Sandshaker Lounge

What a terrific bar with excellent live music and convenient location in the Pensacola Beach area. What started as two evenings of hearing the music and wondering why we are not there. Our final day and, we decided to end our little cocktail afternoon along the beach resorts with some live music. We walked in with our hotel room cocktails and quickly ordered two more while we negotiated a seat to view the band. While ordering our drinks from the far side of the rear bar, I noticed there was remarkable sound from that vantage. I summoned the wife to the spot where I was, and we sat and had a couple of drinks and ordered a 'bar' pizza that wasn't too bad . . . almost good. We then noticed an area up front by the stage and proceeded to enjoy the remainder of the show that ended around 8pm, if I remember. I am understanding this is of the best music venues in the Beach area. Good stage with excellent sound from a very good cover band. An early night of fun then back to our group staying at the Surf and Sand across the lot in the back. It’s not a far walk at all. Good spot! CritDicks

Great Bar, good prices and live music a few times a week. 21 and over

Cool local bar, not quite touristy not quite dive bar. The place is huge with multiple different ‘bars’ inside one spot. They had live music going as we arrived and the place was pretty busy for the off season. I thought it was cool they had a look out tower that you could walk to the top of.

Was here as Hubby and I were exploring my past life as a Floridian. This place always stuck out to me as an 'initiation'. Had a very enjoyable time and great drinks and terrific service from Emma (Yes, highly recommend Emma if she'savailable!). HIGHLY recommend for anyone as their initiation to the P-COLA culture.

What an awesome place!! Met some high school buddies for a mini reunion. Bushwhackers were freaking awesome! Band was amazing! Staff was friendly and a very relaxed atmosphere!!

Such a cool place, great unassuming staff, we had such a wonderful experience doing bushwhackers and laughing at life. The memories we made will last forever. The attached photo was create with artificial intelligence… hey why not huh?

They have ruined the Bushwhackers from my younger days in the 70s. Liquor was already in and they were smooth as milkshakes. Now it's impossible to mix it with a shitty straw to compare. Had my last one from here!

The original bushwhacker bar, this place didn't disappoint. Somehow a tourist trap that's a hangout for locals. Ok not really, it's kind of an average beach bar. The inside isn't as large as it appears from the exterior, but they have plenty of seating outside as well as a separate tiki bar. Stopped for a cold drink after spending the afternoon in the sun. I'm not a fan of sweet, frozen drinks. I learned a long time ago, brain freeze only makes the hangover worse. But of course we ordered a bushwhacker, and not being a fan of that drink, it was pretty good. You'll also be bushwhacked by the time you finish it cause oh lawd, the 2 sips I had was plenty boozy. I could barely taste the chocolate, but in a good way. Had a good time joking with the bartender over the quality of karaoke singers while she heavy handed the rest of her mixed drinks. I could only enjoy one drink, the +1hr drive prevented me from getting lit. As it was night, we enjoyed the outside seating and the views from above the bar.

Shaker is the best dive bar EVER! We are locals and whenever we come to beach we like to stop in here. They have two inside bars with AC. As well as an outside stage area lots of tables and room to dance. The bartenders are attentive even in large crowds. They do not serve food but I have seen people bring in food and eat. Bathrooms kept clean and they have a large parking lot. Great location

My husband brought me here to this bar 29 years ago when we were dating. We finally got to go back. The bushwhackers are just like I remember awesome. So glad it was still open.

I want to thank (and I do mean that sincerely) this business for advertising their political views so prominently. I am with a group of 12...and would likely spend an average of $100 per person with food and bar. Unanimously, we decided not to patronize this establishment, preferring to spend our money somewhere less divisive. Surely the owners will say "F them! WHO cares!" However, I'm sure the drops in the proverbial bucket add up to tens of thousands in lost revenue per..month? ‍‍ Oh well.

"Home of the original bushwhacker". Best way to describe this place is that it is a locals hangout. The service was good. The drinks are standard for local hangouts, nothing fancy but good enough to get the job done. I e been a few times and they had live music, if you want avoid the real touristy places you need to stop by.

My friends and I, mid-twenties women, were SO excited to join karaoke at this bar on a Sunday evening. We were met with an extremely rude "bouncer" and bartender who quizzed us on our IDs with unwelcoming attitudes. Though the few patrons there were kind, we did not stay and chose to not buy anything from this bar as it seemed they didn't care for it anyway. Overall a disappointing experience.

