Panama City, Florida, is known for its fun-filled days, but what happens when the sun sets? The entertainment doesn’t stop just because there’s no more natural light, of course. This thriving nightlife is coupled with a welcoming atmosphere, guaranteeing you a time to remember. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to check out everything these must-visit spots have to offer.
Longboards Restaurant and Bar
Image via Unsplash by @louishansel
8746 Thomas Drive
Longboards Restaurant and Bar serves a wide variety of food, aiming to please just about any palate. Try the gourmet tacos, delicious pizzas, or mouthwatering burgers before you bust a move. After you eat, head upstairs to the restaurant’s Tsunami Club, which features some of the beach’s most popular DJs playing dance music.
If you’re more of a wallflower, that’s perfectly fine. Stick to the main level and watch your favorite game on one of the 30-plus televisions. Longboards also has two of the largest television screens on the beach. The establishment opens at 11 a.m. each day. Closing time is 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, midnight Wednesday, 10 p.m. Thursday, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Ms. Newby’s
8711 Thomas Drive
A local favorite, Ms. Newby’s has been in business for more than 45 years. The owners have expanded their reach in Panama City by adding two other locations: Brew & Booze House and Newby’s Too with the Endzone Sports Bar. Each of these facilities houses a package store that features a wide selection of wine, beer, spirits, and cigars. Also, all sites have bars known for their signature drinks, such as the Hunch Punch.
If you’re looking for some entertainment, you’re in luck, as the bars all have ongoing events, including karaoke and live music. Every Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Ms. Newby’s hosts Karaoke Mania, while on Wednesdays at 9 p.m., you can enjoy open mic night. The bars also remain open until 4 a.m., so you can extend your night out a little longer than most Panama City nightlife spots.
Patches Pub & Grill
4723 Thomas Drive
Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, Patches Pub & Grill is one of the places to be, especially if you’re looking for delicious food and live entertainment. Its made-to-order pizzas are topped with delicious pizza sauce, a special house blend of cheese, and your favorite toppings. You can also try the wings, which come with your choice of mild, medium, or very hot sauce. This establishment hosts live music almost every night of the week from 6-10 p.m. Head outside to the patio to listen to the music while smelling the sea air.
Schooners
5121 Gulf Drive
Called the Last Local Beach Club as one of the last open-air hangouts left on the Gulf Coast, Schooners serves delicious dinner and has stunning sunset views. Known as The Beach Party back in the 1960s, the establishment changed hands in 1985, and Jim Canon renamed it Schooners. Although many people believe it was in reference to the ship, the name came from a time when Jim was sitting in Australia drinking an ice-cold schooner of beer when he learned this bar was for sale. He cut his vacation short and flew back to Florida to purchase it.
Schooners is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Make sure you come early for its nightly sunset celebration, in which it fires off an old cannon at sunset to celebrate the end of another beautiful day and the beginning of the night. This happens rain or shine. Then stick around and enjoy live music from local artists.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
700 S. Pier Park Drive, Suite 700
Although the original Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is found in Nashville, Tennessee, this Panama City location brings a little bit of country music to Florida. Hattie “Tootsie” Louis Tatum purchased the original location in 1960, and she got the inspiration for the bar’s name from a painter who used an orchid color to paint her new purchase. Over the years, famous customers have included Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline, and Willie Nelson, who received his first songwriting job after performing here. She opened the Panama City establishment in 2008, and it has hosted live entertainment weekly.
During the summer, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., although the kitchen closes at 9 p.m. Keep in mind that every evening from 6 until 8 p.m., children under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. After 8 p.m., only those age 21 and older are allowed inside the establishment.
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill
1151 Bayview Ave.
Located in historic St. Andrews, Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill provides fantastic food and an incredible view. This quaint home dates back to the late 1800s, making it one of the oldest in the area. The family bequeathed the home to the area to serve as a restaurant and landmark near St. Andrews Marina. You might think the home seems small from the outside, but it has ample space for you to enjoy a night out in Panama City.
The extensive menu features many seafood dishes, pasta, steak, chicken, and sandwiches. Don’t forget to look at the drink menu, which has more than a dozen specialty cocktails. Try The Sassy Senorita, the watermelon margarita, or the best-selling Brazillian Kiss. After grabbing a bite and drink, stick around for some live music, which occurs nightly from 7-10 p.m. The restaurant itself is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What do you think of this list by Panama City Toyota? No matter what your scene, are you ready to hit one of these Panama City spots to enjoy a little nightlife? Or did we happen to miss one of your favorite places? If we did, please let us know so we can add it to our list.
