Anyone can stick up a shack on the sand, stock it with beers and call it a beach bar. But what makes a great beach bar? It could be the sand-in-your-toes factor, or the washing and hissing of the waves nearby, or the sunsets or the people you meet.

But the truth is there’s no formula, no magic ingredients that will guarantee a place in a list of the world’s best beach bars.

We’ve included spots that range from the chic and the elite with smooth lines and mesmerizing cocktail waiters, to the haphazard, thrown-together shacks constructed from scavenged driftwood.

The only thing these places have in common is that once you’ve been, you inevitably start planning to get back there someday, somehow.

50. La Plancha, Bali, Indonesia

 

How did a simple beach shack beat out ultra luxe bars such as KU DÉ TA and Potatohead? By keeping it real.

La Plancha’s laid-back reggae beats, ice-cold beers, oversized bean bags and jugs of potent sangria have made it the spot to be from 4 p.m. every day.

Surfers use the spot as a strip-down, wax-on spot before catching the last waves of the day. But La Plancha’s biggest draw is the sunset.

An uninterrupted view of the changing pink-to-red-to-orange sky will have you seriously considering retiring here, even though you’re only 28 and broke.

Double Six Beach, Bali; +62 0361 890 0000; www.laplanchabali.com.

 

49. Nikki Beach, Miami, United States

 

This cool club with a rep for its strict door policy -- be irresistibly beautiful or don't turn up without a reservation -– didn’t invent the beach bar, but it did reinvent the genre for a generation who may never have felt the sand between their manicured toes.

St. Trop-style chill joint by day, with raised “opium beds” and linen-covered loungers, it turns into an alfresco nightclub after dark, when international DJs man the decks at weekends.

There are now Nikkis from Koh Samui to Cabo San Lucas -- not to mention the desert resorts of Las Vegas and Marrakech, where Nikki has created a modern-day mirage.

1 Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, United States; www.nikkibeachmiami.com

 

48. Tortilla Flats, Dominical, Costa Rica

 

This long-standing beach hut is a surfer hotel, seaside restaurant and happening night spot all rolled into one.

The two-story establishment is located right on the sand in the laid-back surf town of Dominical. During the day, the crowds (mostly comprising dripping wet surfers) flock to Tortilla Flats for the surprisingly good food.

As the day winds down, you can grab a drink from the well-stocked bar and watch the waves roll in against the sunset.

Tortilla Flats, Playa Dominical, Dominical, Costa Rica; +506 2787 0033; www.tortillaflatsdominical.com

 

47. Pelican Bar, Jakes Treasure Beach, Jamaica

 

When a place claims to have “the best cocktails in the sea” it’s easier to be cynical. But Pelican Bar really could have the best, because it really is in the sea.

Part of the Jakes Treasure Beach resort, the Pelican is built out on a shoal requiring a short boat ride for a visit.

No Internet, no TVs, no pool tables -- just thatched roof, seats and booze. No wonder it’s considered by fans to be the single best beach bar in the Caribbean.

Calabash Bay, Jakes Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, W.I.; www.jakeshotel.com

 

46. Purobeach, Mallorca, Spain

 

If, upon setting foot in Mallorca's Purobeach, you feel as if you've stepped into a design magazine, you're exactly right. The gorgeous beachfront property, run by Swedish entrepreneur Mats Wahlström, has been featured in countless fashionable glossies.

This no doubt accounts for its popularity among the international jet set.

At Purobeach beautiful bodies lie perennially on white loungers, sipping passion fruit mojitos under the shade of white beach umbrellas and potted palms.

During the day, Purobeach offers spa and yoga sessions to its designer swimwear-clad patrons. Come nightfall, clubbers gather around the large pool to dance to tunes from Wahlström's music label.

Montenegro, 12 Palma, Mallorca, Spain; +34 971 425 450; www.purobeach.com

 

45. Tamboo Tavern, Rincon, Puerto Rico

 

Imagine a bar where you spend lunch time bathing on the sands and drinking pina coladas, the afternoons watching old black and white movies in a cozy corner and the evenings listening to live Latino music while humpback whales break the ocean surface in front of the glowing sun.

It's not a dream -- this place exists on the idyllic coastline of Puerto Rico. It's chilled out, but lively, it's popular but roomy. If you're planning a visit to the Caribbean, make sure you visit.

Open from noon. Sandy Beach Road, 413 Interior, Puntas, Rincon, Puerto Rico; +787 823 8550; www.besidethepointe.com

 

44. Cary Arms, Babbacombe, England

Now into its third summer as a posh people's gastropub, the once-derelict Cary Arms is like a little glimpse of English heaven -- as long as the sun’s shining.

