North Beach Social

July 25, 2022

North Beach Social: A whale of a tale

By Liesel Schmidt
July 25, 2022

SANTA ROSA BEACH – Coming over the bridge into Santa Rosa Beach, the view of all that lies before you is breathtaking: the sky, the water, the absolute majesty of nature. And as your eye explores the skyline, it lights on one particular burst of color that seems to demand attention: A massive depiction of a Rice’s Whale, seemingly swimming up toward the clouds. But this is no ordinary whale, and the story behind it is no ordinary tale. It begins, in fact, with a dream shared by an artist and a chef, using an unconventional canvas for this incredible work of art that embodies the uniqueness, the unconventional spirit and beauty of the 30A community.

And so we begin at the beginning, when artist Andy Saczynski approached Dan Tinghitella, the COO of Jim Shirley Enterprises, about an idea to create a life-size whale art installation. Tinghitella, in turn, mentioned it to Jim Shirley, who was preparing to open his new restaurant, North Beach Social. The result was a collaboration between the two men that brought Saczynski’s vision to life and gave Shirley’s new venture a wow-factor unlike anything in the area.

“Jim has been supporting Andy’s work for years, so he felt confident that whatever went up on the wall would be breathtaking,” explained Madison Shirley, director of Brand & Storytelling for Jim Shirley Enterprises. “What makes this particular installation remarkable, though, is its ability to embody Jim and Andy’s passions and aspirations for the local community. It’s not only a beautiful piece of artwork, but it’s also a message of preservation of the natural world. Rice’s Whale is just one example of endangered species – some still undiscovered – that make the Gulf Coast the slice of heaven that it is. Engaging with locals and visitors alike in such a beautiful statement is sure to leave guests thinking about how they can positively impact their community and world.”

Having created other pieces for Jim’s restaurants, Saczynski knew that the collaboration would be well matched. And, given North Beach Social’s location, the installation seemed a natural fit.

“When thinking through the piece’s placement, there was no better spot than North Beach Social,” Madison contended. “Not only does it make a dynamic backdrop for our guests and events, but it is a fantastic way to welcome visitors coming across the bridge into Santa Rosa Beach.”

As a restaurant whose space is designed to bring people, families, and artists together in a daily celebration of good food, the local community, and the stunning Choctawhatchee Bay, North Beach Social is a concept whose aesthetic – and ethos – perfectly assimilates Saczynski’s work.

“This piece fits nicely into our vision, from the reclaimed materials used in making it to the symbolism of instruments and schools of fish across the whale’s body,” Madison explained. “It’s a taste of what makes Santa Rosa Beach beautiful and North Beach Social so special.”

Artist Andy Saczynski — Saczynski spent a total of 55 hours on his masterpiece.

Delivering his materials to the restaurant property on Feb. 8, 2022, Saczynski began the actual construction and installation of the piece the next day. After cutting, layering, placing and carrying pieces of plywood up scaffolding to create the whale and then painting it with spray paint and house paint, Saczynski spent a total of 55 hours on his masterpiece. At completion, the whale measured 30 feet wide and 12 feet tall, using a total of 800 pounds in materials.

But why this particular whale? As he began planning his piece, Saczynski came across an article about a whale he had never heard of called Rice’s Whale, named after Dale W. Rice. It was Rice who first published evidence that Bryde’s whales are present in the Gulf of Mexico in 1965, thus earning him the namesake. According to NOAA Fisheries, Rice’s Whales are members of the baleen whale family Balaenopteridae. Fewer than 100 individual whales remain, making Rice’s Whales one of the most endangered whales in the world. Consistently located in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, Rice’s Whales are the only resident baleen whale in the Gulf of Mexico and are most closely related to Bryde’s whales.

“After finding out that these spectacular whales call our part of the Gulf home, it just made sense to use them as the inspiration for the piece,” said Saczynski.

