I fell into this hidden Gem. The Undertow beachy dive bar was was epic. The bartender "Taylor" made me one of the best spicy Bloody Mary's ever. She had great energy. Then I met the owner "Lance" very cool guy. Overall experience was just enough conversation while sitting right on the beach. The beautiful girls in bikinis didn't hurt. Good job guys. Thanks for the laughs... read more

A group of my friends decided to go to the beach on this 52 degree day. We sat at the bar for about two hours, ordered a few drinks and food. Afterwards, we decided to try and warm up in the sun outside. We were then asked to leave because we had bags with us. We were there for two hours, and rudely asked to leave. We were shocked at how nice they were, then turned the switch real quick. They accused us of bringing our own beer, which the beer we had was the ones that we got at the bar. We are all in our thirties, and has never been treated like that before. They weren't busy, and the owner wouldn't even let me back in to pay my tab because I had a bag with me, which I had the whole time we were there. I am speechless. We will not be going back there! read more

Wow come down here a lot and Undertow WAS always a favorite spot to get a drink and kick back in a "used-to-be" chill environment. Just left the place and found it hilarious that I walked to the beach and got locked out of going back into the bar. I tried the door on the left and just waited there for a few minutes, noticed another door so I went there just to get locked out again! LMFAO you are locking me out from paying for another beer?!?! I couldn't think of anything more stupid! I knew something was wrong when I noticed about twenty signs that said NO to pretty much anything at all. Undertow you are, well were at least, an awesome divey beach bar - embrace it! read more

Weird place. Over 21 crowd only. Bar tender in a bikini , man reselling pizza from a card table. Was told there would be really good BBQ for lunch ... but the guy never showed up . So just snow cones , alcohol & old pizza today sorry . Not sure I can really describe the experience. The owner also owns the beach front there & wont let you bring a cooler to the beach or into his bar. Even though I'm renting a chair & umbrella on his beach ... he wants my water bottle & beer business too. Ok not sure how you really control what people bring to the beach ... it 97 degrees in July ... I would be foolish to leave hotel without water bottle. Just an odd little setup. I appreciate some controls on the beach because people get out of hand ... and services are being provided. There's a bathroom there & a place to buy cold drink which is awesome. Plus I want to rent an umbrella & chair. So I really appreciate that set up .. our family is the demographic most businesses are seeking I think . Just sort of too much control about bringing a cooler to the beach. read more

They have new policies that start with you can't pretty much do anything. Laundry list of NO. To boot, I used to bring my son, kick back and have a drink. Hang on the beach, play some v-ball. You can no longer bring kids of any age, nor can you bring anything accept the clothes you are wearing...they might let you bring your purse, but make sure it is clearly not a bag! This place now blows when there are so many other places to go! read more

This bar was awesome a couple years ago. This year there is a big fence blocking off the beach from the bar. Can't figure out how to get in. Finally a spot on the gate says "ring". you hit the button, but can't hear anything and then the bartender yells at you that it's open...not great. Music playing and beach access is all that's required. Oh, and no big black steel fence blocking off the beach. . read more

This used to be a chill laid back place, one of my favorites in all of Florida. I was a regular, took my family there dozens of times over the years. The last time we went, management was incredibly rude. I was at the bar with my dad and uncle. My family was on the beach. One of my little cousins (about 8), came in from the beach side wanting a cup of water, I DID NOT bring her to the bar. The bartender said, "she's not going to stay here right?" I said, if course not. She just wants water, there's literally no other place in this establishment to get a cup of water. So if you could please just give me a cup of water, she'll head back to the beach". She gave me the cup, but the manager also came over and started unnecessarily being a dickhead. He said "you need to get her out of here NOW, loudly." He was very close to her, and talking loudly - she was scared. I felt like he was literally about to physically touch her and force her out of the bar - which would have certainly landed me in jail and landed him in the hospital if not the morgue. I understand there are rules, but there is also a certain level of respect you should treat your customers with - not to mention a child regardless of the circumstances. I haven't been back and certainly won't ever be taking anyone there or recommending it to my friends. It's a shame really, they can enforce the rules without being disrespectful assholes. Judging by the other reviews, customer service has clearly dropped substantially over the last couple years. Apparently someone who complimented this review can't read - like I said previously, I DID NOT bring a child to a bar, she came in from the beach side looking for a cup of water. I would never just bring a child to sit at a bar. Ultimately my main complaint is that the situation could have been handled a lot more respectfully, without being so aggressive towards a child. I don't care what the situation is, that is totally unacceptable. read more