One part traditional British watering-hole with beamed ceiling and stone fireplace, non-diners can settle into a pint of Otters Ale or Bays Gold among the specialty beers.

For the hungry there's lobster and chips, the best crab sandwiches in Devon, all manner of gourmet fish dishes and the county's famous Devon cream teas. Chill to a view of the coastline in one of the Adirondack chairs on the terrace, or move fast to grab a lunch table in the high-perched pergola known as the Captain's Table.

Beach Road, Babbacombe, Devon, England; www.caryarms.co.uk

 

43. Catch Beach Club, Phuket, Thailand

 

The Thai resort's most fashionable beach bar is particularly popular on Friday night, when lamb and tuna hit the spit along with oysters and other seafood.

There's more barbecue action on Tuesdays, and drinks are a draw every night of the week, with signature cocktails including a Sly Thai and My Thai.

While reports of the cuisine are mixed, the beachfront ambiance and live music are universally acclaimed; get there early to bag one of the day beds close to the water's edge.

Twin Palms Hotel, Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand; catchbeachclub.com/index.html

 

42. Nammos beach club, Bali, Indonesia

 

Kudos for effort -- this lively watering hole aims to recreate the ambiance of a Greek island, despite being based on a bamboo platform with a roof of indigenous grass.

The only access to its home on a tranquil turquoise lagoon fringed with white sand is via a private inclinator, which transports guests up and down 100 meters of sheer limestone cliff.

While the beach is the star by day (not to mention the waiters who dive into the lagoon to collect a lunch of locally farmed seafood to order), by night the bar turns on the romance with Champagne and cold beer to lubricate the prawns and lobster.

Karma Kandara Resort, Jalan Wijaya Kusuma, Bali, Indonesia; www.karmakandara.com

 

41. Tanjong Beach Club, Singapore

 

This hideout on the sands does its best to recreate a relaxed beach attitude on the outskirts of the uptight city-state.

It came into existence thanks to a pair of not-so-uptight Aussie brothers who saw the sands of Sentosa as the perfect environment for seafood platters, tropical cocktails and good healthy fun like beach volleyball.

120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore; www.tanjongbeachclub.com

 

40. Senor Frog's, Acapulco, Mexico

 

 “Where anything can happen” is the motto of this utterly mad, love-it-or-hate-it, Spring Break vibe bar and restaurant overlooking the magnificent curve of Acapulco Bay -- and it really can.

Staff are primed to loosen visitors' inhibitions - you could find yourself drinking Campari through a straw straight from the bottle, or dancing on the table. But to get a plateful of garlic-riddled “talk to me sideways steak” you'll have to talk sideways to the waiter -- it's not listed on the menu despite being a signature dish.

Expect Jell-O shot girls and live bands at night.

Carretera Escénica 28, Fraccionamiento El Guitarrón, Acapulco, Guerrero C.P., Mexico; www.senorfrogs.net

 

39. Ju-Ju's, St. James, Barbados

 

Near Holetown on the island's west coast, this is one of the best-kept secrets in Barbados. Small but perfectly formed, it offers great food and a rustic, simple beach-bar vibe.

It’s hard to find, so look for the Fairmont Pavilion and the very chic Lone Star Inn -- it's between the two, behind a lime-green house with a “Dive Barbados” sign.

Appropriately, the bar specializes in fresh fish, including the flying variety.

Mount Steadfast, St. James, Barbados

Also on CNNGo: Thrill seeker's bucket list -- 50 things to do before you die

 

38. Hula Hula Beach bar, Hvar, Croatia

 

If it’s good enough for JAY-Z and Beyoncé, who both stopped by for drinks in early September this year, it’s good enough for a top 50.

At Hula Hula deck chairs rest against the Adriatic sea offering views of the stunning Croatian sunset. Come 5 p.m. this bar turns into a massive dance party featuring live DJs, dance parties, table dancing and Grand Prix-style Champagne showers.

The town of Hvar where Hula Hula is located has an Ibiza-like party feel, but is considerably more low-key and friendly.

Located in West Hvar, a 15-minute walk from Hvar city center, open from June to September, Praia do Rei Costa da Caparica, Croatia, +351 967 777 424

 

37. Basil's Bar, Mustique, The Grenadines

 

Perhaps Mick Jagger comes for the lobster, perhaps he comes to get down with regular Joes -- Basil’s prides itself on being a place where “sailors party with business moguls, fashion models, gardeners, rock stars and schoolteachers.”

