Super fun little dive bar in Lawrence. We went after the Busker Festival and it was a great place to get a beverage and people watch. The interior is small. Not terribly clean. A bit dark. Basically, a perfect little dive bar. They have beach decor throughout and even free popcorn. They do have a large patio area out front that has tables. The staff were super friendly and efficient. The cocktails are all on draft. Some come with toys, beads, and even lights. The Shark Attack has a shark filled with a shot of grenadine that you can pour into the blue concoction. Super fun. They also offer beer. A few craft but mostly domestics. The prices are also very good. $5 a cocktail. Def check them out if you're in LFK. read more

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Went with a friend years ago and had a blast. Went back years later with the same friend, had a blast again. You'll get great service if you're not rude, which should be a rule everywhere. This is tight quarters on a busy evening, but just a good old fun time. Thank you! read more

I took my Co-worker here after we had dinner/drinks at another Restaurant. The Busker Festival was going on so we walked around downtown Lawrence. I suggested we go down to The Sandbar to get a drink. We were both ID'd when we got to the door, as there were festival shenanigans going on right outside. There were tables to sit out on the little patio but we opted to stay in and sit at the bar top since they were playing great music inside. The Sand Bar is kind of a hole in the wall, it is a very small narrow bar, and it can get packed. It's a fun local bar to go to. Our Bartender Joe was Great which is why we stayed inside. He made funny small talk and suggestions on drinks-I wanted fruity-girly drinks and Joe delivered! There was another bartender that was fun too-I didn't catch his name however. They had several pre made drinks coming out of a tap-they were good, I tried several. Joe did bring us some popcorn from their popcorn machine which was nice. We had a great time hanging out there. read more

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Love this place cheap drinks that are delicious and such a good vibe ! I believe the bartenders name was Stephanie and she was just fantastic read more

We had to wait outside for probably 20 min to get in (9:30 Friday night) because they seem to have a strict max capacity. After paying the $5 cover and getting inside, I understand why. It's not a big place, and it was very packed. Bartenders were pretty attentive and friendly. The shark drink they have is a fun and popular option--tastes good and is cheap, but is mostly soda. When it's busy, this bar is very difficult to maneuver, and it's likely you will be pushed and bumped. The crowd seemed pretty mixed age-wise, which was a surprise since I expected it to be mainly college students. The DJ was not great, and ultimately we felt too much like canned sardines to hang around for long. read more

Sandbar is usually one of my favorite bars in Lawrence. Great music, friendly bartenders, decent drinks, and an overall fun vibe. The crowd is usually a bit older than many bars here. I've been here quite a few times and knew they had a fish tank, but last night was the first time I noticed they actually had fish in here. This is way too dirty and these fish are suffering. If the bar wants to have fish they should take care of them. This attitude seems to apply to a general lack of cleaning - sticky tables/seats/floor/everything, fog machine dripping into the popcorn, etc. Like I said, overall a fun place, just wish they would take better care of it. AND TAKE CARE OF THE FISH OR GET RID OF THEM! read more

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Fun place, get there early!! We got there at 1 pm, right at opening on a KU basketball Saturday and within 30 minutes the place was booming and there wasn't much seating left. The drinks are fun! $5 specialty (drinks with the toys) and they have a shot wheel that you spin. The atmosphere is upbeat and beachy! Definitely a fun place! Also, keep in mind this bar is in NO way classy! If you are looking for something other than over-the-top and cheesy, go elsewhere. read more

The Sandbar - Bahama Mama $5 - Bars Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Yeah that door guy Allen is a dickhead , drinks were fye tho, Haden the bartender is a 10/10

I had such a good time there tonight! Fewer people in town I think since it's Labor Day weekend. But from the moment I got there it felt like the DJ had my Apple Music connected because I knew every song and they were all bops. I will say the crackhead homeless population outside is a slight turn off but I think that's a government issue and certainly has nothing to do with this specific establishment. Also JP the bouncer is super chill and has good energy. That man needs a raise with all the chaos that happens on that street after midnight that should literally be none of his business but becomes his business b/c it's by Sandbar. read more

Uniquely programmed for energetic fun! The SandBar has more enthusiasm and creativity than any bar in Lawrence. For $20 you can dance on the bar in a Mermaid's costume. Don't expect anything from the bartenders except the unexpected. Get there early or wait in line. (People want to come here) Order something sharky. read more

