News Summary
The Tiki Hut Beach Bar in Hilton Head, South Carolina, has secured third place in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the best beach bar in the country. Established in 1977, this bar is known for its lively atmosphere, beachfront live music, and diverse menu reflecting Southern and coastal cuisine. The only South Carolina beach bar in the top rankings this year, the Tiki Hut continues to attract locals and tourists alike. The competition highlighted several beach bars nationwide, with Florida taking the top two spots.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
The Tiki Hut Beach Bar, located at Beach House in Hilton Head, has been awarded third place in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the best beach bar in the United States. This esteemed recognition highlights the bar’s popularity among beachgoers, marking it as the only beach bar from South Carolina to feature in the top rankings this year.
The Tiki Hut has remained a beloved fixture of Hilton Head since its establishment in 1977. Renowned as the island’s only beachfront live music venue, it attracts guests with its vibrant atmosphere and scenic ocean views. Situated at 1 South Forest Beach Drive in the Coligny Beach area, the bar offers a unique blend of entertainment and relaxation for visitors.
In addition to its lively ambiance, the Tiki Hut Beach Bar boasts an extensive menu consisting of various meals, shareable plates, and refreshing drinks. The offerings reflect a rich mix of classic Southern cuisine infused with coastal-inspired dishes, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
The Tiki Hut operates daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., welcoming both locals and tourists eager to enjoy its vibrant beachfront environment.
Top Rankings Overview
The competition for the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards featured numerous beach bars nationwide, with the top two positions secured by establishments in Florida. The Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar in Daytona Beach claimed first place, while Flora-Bama in Pensacola took second place.
Other notable beach bars in the 2025 rankings included:
- 4th: Reunion Kitchen + Drink in Santa Barbara, California
- 5th: Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Waimea, Hawaii
- 6th: Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu, Hawaii
- 7th: Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach at Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island, Florida
- 8th: The Crow’s Nest in Santa Cruz, California
- 9th: House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii
- 10th: Edge of Waikiki at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii
About the Awards
The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards aim to spotlight remarkable locations across various travel and lifestyle categories. The nomination process involves a careful curation by a panel of travel experts, followed by selections made by USA Today 10Best editors to finalize the nominees.
Public participation plays a key role in deciding the winners, with voters having the opportunity to cast their votes for their preferred nominees during a four-week period. Participants must be at least 18 years old and can vote once per category each day. To ensure fairness, votes generated through automated systems are prohibited and deemed invalid.
This announcement was published on June 5, 2025, celebrating the continued legacy and popularity of Tiki Hut Beach Bar as a treasured destination for beach enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort County Food Businesses Face Health Inspection Challenges
Hilton Head Island Named Top Beach Bar Destination
Hilton Head Island Celebrates Beach Recognition and Dog Restrictions
Improvements Underway at Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island
Remembering Jay Wiendl: A Leader in Hilton Head Hospitality
First Sea Turtle Nest of 2025 Season Found on Hilton Head Island
Legal Challenges Stall Hotel Construction in Beaufort
Hilton Head Marina Collapse Raises Safety Concerns
Hilton Head Island Mourns Jay Wiendl, Hospitality Leader
Hilton Head Beach Renourishment Project Update
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Hilton Head Island
- AOL News
- Google Search: Hilton Head South Carolina
- Savannah Now
- Google Scholar: Hilton Head beach bars
- WJCL News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hilton Head Island
- Legacy
- Google News: Tiki Hut Hilton Head
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