It's my first time in Pensacola and my coworkers told me I HAD to try their famous drink, the "Bushwacker". They suggested I try getting one at the "Sandshaker Lounge" and I'm SO glad they did. This place is amazing! It's one of those cozy, local, hole in the wall, unpretentious type places where you really get a feel for the area and the people who live there. My bartender, Heather, is the sweetest, cutest thing there ever was. She immediately made me feel welcome, helped me pick out a Bushwacker cocktail (I didn't even know they were customizable!!), and engaged me with some genuine, friendly conversation. She made recommendations for things to see / do around Pensacola and she even introduced me to some of the regulars.....who were all very friendly as well. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for some good drinks with great people.

Service, atmosphere and music is of the hook!!!! If you're looking for a great time and terrific local music then you found this diamond in the rough. If you don't have a good time it's your fault.

Good drinks, friends, and Fun. Listen to some really good bands...like the atmosphere and it's happening on Saturday nights...good crowds and tourist spot.

Have to stop in here if you're in P'Cola! Iconic local bar! Best bushwhackers ever!! They added salted caramel whiskey to my last one and it was by far my favorite - normally they add rum or 151 but salted caramel or PB whiskey were everyone's favorite! It is a hole in the wall but has great ambiance and you'll get to know some locals

Best spot on the beach! If you're a local you already know how good this place is. If you're traveling, stop by and grab a drink and some good vibes! Cheers

A great bar to stop in if you're in Pensacola Beach. The atmosphere was less hectic than what would be considered a more "mainstream" bar in the area. The service was fast, and the drinks were good. They had bushwhackers of any flavor you could imagine. The live band also provided for a nice evening of dancing and entertainment.

Nasty , dirty, smelly , the owner yelled at his employees like he owns them . The only redemption is the workers are good and nice.

Loved the bar, service, and of course the infamous bushwackers. The bartender was friendly and the local crowd was accepting of my Arkansas self

While the "shaker" is a beach dive bar, it has a great tradition with the locals and with Naval Aviators. Beach days always end with a bushwhacker stop at the shaker, and when departing the P'cola "pattern" for places unknown or when reconnecting with mates and toasting comrades, the shaker has as much tradition as San Diego's World Famous I-Bar, the Cubi-O (lost but reconstituted at the Naval Aviation Museum), Mother Rucker's (for Army types), and P'cola's Trader Jon's (lost). And so, in the spirit of that tradition, me and my fellow old timers launched this young, brand new aviator off with a Bushwhacker on his career to destinations and adventures unknown. I am glad this institution has survived. Bushwacker could be better.

A bit run down, but full of character. Great spot for live music and drinks! Definitely come for the Bushwacker tasting, and look out for the Blue Angels practicing from their observation tower!

This is a great spot with a dive bar meets a tiki bar vibe and they had a good band playing during my visit. They have a lot of interesting spots in this bar and out in their patio area they have a little tiki bar which has a second story deck area that you can get some great views of the area from. It was really crowded on the night that I visited but the bartenders were great at slinging drinks very efficiently so there was barely any wait. I wasn't sure if the same folks that own this bar also own the Sandshaker at The Wharf but the signs look similar and on checking the website they are owned by the same folks. This is a great beach bar and I had a great time so this is certainly a fun spot to check out in Pensacola Beach.

Good. Went for the bushwhacked drink. 2 mid forties on a Monday afternoon. We sat outside and met another couple of forty-somethings who were just finishing ip their second b-whacker. Bushwhackers served in a styrofoam cup. Think Wendy's frosty with Bacardi 151z Very tasty. Overall a good stop by for PB

Visited here 3 times in 5 nights while in town for a wedding. I was part of a wedding party staying down the road at margaritaville hotel and resort and this was the closest walkable bar to our location. The first night we came we were not planning on stopping here but their sign out front lit up as we were walking by & since the wind was blowing at 30mph & it was cold we ducked in. There was a great band starting up & only about 6 other guest there other than our group of 6 so we grabbed a high top & some drinks and sat down. We stayed there the rest of the evening leaving sometime around midnight. We had a blast & enjoyed watching the slideshow of the key west painted bodies inside on the tv, not to mention some heated games of putt putt on the golden tee console. We came back on Halloween with a group of 10 all in costume to enjoy half price drinks & another great band. The last visit came on Saturday after our wedding reception had closed down at 10 & we all stumbled down the road to a place we knew. There was another wedding group here & it was pretty busy, but we had some shots & danced until we moved on to captain funs across the road. The bartenders here were awesome & very nice to us each time. Drink prices were very reasonable even when not half off.