This place is awesome. Just moved to St Pete one of the first places I went to. Cool crowd on a Saturday night, multiple bars, ton of tables and can even go right on to the beach. Only down side I wanted to bring my puppy they don't allow dogs anymore. Will be going back for sure. read more

We had our first visit to the Undertow this past Sunday. We were having a good time and having good service. The deal breaker was a tramp in a mini skirt listing her feet up to the bar to show people shoes. I did not have the privilege to see these wonderful shoes. She continued to work her way around the bar showing what she had up her skirt. She then thought it would be a time saver to get on her hands and knees on the bar. Well, she was going commando. My wife requested that she be removed from the bar as she was making most customers un comfortable. We said remove her or we are leaving and we were told to leave. Thins was 1:30 on Sunday afternoon. read more

Wow, I've come here a few times a year for the last 10-12 years and this place has become an obnoxious college douche bar. From who I could assume they were, there were two off-duty bartenders getting hammered and dancing on the bar and getting hot and heavy with their guy friends sitting there. Then later they decided to hop behind the bar and help out the two bartenders who were working when it got busy. I felt embarrassed for them... Oh and the black fence on the back of the patio was a ridiculously awful idea. Undertow has become a college dump dive, with the only saving grace being the location on the beach. That will be my last visit for sure. read more

Worst experience on the beach I have ever had! Walked in off the beach and had to be "buzzed in" this is St Pete beach, right? Walked in and the place was dead! 3pm Saturday afternoon. So we decided to leave. Well, we were stopped at the gate to the beach and could not get out. We had to wait for bubba to "Buzz" us out! Then Bubba did not want to buzz us out! He asked if we bought a drink and where was our wrist band! WTF! I have been living on the beach for several years now, and never heard of this before. Bubba said we couldn't leave without buying a drink! We would be trespassing on their beach if we left without paying and he would call the police! Again, WTF! This is no joke.. Happened today. I would avoid this place at all cost! Hope the place closes. Plenty of other nice places to go on the beach.. Not sure what's wrong with this place. read more

If you prefer your beers served by oiled up and surgically enhanced women in dental floss bikinis, then this is your place. Great beach bar with daily and sometimes hourly specials. Loved that I could drink my beer on the beach and not be harassed (unlike the NY beaches). They have a great volleyball section (for people that are into that) and at night you get a breathtaking sunset while enjoying the Florida breeze with your mixed drink. read more

Terrible experience. We were with a wedding party. The bar tender called the cops. The cops didn't even know why they were called. Will never go back! read more

I'll kept this simple. The Undertow WAS my favorite beach bar. Since the installation of the fence, I will not be back. read more

Undertow Beach Bar - Bars Near Me - St. Pete Beach, Florida

The Undertow Beach Bar is a top notch beach bar with a cool bar top that water runs through, bartenders in bikinis, beach volleyball, cornhole, pool, air hockey, ring toss, good wings, and good drink specials! Service was quick and very cordial. The menu has been reduced to wings and pizza so if you are in the mood for anything else, you can order to-go from the restaurant 2 doors down. This is a great place to watch the sunset! Limited Parking of around 20 spots is available onsite but it fills up quick on the weekend days. There is $10 parking across the street or public beach parking 4 hotels down. They don't have a live band. If you're looking for that, youre better off at Toasted Monkey, Jimmy B's, or Pci. This is kind of a chill Beach Bar. They do have TVs though to watch the game, $1 Foosball, $1 air hockey, and $1 pool tables in the back. $3 coronas and Miller lights all summer long! :) Their margaritas, pina coladas, strawberry daquiris and mud slides are top notch! You can race dollar bills or plastic knives down the bar top ravine lol. They're always doing cool events like fishing for cans, can jam, and beach volleyball tournaments. They even filmed an episode of party down south here! Faster service than PCI and better drink specials! read more

