Kalua Beach Bar — Restaurant in Tavares

Didn't realize until after we got there this is basically an outdoor bar on the water. No indoor seating, no AC. Sat down at a long narrow high top, after of course clearing bugs off the seat. (It is outside) Looked at the limited menu and placed an order. Food came out and the fries were seasoned ( ordered with no seasoning) the girl took them back saying she would replace them with the right ones. I got the chicken tenders but was never offered any dipping sauce. Wife got the burger and said it had no flavor. Replacement fries showed up after the burger was finished. Asked for refills on drinks, that never happened. Wasn't pleased when another customer started smoking. While I sat there a crow walked up expecting a handout. So, as they name says, this is a bar. They don't have wait staff, they have barmaids. They don't have walls so nature comes to visit. (Fly's, nats, flying ants, tiny spiders, birds and who knows what) The food was, well "bar food", and nothing to bring you back for more. So, Atmosphere, not that good, unless you like eating among nature's little critters. Staff, quit to get you booze, but slow and inattentive for anything else. Cleanliness, I didn't see much effort in that area, or in overall maintenance. This place has a few hazard you need to look out for. I know this from experience. When we went to sit at another table near friends I took an unplanned trip with a destination called concrete floor. There's a change in floor elevation that's difficult to see when walking towards the lake. (See photos) There are no warning signs, no big safety yellow stripes. The word "caution" is nowhere to be seen. As I went down heading for the concrete what went through my head was how this could make my three resent spinal surgeries pointless. There's absolutely no way I'm the only person who's taken this "trip" especially considering this is a bar. So, if you don't mind mediocre food, indifferent barmaids, request being ignored, little bugs flying around, sitting outside in the heat, and taking the chance of kissing concrete. This might be the place for you. Note: Maybe the reason I wasn't offered dipping sauce is because they were running low. Possibly because a lot of those little packages are thrown on the ground around the parking area, waiting like little landminds for you to step on them and explode sauce in all directions. In my opinion - To be fair, this is a bar. And not a very good one. Certainly,...

As a local to the Golden Triangle for many years, I’ve always wanted to give this place a try. Finally came during the Sea Plane Festival and what a big disappointment! The atmosphere is great, the prices are reasonable, the food was okay, but the staff was horrible! Got a table right in front of the stage where a young man was playing the guitar with a beautiful voice and nice view of Lake Dora. We waited and waited but a server never came. I understand it was super busy with the festival going on but to get completely blown off? I had to go to the bar and placed my order and still took forever. So my husband and I left but I felt bad leaving since our order was already in, so we turned around and came back, lo and behold there was a couple sitting in our spot with a bucket full of beers! We had no problem finding another spot to sit but still no server so went to the bar to get our food. What really pissed me off is that they (the couple with the bucket of beers) got their food at the same time we got ours! How is that even possible? Naturally I felt discriminated so I brought it to the manager’s attention and his response was “don’t play that discrimination card here” and wasn’t sincerely apologetic instead just gave us a round of drinks to try to make things right. A simple heartfelt apology and reassurance that he would not allow this to happen again would’ve gone a long way and perhaps turn this review into a...

Great place to go especially if you like being around water, boats and seaplanes and may I dare say in this day and age, beautiful ladies and handsome guys like myself 🤣 if you're the opposite sex! I especially enjoy it when my friends are there or there is a lively group of friendly people! I really enjoy it when they have live bands playing good music! The food is very good and appropriately priced and the bartenders and host are courteous and polite. If you're a regular they pretty much learn your routine even if it's a little odd like me enjoying a spiked cold brew coffee when I first arrive! I like to chill and enjoy life! Kalua is definitely my go to place but I do enjoy checking out other places around Tavares and Winter Garden FL so I included a couple photos of me at other places also. Friday's and weekends are definitely more likely especially with the awesome weather lately. In summary you should have a great time if you enjoy being around other people and if you have a bad time it's most likely your own fault! If you see me there say hello because I enjoy meeting...