Cozy little dive bar. Of course I got the Bushwacker, it was good, but the bartender recommended the Elvis bushwacker, made with blended banana and peanut butter screwball. It was SO GOOD! I will go back solely for this drink. It was quiet. People were friendly, and it wasn't over-crowded. My husband and I came here on a weeknight around 5 or 6, before they'd gotten very busy. Apparently they had music coming in at 7, so I can't speak to the later hours.

The diviest of dive bars. Great place. Staff can get a little rude for asking to take the "shot ski" down too many times. It's not really as heavy as they claim.

This is probably going to be one of my shortest reviews because this was a pit stop on the way to our rental house. I heard that when you are in Pensacola you need to try the local drink the Bushwhacker. It is a creamy, milk and chocolatey type of drink that involves rum at least. I visited on a day where they were going to have a big concert so it was not their normal set up. Our bartender Ashley was a fun burst of energy. She explain the drink options letting us know we could do 80 or 150 proof rum added to the Bushwhacker. They had orange freeze that had absolut in it. The drinks were both tasty but the octane drink was my fave. This place is a nice watering hole that you definitely need to stop by when you are in Pensacola.

Hadn't been to the Shaker in a while (i've been going since '84), but wife had a hankering for a bushwacker and it was mother's day after all. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT The pre-mix (without the 'topper') tasted like watered down coconut milk. Not a hint of chocolate (which makes the wacker what it should be: a dangerous chocolate milk shake) I guess you need to add the topper to make you forget the actual taste. Oh, the band playing that weekend were rockers! Too bad the girl singer was off pitch. After being talked up twice by a very drunk already (it was 4pm) motorcycle rider, we left to go to Paddy's.

Home of the original bushwacker.. I am sorry to say that newer versions do it better. This was the worst bushwacker I had on the island, but that may be personal taste. Luckily, these were only $5 during happy hour and our bartender was very nice. I could not even drink mine, I disliked it so much. There is a cool deck you can climb too.

First timer! Bushwacker is very refreshing! Customer service wasn't that great, but wasn't horrible. It didn't seem very welcoming. The bar tender wasn't that helpful especially since we all were newbies. The atmosphere is very laid back. The best thing to get is real shots.

Bang for your buck: 9/10 Quality: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance/Location: 9/10 Overall: 10/10 Home of the bushwhacker, Sandshaker knows how to provide that perfect beach day buzz! I recommend a bushwhacker with 151 or the Dirty Girl Scout. This place is a throwback dive, so be prepared. Cast away your fears, and saddle up at the bar; you won't be disappointed!

Shame! I had told all my family about the Pensacola bushwackers so when they came to visit for Christmas I brought them here. We had THE WORST bushwackers in Pensacola. You'd think "the home of the original bushwackers " would have the best! Almost any other place is better. For sure Paradise and Oar House and O'Reillys are much much better.

For a local dive bar it's awesome. Had an incredible bushwacker. So delicious. Felt like a local and I was treated to a shot from locals plus great service. No food here, but a small place with good drinks and nice people. Would definitely go back.

It's hard for me to decide how many stars to give this place. On the one hand, the drinks were strong and cheap served by a friendly bartender. On the other hand, my 31 year old black friend was the only person that we saw that was asked for ID, which kinda makes them look racist (maybe 2 black people was more than the quota that the bar allowed?). We were here on Tuesday evening which is $2 Tuesday. This means that well drinks, some beer, and wine are all $2. There was also karaoke. I ordered a bushwcker and a rum and coke and it was $6.75 total. The bartender was kind enough to warn me that the bushwacker wasn't $2. I appreciated that. The bushwacker was good, and I'm glad that tried it at it's original place in Pensacola beach. That was well worth the price. The rum and coke was super strong. I love when places make drinks like this. I probably would have enjoyed this place a lot more if they hadn't asked my black friend to see her ID when they hadn't carded anyone else.