See all

So... I went to St. Petersburg for a best-friend's wedding this past weekend. We spent three consecutive nights partying at the Undertow. Why such a bad review? Lets get into it. Thursday - Things were awesome on the first night, very efficient bar tenders, reasonably priced drinks, and the location was superb, it's right on the beach. I also saw one of the drunkest drunks I have seen in years. A cowboyish weirdo stumbled into a wall heading towards the bathroom, then he turned around and headed back towards the direction he came from and projectile vomited in a plant. BTW, projectile vomiting is real (I thought it was just an exaggerated joke). Thursday night verdict, two thumbs up. Friday - We were invited to crash the bride's bachelorette party, and after some debate, we decided that if the bachelorette's needed the groomsmen to entertain, it was our duty to ensure entertainment mayhem. We showed up, full-throttle, danced, partied hard, and made a few local friends. The ladies enjoyed themselves immensely; I on the other hand had a peculiar event take place. It started with me ordering a red-bull, just a red-bull, and no vodka. As I loving drank from sweet can of energy, I was summoned to the dance floor to make some moves, so I rested the can on a nearby bar. A couple vigorous dance moves later, I felt parched. I returned my half-full can of red-bull and took a large draw. As the sweet sweet nectar of the Gods fell down my throat pipe, I sensed something was wrong, then it hit me like a cow, someone tossed a cigarette in my drink. I quickly ran towards the only place I knew I could make a mess, the plant my cowboyish friend vomited in the previous night. I spewed. Projectile vomiting is indeed real, and it was re-confirmed in a flowing celebration of red-bull, cigarette butts, and my massive seafood dinner. Needless to say, we had a decent time. Saturday - After being a groomsmen for the first time for the most bangingest beach wedding ever, we happily returned, yet again, to the Undertow. A flurry of sexiness showed up at the bar ready to kick it, hard, wearing wedding clothes, funny hats, and sunglasses, and of course we were toting around a newly wed couple in mildly formal clothing. Although I was flamboyantly accessorized, I felt it was my duty as member of the groom's party, to bring along one necessary item... the remains of the newly wed's three-tiered wedding cake. I proudly walked to our area of the bar, wedding cake in hand, and within moments, as expected, the cake-fight began. Soon enough, after security had us surrender the remaining bits of cake, we returned to a somber evening of raging dirty dancing. We closed the place down for the third night in a row, but it was not by on our own accord, we were thrown out by the assholeiest bouncer in the history of the bouncing world. I don't know where this guy got his bachelors degree in bouncing, but it most likely was not a reputable bouncing academy. Anyways, the next few events lead to my 1 star review for the Undertow. It was the end of the night and we were settling up our tabs for our departure. As we were ready to leave, the bouncer came over to us and tells the groom that we need to leave and the bar is closing, to which the groom replied, "okay, just give us a second." Then, as if the bouncer had eaten a hot tamale or been bitten by rattle snake, he turns red, and in a matter of milliseconds, totally looses his cool and barks at the top of his lungs, "I TOLD YOU TO GET THE F-CK OUT OF HERE." Side note, I have never heard anyone scream as loud as this dude. He was not only extremely heated, but he was super vocal and animated with his ejection techniques. It was like an albino gorilla flinging poop around while screaming vivaciously. This screaming in the groom's face was not taken lightly by our wolf pack, and so our military friend jumped in and said, "chill out." Which only fueled his extreme grumpiness. Within minutes, all of the other bouncers, management, and bar tenders surrounded us. They all told us to get the hell out. Both armies faced. We rounded up our party, screamed back some choice obscenities, and explained that they should not treat "good" customers such as ourselves with such disrespect, especially after throwing tons of money at them for 3 consecutive days. Anyways, I threatened them that I would yelp about it. In conclusion, place is great, but everyone that works there sucks. read more

I've been here on more than one occasion and recently came back almost two weeks ago. What is up with the fence on the patio area?? You used to be able to step down from the patio and sit on the beach, now there is a gate and it looks like an eyesore. Also the bikini clad bartender had better things to do such as flirt with a group of guys on the other side of the bar than to serve drinks. It took awhile for her to notice our group of seven. It was also dead at night. Jimmy B's is much better. read more

