Bait House Tackle & Tavern

This place is small, but very good. We waited about an hour to be seated, but it really wasn’t an issue since there’s plenty to do nearby. We were able to shop, walk around, and come back without feeling stuck waiting. The restaurant is located right on a dock, and you walk through a small store to get to it, which actually adds to the overall ambiance. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful from start to finish. The food was excellent. My 3-year-old daughter was set on having a hot dog, and thankfully they had that option for her 😂. After eating seafood every day for five days, I went with a burger, and it was honestly a great choice — cooked well and very satisfying. My wife and mother shared the drunken shrimp appetizer, which was outstanding. The staff even brought extra bread so we could soak up the sauce. They also ordered the mahi burger and the mahi platter, both of which were cooked perfectly and tasted fantastic. This ended up being the fresh seafood spot we were searching for the entire trip and was easily the highlight of our dining experience in Clearwater.

You can’t get more traditional and flavorful than this place! All their dishes are made with fresh fish of the day, and you can choose how you’d like it prepared — all from the same catch! An excellent option! The preparation is top-notch, with great quality and flavor. The service is very good, and the atmosphere is excellent. It’s definitely a place everyone should visit to enjoy delicious dishes and great beer in a beautiful setting. Highly recommended! 🍺🐟👌🏻 Btw the drunken shrimp are awesome!

Bait House is a very charming local seafood tavern with great vibes, so everything tastes fresh and high quality. We loved the drunken shrimp, seared tuna nachos, Caesar salad with chicken, and fish quesadillas — all full of flavor. The homemade tartar sauce was a standout. Definitely worth a visit!!!!!

One of my favorite local spots to chill. Close enough for a quick walk to Pier 60, but secluded enough to be away from the crowds. Beautiful gulf views and sunsets. House made Sangria and Druken Shrimp are my top 2 on the menu! Casual beach dining. Small seating area so sometimes have to wait a few minutes but the staff is awesome! I have never have a bad experience here. My family and I love it!

Really lovely local fish tavern. Menu is featured around the catch of the day which ensures the food is fresh and high quality. We had the fish spread, fish Reuben, and fish tacos. We loved the taste of the food, particular about out to the homemade Jalapeño jam! Only critique is that the fish tacos could benefit from being served with a side dish like the sandwiches as it didn’t feel the same portion size. Useful to know that you need to pay for parking as well. We will be back to try the rest of the menu!

This was the best restaurant we visited on Clearwater Beach. The food was tremendous and drinks were ice cold. Everything is fresh and was hot. Highly recommend the Reuben sandwich and drunkin shrimp. Great date night location

Not a review for the restaurant, the food there is actually super great. Got a dozen n ½ live shrimp, maybe one or two decent sized ones. Rest were too small to set up without them falling apart completely. We haven't had issues with these guys before, but $9 dollars for shrimp you can't get on the hook was kinda disappointing lol.

Fun little restaurant and tackle shop. The atmosphere was nice even though it was right next to the causeway the traffic can’t be heard that much. the staff was really accommodating! The drunken shrimp was by far the best thing we had there but the fish tacos were also pretty good. I love the local beers they served, but they do not have any mixed drinks. The public bathrooms were located outside the restaurant and around the corner which was not as convenient as everyone is waiting in line for them.

SUPER GOOD!! we were a bit hesitant to go because its outdoors and it was windy, but still went because reviews were good. our server, sheri was so kind and was talking to others about her life and it sounded incredible. the chicken sandwich (recommend grilled) doesn't even taste like chicken it tastes 10x better. the BREAD was SUPER GOOD. the burger was also very good! i think this restaurant deserves more than a 5, judging the hospitality and FRESH INGREDIENTS!!!! **aftermath (a couple hours later): we were very dehydrated because we realized the food is VERY SALTY!!

Small and cozy spot by the charter boats. Wonderful staff, super friendly when we arrived about an hour before close. We loved our food, very fresh and the drunken shrimp was a very flavorful addition! Boyfriend got the catch of the day quesadilla which was also delicious. Very calm small place where you can enjoy a beer and watch the birds fly around the water.

Great laid back casual outdoor eatery at the edge of the Clearwater Marina area right just off the Clearwater Beach traffic circle. Definitely get the Drunken Shrimp appetizer with shrimp sauteed in a creamy Bourbon creole reduction served with toasted ciabatta bread! Also had fresh catch of the day (wahoo) with hearty beans & rice Friendly service with great local beers.

