Undertow Beach Bar

This is by far the best place on the beach! The owners are incredible, employees are great…..everyone is happy . Highly recommend going there !

We found this beauty on a Google search so drove the one and a half hours to get to it. We had no idea we couldn’t park there so parked up the road. Upon arriving, we couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome by Cara. She is the daughter of the owner and they built the bar many years ago. It’s the coolest bar. Full of character and water running through the counter! You can play games or sit outside on the most BEAUTIFUL beach in the world and watch the dolphins in the water, followed by a breath taking sunset. They have another bar next to it which is an outside beach bar. We had a day on the beach and loved it so much, we booked 3 local suites and stayed the night. We were back at the bar today and the staff were equally as attentive. The bar doesn’t serve food but they are happy for you to order in and eat there. Thank you so much for making a travelling family from the UK feel so welcome. P.S - Picture attached of Cara’s party trick! Haha.

After a phone call to Undertoe, the woman indicated that we could park there AND knew we were coming from the beach. After clarification, we were done with our beach adventure, so decided to venture up to the Undertow to have drinks, food, watch the game, and enjoy some Thanksgiving company. Upon approaching the establishment from the beach, a man immediately began yelling at our party of 8 to get off HIS beach. I was trying to ask him if we could come in to watch the game, but never let me get a word in edgewise. He just continued to yell. As this was happening, 2 members of our group were pulling into the parking lot to meet the rest of us. Nope...he began yelling at them saying that they couldn't park there. So much can be said for tact, or lack there of. Kindness goes a long way. It was not busy, beach wasn't packed...it's windy and 72°. We will be happy to take our business elsewhere. Happy Thanksgiving to you despite your rude demeanor. I hope you can find happiness on this Thanksgiving Day.

I mean the beach is nice but don’t even think about bringing a chair. You’ll get screamed at and told to move off “their” beach. Everyone employee there was rude and made our experience miserable. They took away my belongs without consulting me about it and when I went to retreat my item they threw it at me. If you want to go to the beach and be treated like you’re in pre school this is your spot!! I didn’t know you could own a section of the beach!?

This review is specifically for the person working at this place today, 11/27/25, Thanksgiving day. We were at the beach with our family visiting from out of town, and we wanted to sit at the bar for drinks and to watch the football game. We called and were told is OK to go, and ok to park there. We are a party of 8, so most of us walked from the beach while 2 others went to get the car. However, immediately upon approaching the place from the beach side, this person (owner maybe?) ran out and yelled at us to leave his property at once...in an extremely rude manner. He did not even let us explain we had just called. He continued to yell as we were walking away that we aren't allowed in his property and his beach. I have never experienced anything like this before. The absolute rudeness we were treated with was completely uncalled for. NEVER again will I go there or recommend anyone to try this place.

I really wanted to love UnderTow because the beach bar vibe is spot on, but the experience was bogged down by some head-scratching policies. We brought a cooler (and while I totally understand why those aren't allowed inside) the staff made us trek it a quarter-mile away to a random sign rather than offering a convenient solution. The real kicker was leaving: despite being steps away from the street, we were forced to lug the cooler back through the sand and around the building rather than just walking through the parking lot. The logic just wasn't there, especially considering we spent over $150 on drinks while we were there. It’s not like we weren’t supporting the business; we were happy to pay, but we didn't appreciate being treated like an inconvenience. Also, as someone who isn't a "hardcore" environmentalist, seeing the beach littered with plastic straws was disappointing. I thought I found shells in the sand twice, only to realize I was digging up plastic. Great spot for a drink, but be prepared for some frustrating hurdles and a lot of plastic waste.

Security will treat you like a criminal no matter how much money you spend. God forbid a chair you brought touches their beach… No music and expensive drinks. TVs are nice.

Location is the first thing to love about the Undertow Beach Bar. Two separate bars to choose from serving up great cocktails. Very limited food menu...like snacks. Plenty of T.V's to catch all the games on. Rubber ducks float on a stream of running water carved into the bar. This is something everyone remembers. Cheers 🍹🍸🍷🍺

Nice chill atmosphere where we were able to pull together some tables and play card games on a Saturday night. Obviously the drinks are way overpriced and the chicks showing off their bods behind the bar are a bit crazy. Beware of them doing shots with customers - they climb up onto a bar on the ceiling, swing upside down, splash the drink the guys face and then slap him. Strange indeed. Not for everyone...

