Sneaky Tiki, Water Pig BBQ and Seagull Sam's reopen for spring, plus more restaurant news
From brand-new beach "Island Hour" specials to restaurants and bars reopening for the warmer weather, we have some exciting updates from your favorite restaurants spanning Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. In our latest batch of News Bites, we feature restaurants reopening this March after winter closures, new food and drink specials and one-of-a-kind collaboration dinners coming up from some of your favorite area chefs.
Restaurants/bars coming out of hibernation in March
Sneaky Tiki Bar
Pensacola Beach bar Sneaky Tiki is making waves with its reopening weekend party starting on March 1. Sneaky Tiki will be celebrating with a new 2024 signature cocktail list and a half-off happy hour on Friday. Complementary afternoon bites will be provided by Conchitas Personal Chef & Catering along with live music by Brooks Johnson from 4-7 p.m. The celebration continues March 2 for “Tribal Saturday” with live music by The Blind Mullets from 2 p.m. to sunset, a free cookout at 3 p.m., fire dancers at sunset (weather permitting) and temporary tribal tattoos and new drink specials all day. On Sunday, there will be kick-off weekend drink specials and music by DJQ$ at 2 p.m. Events are 21+ but children are allowed with parents under supervision as well as dogs allowed on leashes. Outside food is allowed inside but no outside drinks. Sneaky Tiki Bar is located at 17 Via De Luna Drive.
Water Pig BBQ
Water Pig BBQ is reopening for the spring season at 11 a.m. on March 1. Water Pig is known for bringing fresh-smoked barbecue meats to Pensacola Beach, including brisket, pulled pork and ribs. In addition to the normal barbecue menu, they will be offering a weekend brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. including a crispy smoked chicken ‘n waffles, a brisket benedict atop a homemade griddled corn muffin and breakfast burrito filled with candied bacon. Starting March 1, Water Pig will be open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Water Pig BBQ is located at 5 Via De Luna Drive.
The Grillehouse & Seagull Sam’s
Navarre’s upscale steakhouse The Grillehouse Seafood & Steaks and outdoor casual counterpart Seagull Sam’s announced a sudden seasonal closure last November. Owner Clint Boutwell said the decision was strictly a business one, as the winter sales were less than the weekly payroll. Now as weather is warming up, Boutwell posted on social media that both restaurants are almost full staffed for a reopening for The Grillehouse on March 5 and Seagull Sam’s on March 8. The Grillehouse will be open Tuesday through Sunday and Seagull Sam’s will be open Friday through Sunday nights with a weekend brunch. The restaurants are located at 8491 Navarre Parkway.
Brand new food and drink deals to dive into
Atlas Oyster House- $.75 Oyster Tuesdays
Atlas Oyster House has maintained a reputation as the go-to spot for fresh, inexpensive oysters. When the restaurant was rebranded during the summer of 2023, with a menu exploring fresh takes on raw and baked oysters, a discount day was not part of it. Now on Tuesdays, that’s all about to change. Every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m., Atlas will be offering Gulf Coast oysters for just $.75 each. Now, sunset-soaked evenings out on the 600 South Barracks St. patio filled with cold beer and oysters on ice are in the forecast.
Whiskey Joe’s- Island Hour
You don’t have to wait for the weekend to make a trip out to Pensacola Beach with Whiskey Joe’s new Island Hour. From 3-6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, select draft beers go on sale for $2 and appetizers go half-off. along with a variety of other specials. Island Hour appetizers include Joe’s Pile of Nachos, Chips & Queso Dip, Coconut Mahi Nuggets, Joe’s Fish Tacos, Joe’s Boneless Fried Chicken and a $1 oyster special sold by the half or whole dozen. Drink specials include select $2 draft beers, $2.50 well drinks, $3 house wine and $4 signature cocktails including margaritas, mojitos, rum runners, Bahama mamas and bushwackers. There are no substitutions to happy hour items listed. Whiskey Joe’s is located at 400 Quietwater beach Road Suite 13.
Agapi Bistro + Garden - Third Anniversary menu
As a way of saying "thank you" to Pensacola for three years of business in the East Pensacola Heights neighborhood, Agapi Bistro + Garden is offering a three-course dinner for only $33 (plus tax and gratuity) from Feb. 20-28. For the first course, guests may choose between a vegan-friendly creamy white bean soup or Agapi house salad. The second course is the choice of 6-ounce CAB filet with Skopelos potatoes, broccolini and bordelaise; a Salmon En Croute with spinach and feta filling, lemon dill cream sauce, capers, broccolini and sundried tomatoes; a roasted pheasant with Hasselback potatoes, truffle butter, butternut squash, Swiss chard and blackberry agrodolce; or a vegan lentil Bolognese with rigatoni, tomato, arugula, walnuts and vegan parmesan. The final course includes a choice of YiaYia's Baklava or vegan chocolate cake. Reservations are encouraged but not required. For more menu details and reservations, visit Agapi online at MyAgapi.com.
Chef collaboration dinners
Keith Pardue x Rusty Strain on March 12
You may know Keith Pardue from Alice’s Restaurant and more recently, the South Market/ Pensacola Smokehouse restaurant group. Pardue, who owns a private chef business called Elevated Entrée, will be teaming up with Rusty Strain of A Rustyc Spoon and Common Labor for a meal you won’t forget. The five-course meal will take place at Marcus Pointe Golf Club on March 12. Courses include a Caribbean grouper ceviche with Cajun caviar, a pressed watermelon burrata salad, squid ink linguine with champagne braised mussels, ribeye medallion with chestnut mushrooms and a Biscoff cookie butter bread pudding with bourbon caramel. Limited seatings are available for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Marcus Pointe Gulf Club. Entry is $100 per person and diners pay upon arrival.
Darian Hernandez x Kara Mardell on March 19
Chopped champion and Brother Fox executive chef Darian Hernandez is bringing the heat in a special collaboration with Kara Mardell, the former executive chef for Beach House Social and current executive chef at Specialty Restaurants. The collaborative dinner titled “Fire & Vine” will feature dishes straight from the grill with select wine pairings. The three-hour dinner event will begin at 6 p.m. at Brother Fox Sister Hen located at 415 North Alcaniz St. Tickets are $175 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Beach restaurants Water Pig BBQ Sneaky Tiki reopen
