St. Augustine, Florida is a popular tourist destination known for its historic streets, architecture, and beachfront. With its lively downtown area full of restaurants, bars, and nightlife, many visitors wonder about the rules and regulations surrounding alcohol consumption in the city.
Laws on alcohol in St. Augustine
Like most places in the United States, there are laws and open container ordinances in St. Augustine that prohibit drinking alcohol in public spaces. However, there are many establishments in town that serve alcohol legally to patrons of legal drinking age, which is 21 years old in Florida.
Some of the key alcohol laws in St. Augustine include:
- It is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in public spaces like sidewalks, streets, parks, beaches, etc. This includes walking around town with an open can, bottle, or cup of alcohol.
- Establishments like bars, restaurants, liquor stores, etc. can serve alcohol to patrons 21+ by obtaining the proper liquor licenses.
- It is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol in St. Augustine. Establishments that serve alcohol are required to check IDs.
- Public intoxication is prohibited. Being disorderly or drunk and dangerous in public spaces can lead to fines or arrest.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal, with legal limits set at 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers 21+ and 0.02% BAC for underage drivers.
As long as you avoid drinking alcohol openly in public areas, only drink at licensed establishments, and drink responsibly, enjoying some alcoholic beverages is perfectly legal for tourists age 21 and over visiting St. Augustine.
Bars and restaurants serving alcohol
There are countless options in St. Augustine’s historic downtown area for patrons to responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages. Here are some of the most popular bars and restaurants to grab a drink in town:
Bars
- The Ice Plant Bar – Craft cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe located in an old ice plant building. Known for handcrafted drinks and vintage atmosphere.
- Scarlett O’Hara’s – Lively sports bar and nightclub with multiple bars and dance floors playing Top 40 hits and classic rock favorites. Popular late-night hangout.
- Odd Birds Bar – Quirky, retro-style bar specializing in classic cocktails, local craft beers, and a full bar menu. Live music performances nightly.
- Planet Sarbez – Unique concept bar set in a “retro-future” spaceship style interior with craft cocktails and local beers on tap.
- The Treasury – Sophisticated Prohibition-era speakeasy located below The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens serving handcrafted cocktails.
Restaurants
- Columbia Restaurant – Stylish Spanish restaurant with Flamenco dancing and sangria on the outdoor terrace.
- Barley Republic – Gastropub offering hundreds of craft beers, wines, and signature cocktails alongside upscale bar fare.
- Saltwater Cowboys – Laid-back waterfront seafood restaurant with oyster bar and full cocktail menu. Live music at sunset.
- Conch House – Beachside restaurant famous for all-you-can-eat shrimp and nightly live music covering hits from the 60s-80s.
- Casa Maya – Mexican restaurant with tequila bar offering margarita flights and Mexican beers to enjoy with authentic cuisine.
Nearly all restaurants in downtown St. Augustine offer full liquor licenses allowing patrons 21+ to enjoy cocktails, beers, and wines with their meal. Sidewalk cafes allow for outdoor dining with alcohol in many parts of the historic district.
Festivals and events involving alcohol
In addition to the regular bar and restaurant scene, St. Augustine hosts a number of annual festivals and events where alcohol is served. These events allow people to drink and celebrate out in the streets with an open container waiver:
- Nights of Lights – During the annual holiday lights festival November-January, the city allows open containers downtown on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Sing Out Loud Festival – Live music festival in April featuring local food and drinks. Alcohol permitted at outdoor cafes and in the concert beer garden.
- Craft Breweries Tours – Organized brewery tours provide samples at local microbreweries like Dog Rose Brewing Company, Bog Brewing Co., Ancient City Brewing, and more.
- St. Augustine Wine & Chocolate Stroll – Self-guided tour in February with wine and chocolate samples at downtown shops and restaurants.
- Flagler College Tour of Homes – Annual holiday tour of historic campus buildings with cocktails, food tastings, and wines at multiple stops.
Other festivals like the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, Rhythm and Ribs Festival, and St. Augustine Craft Beer Week also allow outdoor beer and wine consumption in designated areas with proper ID. Activities like pub crawls and ghost tours also stop at bars and taverns as part of their routes.