They open at 8 a.m. for banana pancake breakfasts and the place is still hopping late at night, when DJs and house bands join the party.

Kingstown, Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; 784 488 8350; www.basilsbar.com

 

36. Moomba Beach Bar and Restaurant, Aruba

 

This big, open-air restaurant and bar jumps from breakfast till 11 p.m.; not a late, late place despite the efforts of its happy DJs.

Sunday nights are popular for US$25 all-you-can-eat barbecues, as well as more rarefied dishes like Tuscan chicken pate with spiced cranberry sauce.

JE Irausquin Boulevard 230, Aruba; +297 586 5365; moombabeach.com

 

35. Lagoon Bar, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

 

Guests of the St. Regis hotel have to climb out of their over-water villas and take a golf cart to the over-water Lagoon Bar. Non-guests are also welcome.

The restaurant and bar is suspended on stilts over the turquoise water so look down and you may catch a glimpse of dinner darting beneath your feet.

World renowned celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongetrichen offers a menu of local seafood with some European influence.

It’s one of the most extravagant beach stays on this list, with a hotel room running to US$1,000 a night. So save this one for the honeymoon.

Motu Ome'e BP 506, Bora Bora, French Polynesia; +689 607898; www.starwoodhotels.com

 

34. The Beach Bar, Asbury Park, United States

 

This ocean-side establishment does its best to bring the spirit of the tropics to the jam-packed conurbation of the northeastern United States.

Tempting offerings include strawberry mint “lemonade” underpinned with Absolute Citron and a cucumber lime gimlet. Tequila aficionados hang out for Margarita Monday, when the cocktail goes for just US$5.

A new menu promised for this summer may yield expanded choices on the current, somewhat limited fare of chips with salsa, hummus with pita, shrimp cocktail and Mexican snacks.

1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States; asburyparkbeachbar.com

 

33. Little Ochie, Alligator Pond, Jamaica

 

Seafood and Red Stripe are the twin raisons d’êtres of this colorful and gloriously ramshackle operation on Jamaica's south coast.

City dwellers drive for miles to eat jerked crab and other crustaceans in thatched boats on stilts as well as tables and chairs set out on the beach.

Reggae and Dance Hall blast from the jukebox, attracting the odd beachcombing mutt and roaming pig.

There's beer aplenty, but don't expect to find any alcohol in the signature Fish Tea -- it's a fiery warmup broth to precede the likes of snapper simmered over pimento wood.

Alligator Pond, Manchester, Jamaica, W.I.; +1 876 852 6430; www.littleochie.com

 

32. Wreck Bar, Cayman Kai, Grand Cayman

 

This local hangout is a good hour from the tourist strip of Seven Mile Beach, whose visitors rarely make it out there unless they know about this place.

At the weekend it's abuzz with regulars arriving by private boat, but on weekdays it regains a sense of placid nonchalance.

The thatched bar is a replica of one that first went up 60 years ago, when bartender “Old Judd” invented the frozen mudslide which became the national drink. Sip this heady mix of kahlua,vodka, Baileys and ice in a hammock strung between casuarina trees, and get up only to taste a really fine conch fritter, served with jerk mayo made to a secret recipe.

Rum Point, Cayman Kai, Grand Cayman

 

31. The Star of Greece, Port Willunga, Australia

 

For lunch on a sunny day, few places can match this colorful beach shack named for a nearby shipwreck in 1888. It's attracted celebs from Kylie Minogue to Sting, yet displays no attitude and serves delicious food and drink at good prices.

Best of all, it's on a beautiful broad stretch of clean, white sand which seems largely deserted, in spite of being fewer than 15 minutes from the vineyards of Maclaren Vale.

Expect divine gourmet dishes strewn with edible flowers as well as good fish and chips, top local wines and cold beer and cocktails.

1 The Esplanade, Port Willunga 5173, South Australia; +61 (08) 8557 7420; starofgreececafe.com.au

 

30. Bar de la Plage, Juan-les-Pins, France

 

In a happening little resort where every private beach has a bar, this new entry has injected a little chic into the genre. Even better than the sand within a toe's reach are the private cabanas set out for spa treatments along the jetty.

Built on the site of the legendary but long-gone Maison des Pecheurs disco, it remains to be seen whether DJs will be hounded to create a St. Tropez-style vibe -- for now the sofas are there, and cool sounds emanate from a decent sound system.

