Alafia River Beer Shed — Restaurant in Florida

When it comes to "real Florida," this riverside roadhouse can't be beat. Whether you arrive by bike, boat or Bentley, this joint welcomes all. Totally lacking in pretense, it offers cold beer, a great juke box, and, um, a rustic charm that you'd expect from a dive that requires you to drive through a trailer park...or navigate the Alafia...to find it.

Food is ordered and served through an adjacent shack, then savored on a picnic table on the deck overlooking the meandering river, or at a table inside.

In the spirit of full disclosure, you should know:

Because the bar does NOT technically serve food, smoking is permitted. The "parking lot" is wherever you can find a patch of dirt among the trees. Being called a "cracker" here is considered a compliment. And a can of Bud in this Riverview landmark will cost you almost $4. (Buy it by the bucket...and save.)

I didn't stick around for karaoke or last call, but by 7 PM on a Saturday night, the Beer Shed was already packing them in. And I can only assume that once the sun sets, the Beer Shed is loud and filled to the (fully visible) rafters.

This place is definitely not for everyone...which I'm sure is just fine with the Shed's owners and regulars. For me? Beer Shed is a...

The Beer Shed and No Joke Smoke in Riverview is the best Dive Bar and food combo around. The Beer Shed has great cold beer at very fair prices while No Joke Smoke provides delicious food. Under new recent ownership, NJS has upgraded the menu to include great brisket dishes along with super chicken and pulled pork tacos. Enjoy great beer and fantastic food right along the river with beautiful views. The Beer Shed also has great live music many nights a week along with trivia nights and other activities. The beer is always cold and the ladies behind the bar are friendly and quick with the refills. Great beer at the Shed and fantastic food at neighboring No Joke Smoke. Local folks, and boaters pulling right up to the restaurant dock and special parking for motorcycles out front. The food is great, the beer is cold and the view of the river is the awesome. We bring the whole family and sit outside, (smoking permitted in The Beer Shed). Great local hidden gems, The Beer Shed and...

If it was not for the view and laid back polite customers and girls behind the bar this place would be miserable. Warm beer served in frozen mugs, flies, mosquitoes, no see ems and warm humid air with little breeze that others bars further down river don't have issues with.. Though mid winter when its mild weather its tolerable here. Limited parking, beer only no liquor. The owner is constantly trying out different methods of bringing in clients who don't fit the back river lifestyle this place is drenched in.. Paddle bikes and Thai food won't convince the hipsters that dark insect infested water & swampy humid air is the place they want to Instagram and tweet their status more than once from.. It don't take a rocket surgeon to...