This place is for the ambiance, but it definitely delivers there! Food is okay, but there is nothing better than sitting on the water at an authentic mom and pop kind of restaurant. I love that it doesn't feel like the rest of the chain restaurants in Clearwater. Workers are very friendly and the place is casual. My tuna was a bit fishy and did not have that much seasoning but they were generous on the portion of it :) give this place some love because it has stayed true to its roots and has already bounced back from 2 hurricanes!

Fresh fish at an open-air dive in January? I'm in. Our service was awesome and the meal was tremendous. The fresh catch Reuben and seafood cakes were stellar by my wife's ahi tuna was probably the best I've had in a very long time. Definitely worth the trip to Clearwater Beach alone.

Great atmosphere. Perfect location. View is beautiful. Food is amazing. Parking SUCKS.

The fish (and chips) was extremely greasy. The coleslaw was almost a purée. Maybe consider a nice creamy coleslaw with some consistency. Great, conscientious server.

Long wait! But worth it! I ordered the drunken shrimp that had amazing amount of flavors in it, including a good bourbon base I also ordered the Keylime pie and clam chowder yum yum! All very tasty! I would definitely return again and again have to figure out a time when it's not such a long wait! It is a small seating area, so they try to get you in and out without rushing you! Met some nice locals there, so it also must be a local hang out which I'd love!

If you're looking for a break from the shade in a non-judgmental atmosphere this is it. The drunken ship is absolutely one of my staples and as a local, I frequently call and order it to go on my way home from a beach run. They make everything in-house. The staff is always incredible and it's a very quaint spot with patio seating only. Other menu items I recommend: drunken fish (always), fish of the day tacos, smoked fish dip. Please keep in mind that liquor options are limited as they serve beer and wine only - just a call out if you're a cocktail person.

Such a cozy spot right on the water next to the charter boats. Off the beaten path and away from all the tourist restaurants which I really liked. Service was really quick, we were starving and finished our meals in ~40 minutes. The smoked fish spread appetizer was fresh and delicious and so were the entrees. We had the catch of the day quesadilla and sandwich and the fish was wahoo. Very similar to mahi and cooked perfectly. Would recommend getting a side of the Baja sauce, it was so good!

The Bait House in Clearwater is fantastic! The food is super fresh and delicious. The drunken shrimp is to die for, and the ahi tuna was incredibly fresh. The place has a great vibe and friendly staff. There's limited seating, so you might have to wait, but it's totally worth it. A must-visit spot for amazing seafood!

D R U N K E N S H R I M P So you go to a marina, park easily, and enter the store. You'll see live bait, tackle, and assorted t-shirts for purchase. Kinda a little grundgy. To be expected. Now keep walking till you get to the back door that leads to the bar & restaurant. BINGO! This is pretty small with limited tables. You might have to wait. Totally worth it! The bar has beer & wine, no hard stuff. You are actually on a dock right over the water. Of course, the servers are some of the most pleasant & efficient around. Team players to. Very casual. I had been advised to not leave Clearwater Beach without dining here on the appetizer " Drunken Shrimp" so I did . Wise advice! Well, it comes in a soup bowl, but it certainly isn't soup. It was filled with FRESH CAUGHT shrimp. The difference is the perfectly seasoned sauce. Addicting. Also, the 4 accompanying cubes of a crusty Eastern European bread complimented the sauce like no other bread could! This dish is pretty much PERFECTION I loved it! Louder for the people in the back: ORDER THE D R U N K E N S H R I M P

Awesome local joint at the end of the pier. Don't miss the drunken shrimp and dress warm in the winter months.

The food was so fresh and amazing!! We had the catch of the day, which was corvina. It was absolutely delicious! The service was outstanding as well. I definitely recommend this local restaurant. You will not be disappointed!

Staff is amazing & super knowledgeable about the menu, drinks, and the local things to do in the area. Cute little local dive bar that has been there for years. Loved seeing the large variety of local craft beers. My partner had the wahoo, fish of the day, sandwich & said it was amazing. I had the grilled shrimp Cesar & it was delicious. Everything was very fresh. Finished off with a key lime pie & it was one of the better ones I have had in years. It's like a small little pie so definitely get one for yourself! We shared & I wish I hadn't because it left me wanting more. Will definitely come back next time I am in the area

Coconut Mojito and shrimp cocktail were yummy and hit the spot after a long day of site seeing.

