Jimmy Buffett said, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” But if it’s not quite quitting time just yet, don’t panic. Some bars can move wherever you like — think floating tiki bar boats, vintage trucks with keg systems, or a bus to serve you drinks wherever you desire. Here are a few innovative businesses that can help you avoid the beach bar crowds, while enjoying fresh perspectives.
Birmingham’s Bubbles & Brews, a Get Cozy franchise, offers a vintage Italian Piaggio Ape-converted-into-mobile-bar serving prosecco, craft beers, and cocktails.
Oh, and her name is Betty.
Sisters Danielle and Lindsay dreamed of opening a business together. After 15 years in the corporate world, some toddlers, and a pandemic, that dream is now a reality. “We love girls’ trips, good cocktails, and parties, and after doing some research, we found Get Cozy. We thought it was a great fit.”
Betty burns up the roads from Alabama to Destin, Florida, with her seven taps, personalized experiences, and vintage vibe. Get Cozy BHM provides bartenders (it’s a sister act), but customers are responsible for liquid procurement.
*Website: getcozybars.com / IG: @getcozyvintagemobilebars
Tap the Coast
Launching a business during the pandemic wasn’t ideal for Pensacola-native Dannon Hooks, but now her vintage 1975 Serro Scotty camper travels the Florida panhandle and southern Alabama, delivering mobile bar services to thirsty customers.
Her modernized camper is equipped to dispense beer, wine, bubbly, cocktails, and more, although the customer provides the libations. The funky bar also features a digital video/photo booth with Instant Share on board. Hooks routinely hosts private cocktail parties and workshops, and you know this entrepreneur has a good sense of humor when her tagline is “#IdTapThat.”
Website: tapthecoast.com / IG: @tapthecoast
Brew Bus Gulf Coast
Tori and Brandon Justesen were searching bar options for their wedding when lightning struck. The Alabama natives saw a need and filled it with their 1966 vintage van converted to the Brew Bus. Based in Mobile, Alabama, they pick up and deliver your chosen beverages and provide the Brew Bus, which is designed to deliver tap liquids, and a taptender. Customers can opt for a photoshoot to capture those Kodak moments.
Website: brewbusgulfcoast.com / IG: @brew_bus
Cruisin’ Tikis
Once upon a time, a retired engineer from Fort Lauderdale built a backyard tiki bar. But it grew too large, so he threw it over the sea wall, put a motor on it, and Cruisin’ Tikis was born.
The Blaises from Vancouver, Washington, packed up their three kids and moved to Florida to open a franchise, Cruisin’ Tikis Destin. The Blaise brothers, Ian and Sean, became boat captains to their six-passenger, octagon-shaped tiki cruisers, where it’s about “kicking back, and enjoying the ride.”
They provide coolers, ice, shot paddles (great for photo ops), and Bluetooth for tunes, but customers bring their own tasty libations. Cruisin’ Tikis Destin offers 3-hour jaunts to Crab Island (not really an island, but more of a state of mind), 1.5-hour sunset and fireworks cruises, and off-season adventures such as holiday cruises. As they say, “Why go bar hopping, when you can hop on the bar?”
Website: www.cruisintikisdestin.com / IG: @cruisintikisdestin
Featuring six taps and a chilled trunk for spirits, wine, and soft drinks, Kombi Keg 30A is the ultimate drive-in, drive-out experience. Childhood buds Kevin and Patrick bring over 30 years of service and event experience with their vintage VW Kombi Van. From Pensacola to Tallahassee, they serve up ice-cold beverages, glasses, staff, and a roof-top TV across the Florida Panhandle. Movie night on the beach, anyone?
Website: kombikeg.com / IG: @KombiKeg30A