The Tampa Bay area has faced a lot of challenges over the last several years that it's still trying to recover from- covid, hurricanes and recovery, inflation and rising costs, etc. The last thing we need is a local property owner blatantly and illegally(!) antagonizing our tourists and beachgoers by trying to privatize our taxpayer-funded beaches. To make matters worse, ownership is taunting locals who are angry over their efforts. Since tourism tax revenue is down 35% in St Pete Beach in the last year, owners Paul and Karen need to worry about how to attract more people to our beaches, not drive away the ones who are here.

This bar has the potential to be an awesome spot. Unfortunately, the bartenders are extremely rude. We had a large group come in for a family reunion pub crawl. Some of us are sober, pregnant, or can't drink for medical reasons. When my husband and I ordered a Diet Coke and water from the bar, the bartender was extremely rude and made a rude gesture towards me and my husband. We still tipped $5 on a $1 tab, because people in the service industry deserve respect. Unfortunately, this visit earned this review since I want everyone to be well aware of the type of service you can expect here.

Great place to watch the games and sunset! So fun for football Sundays, all the games are playing in tons of TVs, also the free hotdog can't beat it

Cockroach in the bathroom, overpriced drinks, nearly 50 minute wait for food which was mediocre at best. You can do better than here. Sign post placed in the beach saying they own the beach (no they don't?) was also annoying enough to convince me to write a review.

Horrible food. Super greasy, dirty tables and bathrooms. There are tons of great beach bars, don't waste your time at this dive!

Dirty as hell! Stay away! I got a beer with fingerprints all over the glass and watch the server bring it with her FINGER IN IT. After they brought me the wrong food we left and never looked back. Danger - stay away.

Bad frozen food and different prices for different people. . Who thinks they own the beach. ????

Undertow is a hidden gem. We came here to enjoy some drinks while watching the sunset. The staff was welcoming and friendly. We got freshly made pina coladas, they were so good. The bar was fairly busy, but had plenty of room for us to sit and enjoy the beautiful views. They have a lot of fun games you can play too. The prices can't be beat! The bathrooms were nice and clean too. We will definitely be back. I'm not sure about the food, I didn't see a kitchen or food menu, but we just came for drinks! @living.with.reg

Great spot, right on the beach. I thought the prices were reasonable as well. TVs inside playing sports, etc.. No parking available here. Staff was fine, did not have an issue as others did.

guy standing in the parking lot "trying to help people park" is absolutely useless. guy is the most disrespectful and rude person ever. He will only help you park when they are out of season looking for customers, guy has no clue what he's doing.

Food: meh, service: terrible, and the atmosphere wreaks of cliche. But the worst part is the way whoever owns this place thinks they own the beach in front of the restaurant. The law in Florida is clear that all beaches are public up to the mean high tide line. These people rudely and illegally tried to tell folks on the beach that they were on private property. If people want to set up their chairs, umbrella, and cooler in front of this bar, the law says they are allowed. Shame on the Undertow.

Location is great, right on the beach. Parking can be a little nightmare, but as long as you acknowledge you will stick to their premises you should be fine. Not sure do they serve food but drinks are really limited. Ordered cocktail myself its so watered down, not even drinkable. Staff was friendly. Would only recommend location and view really.

I used to really like this place, gorgeous setting on the beach. But recently the prices have gone up quite a bit. I ordered a small glass, maybe 3 ounces of house Chardonnay and it was 8.50. Too rich for me.

Great beach bar, right on the beach. Fast and friendly service at the bar, and full liquor so grab a shot and a beer then hit the amazing beach after!!

Staff is extremely hostile off the bat. They block off the entire beach in front so patrons can't spread out and set up. If you have a backpack or chairs (which most people do when the go to the beach) an angry man with white hair who is obviously miserable with his own life, is waiting at the front of the parking lot to accost you and say you're not allowed in. The bartenders aren't the friendliest either. They don't seem to understand that by not letting people set up in the beach in front of their bar, they're really alienating customers. None of the other beach bars that don't offer private cabanas behave this way. They could be making a ton of money being one of the few beach bars that's open since the hurricanes but they're really shooting themselves in the foot here. People go to the beach for a laidback vibe and this place is anything but. I was just there for 4th of July weekend which should've been busy for them but it was dead due to their militant and unfriendly policies. Yikes.