With its whimsical style and imaginative conception, the whale is a benediction on the restaurant, a welcome to its guests, a reminder of just how special a place the 30A community is and what an invaluable gift it has in its natural surroundings.

North Beach Social is located at 24200 US-331, Santa Rosa Beach. Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. No reservations are accepted. For more information, visit northbeach.social.com or call 850-622-8110.

Photos by Lori Saczynski

May 18, 2022

Chef Jim Shirley: Running a culinary empire

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By Laura Holloway
May 18, 2022

SANTA ROSA BEACH – Something about 30A acts as an artistic magnet, drawing in talented artists in every medium, inviting in those drawn to inspire and be inspired. The culinary arts are no exception, with 30A enticing and keeping the talents of truly unique and creative chefs. Their food is just so good, and with an exceptional menu comes an area of mystique and celebrity surrounding the gifted culinary artists who have made 30A their homes and legacies.

Chef Jim Shirley is one of the most celebrated chefs in the area (and beyond), and for someone who started “flipping burgers in Gulf Breeze” when he was 14 and has now been invited to cook at The James Beard House four times, Shirley has more than earned his place in the history and growth of the 30A area. With seven unique locations and a line at each place, he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Great Southern Café
Perhaps most beloved and well known is the Great Southern Café in Seaside. Loved by tourists and locals alike, the casual-yet-special eatery is a favorite location for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and mojitos and bloody Marys in between. Described as “new-fashioned Southern cuisine,” the Great Southern menu offers something for everyone for every meal.

At breakfast, there’s Avocado Toast (buttered, grilled, and topped with avocado, red onions, tomato, spices, and EVOO), Crab Cake and Fried Green Tomato Benedict, and the ever-popular Chicken and Waffle (topped with crispy fried chicken and covered in Orange-Rosemary Glaze). Be sure to arrive early enough at breakfast for an order of Beignets, which tend to sell out quickly.

For lunch and dinner, try a steaming plate of Blue Crab Claws (served with garlic, cream, sherry, butter, and Romano cheese with warm pita bread for dipping), the Great Southern Seafood Platter (with fresh oysters, chilled shrimp, lobster tails, and West Indies marinated jumbo lump crab), or the wildly popular Grits a Ya Ya, made with blackened shrimp, sauté of smoked bacon, spinach, portobello mushrooms, and cream on a bed of smoked Gouda cheese grits. Shirley has a recommendation of his own: “Chef Innocent’s making Duck Call Rolls with confit and pepper jelly!”

Great Southern is located at 83 Central Square and is open 365 days a year for breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. and lunch/dinner from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested, but walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit thegreatsoutherncafe.com or call 850-231-7327.

The Bay
The Bay is Shirley’s answer to a need for delicious food north of 30A, a place that celebrates the Southern comfort of a bonfire and the gentle lap of water on bayside sand. This family-friendly waterfront restaurant offers a full menu of Southern gulf coast cuisine, 12 beers on tap, an impressive wine and cocktail menu, and a sampling of mouth-watering sushi found only in this special place overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay.

Offering brunch (like a Crab Cake Benedict served over fried zucchini with two poached eggs and hollandaise), lunch (like Point Washington Rolls filled with alligator Tasso and poblano served with Hog Island sauce), and dinner (like Pesto Snapper and Crab Cake, topped with an Asian fusion pesto and fresh mint, basil and cilantro), The Bay is everything your taste buds have been longing for. And if you’re a burger aficionado, don’t leave without a taste of the Bomber Burger, dripping with sauces, caramelized onions, asiago cheese crisp and a roasted tomato.

The Bay is located at 24215 Hwy. 331 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with Happy Hour each day from 2 to 4 p.m. Live music and outdoor fun is a regular occurrence, and more information and reservation opportunity can be found by visiting baysouthwalton.com or calling 850-622-2291.

