Florida’s Ocean Deck restaurant named the top beach bar in the U.S. for 2025

Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club Ranks Among Top Beach Bars

Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club in Daytona Beach, Florida, has recently been recognized by USA Today readers as one of the top ten beach bars for 2025. This popular spot is joined by other Florida establishments, including the Flora Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar, which placed second, and Slappy Joe’s, coming in seventh, both located along the Gulf Coast.

Situated close to the Atlantic Ocean, Ocean Deck attracts both devoted locals and tourists, especially during Daytona Beach’s Bike Week and NASCAR events. Starting as a humble hot dog stand back in 1957, the venue has since grown into a full restaurant and bar. The current owners, Connie and Matt Fuerst, took over in 2012 from long-time proprietor Dick Kee.

“He always said he wanted to own this place,” Connie mentioned about Matt, who has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry. They pride themselves on a relaxed atmosphere where beachgoers can stroll in without needing to change out of their swimsuits.

Every weekend, the bar hosts beach concerts and fun karaoke nights, contributing to its lively vibe. Their kitchen remains open until 1 AM, which is quite appealing, especially for the night owls looking for late-night snacks.

Connie recommends trying the Ocean Decker, notably described as a “giant burger monster.” It boasts layers of onion rings, cheese, bacon, ham, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. “It’s about eight inches tall,” she explained, adding that they often have to stick a steak knife in it to keep everything intact. “People love it,” she said with enthusiasm.

Interestingly, Hawaii has the most beach bars in the top ten rankings, although they are mostly within resort areas. California follows with two entries, while South Carolina has just one—the Beach House Tiki Hat.