The Old Beach Bar — Restaurant in Florida

I'm a local. I'm here to tell you that the negative reviews are true. I have worked security on the beach for various clubs/bars, & my family has been in this town/area since the 1840s or so. I'm related to, know, or have met in some way shape or form (because of family, work, school, or it's just a small town) most everyone of note & these bars/owners on the beach are ran one of a few ways.

If they are locally owned: They hate you tourists. They also run drugs out of them. The smaller ones don't make great money & use the drugs to supplement their income. Most of the owners went to school with other "powerful families" back in the 50s when this was a VERY SMALL town. They all got drunk or did drugs together. That generation is phasing out but there are still the kids of that generation hanging on. They help each other cover it up by having connections in the police, government, etc. They also just don't report or cover it up on the spot. I've been apart of this myself or directly witnessed it & tried to fix it & lost my job in a few instances. You don't do well here trying to fight it. They will just say "you have an ax to grind, etc." "Disgruntled employee." Remember. This is a good ol boys club.

If they are NOT locally owned you aren't helping the community here. The money is going straight to a corporation that is out of town while most people here make so little they can't even afford to go to the very establishment they work. Imagine working at a bar you can't afford a drink at?

Trust your instincts & DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE BUSINESSES. Stay home. Stay away. You truly aren't welcome, & if you INSIST on coming... Find a good local that WANTS to help you & TIP THEM WELL & let them organize everything. Not necessarily a travel advisor but just ask & offer a stranger or post on Facebook etc. You'll do much better that way than taking a chance on these trashy places like this.

This is the wisest advice of a local you'll ever get. Just look at how the owner replies to 1 star reviews. No accountability, victim blaming, gaslighting, & insults. Put them OUT...

Now that I've possibly gotten the attention of the owners. As you seen (because I fell in front of dale)I stepped out of my car onto uneven black top/concrete. I did this 7/1/2021. My mom was playing in one of your famous Thursday night tournaments so I had to wait another hour before she was done before I could leave. Not one time while I was sitting there did anybody come over to check on me to see if I was OK. I had to have my stepdad come get me an ice pack and wet paper towels to clean the blood off of my knee. I thought you guys were better than this. I was down for my birthday 7/2/2021. I couldn't do anything because I still Can't put pressure on my ankle which is my left ankle and my right knee. I've since driven home and we'll be having this checkout. You'll know what not one of you guys even bothered to ask for my telephone number before I left or checked on me again. Your establishment should have been a little more concerned with an injury like that considering that your concrete is broken and it's not very light out front and this could have broken my ankle but I'll let you know once I go to the doctor. I wanted the swelling to go down ao u can have an accurate reading and I had to drive home. On another note..... 2 weeks ago I stepped on a screw that went straight thru my shoe and...

We stopped into Old Beach Bar in Panama City Beach hoping for a relaxed evening and a few drinks. While the staff behind the bar was friendly, unfortunately, our overall experience was ruined by a group of hostile locals associated with the pool league.

Despite being accompanied by a friend who is a local, we were immediately treated with suspicion and outright hostility by a few of the regulars. On our way to play a game of quarters at the “Bonus Hole” quarter game, we were harassed and accused of “disrespecting the pool league”—simply for being in the bar at all. One woman in particular quieted the entire bar and shouted that our presence alone was offensive, which set an uncomfortable tone for the rest of the visit. I was even called a “Yankee” for being from Wyoming, which was not only uncalled for but made it clear that some patrons are not interested in welcoming visitors.

I understand the importance of community and local traditions, but there’s a difference between being proud of your regulars and being hostile toward new faces. It’s a shame, because the atmosphere and potential of the bar could make for a great hangout spot if everyone felt equally welcome.

If you’re from out of town, I’d recommend finding a spot where you’re not made to feel like an outsider just for walking...