Nightlife involving alcohol
Beyond bars and restaurants, St. Augustine offers a variety of spirited nightlife activities ideal for tourists age 21 and over:
- Pub crawls – structured bar tours with drinks and party buses to different downtown nightlife spots
- Wine tastings – guided tastings highlighting local varieties at area wineries
- Beer tastings – sample flights at local breweries and brewpubs
- Distillery tours – behind-the-scenes tours with cocktail samples at St. Augustine Distillery
- Happy hours – special drink discounts at late afternoon/early evening at many bars
- Karaoke nights – fun singalong nights with drink specials at places like Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
- Trivia nights – themed trivia with alcohol drink rewards at venues like The Tini Martini Bar
- Dance clubs – late night dancing and cocktails at spots like Eclipse and Oasis
Tour companies like St. Augustine Pub Crawls, Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, and St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains offer lively evening tours that make stops at popular bars so patrons can enjoy drinks as part of the experience.
Beach and outdoor drinking
While there is no legal public drinking allowed on St. Augustine’s beaches, there are ways for responsible tourists age 21+ to enjoy alcoholic beverages outdoors:
- Rooftop venues – Bars located on rooftops like the Sky Room at Saltwater Cowboys provide ocean views.
- Waterfront dining – Restaurants like O’Steens and Sunset Grille offer outdoor seating over the Matanzas River.
- Hotel balconies – Many hotels like Casa Monica allow drinks on private balconies with views of the waterfront.
- Boat tours – Bring your own drinks for sunset cruises, sailing charters, fishing trips, and water taxi tours.
- Courtyard spaces – Enjoy open container areas at restaurants, hotels, and inns with courtyard seating areas.
- Pocket parks – Small downtown parks like Spanish Street Park and Lindsays Lane Park offer peaceful outdoor spaces for sipping.
St. Augustine distillery and winery tasting rooms also commonly have outdoor garden spaces where you can enjoy a glass of locally produced alcohol and sunshine in a relaxing setting away from the bustling downtown streets.
Purchasing alcohol
For tourists who want to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their hotel rooms or vacation rentals in St. Augustine, there are places to purchase beer, wine, and liquor in town:
- Liquor stores – Petes Liquor Store, Red’s Liquor Store, and Ponce Liquor sell a wide range of spirits, beers, and wines.
- Grocery stores – Major supermarkets like Publix offer large beer and wine sections.
- Gas stations/convenience stores – Many locations like Circle K sell packaged liquor, six packs, singles, and more.
- Specialty shops – Boutique wine and beer shops provide curated selection like The Wine Gallery, Grape and Grain Exchange, and the Craft Beer Cellar.
- Duty-free shops – Airport stores offer tax-free wine, beer, and liquor for travelers.
- Home delivery – Apps like Drizly or Instacart allow delivery of beer, wine, and spirits right to your vacation rental door.
Patrons must be 21+ with valid government photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages from any retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, etc. in St. Augustine.
Transporting alcohol around town
While there are open container laws for drinking in public spaces, tourists age 21+ are permitted to responsibly transport unopened alcoholic beverages around St. Augustine by:
- On foot – Carry sealed packages, bottles, cans, growlers, etc. as you walk around town.
- Bike/scooter – Securely transport alcohol using baskets, panniers, trailers, or backpacks on bicycles or scooters.
- Rideshares/taxis – Bring drinks inside sealed bags or containers as a vehicle passenger.
- Car – You may not have an open container that the driver can access, but unopened containers are permitted when transported in the trunk, rear hatch area, or behind the last upright seat of a vehicle.
While it is legal to discreetly transport unopened alcohol, be aware that actually consuming alcohol openly in public can still result in a citation. So it is best to transport alcohol back to a private residence or hotel room for consumption away from any public areas in St. Augustine.
Common sense tips for enjoying alcohol
When partaking in St. Augustine’s vibrant bar and spirits scene, be sure to drink responsibly. Some key tips include:
- Never drink and drive. Use taxis, rideshares, designated drivers, scooters, bikes, etc. to safely get around town after consuming alcohol.
- Always drink in moderation. Know your limits and don’t overindulge.
- Stay hydrated with water between alcoholic drinks.
- Never leave drinks unattended to prevent potential drugging.
- Eat foods high in protein, carbs, and fat to slow intoxication and absorption.
- Take time to sober up before driving or operating scooters/bikes.
- Keep close watch on IDs and credit cards when out drinking.
- Stick to trusted establishments with good reviews and recommendations.
Using good judgement and drinking responsibly will allow visitors 21+ to safely and legally enjoy the variety of beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits St. Augustine has to offer.
Conclusion
St. Augustine offers many opportunities for tourists age 21 and over to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages during their travels. By patronizing licensed bars, restaurants, tours, stores, and events, avoiding public intoxication, and drinking responsibly, visitors can experience the best of the city’s nightlife, spirits, and cocktails safely and within the law.
