Tropics Cocktail Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Cocoa Beach

After an incredible day soaking up the sun and enjoying the waves at the beach, we were ready to unwind and treat ourselves to some well-deserved refreshments. That’s when we stumbled upon Tropics Cocktail Bar, and what a delightful discovery it turned out to be! As we stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere immediately enveloped us, setting the perfect tone for an evening of relaxation and indulgence.

Our server, Nicole, was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we were seated, she greeted us with a warm smile and engaging conversation that made us feel right at home. Her recommendations were spot-on, showcasing her extensive knowledge of the menu. She suggested we try their signature Filipino chesestic, and I can honestly say it was one of the best culinary decisions we've ever made. Each bite was a heavenly experience, the cheese delightfully melting in our mouths, creating a rich and savory sensation that left us wanting more.

But the culinary adventure didn’t stop there! Next up were the chili lime fries, which were a glorious blend of zesty, salty, and spicy flavors. The seasoning was just perfect, the tang of lime paired wonderfully with the heat from the chili, elevating these fries to a whole new level of deliciousness. We couldn’t get enough, and we found ourselves reminiscing about our beach day while indulging in these delightful snacks.

To make the evening even more special, we decided to sample the Baller whiskey. It may not be a traditional Japanese whiskey, it is beautifully Japanese-inspired and aged in authentic Japanese casks. This unique finishing process imparted a smoothness and complexity that was simply divine. Each sip felt like a mini celebration, and we enjoyed the playful garnish of eyes added by the staff, whimsically scattered around the bar, adding a touch of fun to the experience.

As the night wore on, we found ourselves completely immersed in the atmosphere of the bar, the laughter, the music, and the exquisite drinks all combined to create an unforgettable experience. We left Tropics Cocktail Bar with big smiles on our faces and memories etched in our minds, feeling grateful for the wonderful staff, especially Nicole, who made our evening so memorable. If you're looking for a place to unwind and enjoy fantastic food and drink, I cannot recommend...

I have some friends that moved from one area of Cocoa Beach to another, and they moved to a neighborhood that's literally less than a 10 minute walk from this place. The first time I went to visit their new digs, they brought me here, and I am so glad they did!

First of all, the location is unbeatable. You're about 50 feet away from the sand of the beach, and the whole bar is super open, so you can do some excellent people watching as they all pour into or out of the beach.

Second of all, this place has a proud mocktail menu, which is very rare non only in this country, but in this state, and especially in this county. So I really enjoyed that. FYI, I got the Virgin Pina Colada on the Rock (w/ coconut syrup, lime, pineapple, whipped cream, dark cherry), and it was very good. Very coconuty, with that lime to balance it out nicely.

I also got the Fresh Brewed Sun Tea (w/mango), which is less of a mocktail and more of just, tea. But the mango flavor was Strong. Very sweet, so beware.

Another couple joined us, so the six of us split a number of food items.

Chile Lime Fries (cilantro-lime crema, cotija cheese, Tajin chili spice). Very fun. Crispy fried with a tangy crema everywhere, that creamy cheese, and the Tajin putting pops of intense twang in each bite. I liked it.

Filipino Cheesesticks (cheese fried in lumpia wrappers w/ sweet chili sauce). Oooh. Very fun. Not sure the kind of cheese, but it was ooey and gooey and melty. Take a dip in the sauce and take a very crispy bite out of the lumpia wrapper. Awesome.

And the Musubi (2 pieces, griddled Spam, pineapple teriyaki, furikake, green onion & sushi rice, wrapped in nori). If you know what musubi is, you know. If you don't, it's one of the best snacks on the planet. This is a very big musubi, very sharable, and a nice hunk of Spam for you to fill up on.

Overall, the island vibe of this place was undeniable. I don't come out to Cocoa Beach very often, but when I do, I will probably be coming to this...

Extremely Disappointing Experience – Especially as Regulars

We’re locals and have come to Tropics almost every weekend without ever having a problem—until now. What happened during our last visit was incredibly disappointing and honestly shocking.

As soon as we walked in, a staff member accused us of walking out on a tab, saying it was us because we “both had brown hair.” We had just arrived, and even after calmly explaining it wasn’t us, she kept bringing it up, making us feel extremely uncomfortable and singled out.

Then, she made the wrong shots, and when we politely asked to have them corrected, she got visibly irritated, snatched them off the bar, and threw them in the trash. We grabbed a menu to show her the correct shot, and she yelled at us, ripped the menu out of our hands, then tossed all the menus to the back so no one could access them. When she finally brought the correct drinks, she slammed them down on the counter.

We tried to get menus again later and were met with the same behavior—she snatched them out of our hands a second time.

As regulars who’ve always enjoyed coming here, this experience was incredibly upsetting. It was completely out of line, and we left feeling disrespected and unwelcome. Tropics has always been a great local spot, but this kind of treatment is...