North Beach Social
Relaxing, photo-worthy, and delicious – all the things you are hoping to find in a coastal restaurant, and all found at North Beach Social, is Shirley’s second bayside culinary offering. Located downstairs from Farm & Fire restaurant, North Beach Social offers scenic sunsets, plenty of outdoor seating (bring your dog), and a large white sand beach for kids (and adults) to play.

The restaurant’s menu is a showcase of five of Shirley’s restaurants, featuring such favorites as the Grits a Ya Ya, the Bomber Burger, and a Pecan Stuffed Cheesecake so rich and creamy you may as well throw the culinary bucket list out the window because not much will top it. Live music five days a week, beach bocce, and a bonfire every night (weather permitting), North Beach Social is the place to unwind, catch up, and savor the area’s favorite menu choices.

Located at 24200 Hwy. 331 South, the restaurant is open daily (check website for current hours) and can be reached by visiting www.northbeach.social or calling 850-622-8110.

Farm & Fire
Shirley’s popular bayside restaurant and speakeasy exists as a Southern-style pizzeria, offering unforgettable sunset views and frequent dolphin sightings from its second-floor location on Choctawhatchee Bay at the foot of the 331 bridge. Using coal ovens, Farm & Fire presents coal-oven baked pizzas and whole-roasted fish; fresh, locally sourced salads and charcuterie; and a speakeasy bar that encourages laughter and lingering conversation. Along with a restaurant facelift, the menu is also getting an overhaul. Visit farmandfirepizza.com.

The Meltdown on 30A
For anyone who has ever dreamed of the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, this is your moment. Described as the “Best Flip-Flop Cuisine on 30A,” The Meltdown serves both traditional and gourmet grilled cheeses, soups, and chips, all with the whimsical and nostalgic flair that an Airstream restaurant offers. Located in Airstream Row in Seaside, this take-and-go restaurant is anything but fast food, with mind-bending flavor creations such as The Little Figgy (made with brie, bacon, and sweet fig compote), Strawberry Goat Forever (with Alabama goat cheese, strawberry preserves, and prosciutto), and the Cuban McConnell, made with pulled pork, brown bag ham, gruyere, pickles, and Billy’s mustard sauce.

The Meltdown on 30A is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and more information can be found at meltdownon30A.com.

And more

Shirley has recently expanded his restaurant portfolio with the opening of C-Bar and the Great Southern Chicken Shack. He said, “The C-Bar is made from a recycled shipping container and will be filled with everyone’s favorite bartenders from the Great Southern and food from their kitchen, and The Chicken Shack will have some mighty tasty fried chicken!”

The 30A food scene continues to earn its place in culinary reverence, and Jim Shirley’s restaurant portfolio expansion is a gift to visitors and locals alike. He said, “I started flipping burgers in Gulf Breeze when I was 14, ran a pizza joint when I was 17. 10 years later I opened Madison’s Diner in Pensacola, and never looked back.”

And on behalf of foodies everywhere, we thank you.

To find out more about Chef Jim Shirley and his upcoming restaurant offerings, visit chefjimshirley.com.

October 23, 2021

North Beach Social celebrating Halloween Oct. 31

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Oct. 22, 2021
Special to 30A Food and Wine

SANTA ROSA BEACH – North Beach Social is having a huge Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. During the Halloween Extravaganza, bring your little monsters from 1 to 4 p.m. for all the treats and tricks! Plus, there will be music by the Wildlife Special3 and a costume contest.

For the adults, it’s Trick or Tequila from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dance to jams by DJ 30A and wear your most extravagant costume for the costume contest. Grand prize winner takes home $500 and second and third place winners get a prize as well.

North Beach Social Halloween

September 27, 2021

North Beach Social: Social event of the summer

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By Sarah Murphy Robertson
Sept. 30, 2021

SANTA ROSA BEACH – No matter your planned approach, a trip to North Beach Social means you’re headed in the right direction. Located at the foot of the 331 bridge on the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay, and known formerly as the North Beach Tortilla Company, North Beach Social reopened in Spring 2021.