10 Boulevard Marechal Juin, 06160 Cap d'Antibes, France; +33 (0)4 92 93 13 30;

www.ca-beachhotel.com

 

29. Da Conch Shack, Provo, Turks and Caicos, B.W.I.

 

With more seafood than you can stare at and more rum than you can throw up, Da Conch Shack in Provo, Turks and Caicos stakes a solid claim for the greatest beach bar in the British West Indies.

They'll pull conch right out of the sea and slice it up for you there and then, they'll keep pouring you rums till you beg them to stop and they'll even serve a great grilled jerk chicken dish, if you overload on fresh seafood.

It's unpretentious, fun, and casual, and for an island that's not overrun with places to choose from, the prices aren't too stepp either.

Blue Hills Road, Provo, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies; +649 946 8877; www.conchshack.tc

 

28. Badeschiff, Berlin, Germany

 

The German capital may be landlocked, but tell that to the locals, who turn the urban River Spree into a full-blown beach resort come summer.

Deck chairs line the banks, “beach bars” put out huge rafts so imbibers can float over the water and the world's most unusual pool becomes the city's coolest venue.

Swimming goes on in a vast ship's hull, surrounded by real sand and a huge open-air bar. Unplugged concerts, open air cinema and spa treatments provide extra diversions.

Arena Berlin, Eichenstrasse 4, Berlin, Germany

 

27. Midnight Rambler, Barrio Baretto, Philippines 

 

A former haunt of the U.S. Navy, this laid-back beach bar across the road from Subic Bay has survived on good pool tables, classic rock and an easygoing attitude. 

Expect to see inebriated expats clumsily try to chat up attractive local women -- euphemistically named ‘Guest Relations Officers’-- near the pool tables.

Midnight Rambler is open around the clock, but to experience it at its best, visit during the weekend, when there’s live rock and beachside barbecues running 24 hours a day.

Those who have had a few too many can just walk off the back deck and dive into the ocean for a refreshing late-night swim.

National Highway, Olongapo City, Philippines; +6347 223 4142; www.rambler-subic.com

 

26. Ushuaia Beach Hotel, Ibiza, Spain

 

The Ushuaia Beach Hotel has taken the beach bar residential. A combination of chic beach club, dance venue and stylish hotel, it aims to celebrate the heyday of outdoor Ibiza, where style, sunshine and dance created Europe's disco-era party scene.

Ushuaia lives up to the tradition by hosting some of the best parties on the island, with club nights both on the beach and around the pool.

Playa d'En Bossa 10, 07817 Sant Jordi de ses Salines, Ibiza, Spain; www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com

 

25. Coconuts, Rimini, Italy

 

Inspired by Miami's Ocean Drive, this Adriatic hotspot is furnished with eccentric sofas, bars and palm trees a short distance from Rimini's beach and harbor.

Open every evening from June to September, it specializes in Latin-American sounds.

Via Cristoforo Colombo, 5, 47900 Rimini (RN), Italy; www.coconuts.it

 

24. Margaritaville, Pensacola Beach, United States

 

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that this familiar chain bar is close to the heart of millions in America. We like Land Shark Landing, a pavilion that’s part of the Margaritaville Beach Hotel on Pensacola Beach.

A rotating menu of activities including beach-blanket movie nights, beach ping pong and volleyball on the sand.

A giant, fin-shaped fire pit, hammocks under palm trees and live band performances all contribute to the bar’s kitschy charm.

Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach, Fla., 32561, +1 850 916 9755; www.margaritavillehotel.com

 

23. Tabon Te Keekee, North Tarawa, Kiribati

 

Whatever you thought you knew about beach bars, you better forget it if you make the trip through the poverty-stricken South Tarawa, an island in Kiribati, up to North Tarawa, cross the water in a traditional canoe (for US$1) and find yourself in Tabon Te Keekee.

Yes, it has the usual amazing ultra-marine water, the traditional Pacific kiakia stilt huts in the sea and more sun than you can lube up for. But you don't know it's even a bar till you've fallen into a hammock and Karea, the half-English, half-I-Kiribati businessman saunters up and asks what you're having.

If you're drinking like the locals you'll order a XXXX, but try the sour toddy made from coconut sap. It tastes awful, but packs a punch and if you ask Karea nicely he'll probably give you some for free.

North of Tarawa island, cross the water and it's the first stop in North Tarawa

 

22. UMbar @ Huvafen Fushi, North Male Atoll, Maldives

 

On the water's edge looking over the breathtaking infinity pool, this bar has a floor made entirely of supersoft Maldivian sand.

Guests can relax in oversized chairs and take in the magnificent shoreline while sipping Champagne cocktails, martinis or fruit juice and fresh coconut concoctions.