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This place is hilariously awesome. Trying to decide to go here? Ask yourself: "Am I a little bit drunk?" If you answer YES, go on in. If not, come back when you are. Back in my college days, we'd occasionally migrate over here from Henry's next door and they couldn't be much different. Henry's might be hosting "French Night" with martinis and wine, and Sandbar will be belting out Journey, serving popcorn, girls dancing on the bar and a hurricane blowing through. We came over here after our wedding as we were staying at the Eldridge and walking through downtown. If you'd ever told me I'd be in my wedding tux and have my beautiful bride wearing her wedding dress into The Sandbar I would think you're out of your mind, but here we were. Side bar, the folks on Mass St. will treat you like royalty on your wedding night, it's kind of epic. They'll take your picture, hoot and holler, wish you well, give you whatever they're holding. It's great. Back to Sandbar, where it feels like a continuation of a wedding reception. Drinks flow, crowd pleasing music and dancing go on and on, and there's an overall positive vibe throughout. Definitely an experience, and one I recommend if you're out and about in Lawrence. read more

AWSOME atmosphere. A dive with class. How can you beat a Shark attack. Lol Sitting in front of the large fish tank watching this guy. Enjoying 2 dollar Tuesday, all drinks are just $2.00. :-). read more

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Lots of fun , good people fun Music, good service the people working there enjoy being where they're at it's a fun place to be.

Worst bar in town. If you like tacky gimmicks, then this is your place. If you value your dignity as a freethinking human being, don't even come near this bar. I've been dragged here a few times and had to bounce early because their customers could not have been more annoying. If you actually decide to go to the Sandbar, bring a few sharpened number two pencils so you can stab your ears and eyes out. read more

Every time I come to this gem I say the same thing, "why is this place so roudy, odd, cheap, and clearly have water damage issues" This place has the oddest mix of people, and it works perfectly. The drinks are extremely cheap, like most are $2. On Tuesday they are all $2, when I was first informed of this I was sure it was a joke, but praise be to the Lord, its true. On a side note there must be some extensive water damage because there is an serious smell to the place. Building on that, the bathroom is horrid. read more

Always a fun time at this local bar. You should ask for a hurricane, because it is way more fun to participate than just watching it! Friendly bar tenders and decent drink prices. read more

Nothing beats a trip back to Lawrence and a night dancing and drinking at the Sandbar. NOTHING! Order the Bahama Mama and don't forget to cover your drink with your hand when the hurricane starts! The jukebox is the best collection of dancing and party music. No techno or soul music on this box. Only Jimmy Buffet, KC and the Sunshine Band and various Rat Pack crooners. Mardi Gras beads come with every drink and once you reach a certain number of drinks (I forget how many) you are given a wooden backscratcher. Sandbar, Sandbar how I miss you. May your Ode to Jimmy Buffet live forever. read more

Up until last night, this was one of my favorite bars. I give bars and restaurants a lot of wiggle room because guests can honestly sometimes be the worst, but there's absolutely no excuse for how I was treated last night (6/16). Blatantly ignored by both bartenders after BOTH last calls (literally they just took my empty drink and trashed it. Didn't ask if I wanted another or even my tab?!) and slightly inebriated, I left an unhappy note and no tip. I don't normally do that, but after bringing my unhappiness to their attention they had nothing to say but "I said it's last call. Shots only." My note, which said "serve your guests when you call last call lol", apparently made our lovely bartender Bryan Gold so upset that he followed me out to the patio and told me and my party that we had to leave. I brought up their poor service again and instead of replying with anything remotely constructive, Bryan told me to "lose some weight." The bartender/manager(?) Dave somehow was on Bryan's side the whole time. He said something about having to "back up [his] employees because times are tough." Bryan eventually came over to apologize because my boyfriend forced him to and I probably responded too nicely for how frustrated and upset I was/am. I'm just shocked that that's how they think they can treat their guests. Last call does not equal closed. Literally just serve your guests with a smile on your face and you'll probably get your $2 tip you wanted so badly. And don't fat-shame women?!? Or anyone?! Sandbar, I used to love you but you'll never be seeing me again. read more

