After four long months of renovations, Landshark Landing at the Margaritaville Beach Hotel is back and better than ever.
“They’ve basically made it new again,” said Margaritaville Bar Manager Nate Simmons.
“All of the tables have been painted, the bar top has been completely redone, the bar itself has been restained, and they’ve taken down the old decorations and put up all new ones.”
They have even brought in new sand for their back beach, hung new hammocks and updated the kids area. The Landshark has always been a great place for the whole family to hang out, but their biggest improvement might just make it your go-to spot on Pensacola Beach.
“We are a full, legit restaurant now,” Simmons said. Their menu ranges from light items like the boiled Gulf shrimp and house-made hummus to beach staples like their “fin’tastic” tacos and fish and chips and the crab cake sandwich.
Simmons believes that the biggest home run on Executive Chef Eric Troup’s menu is the smoked-tuna dip.
“I’ve tried every smoked-tuna dip on the island, and nothing compares to what we do here,” Simmons said.
They also have chicken fingers, hot dogs and other items for the pickier eaters in your group.
Not only do they have a new food menu, but the booze in their blender would also make Mr. Buffett proud. You definitely want to try the Blue Angel Lemonade, an homage to our favorite boys in blue that features huckleberry vodka, Aylesbury vodka, mint, and a freshly squeezed and house-made lemonade.
If you are looking for a frozen concoction to help you hang on, try the Havanas Bananas. This beachy treat combines Margaritaville dark rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream, a banana liqueur and pina colada mix. For $15, you can even get your cocktail in a 22-ounce souvenir cup that can be refilled for only $9.
Just a few years ago, Landshark Landing ranked 24th on CNN’s “World’s 50 Best Beach Bars” list, and Simmons believes it is more worthy of the title now than ever before.
“This is the coolest spot on Pensacola Beach,” Simmons said. “You’ve got the view, the back beach, a full restaurant and bar, and parking. I don’t know of a better spot.”
Landshark is throwing a weekend-long party to celebrate the reopening beginning Friday, just in time for Sunday’s Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras parade.
It will be open 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. There will be live music every night and $2 beer and $4 margaritas all weekend.
Sign up for the cornhole tournament Saturday for a chance to win a $50 bar tab. They will also have kite flying and beach games to keep the kids entertained, for those who want to bring the whole family. The Landshark will be open only on the weekend for the next few weeks, but once summer comes you’ll be able to live the island lifestyle every day.
So, walk your blown-out flip-flops over to Landshark Landing and claim your hammock. It’s time to waste away in Margaritaville again, my friends.
Want to go?
WHAT: Landshark Landing reopening weekend-long party
WHEN: 4-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach
FEATURES: Live music every night; $2 beer and $4 margaritas all weekend
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