pool tables and electronic dart boards.
This is another late night place like Murphy’s that can get rowdy during the summer months and is a favorite stop off for wedding parties after their receptions close down for the night- we even went here after my brother’s wedding!
During the off-season you’ll find it to be a quiet spot with locals for most of the night. The bartenders provide super friendly service and the drinks have very reasonable prices.
Insider Tip: You can control the jukebox at Rafter’s using the TouchTunes app on your phone.
Gnat’s Landing
Over in Redfern Village you’ll find Gnat’s Landing, a classic seafood restaurant with a bar that is beloved on the island. They have indoor and outdoor seating (including a new huge covered patio) and amazing food including our favorite fried pickles in the world.
This is definitely a UGA bar (you can spot it by the big bulldog statue out front) so it’s a great spot to watch a Georgia game. They also have live music regularly and it’s not uncommon for visitors wandering through the village to be lulled over by the sounds of the music.
Insider Tip: You’ll also find Gnat’s Landing on our list of the best restaurants in St Simons because of their menu of southern favorites and classic coastal cuisine.
Castaways
Castaway’s is a little known local’s spot that is a bit off the beaten bath. You’ll find it close to Redfern Village above a diner called Chubs that serves awesome breakfast.
We love Castaways for the clientele, which is mostly folks in the hospitality industry who come for a drink and a game of pool or darts after their shifts. The bartenders are friendly and the regulars will welcome you with open arms, eager to show you good times.
Mullet Bay
Mullet Bay is everything you want in an island bar. The open-air restaurant/bar has indoor and outdoor seating and the food is delicious.
They have happy hour every day, live music regularly, and great deals on drinks. They even have frozen drinks like pina coladas making it the perfect place to find all the beachy vibes you want!
Bubba Garcia
When you first get to Bubba Garcia’s, you’ll notice it’s a tiny Tex-Mex restaurant in the lively Redfern Village. The restaurant has good food, but there isn’t much of a bar. What gives?
Well, that’s because the bar was opened after the restaurant in a space up above it. Go out the door of the restaurant and up the stairs and you’ll find “Bubba’s Up,” the bar part of this fun establishment.
Here you’ll find a pool table (or 2- I honestly can’t remember at the moment), a dartboard, and a younger crowd late nights. The craft beer selection is great and the drink prices at the full bar are pretty reasonable.
Join the Facebook group Coastal Georgia Foodies! It’s where everyone with an interest in Coastal Georgia food can share their favorite places to eat, food events, resources for buying local and restaurant news.
Tree Bar at Bennie’s Red Barn
Oh Tree Bar- Now this place is unique! If you’ve read our post about the best restaurants on St Simons Island, you’ve probably read about Bennie’s Red Barn. It’s exactly what it sounds like- A big red barn that is set off the beaten path (down near Ft. Frederica) serving up southern cooking.
But through the doors to the left side of the building, you’ll find Tree Bar. This unique dive bar has an open-air feel. It’s only about half-covered by a roof and huge live oak trees grow right through the center of the bar.
Tree Bar has fantastic live music and fun karaoke nights. On nights when there is live music you’ll find a boisterous crowd of all ages, dancing on the dance floor, hanging around the outdoor fireplace, or bellying up to the bar.
Brogen’s South
This popular spot right in front of the pier is perfect for watching a game or grabbing a drink. They have typical bar food that is really tasty (try the Mahi sandwich!) and a shuffle board inside.
On the weekends during the summer the bar spills out into the pier parking lot with the patio becoming a stage for live music and cornhole boards appearing outside.
This is also one of the few water views you’ll find on the island, with the top deck overlooking the St. Simons Sound.
Barrier Island Brewing
The first brewery in St Simons Island Georgia is Barrier Island, serving up innovative southern brews and delicious food. Located walking distance from the King and Prince, this spot has indoor and outdoor seating.
If you’re not a huge fan of beer, have no fear- I’m not either, so I can tell you firsthand that Barrier Island has incredible cocktails!
Insider Tip: Barrier Island is also on our list of restaurants on St Simons Island you need to try– We highly recommend the bacon wrapped dates and the braised pork chop sandwich!
MAS Lounge
In a stark contrast from the upscale dining room of the restaurant Ember, it’s bar called “MAS Lounge” is a laidback spot.
You can still get the same delicious “farm-to-fire” food that the restaurant serves, but at MAS you’ll find live music, trivia nights, dart boards, and pool tables.
ECHO at the King and Prince Resort
In the dining room of this high-end hotel on St. Simons Island you’ll find ECHO, the resort’s restaurant.
The bar is a favorite of our family for happy hour because this is one of the few places on the island with ocean views. During happy hour they have half priced drinks and a happy hour menu with light bites.
Insider Tip: ECHO is also on our list of the best restaurants in St Simons Island because of not only their delicious food, but also because they are the only oceanfront restaurant on the island. You’ll also find them on our list of the best places to stay on St Simons Island because their accommodations are top of the line!
Before You Go…
If you’re planning a trip to St. Simons Island, you’ll want to check out these other articles about the area:
- Great Breakfast Spots on St. Simons Island – 2024
- 12 Best Seafood Restaurants in St Simons Island GA (2024)
- St. Simons Island Beach Guide (2024)
- Best Places to Stay at St. Simons Island (2024)
- Top 15 Things to Do on St Simons Island (2024)
- 20 St. Simons Island Restaurants You Need To Try (2024)
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