I went to meet my friends on the public beach near The Undertow Bar with my professionally trained service dog. Although we did not step foot near their bar, an older male staff member approached me inappropriately and accused me of not having a real service dog. From the very beginning, I calmly stated that I would leave, which I did, but the situation escalated unnecessarily. (I was there for about 10 minutes in total) He asked me a series of inappropriate questions about my dog and my disability. Despite not being legally required to answer, I complied--I explained the specific task my dog is trained for, my disability, and confirmed I have proper documentation. Even after this, he continued to press me, treating me in a demeaning and disrespectful manner and forcing me to leave. As I walked to grab my purse, he went to block me as if thinking I were going to walk into the facility to leave. Which I never did, never was, and never will - I was just grabbing my bag on the beach to leave. The laws protecting service animals and people with disabilities exist for a reason, and this behavior was both unacceptable and against the law. Given this experience, my family and friends--who witnessed the discrimination firsthand--will not be visiting this establishment in the future. My deep disturbance reflecting the disrespect of all service animals warrants at least this review. I do not support businesses that fail to treat individuals with disabilities and their service animals with the respect and dignity they deserve. I hope this facility educates their staff on ADA compliances and the importance of treating all individuals with basic respect and humanity moving forward.

Do NOT recommend. Walked here to grab a drink. The bartenders, which i would not label them as bartenders since their qualifications are "opening a beer top", were rude and just stared. When i asked what the favorite frozen drink was to make she replied with "NO". How embarrassing for them and the establishment. That is not bartending. You are basically a beer girl with zero bartending skills. We are visiting from a city who has exceptional cocktail bars and amazing service. Not this . I did get a pina colada if you want to call the grocery store liquor and pre made mix with ice. Surprised she was willing to do that. Don't call yourself a bartender. It's an insult to actual bartenders who know how and want to make mixed cocktails. Avoid. Listen to the reviews. They are legit.

I was apart of a large group that called ahead of time that arranged a 5k tab. upon arrival they denied entry to all of us despite everyone being 21+ we drove 3 1/2 hours to spend the day here. Terrible service, it was gross the way they treated us. Cursing, shouting, and telling us to leave after being there for under 5 minutes. I wouldn't recommend anyone going here.

I started going to the Undertow in the 1980's. My family has and still has 4 weeks of timeshare per year around 200 yards down the beach from this place and it has been my daily hangout while on vacation for decades. I have seen this bar change a lot over the years. It used to be one of the coolest places to be on the beach and had a great vibe. This is no exaggeration when I say I literally spent 5-6 hours every day there 2 weeks in May, 2 weeks in August every year. I don't leave the beach once I'm there for vacations. No amusement parks or attractions. Just hanging out doing nothing is my kind of time so the bar daily became part of my routine, and I enjoyed the heck out of the Undertow for years and years. It's a family business and I know 3 generations of the family by name and have called them all friend before. I don't go there anymore. The list of reasons is long and has built my disdain for the place over the years slowly but surely as each thing/new rule came up. Rude barmaids/staff that act like you are an obstacle instead of a customer. Fenced off the beach Took out the jukebox because snowflake barmaids got triggered over some songs that international tourists played. Now the barmaids play their own playlists off their phones so the music is not for anyone over 25. (This is one of the big ones to me personally) High prices (nowadays) Smiley's is gone so no great food anymore Did I mention rude barmaids? Customers are 90% local rednecks/fishermen and are easily offended. Tourists don't seem welcome anymore like they used to be. It seems more like a private club. Don't go at night. The locals got annoyed by a tourist one night and he was found on the beach later beat to death. Oh yeah, RUDE barmaids need to be mentioned.

Great place to go if you are into the bar scene. There is actual beach access affording tables to watch nature and the white sands of St Pete Beach in Florida. Drinks are a little pricy but no unaffordable!

Went in a couple days, looked nice. But the water downed drinks were terribly over priced. Would not recommend.

Great place. I guess we hit their happy hour. Drinks were extremely reasonable contrary to what I'd heard in the past. Good TVs for sports etc. Beach right out the back. What could be bad? Recommend for a great afternoon out.

I love coming here specifically to see Emily and Izzy they're my two favorite hottest bartender. they provide excellent customer service hottest beach bartenders come here for them

No, just no. Save yourself and someone you love. I walked in off the beach. Easy money, right? Yeah, easy money that just walked out the door never to return. PLEASE CALL JOHN TAFFER!!!!! You can't serve $7 drinks and charge $12 After asking for a top shelf drink, I got a sub-well watered down version. The exact same drink we bought earlier at Crabby Bills was tons better than this swill. Listen to the reviews. The five star reviews are fake, created to lure you into the spiders web. Seriously, when you are actually a bar tender, you don't have to wear a bikini for tips. Bartending is an art. Why wasn't the man pretending to be a bartender wearing a bikini? I might have given him a better tip!