One of my "go-to" bars on Pcola Beach. I generally prefer the 'Shaker during the day and enjoy being able to get out on the deck or the crow's nest upper deck. Also a great place to see some talented local bands, although the set-up isn't ideal...if you are inside of the "garage" where the bands play, your ears will bleed, but if you out on the deck, you're either standing up or just listening, because there will be throngs of people massed at the deck steps. The drinks are reliable. The bushwackers are delivered in Styrofoam cups that provide you with enough time to actually enjoy the slushiness before it melts, unlike some places on the beach that go the cheap route and use thin plastic cups. No draft beer, but the longnecks are always cold. As several others have noted, the 'Shaker is definitely a locals hangout, but it isn't solely a locals bar. Due to its proximity to the Casino Beach parking lot and Quietwater Boardwalk (which somebody told me is now, officially "Portofino Boardwalk" or some crap that I'll never use), it is convenient no matter where you are on the beach. I appreciate all of the stuff that Sonny does for local charities at the 'Shaker. I've been to crawfish boils to benefit locals and the Krewe du Ya Yas has an event every summer to benefit breast cancer. The sense of community matters...a lot of places are focused too tightly on making another dollar. The gift shop has some neat shirts and trinkets. I have some nice and colorful t-shirts that elicit happy memories of long weekends spent getting blasted at the 'Shaker. :p No trip to the beach could be complete without at least one beer at the 'Shaker. The employees are nice, although it does get quite busy and hectic at times. Give the place a shot.

They treat you like a local- when you aren't! A great time! This was probably the highlight of my trip to Pensacola during hurricane Patricia. The blonde bartender is so amazing. Like, she is a keeper! I really enjoyed her!!

Nice place. Multiple bars to place an order and live music. We just came out for a few drinks and did not grab any food. The booze were priced right for being on the beach. This place is definitely an older aged crowd. I did get approached by an older woman(a local) and was asked if I was a swinger. I kindly replied that I was not, but she continued to harass me and even went as far as asking my wife if she could make out with her. Needless to say my wife did not like that and we were both weirded out by the locals and left. If your into this kind of stuff definitely go to this bar LOL.

Nice people, and pretty good music, but bartender outside could not make a decent drink. Even admitted it, and when asked she didn't know, but one of the drinks we wanted and it was terrible. You'll make more money if you train your bartender better. We are in from out of town and were disappointed.

My Aunts and Uncle wanted to hit every joint on Pensacola Beach before the end of their winter vacation. We were there on a day of a special event but it was not very crowded at the time we arrived. This is a biker bar and all the patrons were in leathers and denim. We were in our beach clothes. The inside bars are very smoky and dark. As we were looking for a place to park our butts for a drink, we saw an outside garage area. It was sent up for bands and it was a big spacious area that can be enclosed or opened to the patio. On certain nights, there were bands and other events on the calendar. This area was bright and colorfully decorated with Mardi Gras signs. I learned that the Sandshaker is THE PLACE during Mardi Gras on Pensacola Beach. My relatives made a note to check it out next Mardi Gras. There was a window connecting this area to one of the two inside bars. My Aunt and I tried the signature drink Bushwacker. It's a frozen rum drink that is very potent. I was good with one. My Aunt had another. My Uncle and Aunt had Sailor Jerry and Coke and Bourbon/water. I was carded and got a compliment about not looking my age at all. ( Yes of course I tipped that bartender well ). I changed to a citrus drink of the bartender's making. That was really good. I forget what she called it. The outside area was not smoky at all at the time we were there. We had a nice time with our drinks. Is it a place I would normally hang out at...probably not. But I was treated well there and the drinks were fairly priced. So it was worth the visit and maybe another visit the next time I'm in the area.

This is a great place to hang out but we had a horrible experience with one of the bartenders. The female with the long blonde hair demanded my boyfriend give her more money after he had already tipped her $10 on a $54 tab. Completely inappropriate!

Awesome band playing in a covered area that opens to the outside bar. Great crowd. Pool tables inside which is nonsmoking. Billy the bartender outside is great!!! Super nice, fast, personable and knows his drinks! Definitely a local hangout!

This is a local dive bar that serves the famous bushwackers. I am so glad the bar is now smoke free. I did not find the bartender to be very welcoming.