I LOVE the Sandbar. Such a fun and exciting place! My friends and I make sure to go to the Sandbar when we go out! How fun is it to get toys and little surprises in your drinks?! (Fun surprises, not the kind you don't like, of course :P ). The Sandbar is a great place. They have fun drinks and a kick ass atmosphere. Some people say that it's "an old people bar", but I don't see that at all. There is a full range of ages there and we are all just there to have fun and drink fun drinks! I love this place. Also! If you're there around 10 or 11 (or whenever someone buys one), they have a "Hurricane" where their big tiki head blows out lots and lots of bubbles and wind. That's seriously my favorite part, besides the toys the come in their signature drinks! :) AND if it's your birthday, you get a crown, what up, Sandbar?! Just make sure, if it's a Friday or Saturday night, get there early! I've been there past 10 and there's a dang line outside! Definitely worth the wait. On Thursdays they have an awesome deal. Buy a $5 glass (with a drink, and you get to keep the glass that has the Sandbar logo) and your drinks for the rest of the night are $2! How awesome! You get the glass, AND all of the toys that come with your drinks! Plus, they'll give you a clean glass before you go home so you don't have to take the sticky mess with you! They used to have a really cool dart board that chooses your drink for you. And every hour they have new specials, which is chosen via "Price is Right" wheel. Pretty cool. Oh! Guys, if you're looking to pick up chicks, this is the place. It's usually an older crowd and young women. I'm not sure why, but I rarely see younger guys there unless they are with their girlfriend or girl friends. So.... go for it! It's a fun place and very very intimate! Especially when it gets crowded! P.S. If you ask nicely (and if it's open) there's a really cool upstairs with real sand. :) I've been up there quite a few times! P.P.S. Buy a Shark Attack. BUT don't forget to dump your shark (mouth first) in to the "water". Pretty awesome, pretty tasty, and you get a cool shark! Bonus: They have free popcorn! read more

This bar is a lot of fun! I've been to several other tropical beach bars and haven't found anything as fun as this one! There are several beach flavored drinks. Get a bahama mama if you want to have fun. There's not a lot of alcohol in it, but there's beads, a rubber ducky, and sometimes a fun pair of glasses to wear. The juke box always has a familiar song. Lots of silly songs to sing along to. My husband doesn't care for this bar, but every gal I've been with loves it. Most people never venture to the sand pit upstairs. It's beautiful and peaceful if you want a less rowdy bunch to be around. Overall, a good time to be had here! read more

My absolute favorite bar in Lawrence! Since they are tough on IDs, you skip the really young crowd that flocks to the Hawk and the Wheel. The fact the building is lime green sets the mood for what lies inside. Through the door, you are transported to a tropical oasis. Okay not really, but it is as close to a beach you are going to get in Kansas. The bar is tiny so get here early unless you want to wait in line, which can often be on-in on-out Thursday through Saturday nights. The bar offers a variety of tropical drinks, including Bahama Mamas, Shark Attacks and Pink Flamingos. While I occasionally enjoy one of these sweet concoctions on Tropical Thursdays, I usually go for a Landshark draft! I love that they have Lankshark on tap. If you are in the mood for a sweet drink definitely go on Thurdays. You buy a pint glass for $5, and then the rest of your tropical drinks are $2. You can even bring your glass back on other Thursdays for the $2 deal. Tuesdays are also a great night with $1.50 almost anythings! Around 10 o'clock, prepare yourself for the main event. Three to four people adorn in mermaid outfits make their way to stand on the bar. After a poem and hilarious video, an "indoor hurricane" ensures complete with wind and bubbles! Stand up on the benches and join in on the dance. Music is always good here, ranging from oldies to the occasional pop hit. Crowd is usually mixed with older college students and an after work crowd. As the night goes on, don't be afraid to bust out your dance moves either standing on the benches or between the bar and tables! read more

The Sandbar always makes me LMFAO. I've only been there a handful of times, and I like it for what it is. Some people LOVE it...I can't say I love it, but I don't have an aversion to it like some bars in Lawrence (Tonic, I'm looking in your direction). Pros - Really fun for those nights when you're the right amount of tipsy and you feel like being completely goofy! Cons - I've always felt bad for the fish...I mean, the loud music has to be reverberating through their tank. Warning - my sister didn't appreciate me giving my 5-year old niece the plastic sharks from my shark attack drinks like I thought she would. Hey, I washed the grenadine out first!! read more

I'm completely changing my review of this place. Yes, it's still a cheap college dive bar, and no, the drinks did not get any better when we came here again. For the second night in a row. However, as it was Tuesday, you paid a $2 cover and then all your drinks for the entire night were $2. As in ANYTHING. Granted, they ain't carrying any top-shelf booze here, but a $2 Sierra Nevada draft is still at $2 drink. I'll take it. The one thing that greatly improved the esteem of this bar in my eyes (although "esteem" may not be the word I'm looking for) is their Hurricane. Apparently every single night at 10 pm, they have this big long production, with patrons standing on the bar wearing mermaid costumes, a bizarrely funny 10 minute video they play, a song and dance, and the coup d'etat: they actually blow big fans with napkins and foam all over the bar. Like a hurricane. I literally want to come back to Lawrence in the dead of winter next year for my birthday, just so I can stand on the bar wearing the gross mermaid costume, and do the Hurricane dance. I can't wait. read more