A no-stress vibe

With the culinary acumen and expertise of Chef Jim Shirley and a spacious, open air, casual dining area, North Beach Social also boasts a large white sand beach where kids and adults can play the day away.

The space is perfectly suited for soaking in the Florida sunshine. Saddle up to the bar, grab a comfy spot where your toes are in the sand, or pick a shaded table.

“We wanted to be sure to offer an easy, no-stress vibe,” remarked Dan Tinghitella, director of culture and operations.

Recognizing guests love to bring their family and stay for hours, offering counter service was the perfect solution. Not only can every member of your group order food when they are hungry, but the beauty of counter service is you can order starters like ice-cold oysters on the half shell or crispy buffalo chicken wings while enjoying a drink or two, and then decide on entrees later.

Sip, sip!

North Beach Social serves an ample selection of local beers on tap from Grayton Beer Company, Oyster Bay, and Idyll Hounds breweries, as well as touting drink specials all day long. Ready to quench any thirst, get $3 Shock Top Drafts, $5 Bubbles, and $6 well drinks. Their friendly bar staff also spins tropical frozen drinks and pours from a wide-ranging wine list.

Supporting local is prioritized beyond the beer with 30A and Hey Mama wines available as well.

“We always work with as many local purveyors as possible; most of our fresh seafood comes right out of the Destin Harbor,” Tinghitella observed.

Open for lunch and dinner services, the food menu was built around owner and Chef Jim Shirley’s most popular dishes from his five other area restaurants. They range from lighter fare – like the flavorful Miso Caesar Salad topped with your choice of proteins including fried oysters, Gulf shrimp, or grouper, or an Asian-inspired Tuna Poke Bowl – to the decadent double-decker Bomber Burger or signature Grits a Ya Ya.

“Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we showcase guests’ favorites all under the same roof,” explained Shirley. In all your excitement, don’t forget to order the Key Lime Pie for dessert. The meringue-topped, sky-high treat is legendary.

Thrilled to be well-patroned by loyal locals as well as seasonal visitors, North Beach lines up live music four days a week. The tunes start at noon every Saturday and North Beach Social has quickly become a favorite stop for vacationers arriving south over the bridge. After a long drive, this is the perfect place to rest and fuel up.

“We see many packed SUVs with car carriers stopping by before they can even check into their rental homes,” Tinghitella remarked.

Visit North Beach Social’s website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know on upcoming events, music schedules, and dockside family movies. They’ve got your day’s fun all mapped out.

North Beach Social is located at 24200 U.S. Hwy. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone is 850-622-3781, however they do not accept reservations.

May 30, 2021

Chef Jim Shirley Enterprises: Yes, Chef!

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May 30, 2021
By Liesel Schmidt

SOUTH WALTON – Born and raised in Pensacola, Jim Shirley has the South in his blood – right along with cooking. Since the age of 14 when he was flipping burgers, he’s had his hand in restaurants, and it became a passion that he couldn’t ignore. Even during a stint in college that had his life pointed in the direction of becoming a doctor, he heard the call of the kitchen. It was then that he knew his life’s path.

What a ride it’s been

A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” Shirley’s first restaurant was named after his daughter, Madison. Madison’s Diner opened in 1995 and was followed two years later by the Screaming Coyote, an eatery whose specialty was giant burritos. Next came the Fish House in 1998, with The Great Southern Café making its debut in 2006 and Meltdown on 30A heating things up soon after. In 2014, Shirley opened The Bay, while 2015 brought 45 Central. The most recent of his restaurants, Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria, opened in 2019 and North Beach Social in 2021.

“I’d always wanted my own restaurant, and each venture has been the culmination of my dream, built with a team of people who have all shared in my vision,” said Shirley. “I always had a lot of recipes and ideas, and all of these places have given me a chance to use them.”