This place was amazing. It's literally a bait shop but behind the store is about 15 tables outdoors and a bar. This place was recommended to us by a local and it did not disappoint. The fresh catch of the day was wahoo and it was fresh. We order the pasta and rice sides and the wahoo blackened. We also order the drunken shrimp! I can't even explain this broth/gravy/sauce, you have to just try it. 10/10. We also tried the key lime tart which was pretty average. This place is at the very end of the dock. Would definitely go again!

The drunken shrimp was amazing! The staff was friendly and service was fast. Highly recommend.

The location is great and gets you away a little from the touristy restaurants and I like the touch of walk-in through the fishing shop to back patio. The beer selection was very good and had lots of options. The fish portion was little lacking, seasoning was good and fish was cooked a little too much but still tasty. The black beans were the best with lime and cilantro added. Rice was a little dry. I felt like my friends got the quesadilla with slaw and had much larger portion and enjoyed their meal more than I did.

Small area with fishing equipment attached to a small outside "restaurant" area. Very limited menu but everything is really fresh. PLEASE get the DRUNKEN SHRIMP. It's so good that me and my girlfriend got seconds and was thinking about thirds! The portions are slightly small for the price which is all typically above $15. The location is still near the water and you can hear it crashing against the concrete sides which is nice! This is all really close to ClearWater Beach!

I hope no one finds out about this place...... It's small but the best..... I keep going back hoping I'll find something or someone that I don't like, and I haven't been able to do that yet! I'll keep trying.....

Small spot tucked away, staff is always so nice. Second time coming back here cause I remember it was great last year. Chill vibes. I've gotten the crack cakes and they were delicious but this year I got the ahi tuna nachos. Tons of tuna and very worth the price. We love the fish dip- so tasty!

The food, atmosphere, view, and service was absolutely incredible. By far the best food my husband and I had on our trip to Florida! Sherry, our waitress was so nice and friendly - we hope to be back again!

I was recommended this place by my Airbnb host and also an Uber driver. It didn't disappoint! The drunken shrimp was apparently their best thing and it was great. I like the vibe and atmosphere here too- right near the beach- great location.

Food - ordered some appetizers the drunken shrimp, tuna nachos and a mug of clam chowder. Drunken shrimp was really good and a rich curry shrimp sauce. Tuna nachos were great as well with a nice sauce and sizable chunks of tuna! Clam chowder was definitely needing the crackers to make it thicker. I prefer a thick chowder and this was a little watery in my opinion. Flavor was good, needed some S&P to bring out flavors. Service - Small area with limited seating and we decided to sit up to the bar. Server was helpful and it was all hands on deck to check in on us. Ambiance - on the water little shack that has a cool bait shop atmosphere. Glad we got to try it out and really enjoyed it. I would recommend it but be ready to have a long wait.

Drunken Shrimp must try! Little local dive with a nice view. We come back every time we're in town just to have the shrimp!

Service is always good and fast. Our favorite item we crave is the drunken shrimp....simply amazing.

Go here if you want awesome service, cold beer, delicious food, and to get away from the touristy crap. 10 out of 10 all the way around. Stay away if you don't like all of the above.

Absolutely fabulous! All fresh made with a low key vibe. Waitress was very helpful! Love sitting over the water and relaxing

The drunken shrimp (Appetizer) is NOT over-rated. Thick, savory, fresh shrimp and when topped with toasted ciabatta - Heavenly! Second dish was Catch of Day with many preparation options - chose tacos - nothing too extraordinary AFTER your palate hit the drunken shrimp! I could get drunk all day long on this ! Parking: Plenty Sitting: Limited! Get there as soon as it Open - fills up fast, barely 10 tables (small sitting of 2-4 people) at most.

Omg the Drunken Shrimp is so good that I'm back here two days in a row!! Staff were friendly. View is great!

Just what i expected. Gotta get their specialty, Drunken Shrimp. Absolutely terrific, only down side is the crock needs to be larger if ordering for main entree. Service was good and the location is great. Not a large seating area so plan on either waiting or get there early. We also had their Ruben with fresh caught fish and burgers. The slaw, was different with lots of lime or chipotle.