There's a cigar menu, too, and daily “Dreamers” - the local version of Happy Hour, with half-price drinks.

Havafen Fushi, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives; havafenfushi.peraquum.com

 

21. The Beach Club @ ME Cancun, Mexico

 

This South Beach-style high energy spot features a sensual “Infinity pool” that connects to the beach via an amphitheatre of Bali-style day beds.

DJs mash it up on Fridays and Saturdays, while Chilled Strawberry Sundays provide a more soothing drop-in. You'll never go thirsty as there's a swim-up bar, a poolside bar, and a lounge open for drinks.

Boulevard Kukulcán, Km. 12 Zona Hotelera Cancún, MeMexico; www.me-cancun.com

 

20. 'C' Beach Club, Mauritius

 

On the unspoiled south coast in Domaine de Bel Ombre, this is the first beach club on Mauritius. Taking some inspiration from Miami's Nikki Beach and Bali's KU DÉTA with cozy “love nests” and day beds, it also has a distinctively Mauritian feel.

 

A laid-back beach hangout by day with petanque and beach volleyball on offer, 'C' Beach Club springs to life by night. Atmospheric blue lighting and a floodlit pool are the backdrop for parties hosted by international and local DJs.

Live music weekly, with other events to stimulate the party mood.

Domaine de Bel Ombre, Mauritius; www.cbeachclub.mu

 

19. Bomba’s Shack, Tortola-Beach, British Virgin Islands

 

It would be easy for some to get turned off to Bomba’s Shack, with its signs imploring “Girls with big boops [sic] get naked for Bomba” and women’s underwear swinging from the ceiling.

But from its humble origins as a homely surfside shack, Bomba’s has become a renowned bar and party spot.

Made of driftwood, telephone poles and other mangled pieces of junk, this characterful bar is notorious for hosting epic Full Moon Parties and reeling in travelers from all around the world.

The crowd here is an eclectic mix of surfers, yachting tourists, and locals who might be sipping hallucinogenic tea, so Bomba’s is only for the open-minded.

Cappoons Bay, Tortola-Beach, British Virgin Islands; +1 284 495 4148

 

18. O'Grille Beach Bar & Restaurant, Ilha de Sal, Cape Verde

 

With an alfresco terrace and easy access to a sandy beach, this is the place to watch a glorious Cape Verde sunset.

Whiskey, wine, cocktails and barbecues appear limitless, and the bar also hosts themed entertainment nights and beach parties featuring live bands and traditional Cape Verde dancers.

Urbanização da Cabocam, ZDTI de Ponta Preta, Ilha de Sal, Cape Verde Islands

 

17. Flora-Bama Lounge, Florida, United States

 

Flora-Bama might be a total dive, but it has everything a beach bar needs. Live music. Wet T-shirt contests. Cold cheap beer, much loved by the solid mix of locals and out-of-towners.

If you’re feeling more refined, the crew will shuck fresh oysters for you, right on the beach.

What makes Flora-Bama truly legendary, however, is the fact that it has hosted the annual Interstate Mullet Toss for 26 straight years. Flora-Bama straddles the state line of Florida and Alabama, and each April, thousands gather at the bar to party and watch intoxicated competitors throw slippery fish like a discus back and forth across the state line.

17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, Florida. Located right on the Florida and Alabama Line on Highway 292 & 182. www.florabama.com/

 

16. Cafe Sofia Beach Bar, Cape Town, South Africa

 

Wedged between the hooting, honking city and the sweeping, sparkling ocean, Cafe Sofia Beach Bar in Cape Town manages to straddle the line between hectic party place and after-work chill spot.

The decor is warm and lounge-like; the happy hour is generous; the drinks are strong and plentiful; the mezze and tapas platters are communal -- sit at the table, grab a fistful of calamari and discuss the best wave you ever rode with complete strangers.

This is a one of a chain -- there are eight Cafe Sofia's dotted around South Africa -- but this, the flagship store, is staffed by the kind of people you wish you knew in "real life," and therefore feels like one of a kind.

Shop 17 Eden on the Bay, Otto du Plesis Drive, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa; +27 (0)21 554 0296; www.cafesofia.co.za/index.php

 

15. Shalvata, Tel Aviv, Israel

 

Dubbed Manhattan-by-the-Med, Tel Aviv is lined with miles of white sandy beaches where locals and visitors party from April till October. The hub of nightlife is the regentrified Port area, and here there's nowhere better than Shalvata to while the night away with sand between your toes.

Cocktails, cool sounds and low-slung sofas on the sands have made this the summer nightspot of choice for Israel's beautiful people, but it's also open for breakfast and doesn't close till the last customer leaves.

Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv, Israel; shalvata.rest-e.co.il

 

14. Bayside Beach Bar, Jalousie Plantation, St. Lucia

 

The specialties here are mojitos and Creole-style tapas, served up either on a deck overlooking the Caribbean or right on the white sands of Sugar Beach.

Some visitors never get further than the hammocks, though.

Val des Pitons, Forbidden Beach, La Baie de Silence, Soufriere, St Lucia, W.I.; www.jalousieplantation.com

 

13. Cerritos Beach Club, Baja California, Mexico

 

Family fun overlooking giant waves is what this laid-back club in a surfing town outside Cabo has to offer. A great indoor-outdoor bar serves classic cocktails and sipping tequilas with live jazz on Sundays.

There's fresh seafood, an outdoor pool table, and no attempt to shut out 21st-century life -- plasma screens show the biggest matches simultaneously and the management lends guests laptops to check their email.

Playa Los Cerritos, Pescadero, Baja California Sur, Mexico; www.cerritosbcs.com

 

12. Z-Plage, Cannes, France

 

An outdoor gourmet restaurant, cabana lounge and redesigned pier stretch along the famous Croisette, creating a glamorous scene for lunch and dinner. Hundreds of angular white umbrellas punctuate a decor heavy on teak tables, glass paneling and drapes.

The crowd veers from well-financed Russian women to ultra-bronze French playboys stopping off between St. Tropez and Monaco in their vintage sports cars.

During the summer months, the Givenchy Spa sets up treatment cabanas on the beach for private massages and signature facials within splashing sound of the Med.

Hotel Martinez, 73 La Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France; www.hotel-martinez.com/

 

11. Moonshadows, Malibu, United States

 

There are lots of beach bars on California's Pacific Coast Highway, but only one Moonshadows.

Although it now has a lot more competition than when it opened its doors 40 years ago,

Moonshadows continues to score because no one else has quite such a dramatic outdoor bar perched right over the rocks and crashing surf along this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway.

Once a steakhouse renowned for its awesome salad bar, it now pushes seafood, though carnivores will find Kobe burgers on the menu.

The Blue Lounge Bar is open seven days a week from before lunch to the small hours, though it may no longer serve the pina colada-ish Moonglow old hippies used to rock up for.

20356 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, United States; www.moonshadowsmalibu.com

 

10. Doyles on the Beach, Watsons Bay, Australia

 

Reportedly the world's oldest beach bar, this family-owned operation first opened in 1885. A boat brings visitors to a strip of sandy foreshore where they can crack a frostie and grab fish and chips while enjoying the fabulous panorama of Sydney Harbour.

Not a late place, it's much more about wine, beer, seafood and sandy vibes than cool sounds or cocktails.

11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay, NSW, 2030, Australia; www.doyles.com.au

 

 

9. The Fish and Rhum Shack, Mauritius

 

This is a satisfyingly rustic hangout illuminated by lanterns, despite its home on a posh resort. The sound of waves breaking on the coral reef competes only with the pulsing beats of Mauritian Sega dancers who arrive by night.

The rum is locally distilled, the beer hails from the village brewery and the menu for the daily barbecue depends on the previous night's catch and morning market. This is as authentically Mauritian as it gets.

Shanti Maurice, Mauritius, shantimaurice.com

 

8. Beach Tree Bar, Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii, United States

 

Forget what you know about Four Season resort bars. This relaxed alfresco grill sits on the sand just meters from the ocean.

Besides the stunning sunset view and five-meter vaulted ceilings, Beach Tree Bar comes with a host of little after-thoughts. A spotlight from the building shines on the waves so you can see and hear the waves crashing as you enjoy your meal.

The wine list offers wines that all come either by the glass or the bottle for easier selection.

And while the prices are what you’d expect from the Four Seasons brand, the icy margaritas are massive, so a couple of those and you won’t worry about a thing.

Four Seasons Resort Hawaii, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua Kona, Hawaii; +1 808 325 8000;www.fourseasons.com/hualalai

 

7. Uxua Praia, Bahia, Brazil

 

Set on Bahia's Barra do Rio Trancoso, Uxua Praia attracts a laid back, music-loving, athletic crowd keen to sample one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

Featuring vast, cushioned sofas and flat-roofed pergolas, this resort bar was built with reclaimed fishing boats that for years had languished on the site unused.

As well as partaking in the fresh seafood and caipirinha, you can try your hand at beach volleyball and sea kayaking, as well as capoeira.