Obviously, those ideas were good ones, as he’s met a great deal of success with his restaurants, filling the gaps in the food scene to bring something unexpected to diners who wanted more than the standards they had grown so used to. Even without any official training, he had an inherent talent that gave him a baseline, using it as a foundation for everything that he learned at the hands of other chefs.

“I trained at the school of hard knocks,” said Shirley. “I didn’t really have the chance to go to school because I already had a position in the kitchen as a chef, and you can’t really break away from that to go train somewhere. I worked my way up with some really great chefs.”

What he’s learned over the years has been instrumental in creating each of the restaurants that bear his name. A mixture of cultures have influenced him, the result of growing up the son of a Navy pilot who was stationed all over the world. At the heart of it all, however, is that Southern flair that’s become such a signature of his cuisine.

Dubbed “Modern Southern Cuisine,” Shirley’s style has been highly praised and widely celebrated, with his signature dish, Grits a Ya Ya, having been named “The best Southern dish in the state of Florida” by Florida Travel and Life magazine. The dish was also taken to Washington, D.C., for “A Taste of the South” on Capitol Hill. Even 2020 was a notable year for Shirley, as he received the 17th annual Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award in recognition of Walton County’s excellence in hospitality. Shirley was also recognized in Arkansas with the 2020 Shining Example Award – Epicurean Partner from the Southeast Tourism Society. The greatest point of pride, however, came in January of 2020, when his culinary team was chosen to represent South Walton and Seaside at the James Beard House, where they had the honor of cooking once again.

Chef-driven cuisine

There’s something special about of his restaurants, something that makes each of them unique and unforgettable. One underlining thread that connects all of them, however, is that they are all chef-driven.

“By having restaurants that are chef-driven, you can change the way they feel, and it creates a certain effect,” Shirley explained. “That’s the secret to our success, I think.”

Whatever the secret truly is, his success is undeniable. And while some of the restaurants have run their course, Shirley maintains his own little empire on the food scene in South Walton. Now 15 years old, The Great Southern Café is still a favorite, offering his signature take on Southern cuisine in dishes that are familiar yet perfectly re-imagined to make them seem new and exciting. Featuring his famous Grits a Ya Ya, the menu also includes a wide variety of delicious dishes that make breakfast a reason to get out of bed, while lunch and dinner are a celebration of Southern comfort and soul food.

45 Central Wine & Sushi Bar offers a curation of sharable small plates and sushi, set in a sophisticated atmosphere in the heart of Seaside. Pairing perfectly with the menu, the wine list offers rare and hard-to-find bottles that speak to Shirley’s discriminating taste and his understanding of flavors.

For those who go weak in the knees over a good grilled cheese, Meltdown on 30A is not to be missed, with a menu of traditional and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, house made soups, and chips all served in an old Airstream trailer. It’s casual dining at its best, with food that warms the heart and shows Shirley’s fun side.

Offering waterfront dining and a breathtaking view overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay, The Bay is Southern Gulf Coast dining at its best. Featuring a menu that has something for everyone, you’ll find creative small plates, unique seafood dishes, steaks and burgers, and a limited sushi menu. Sundays get even better with their delicious brunch menu, and the desserts are something to die for.

Taking pizza to an artisanal level, Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria offers anything but your ordinary pie. Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients are the foundation for everything on the menu, with hand-made pizzas that come fresh from the coal ovens that cook everything in this unique gem of a restaurant. Created with an atmosphere that gives it a “speakeasy feel,” Farm & Fire also features wine and spirits that add the perfect complement to any meal.

The Great Southern Café is located at 83 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach (Seaside). Open daily for breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.; lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 850-231-7327 or www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com

45 Central Wine & Sushi Bar is located at 45 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach (Seaside). Open Monday to Friday 3 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 850-231-4545 or visit www.fortyfivecentral.com

Meltdown on 30A is located at 2235 E. Co. Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach (Seaside). Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 850-231-0952 or visit www.meltdownon30a.com

The Bay is located at 24215 U.S. Hwy. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach. Open ‍Monday to Thursday 4 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 850-622-2291 or visit www.baysouthwalton.com

Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria is located at 24200 U.S. Hwy. 331 S., Santa Rosa Beach. Open Wednesday to Sunday 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 850-622-3871 or visit www.farmandfirepizza.com.

