Our visit to Sandshaker Lounge on Pensacola Beach left us with two things: a clear impression of the lounge itself and a desire to learn more about its history. The land Sandshaker Lounge is built upon has been home to some of the most dramatic skirmishes in Florida history, and we found ourselves fascinated by the juxtaposition between then and now.
Today, you can listen to a band play on the patio without thinking about the Native Americans who once hunted on that spot and built their homes nearby. You can sing karaoke without wondering what it was like for the Natives as they were pushed off the land by the Spanish or participate in trivia night without remembering the fierce battles between the Spanish and French as they fought for this bountiful piece of land. It’s possible to walk into Sandshaker Lounge for a night of classic rock without wondering what it was like for locals as Great Britain warred with France for ownership of the area, or how residents in 1783 felt about this western-most section of the Florida panhandle becoming part of the newly-minted United States of America.
For hundreds of years men fought to call this little piece of paradise their own. White sands as far as the eye can see and waters so blue they look as though they were painted by a Disney artist. Today, men in cutoff shorts and women in bikini tops make themselves at home, presumably unaware of how precious a spot they’re visiting.
It’s not unusual to see dozens of motorcycles parked outside Sandshaker Lounge or to notice that nearly every man in the bar is wearing a baseball cap of some kind. While the phrase “dive bar” is not quite accurate, Sandshaker is anything but fancy – and that seems to be just the way regulars like it.
Our visit helped us better understand the draw, the reason so many people enjoy Sandshaker Lounge.
Here are a few things we appreciated:
The Bushwacker
The term “Bushwacker” originally referred to a form of guerilla warfare made popular during the Revolutionary War and later, the Civil War. The Bushwacker Sandshaker Lounge is famous for is of the cocktail variety. Although Sandshaker insists they created the drink, other pubs make the same claim (most famously, the Sapphire Pub at Sapphire Village in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands).
The original Bushwacker recipe used vodka, Kahlua, dark crème de cacoa, cream of coconut, triple sec, and a splash of spun milk sprinkled with nutmeg. Sandshaker offers a variety of Bushwacker cocktails and from what we can gather, everyone seems to have a favorite. It appears that Sandshaker patrons lean toward rum rather than vodka and frequently ask the bartender to add banana or strawberry to their concoction. It surprised us to learn that when we ordered a Bushwacker we were asked whether we preferred 80 proof or 151 proof rum.
Plenty to Do
In addition to trivia night, classic rock events, live concerts, and karaoke, there are also pool tables that host some of the most raucous games of pool we have ever witnessed (which led to the suspicion that players ordered the 151 proof rum). If you would rather test your poker skills, there are also games of Texas Hold Em on nights when no bands are playing.
Overall, Sandshaker Lounge is worth a visit, if only to try one of their Bushwackers. If you do decide to order the famous drink, ask a couple of regulars about their favorites. It’s a great way to try something new.
Insider Tips:
-Bands sometimes perform outside on the big stage. If you prefer to see them up close, arrive early enough to find a good seat.
-Live music nights are particularly crowded and parking is at a premium. Expect to get creative while finding a parking spot or come by taxi (which is a great idea if you’re going to partake in Bushwackers).