It's better than you would think if you judged it solely based on "curb appeal." Good food, good service, fun location, good drinks. Compared to other seafood restaurants in the area, this one is generally better than most!

The Creole Shrimp App was delicious. My server Sherry was the best & had the best recommendations. The views were immaculate. 10/10 recommend

From the outside, it looks sketchy, but as soon as you walk in, you see this amazing view and are greeted by friendly staff. We had the best waitress. All of the reviews suggested the Drunken Shrimp so I tried them, and they were wonderful!

This is a hidden gem in a sea of tourist traps! At the Clearwater Marina, hidden behind the Bait & Tackle Shop is the Tavern. Fresh seafood - drunken shrimp appetizer was the first indication that lunch was going to be amazing. Worth the wait, as there are only a handful of tables. All good is scratch made in the tiny kitchen.

This is the third time having a meal here and every time it has been outstanding. The drunken shrimp is incredible and is a must have. We had the fish tacos which were pretty good. Also the selection of local beers is nice.

We had the mahi-mahi which was the daily special and excellent. The service was very friendly. The Innosphere is beautiful.

Two years in a row and it keeps getting better ! They may have a wait but you can grab a drink while you wait. The fresh catch was wahoo. Unbeliavable!!! The sangria was fantastic! Great price and went away comfortably full!!! See ya next year ! .

The food and service here was amazing. We had the local fresh Corvina and it was the best fish I have ever eaten. Love this place!

Outside and waterfront Drunken Shrimp is absolutely Amazing. Fish tacos are not so much Prices are 17.95 -24.00 canned beverages or wine. White sangria or red. Definitely would go back. If for the Drunken Shrimp alone. Mmmmm

Really cool atmosphere right on the water next to the north Clearwater bridge. Limited seating, but fairly efficient with the service. Since I was solo, I sat at the bar and quickly ordered the Mahi blackened with the black beans and rice as a side. The whole dish was great. I washed it all down with a Hazy IPA that was also great. I would say the only drawback is that the whole restaurant is outdoors, so be prepared to sweat on hot summer days/nights!

The food is amazing, the tacos and drunken shrimp are fantastic. The restaurant sits on the water and is full of character and great vibes. The staff are salt of the earth people who are very friendly and welcoming. If you visit Clearwater make sure to put this on the top of your restaurants to visit....

Would come back here. Drunken shrimp out of this world. Tacos were amazing too. So so good. Love the food and look of this place love how you can eat outside. I was told by a local this is where the locals go.

This place is a little off the beaten track and not talked about too much but it is the best place to eat in Clearwater beach. This place was phenomenal. The restaurant is on the water and has a great view of Clearwater Bay. It's very casual and has the marina feel which made me love it. Appetizer: We got the drunken shrimp. You absolutely have to order this. It is one of the best dishes that I have ever eaten. The sauce is unbelievable and full of flavor. Served with bread to dip in the sauce which is a game changer. I wish this wasn't just an appetizer as I wanted to eat an entire pot of this stuff. Absolutely phenomenal. We got the catch of the day for our entrees in the form of tacos and the sandwich. The tacos were great with a coleslaw and three different sauces to choose from that were full of flavor. The sandwich came with a homemade tartar sauce which was great as well. This was my favorite stop on our vacation and everybody coming to Clearwater beach should try it out.

It's a small little cute shack. It's actually a wonderful spot, eating by the water. Service was quick and servers were accommodating. I don't want to sound dramatic but this is probably one of my fave shrimp dishes I've ever had in my life. I am always in search and in hope to find something like this somewhere... anywhere near me!! I miss it! It makes me sad to think about it! Haha but seriously. You gotta have them when you're in Clearwater, Florida.

The drunken shrimp may be the tastiest dish in all of Clearwater Beach. Recommend not sharing! You will only wish you ordered two. The atmosphere is great and the service is super efficient and friendly. Catch of the day is usually an excellent option as an entree or sandwich.

Good service, accommodating, the salad was awesome, the homemade bleu cheese dressing was delish, and the experience overall was good.

Best spot in Florida for drunken shrimp. This is a Clearwater staple! Always have to make a stop when visiting family