Uxua Casa Hotel, Quadrado, Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil; www.uxua.com

 

6. The Rock Bar, Ayana Resort, Bali, Indonesia

 

Named world's best hotel bar by CNNGo last year, the Rock lures visitors who defected to Seminyak a decade ago back to Jimbaran Bay.

Fisherman's shacks make this southern cove a popular alfresco dining scene, with seafood lovers able to get their fixes while gazing at the ocean from 15 meters above the rocks.

Martinis, tapas and live music Thursday through Sunday –- at The Rock Bar there’s no such thing as just popping in for one.

Ayana Resort, Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia; www.ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali

 

5. Babis Bar, Kalymnos, Greece

Babis' lively local hive of activity is a well-kept secret on the unsung Greek island of Kalymnos. This rocky outcropping, which tragically lost many of its menfolk to daredevil sponge diving, is perched between the Turkish coast and the crowded party island of Kos.

Babis and his family field everything a beachcomber could want.

Once you’re done indulging in a hearty Greek breakfast, logging on to the free Internet, trying out all the various beers and wines and sleeping it all off by the free swimming pool or sun-loungers, you can hop on a boat and take a ride over to its own sub-island of Telendos for one of the most spectacular sunsets in the Med.

Myrties Square, Myrties, Kalymnos, Greece; www.kalymnos.gr/ads/ventures/babisbar

 

4. Ponta dos Ganchos, Brazil

 

Brazil's most exclusive resort, Ponta dos Ganchos, features a gorgeous beach bar with great views, daybeds to lounge on and signature cocktails like The Hook -- cachaca blended with physalis fruit and sugar.

Located on a private peninsula on Brazil's Emerald coast, this is where the local elite -- and foreign guests like Beyoncé -- come to get away from it all.

Rua Eupídio Alves do Nascimento, 104, Governador Celso Ramos SC, Brazil; www.pontadosganchos.com

 

3. Shipwreck Hut, Cook Islands

 

Hammocks, sunsets, barbecues, tropical fruit breakfasts, gospel sing-a-longs and a special “magic” cocktail that’s served in a recycled jam jar –- Shipwreck Hut is the bar you dream of owning when you retire.

Situated on Arorangi beach on the west coast of Rarotonga, the barbecues are a favorite with travelers, not least because of the corny jokes and barely believable tales of affable owner Jim.

On Sundays after an omelet breakfast customers can join a trip to the local church to listen to the locals singing gospel in traditional colorful muumuus and woven hats. Or you can stay at the bar, swing in the hammocks and keep an eye out for whales (depending on the season).

Aroa Beachside Inn, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands; www.aroabeach.com

 

2. Baba Nest, Phuket, Thailand

 

This stylish new rooftop venue on the highest pinnacle of the southeastern peninsula enjoys 360-degree views across Phuket, the surrounding islands and the Andaman sea.

A deck scattered with beanbags and low tables is surrounded by an infinity pool that gives bathers the illusion of being afloat between sea and sky. Tranquil tracks and light Japanese bites punctuate the action, and signature cocktails include a lemongrass and vodka sri-jito and a lychee martini as well as sake-based concoctions.

Below deck, ocean-front restrooms open to the elements are bound to become a talking point.

88 Moo 8 Sakdidej Road, Tambon Vichit, Amphur Muang, Phuket, Thailand; www.sripanwa.com

 

1. Dune Preserve Beach Bar, Anguilla, B.W.I.

 

 

Good beach bars make you think of retiring. Great ones make you actually retire. Tell Demaria and Sohal we're not coming back.

Pieced together from driftwood, wrecked racing boats and seashells and owned by a gray-bearded, grizzly reggae singer, the Dune Preserve Beach Bar is the kind of place you dream of discovering on your first trip to the Caribbean.

And once you have, you dream of staying there forever, to revel in your addiction to jumpin’ reggae tracks and dripping ribs, and to argue politics, philosophy and the ingredients for the perfect rum punch with Bankie, the owner, who can be found at the bar often.

It counts ex-presidents, former pirates and Wall Street bigwigs among its fans, but don’t let them distract you from the real reason this place is the best beach bar in the world –- the amazingly affable Bankie Banx and his cohort, who seem to talk in musical lyrics and will teach you not just how to build a boat, but how to build a lifestyle few would turn down.

It’s a daytime place open 11 a.m. till sunset.