We stumbled upon this bar while walking out of a nearby bat that was dead on a Friday night. This place is small, dark and truly a dive. However, it is loads of fun, unpretentious, and has fun shot sales, drinks with "toys" floating in them, and friendly bar staff. We loved the atmosphere and it's our new go to hang out. read more

Free popcorn and Key West atmosphere in the middle of Lawrence, KS...what more can you ask for?! You can't pass through Lawrence without stopping in at the Sandbar...make sure to order a hurricane! read more

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I've been coming to Lawrence just about every Wednesday night since December to meet coworkers for dinner and drinks and we always head here at one point in the night. Their prices are really reasonable and they have a wide variety of shots and tropical drinks. All the drinks are served by a very experienced and friendly bar staff. My favorite part of the bar is just looking around at all the cool stuff on the walls and ceilings. I swear I see something new that I haven't noticed before every time I come here. 4/5 would visit again read more

Been here more times than I care to admit, been thrown out once or twice too, thanks to my friend. Kitch reigns supreme here, and what makes it worth it. Charged a $3 cover at 8:30pm on a Saturday. Used to be no cover till 11pm, but whatever. Music used to be lots better in years past, now they play weak music catered to millenials. Got rid of the fish too, but I always worried about those fish. Can they hear underwater? I used to not have to wait so long to be waited on, not a fan of their newer bartenders, only like it when Dave is bartending, but usually someone always pays for my drinks, so don't care anyway. Love all the toys in my drinks, have so many plastic sharks at home.....This place is near and dear to my heart, and I always have a blast. read more

This is a really fun bar and you definitely won't feel like you are in Kansas. Get the Shark Attack to drink and check out getting a mermaid costume to dance on the bar. Once an hour there is a hurricane, and well you will have to see for yourself how the rest goes. Definitely a bar to stop in while in Lawrence, America! read more

10/10 RECOMMEND!!! We stopped in Lawerence en route to Denver, and this place made the whole stay! The have the best, most creative drinks (cocktails, shots, etc) and such a fun atmosphere. Ask for Joe at the bar- he is phenomenal and makes killer drinks!! And is absolute ray of sunshine!! We love the sandbar!! read more

The Sandbar is a wonderful place to go. Good music, good drinks, reasonable prices, and free popcorn, definitely fun. Only downside is how small the place is. If you dont get there early (I mean before 9pm early), you will be waiting in line for people to leave so you can go in. If they expanded the place to a much larger room, it would be the hit of the town. This is not recommended for younger college kids though. This is a place you will see a huge mixture of ages and older couples. Good vibes overall. read more

Super fun atmosphere. However the bartender was veryyyy creepy. When I would go up to the bar to order he would grab my arms and hold me while I talked to him. I obviously was creeped out and nervous and wouldn't make eye contact with him and he said some creepy shit to me. Another time I went up to order he told me to go to the end of the bar so I met him at the end, and he put his arm around me and was again holding me while I ordered. Then while he brought drinks go the table he literally put his hand up my shirt (I was facing away from him) and rubbed my bare back.... I was BEYOND creeped out it kinda ruined my night. Love this place but the creeper short bartender with the beard... he needs to be fired. read more

Cool bar but needs to clean the fish tank. I like the whole hurricane idea but these fish are suffering

Great cheap drinks and service! Celebrated 21st Birthday! Came from out of town. Worth the wait in line!

I am new to the area, and had friends in from California. We were told to go to The Sandbar. I'm so glad we did! The bartender was amazing! He made us feel very welcome. The drinks and party favors that came with them were fun. The music was perfect. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because it was a little small. read more

The Sandbar - a woman with a fake moustache on her face and a woman with a fake moustache on her face - Bars Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

Such a fun and cool bar! You get little toys with every drink. Prices are fantastic and they have free popcorn!

