The Red Bar — Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach

An Eclectic Gem in Grayton Beach: The Red Bar

Grayton Beach, Florida, is a charming and historic community nestled along the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in the late 19th century, Grayton Beach has maintained its quaint, old-Florida charm while becoming a beloved destination for tourists and locals alike. The area is known for its stunning white sand beaches, vibrant arts scene, and a laid-back atmosphere that invites relaxation and enjoyment.

One of the most iconic establishments in Grayton Beach is The Red Bar. Founded in 1995 by Oliver Petit, The Red Bar quickly became a beloved hotspot thanks to its unique ambiance, delicious food, and live music. The story of The Red Bar is as colorful as its décor, which is a fascinating collection of eclectic memorabilia and vintage items that Oliver began accumulating long before opening the bar. His passion for collecting oddities and antiques is evident in every corner of the establishment, from the vintage movie posters to the quirky knick-knacks that adorn the walls.

The Red Bar has attracted a number of celebrities and notable figures over the years, becoming a favorite spot for those seeking a relaxed yet lively environment. It's not uncommon to see artists, musicians, and actors enjoying a meal or a drink at this beloved venue. The Red Bar's unique charm and excellent reputation have made it a must-visit for anyone in the area.

Grayton Beach itself has a rich history, including its role as a haven for artists and bohemians in the early 20th century. The community has always been a place where creativity and free-spirited living are celebrated. The area also played a role during World War II as a training ground for troops due to its secluded beaches and dense forests.

The Red Bar is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a popular happy hour from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. During happy hour, patrons can enjoy discounted drinks and special appetizers, making it the perfect time to unwind after a day at the beach. The bar also features live music every evening, adding to the vibrant and inviting atmosphere that has made The Red Bar a staple in Grayton Beach.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, The Red Bar offers a unique experience that captures the essence of Grayton Beach. With its eclectic décor, delicious food, and lively entertainment, it's no wonder that The Red Bar has become a beloved institution in this historic...

Let me begin by stating that we have been faithful customers to Red Bar for ten years. It has always been a requirement for our family to make it a staple of our annual vacation. Unfortunately, one person can ruin your whole evening experience and when you’re dropping around $350 minimum, you expect friendly service as well as accommodating. This was why we were so shocked by the snarky attitude we received almost immediately from our server (Server 31 - Alivia… according to our dinner receipt). The ambience of the Red Bar is intentionally very dark. Alivia started off on the wrong foot with us when we tried to shine a light on the menu board. She overreacted and spoke to us as if we were school children being told to listen because she was going to read it to us. The overall tone and facial expression was condescending and cocky. The attitude of the server was disrespectful and flippant. With a party of eight, we saw her at the most four times. We were unhappy with one of our meals, and the waitress gave an indifferent response instead of genuinely asking how can she can make it right. She returned to the table after correcting the meal, 20 minutes later, and referred to my husband as “How is Mr.No sauce?” The reason for her snide remark was because he asked for extra sauce because the pasta was dry. That snarky comment was the last thing she said to the table before bringing the check - again - after a lengthy wait I what was at this point an all but empty dining room. In the light of the dismal service, we truly regret leaving the tip (most of us at our table last night have worked in restaurants and would never dream of that… however , this should have been the exception to the rule). We thought about asking to speak to the manager on duty about the horrible service, but we didn’t see anyone who seemingly matched that description and decided to simply vote with our feet and will never step foot in Red Bar again. Hoping that his scathing review reaches both the Red Bar ownership (so they can affect changes and maybe train our server Alivia out of some unprofessional and obnoxious habits) - and as many potential diners as possible, so they can spend their time & money elsewhere in Grayton Beach.

Warm Regards-...

For a place that gets this much attention from celebrities, tourists, and even locals, I can't even begin to understand why. Like we get the Planet Hollywood meets hippy/hipster meets Jewish ruin bar in Budapest vibe and how that would attract people. But that's about where the appeal stops for us.

We walked in, and the place had no wait but a good-sized crowd, busy but not booked or overwhelming. Still early enough before it got super crazy. We probably waited close to 10 minutes (could have been 8, could have been 12) before a host game up to greet us. We were sat and had to wait a few more minutes for a waiter to come and take our drink order. No big deal, it is what it is. Things happen in restaurants all the time. Eventually, we got our drinks, decided what we wanted to eat, ordered all within another 10-15 min or so, give or take.

What happens next is why we'll never go back and we'd never recommend it to anybody. Our main food came out before the appetizer. This should never happen, and I say that as somebody who worked in the industry many years ago but my wife currently works in fine dining and they would get fired if they did that or allowed it to happen. Furthermore, when we asked for silverware, after noticing we didn't have any, we were told they didn't have any clean silverware and were working in the back to get some cleaned. I mean, this wasn't 6am or 9pm. It was like 11-12 in the middle of the day. They also got my wife's order slightly wrong, but not so wrong that she had to send it back. We just dealt with it.

The food itself left a lot to be desired. You can get the same quality of chicken tenders at any fast food joint in the area. Their pizza bread was bland, could have made it better at home. Fries were okay. Blue cheese was a little runny, lacked thickness and chunks. The side of hot sauce was probably the best thing there.

They also do not offer a locals OR military discount, which in a massive military area and a state with one of the highest, if not the highest veteran population in the country it's highly disrespectful and shameful. Especially when you've got lackluster service and poor...