The Dune Preserve, The Valley, Anguilla, BWI, Anguilla B.W.I; www.bankiebanks.net

 

Text by CNNGO

We also recommend

Tags Cloud
2010accidentsadvertisingAfrAsiaafricaagalegaagroAir Franceair mauritiusAirlinesairportairway coffeeAlvaro SobrinhoamazonAmeenah Gurib-FakimAMLandroidApollo Bramwellappleappointmentsappsarrestasiaauditaudit reportaustraliaaviationawardsBABagatelleBAIBangladeshbankbanksbarclaysbeachbeachesBeau Bassin-Rose HillbetamaxBOIboko haramBollywoodBOMbombingbpmlBPOBramer BankbrazilbrexitbudgetBusinessCanadacanecareercareer tipscasinoCCIDCCMCEBcementChagosCHCchinaCIELcigarettesconferenceConfinementCongoconstructioncontestCoronaviruscorruptionCourtCourtscouvre-feuCOVID-19CPBCPEcreativitycrisiscruise shipsCSOCT PowerCultureCurepipecustomerscustomsCWAcyclonedamDawood RawatDBMdeficitdenguedevelopmentdoctorsDomaine les PaillesDPPdrug traffickingdrugsDTAADuty FreeearthquakeebolaecoécoleseconomyEducationEgyptelectionselectoral reformelectricityEmiratesEmtelenergyENLentrepreneurshipEUEuropeeventsexamexamsexpoexportfacebookfairfarmersfeeFIFA World CupfinancefinancesFirefishfishingFlacqFlic-en-FlacFloodsfoodFootballforecastforeign workersFrancefraudfruitsFSCfuelfunnyGAARgamblinggamesgasgazaGermanygooglegovernmentGRAgreengreen energyhackershajjhawkershealthhealthcareHeritage Cityhistoryholidayshorse racingHospitalhotelhotel businesshotelshow toHRHRDCHSBCHSCIBLICACICTICTAID cardillegal fishingIMFimportindiaIndian OceanIndonesiainflationinfrastructureinnovationsinsuranceinternetInterviewinterview tipsinvestmentinvestmentsiosiPadiphoneiraniraqIRSISISisraelITItalyjapanJin FeijobjobsjournalismKenyaKPMGlandlawlawslayoffsleadershipLepeploanslocal governmentLockdownlotteryLRTLufthansaMadagascarmalaysiamalaysia airlinesmanagementmanagement tipsmanufacturingmarketmarketingmarketsMauBankMauritiansmauritiusMBCMCBMCCImeccaMedical CouncilmedicamentsmedicineMedPointmeetingMEFMESMetro ExpressMEXAMicrosoftMIDMIEmigrationminimum salaryminimum wageMITDmlMMMmoneymoney launderingmotivationmoviesMozambiqueMPAMPCMPCBMRAMSCMSMMTMTCMTPAMusicMV BenitaNandanee SoornackNarendra ModinatureNavin RamgoolamNavind KistnahNCBnceNDUnetworkingNew Mauritius HotelsNHDCNigeriaNobel Prizenorth koreaNTCNWCCofficialsoffshoreoilOlympic GamesOmnicaneorangeOUMPakistanpalestineparliamentPaul BérengerPhilippinesPhoenix Beveragespicture of the daypiracyplagePMPMOpmsdPNQpolicepoliticsportPort LouisPort-LouispostPravind JugnauthPRBpricepricesproblemprostitutionprotestspsacPSCpsychologyPTRpublic servicequatre-bornesrainsRakesh Gooljauryratingsreal estatereformsrepo rateRESrestaurantsresultresultsReunionriceroadsRoches-Noires caseRodriguesRogersRose-HillRoshi BhadainRussiaSAJsalariessalarysalessamsungsaudi arabiasbmSCscamscandalscholarshipscholarshipsSchoolschoolssciencesecuritySeychellessharksshootingshoppingshopping mallSICsicomsingaporeSITskillssmart citysmartphonesSMeSMEDASobrinho casesocial mediasocial networks & messengerssolar energysouthsouth africasouth koreasportSportsstartupsstatisticsstatsSTCstrategystreet vendorsstrikestudysuccesssugarSun Tan caseSunkai casesyriaTAtabletsTanzaniataxtax heaventaxesteaTECtechnologytelecomterrorismtextilethailandthefttime managementtipstourismtradingtrainingstransporttrendstunaTurfTurkeyTVtyphoonukukraineunemploymentunionsuniversityuomUSUTMvacanciesVacoas Popular Multipurpose Cooperative SocietyVacoas-Phoenixvarma casevegetablesVideo of the DayvisaVishnu LutchmeenaraidooWaterWaterparkWeatherWhitedot Casewi-fiWMAWorld BankXavier-Luc DuvalYEPzimbabwe