After cutting through the smoke to get to the bar we had the "famous" bushwacker. I'm not a big drinker of those types of beverages but it was good. Personally it was hyped up more to me than it really was. Loss of stars due to my bartender having an off day/ not pleasant. Bad service is no fun.

Sometimes you have to let your hair down, and this is the place to do it! They usually have live music outside, and the birds eye view isn't one to miss. Try a different twist on the classic bushwhacker and order a Dirty Girl Scout.

Atmosphere and location awesome. Worst bushwaker on the island. No flavor and mostly ice. Try Crabs across the street for their BW. Really good!

They are awesome! Their signature drinks is delicious and highly intoxicating. The staff was friendly.

Went there with basically the Mayor of this bar. He had his own parking spot! I think the best way to describe it is Karaoke Sh*tshow. It was hilarious. The bushwackers didn't hurt either. Also learned a new song: Red Solo Cup. Apparently the dude who sang it "is there every week." I downloaded it to my iPhone immediately. Definitely check it out if you're in the area.

This is a fantastic cut-through. I cannot speak for the drinks, but the cut-through is fantastic. The owner gets real mad at you and tries to cut you off in his red truck, and then yells at you out his window that it's not a cut-through, but don't be fooled, it's a fantastic cut-through.

Angela and Chris were great! We came for the weekend and they made sure we were taken care of! Definitely recommend! Great drinks!

Original bushwacker birthplace. Hella fun stop at eleven am. It's good and laid back. A true Pensacola gem. Cheap and strong is the stand by around here, and they hold true.

I'm not a bar person, but I liked this bar. Sanshaker has the friendly feel of the classic Cheers bar, where everyone knows your name. It's a place where the locals hangout, and I see why. At first I walked in and was exhausted from a busy week and quickly started divulging in their bushwacker, topped off with a horribly tasting shot of 151, I stirred until I couldn't taste the alcohol, must understand that I'm not a drinker. The bushwacker was yummy, it had a nice vanilla bean ice cream taste to it. I heard lots of talk about their strawberry and banana bushwacker, I must see what this is about. I tried my friends and quickly indulged, was happy to be chewing on fresh chunks of banana, yummy! I ordered one myself and it was gone in 60 seconds. I opted this time without a shot of 151 and enjoyed this delightful drink that was made to order. I definitely recommend ordering the strawberry banana bushwacker and the classic bushwacker. We sat at Hillary's bar. A beautiful bartender with a mesmerizing personality. She took good care of us and she herself gets 5 stars on service and friendliness. There is nothing more annoying then a bitchy pretty bartender, who is bitchy just because she has to serve a pretty lady. Hillary gave us the ultimate Cheers experience, friendly, personable, human and on beat. Her drinks were delicious. She even gave my husband and I red snappers on the house, they too were good tasting shots, perfectly mixed. I look forward to my next outing to Sandshakers. I also look forward to Hillary take care of my husband and I again. All in all, I'm not a bar girl, but this humble bar has me hooked. I also liked how the owner is very friendly and went around greeting the guests. Nice neighborhood bar.

Love it! Visited a couple of nights last week. Old school bar, you can have a drag, and the local bands were great! Also played pinball for the first time in years :-) Bob p.s. It's a bit loud and all but the staff gets an A!

Ok. A must visit in Pensacola Beach. Bushwhacker yum!!! You have to have one. The band was good as well.

Sarah is a National Treasure. And she needs to be protected at all costs. No kidding here! She is as good or better than Season Seven of Parks and Recreation. She is literally the most amazing bartender in all of America. Sarah is greater than the Statue of Liberty. She is more majestic than the Grand Canyon. Sarah is a National Treasure™ and she must be protected at all costs!

My girlfriends and I were just looking for somewhere to have a few drinks and enjoy our vacation. Upon walking up to the Sand Shaker, one of the female employees pointed to each of us as we walked by saying "no, no, no" etc. I was appalled that someone would be so rude to customers entering their business. The whole atmosphere was extremely uncomfortable and not welcoming. We sat at a table and were rudely approached by a young man who was a server/bartender. He asked for our IDs and I asked him what the regular age group was, to which he replied, "a lot older than you". And then he walked away, not asking if we wanted a drink or anything. We definitely got the hint that we were not welcome so we left. Long story short, if you are under 30 don't waste your time unless you want an unwelcoming, downright rude experience.