Despite being known for its laid-back vibe, St. Simons Island offers a diverse array of happening nightlife options nestled among its beach community.
Whether you are looking for an intimate cocktail bar, a late-night bite at a dive bar, or the chance to play a round of pool with friends and strangers, the Georgia island’s bar options offer a little bit of everything.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best bars for you to enjoy during your stay on St. Simons Island.
Wine Bars, Cocktail Lounges, and Breweries
Barrier Island Brewing
- Address: 1226 Ocean Boulevard Suite #1, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $$
- Vibe: Casual
Opened in 2019, Barrier Island Brewing is a family-owned brewery serving craft beer proudly brewed in-house. Their craft beer menu includes lagers, IPAs, wheat beers, and porters.
They also offer unique small plates like their Diver’s Scallops and Hash, Potato Chip Skillet, and Beet Hummus. Located near East Beach, Barrier Island Brewing offers a quaint coastal atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating and a full bar for guests looking to try a cocktail if beer isn’t their thing.
Golden Isles Olive Oil Wine Bar & Restaurant
- Address: 306 Redfern Village, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $$
- Vibe: Casual
It may seem odd to suggest an olive oil shop, Golden Isles, as a happy hour spot, but this specialty grocery store delivers more than just take-home goods.
This cozy neighborhood spot offers the chance to gather with friends over delicious seasonal food and quality wine.
Visitors can enjoy an olive oil or wine tasting over a large charcuterie board to share while enjoying the communal bar seating. The experience is inviting, educational, sophisticated, and low-key all at once. Golden Isles Olive Oil Wine Bar is the perfect place to enjoy happy hour and appetizers before dinner.
Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar
- Address: 12 Market Street, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $$
- Vibe: High-end
Dorothy’s is best known for two things: cocktails and raw oysters. Dorothy’s delivers both classic, timeless cocktails and one-of-a-kind originals. With specialty drink names like Gucci Wallpaper and The Last Waltz, you are in for a true treat when it comes to enjoying their creations.
The chic, sophisticated, and modern atmosphere makes it a great spot to dress up with your crew and enjoy an upscale bar scene. Their raw oyster bar makes for the perfect pairing for cocktails, whether you are looking to start here for appetizers or stay for entrees.
ECHO St. Simons
- Address: 101 Downing Street, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $$
- Vibe: Beachy, High-End
Located in the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on East Beach, ECHO St. Simon’s is a breezy restaurant delivering delicious food and cocktails with an ocean view.
If you are staying to dine, their Thai Barbeque Salmon and Wild Georgia Shrimp Tacos are divine. Their rotating specialty cocktail menus make it ideal for enjoying happy hour here any day of the week. Wine Down Wednesday offers $5 glasses of wine, while Margarita Monday allows visitors to enjoy their margarita specials.
And, of course, you won’t want to miss their live music events every Wednesday and Thursday night.
Whether you come for cocktails, oceanfront views, or live music, ECHO has a little something for everyone looking to enjoy themselves and the island.
Casual Diners
Gnat’s Landing
- Address: 306 Redfern Village, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $$
- Vibe: Beachy, Casual
Located in Redfern Village, Gnat’s Landing is the quintessential beach restaurant and bar that everyone knows and loves. White walls, bright-colored decor, and indoor/outdoor seating give it a breezy, coastal vibe that screams vacation.
A family-owned American restaurant, Gnat’s Landing offers classic diner food like fresh seafood, wings, bbq fries, and Mexican style nachos. They also have a specialty drink menu featuring “Gnatails,” including their famous Perfect Margarita.
Gnat’s is also known for its live events featuring local bands, its wide selection of craft beer, and providing a kid-friendly environment for the whole family to enjoy.
Brogen’s South
- Address: 200 Pier Aly, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $
- Vibe: Beachy, Casual
Brogen’s South is a staple in the SSI community. This local bar and grill have served the best hamburgers and beer selection for over 30 years to both locals and visitors. You can’t miss the large, wooden building with green-and-white striped awnings as you walk by.
It’s lively and casual all at once, offering music performances, a family-friendly atmosphere, and an extensive food and drink list. It’s the perfect place to get lost in island time and immerse yourself in the local community.
Dive Bars
Murphy’s Tavern
- Address: 415 Mallery Street, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $
- Vibe: Dive Bar, Casual
If you’re looking for a classic dive bar, you will not be disappointed when you enter Murphy’s Tavern. This local pub has been providing a spot for entertainment, games, live music, and good drinks for decades.
An island favorite, Murphy’s Tavern offers a relaxed, low-key atmosphere with pool tables, darts, beer on tap, and even an indoor fireplace! Cozy up in this local pub after dinner and enjoy drinks and games with your crew late into the night.
Castaways Lounge
- Address: 233 Edwards Plaza PE, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $
- Vibe: Dive Bar, Casual
If you’re looking for a spot for some late-night dancing and karaoke, we recommend Castaways Lounge. Friendly bartenders, lively karaoke, pool tables, and excellent cocktails make this spot perfect for lingering with friends into the morning hours.
Opening at 9 pm most nights, it’s the spot to go after dinner to enjoy the best that SSI nightlife has to offer.
Ziggy’s
- Address: 210 Retreat Village, St. Simons Island
- Price Point: $
- Vibe: Dive Bar, Casual
Located in Retreat Village, Ziggy’s has been a beloved destination for live music, good food, and late-night dancing for over 20 years.
It might be unassuming on the outside, but walk inside, and you’ll find that all the great dive bars are made of lines of pool tables, plenty of high-top seating, and even a tiki bar waiting for you to order your favorite drink. They also serve everyone’s favorite bar snacks, from loaded fries to buffalo wings.
Enjoy a Taste of SSI’s Nightlife Scene
No matter what bar atmosphere you enjoy most, our Georgia coastal town of St. Simons Island offers nightlife options for every visitor. Whether you are looking for a happy hour before dinner, a casual spot to drink beer and watch a game, or a late-night vibe for karaoke and dancing.
The best bars are scattered from Pier Village to Redfern Village and everywhere in between, making it easy to find exactly what you are looking for to enjoy the bar scene while staying at an SSI luxury vacation rental.
Be sure to check out our St. Simon’s Island restaurant guide as well!