North Beach Social is located at 24200 U.S. Hwy. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone is 850-622-3781 or online at northbeach.social, however they do not accept reservations.

April 17, 2021

North Beach Social to hold 30A Trails benefit

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Special to 30A Food and Wine
April 17, 2021

SANTA ROSA BEACH – On Sunday, May 2, 2021, North Beach Social will welcome friends and families for a community event benefiting 30A Trails. The event, sponsored by Citadel Roofing and Restoration, will feature live music by Wildlife Specials from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring the whole family to dine, enjoy drinks and play on the beach while giving back to a great cause.

30A Trails is a community rich organization on a mission to meaningfully connect people with trails to engage their physical and spiritual lives while organizing resources for the conservation of trail environments.

North Beach Social is located at the foot of the 331 bridge in Santa Rosa Beach on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Guests order from the counter and bar and enjoy beach games, toys and seating in a very laid back atmosphere. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

March 16, 2021

St. Paddy’s Day comes to The Bay, North Beach Social

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Special to 30A Food and Wine
March 16, 2021

SANTA ROSA BEACH – The Bay and North Beach Social together are ready to host the annual North Beach St. Paddy’s Day party on Wednesday, March 17, from noon to 9:30 p.m. Make sure to arrive wearing green! The party kicks off with live music at both venues. The Bay welcomes Luke Langford Band from 1 to 4 p.m. and Forrest Williams Band 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Across the street at North Beach Social, you can enjoy the musical stylings of Krissa & Mark from noon to 3 p.m. and The Rhino Jockeys from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Both restaurants will feature Irish specialties like corned beef and cabbage all day long. Plus, guests can enjoy cold beer and drink specials throughout the day as well. Since it’s an all-day party, there is time for everyone to swing by and enjoy the festivities. Both The Bay and North Beach Social have amazing open spaces with plenty of room to spread out and stay safe. The staff all wear masks and frequently clean and sanitize to ensure a safe environment.

North Beach Social is open Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and located at 24200 Hwy. 331, Santa Rosa Beach, at the foot of the 331 bridge. The Bay is located across the street at 24215 Hwy. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach; open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

March 13, 2021

Chef Jim Shirley opens North Beach Social on the bay

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SANTA ROSA BEACH – North Beach Social is officially open underneath Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria at the foot of the 331 Bridge in Santa Rosa Beach. Formerly the North Beach Tortilla Company, the space has been brightened up and outside seating is aplenty at the bar and deck.

“Grits have paid for everything!” Chef Jim Shirley exclaimed while explaining the spirit of the newly revised concept of North Beach Social. “Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we want to showcase some menu favorites across all of our restaurants. Our guests will be able to order our famous Grits a Ya Ya and the Bay Bomber Burger along with fresh raw oysters and poké bowls under the same roof.”

The restaurant design is not the only thing to receive a facelift; the way you get your food has changed, too.

“We thought that the best way to get folks in the door and in a beach mindset is to offer counter service ordering,” says Shirley. “As a group comes in, someone can go grab a table while another member of the party places the food order at the counter. They’ll be given a number to display on their table and an attendant will bring their food to them. Orders will come out faster this way and our customers can order a drink at the bar and start enjoying the beach and the view. It’s laid back, and low stress.”

North Beach Social will also feature daily drink specials and ongoing events and music including beach bocce tournaments and dockside family movies. Currently, NBS is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday with plans to open seven days in early summer.

Outside seating is aplenty at the bar and deck with an abundance of white sandy beach for kids and adults to play.

North Beach Social is located at 24200 US-331, Santa Rosa Beach, at the foot of the 331 bridge on the Choctawhatchee Bay.