Hello, Thanks for checking out my review. Food is my favorite hobby, I do not cook at all, so I'm constantly on the hunt for something amazing to eat and writing about it is my second favorite hobby... I hope it helps you as you find your next meal. Enjoy and good eating!! I always rate a place by 5 categories ranging from 1 - 5 stars and why. (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Price & Overall Experience). Atmosphere: 5 You couldn't get a better beach bar! It's on the water parking right up front, multiple bars and an upstairs bar too. Lots of Adirondack chairs, out door showers to rinse off the sand, outdoor games. The bars have a little moat with a current in it and little floaty toys to play with your other bar friends and the staff is all in bathing suits. Service: 5 There are several staff members all around taking drinks checking on you and again all in bathing suits. Food: While the don't have a kitchen there they do have lots of menus for places that will deliver there. Thought that was pretty cool and convenient. Price: 4 We had 6 cocktails for $40.00 bucks before tip. It's not bad and especially for the touristy spot your in I would have expected them to be more. Overall Experience: 4 This is a great place to spend the day or evening at with lots of options of things to do. It would be great if they did have a kitchen but again we saw people ordering from the pile of deliverly menus they had there.

A quintessential Florida beach bar, located on St Pete Beach. A great place to spend an afternoon if you need a break from the sun. The drinks are cold, the atmosphere is laid back. If you decide you want to crank it up a notch then order an upside down shot from one of the bartenders. It will most definitely spice up your day.

I brought my service animal in, the manager came with a sign yelling that he was a pet not a service animal. I offered to show him paperwork (which I don't have to do). By law- you are allowed to ask if they are a service animal and what services they provide. He continued yelling at me and I told please call the police if there's any issue. The police came and they told me he wanted to trespass me. i told the police he is a service animal and the service he is trained to provide. I was sitting with my boyfriend on our first drink causing no issue. When we were walking out he yelled "anything to get entitled people out. Owners are allowed to kick anyone out." He was clearing kicking me out because of my service animal and even said it was because I was "entitled". I would love not to have my issues that cause me to have a service animal, apparently that makes me entitled!? 100% complete disregard for service animals and those with disabilities. DO NOT go there.

kept the barbecue guy outside is amazing. His food is to die for.! Isabel does shots hanging upside down from the ceiling. It's a must.

Tried to come here but parking lot said "members only" when trying to enter from gulf blvd. Had to back up into traffic . Yet it say it has parking???

My fav beach bar in all of Tampa Bay. Service is always on point and Em and Victoria are the best.

Great beach bar with great service. Emily is so friendly and such an efficient bartender. Go for happy hour or sunset views.

Well , loved to watch the football games and decided to go somewhere different. The first set of skinny margaritas were subpar and virtually no tequila we also mentioned this to the waitress and she didn't offer a credit or another drink. Be careful when ordering drinks because our bill ended up being $250. The shots were $14.72 each. And I mean a shot ! Went to Hurricanes and O Maddie's and maybe $ 9:00 at the most. Mind you 250 no food , you go up and order because the waitress is impossible to get . Honestly Never complain , if I go back , No mixed drinks .. beer only .

The ultimate Florida dive bar on the beach. Cheap drinks. Great music. Nice beach out back. A little lazy river sits in the middle of the bar and you can watch the mini rubber ducks float by while you're enjoying a cheap beer and watching the bartenders give shots to college kids who act like it's their first drink ever. (Photo below)

Exactly what you want a beach bar to be. Not much more I need to say. I do wish the parking situation was a little better.

STAY AWAY!!! Surveys put other guest tab on my tab and was overcharged $100.00. The bartender lied and said we knew the people, totally not true. Very rude staff and management. Lots of crime so they have to close at 10:00 pm. Be Careful!!!

They have no food. "No working kitchen". So don't believe they menu. There is n parking. Took sun runner to go there. Walked a couple blocks.