I really can't say enough good things about this bar. The staff are friendly and the bar is an all around good time. That said, KNOW WHY YOU'RE GOING. As with any establishment, understand what they do before you walk in the door. The Sandbar doesn't take itself seriously. That's actually why it's so much fun. Will you hear sing along songs from the 70's 80's and 90's? Yes. Do people dance on the bar in mermaid costumes? Yes. Do they serve overly sweet tropical themed drinks that come with kitschy toys? Absolutely. Are you too hipster or too cool to relax and have fun in that atmosphere? Then it might not be your scene. Don't expect a hand muddled mojito or a 20 year old bourbon. Do expect great prices, shots always on special and people having fun. Brush up on your island escape music (Buffett and Marley) before you go and spend a couple hours pretending you're closer to a beach than you really are. The escapist vibe runs thick here because it's genuine. The bar does a great job evoking the vibe that every Margaritaville Cafe wishes it could without feeling commercial or forced. A great place to be if you wish you were a lot closer to a coast! read more

Our group arrived here quite late in the evening when their numbers were starting to dwindle. The staff then kicked us out of the bar stating that we'd have to finish our drinks outside as they were trying to close. We were like,"Ok, that's fine," and we went outside. About 30 seconds later, while we were outside trying to sip down the last sips of our purchased drinks quickly, one employee came out and unexpectedly started verbally attacking us. Talk about piss poor hospitality and customer service! He tore outside in a tizzy, describing how he would "literally" (yes, he said "literally") grab our drinks right out of our hands as we were drinking them because they were closed. If you want your PAYING customers to leave, why not just tell them, "We appreciated your business tonight, but unfortunaley we are closing now. Do you need me to call you a cab?" He did NOT choose this route of what would have been successful service; he was beyond rude to our group. We tried to explain that we were an international group, and that none of us were from Kansas. We had just walked into the bar to get a couple drinks. When one of us asked what the name of the bar was (so that we could call a cab and tell the driver where to pick us up from), rather than kindly informing us or offering to call the cab for us, the employee chose to scoff loudly, roll his eyes, laugh in our faces, and walk away. We were trying to leave, but the staff was not helping us leave. I'm not sure if this employee assumed that we were local KU students out partying??? Well, we WEREN'T! (You know what you get when you assume). I requested to speak with the manager of the bar who listened to my complaints but didn't even offer an apology for the employee's unacceptable behavior. So disappointing. THEN...In the middle of my private conversation with the manager, the irate employee walked up to listen to what I was saying and to blurt out rebuttals; I cannot believe that the manager did NOTHING. So unprofessional and disrespectful to the customer! Sure, they have cutesy drinks, and it's too bad that we were having a good time before this completely snobbish employee confronted us out of nowhere. However, the Sandbar will not be getting my business again, assuming that I'll ever be in Kansas again. read more

If you go in for The Sandbar's gimmick, then there's probably quite a bit you'll be willing to overlook about this dive. Like the cramped corners, the overpriced novelty drinks, the hard sell on buying "the collector's glass," the limited, analog music selection, the lousy TV setup and, worst of all, the mind-numbing (not in a good way), low production value (also not in a good way, though YMMV) "hurricane" routine, which basically halts any atmosphere the night may have had for the benefit of whichever young (or sometimes not) lady willing to dress up in a stupid costume, stand embarrassed (or at least embarrassingly) on top of the bar and be cheered on or catcalled at by the other patrons. The back lounge area? Lame The bathrooms? Lacking to say the least. But if you like waiting and hate privacy, no big deal. The upstairs "beach?" Every time I've been up there, it's as dead as a beached whale. I've been to a majority of the bars in Lawrence. All have their flaws, none guarantee a good time. But this place is only worthy of your time as a function of its proximity to other, better bars. There's basically nothing The Sandbar does well, except turn your money into watered-down tropical drinks and cheap novelty goodies. P.S. Still want in? It helps to know the doorman, unless you want to wait in line and/or pay a cover charge. read more

FOUND: My lost shaker of salt! When I'm at the Sandbar, call me Chairman LMAO because I'm laughing the whole time. Combine the carefree spirit of the parrot-head and the aesthetic sense of Spongebob and you've got this place nailed (no Squidwards allowed!). The bartenders rock here. They made my friends shots in all of their favorite colors. I can't say how good the drinks are because I don't drink anymore, but they looked great. The drinks made my water look dull and that made me feel pretty bad about things. Not your fault, Sandbar! I always appreciate a bar that serves popcorn and they have plenty to go around here. My gums got pretty inflamed by my third helping, but it was nothing good friends and a little floss could't remedy. I can't wait for summer at the Sandbar. I just hope they don't have a dress code because I plan on wearing boardshorts. Until then, mahalo! read more

A Lawrence original. They will always have some sort of food to munch on while you're sipping down their shark attacks or after taking one of the shots from the shot wheel. Great music! You can hear the pop punk sounds of the early 2000s like smashmouth, blink and good Charlotte. It's kind of small, and can be a hassle to wade through the massive amounts of people trying to get up to the single bar the place has. Definitely a place worth visiting on the weekend read more