On the beach but not a beach bar. They have two full bars, billiards, games and cute girls in bikinis. The inside bar has a unique moat flowing through it. The back doors open up for scenic views of the sunset over the water. The sand is right outside. I enjoyed my first visit until I went out back and saw the patio. It looked like a compound! Locked gates with a door bell, rules signs plastered all over the inside and outside of an ugly fence. It was such a buzzkill. Before I could kick back and admire the beach with my cold cider, I was faced with; "Patrons only" "Private property" "Private beach" "No alcohol" I wasn't allowed to drink on their private beach property, which didn't make sense for a beach bar. Seems like they want you to look but not touch the beach. So many rules were against bringing beach items. No backpacks, beach bags, knapsacks, thermoses, containers or coolers. Do they honestly expect customers to carry handbags while wearing a bathing suit? I had a backpack with me, which I used to carry the clothes I took off. Call me crazy but I drove there fully clothed. The rule "management has the right to search any and all bags," seemed a bit invasive coming from a place that demanded such privacy. No fighting or gambling rules made sense but "no angry or racist music" and "management has the right to skip songs without refund," seemed unnecessary. Perhaps they should axe the jukebox full of offensive music options. How they lack control over their own music selection in 2017 is beyond me. Then the rules got personal... "No sagging pants or hats worn sideways." That doesn't seem racist at all. Oh, and "men must wear shirts after sunset." That doesn't seem sexist at all. I guess they're okay with women being topless as long as their hats are facing the right direction. The funniest rule besides "no foul language," is "no attitude." You are forbidden to have a stance of any kind. Ha!!! Just take it to Yelp, my friends. In reality this business contradicts the image they portray online with promo photos. Facebook page shows beach volley ball court and girls having fun in the sand with liquor bottles, beers, ice buckets, and beach umbrellas. Three stars for a really nice day despite the jail vibe and sign pollution. The bartender was a sweetheart and made my friends and I great drinks. Most of the reviews this year are 1 star and pretty appalling. The owner should seriously reconsider what he/she really wants. There are smarter and sexier ways to be exclusive.

Bar is great no doubt. Until they Held my Credit card hostage during a storm and their system went down. lol. I offered to pay cash then they just kicked out our whole group. Still no idea how that unfolded, but I did like the place lol.

The staff is extremely rude. Save your time, money and experience. Walk to the next beach bar....

Great bar, fast service, low prices, gorgeous beach. Parking lot is members only, but you can park in the public parking down the road.

This place has a fabulous location. It's got a smoker right out front with what looked like great BBQ. It only has access from the back in and out (bouncer serviced) if you have a wristband (with an open bar tab) and parking out front is rough with an attendant. Aside from all that, they've got beach volleyball open to anyone, they have pool tables, a basketball throwing game, foosball, lots of outdoor seating and another building with a bar with a river in the counter. Ordered one drink from not the friendliest bartender, then headed out. Fun place but quite the meat market. And not a pretty one. But if you're interested in playing some games and just having a fun time off the sand or out of the sun, this is a good spot.

There are much better bars in the area. Most likely the few good reviews were paid for or posted by employees and mgmt. Avoid!

I would give less then a star if I could. The bartenders where great! When we where leaving the owner almost ran us over trying to get into his very exclusive parking lot. We were standing on the corner waiting for our Uber to pick us up. He made a right turn into the parking lot jumping the curb and sidewalk, and pinned me against the light pole. I did all I could not to get my feet run over by him, Including slapping the side of his truck. He jumped out and accosted my friend and I and waved down a sheriff deputy. Then put a trespassing order against us because he almost hit me while I was standing in the trees on the side walk. As a local tour guide and a captain In the community I will not recommend this place to any of my passengers or anyone I come across.

Great bar. Drinks are cheap and the girl serving is extremely nice and kind. I love the environment and I would definitely come back.

Extremely rude workers that have a complex. Would not recommend try bongo's or jimmy bs instead.

The worst bat and dirty. Ex bartender sat on bar where they served food. A woman asked her to get bad and the girl started to yell at her. I was there, the woman asked nicely. Several barracks, the girls friend , and the manager all said,"It's ok. She used to work here." And left her sitting on top of the bar. The owner dragged her off the and carried her away. The owner gave the woman an excuse that no COVID violations were broken bc of the girl sitting on the boy and she had some emotional issues from a recent break up. So ladies... next time you have a boyfriend problem go to The Undertow and sit in the bar with your bathing bottom that you been sweating in for 8 plus hours with dirty feet and dirty sandy shoes. Maybe you will feel better. Only one star.. would give no stars but you have to enter something

Well everything on web site states they have a full menu. But they have no working kitchen. Disappointing. Plus drinks are super over priced. But if you are a man and want to see bartenders in thongs. Well this is your place to go. Gross!

Been one of my favorite stops on SPB for many years. I was ready to go five stars, but this lack of a kitchen bums me out. I was told hopefully by the end of this month, but without the kitchen, it's not a compete package. Oh sure there was a guy selling slices of pizza, and a BBQ stand was there too. But I was looking forward to some wings. Also, and I'm sure it's all timing, but it seemed a tad rowdier. No big deal, but the vibe has changed a bit. Still it's a very solid beach bar option in my book. Parking is still a pain, though lucky for me I either walk, ride, or get a lift here. PS. I did learn later that it's possible to order some food from Smiley's Snack Shack (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smileys-snack-shack-st-pete-beach) down the road, but that seems like a pain to me.