I used to love this place but the service has really gone down hill. My friend and I stopped by to get a drink and ordered 2 loaded coronas for $17.50. Then my friend ordered another one and not only did she give him the incorrect change she tried to justify it by upping the price to $11 for one but still gave him the incorrect change of $8 out of a $20. We left and went to bon aire where they have amazing rumrunners and cheeseburgers! read more

Horrible horrible service. I was with a group of my closest friends, the 3 of us walked up to the bar. I was the ONLY one being given the time of day. I was also the only white guy in the group. Everyone there was CLEARLY racist, even when we were trying to give them business and order some drinks. I am in shock that I came across such a blatantly racist establishment. DO NOT support this business, they need to be shut down. read more

Terrible service. Our bartender was so absorbed in chatting with some other customers she let 25 mins go by without even looking back. By then, several people were waiting to be helped. read more

Service is terrible. The entrance to the beach is locked by ownership. Took us 20 minutes to be served. STAY AWAY! Don't waste your time.

Typical dive bar not in too great about it. The bar is pretty cool since it has a river flowing through it but besides that nothing else is really that great. They have no food and the service tends to be a little slow but that's expected when you only have two bartenders for 50 people.would definitely go back because it is a nice bar but definitely would not be my first pick. read more

They need to take a course on public relations. Where do I begin... Today we showed up from out of town, and since our previous experience here was positive we decided to hang out here with the family and have a few drinks. As we started getting out of the truck a tall guy comes yelling that we need to go. Being from out of town I thought that it was someone that my brother in law new just having fun with him. He then starts yelling that he "deals" with people like us everyday. When I finally realized that he was being serious, and thought that we had cans of beer, I asked him to check the truck. We had a fish net bag with sun tan lotion that he assumed was alcohol. As I pulled out both cans "one for the kids" the guy felt really stupid. He again stated that we didn't know what they deal with all day. Im not sure why this would be an excuse to treat or lump all customers based on behaviors of a few. Word of advice, think about taking a bit more ownership next time and just apologize. Instead the guy decides to make a knee jerk reaction and tells us that we still need to go. We are all highly educated professionals, and are willing and able to pay for a good experience. As we were pulling away I asked the older gentlemen directing cars where to park who the guy was. He follows up by telling me that he's the owner.... Very disappointed to see such a nice establishment on the beach mismanaged. If you are a tourist; I would recommend that you chose another option on the beach. In the words of the "owner" I don't care if you are from out of town. read more

This was my favorite beach bar....the ambiance, the vibe, the eclectic and laid back crowd always made this a good spot.....until I heard they installed a chain link fence and posted ridiculous rules (no backwards hats-must wear a shirt after sunset.....uh ok). I'm really annoyed by this and now am forced to find a different beach bar to hang out at. I'm really bummed. I have a guest coming into town on Saturday and this was def gonna be on our list of things to do....now I need a plan B. read more

Compared with some of its competitors up and down St. Pete Beach, the venerable Undertow doesn't have much to offer these days. Now, about 10 years ago, this joint was rocking. You couldn't find a place to stand, much less sit. The beach was packed wall to wall with bodies. Somewhere along the way, the Undertow lost its mojo to newer hotspots like the Post Card Inn, which now seems to attract the beautiful people on weekends who once came to the Undertow. So what does the Undertow offer? Relatively cheap drinks, relatively cheap beer by the pitcher and some really good wings. The view is awesome, albeit it's the same view of every other beach bar, too. The downsides are many, but especially very limited on-site parking, as well as very difficult off-site parking, if you even dare to risk a ticket or a tow. There is zero live entertainment, as far as I know. Not much vibe anymore. and the place has the overall look of being run down and a little tired around the edges. Now, these things may not be apparent to most tourists who seem to be the main patrons, judging by other reviews. Locals go elsewhere these days, including Jimmy B's, Caddy's and the Post Card Inn. read more

What a great little bar...we attended a conference in August and stumbled upon this place during our walk on the beach...literally on the beach- awesome place for a nice sea breeze and cocktail- even in August in Florida. Definitely had a different experience than some of the other reviewers..the staff was more than pleasant and we would absolutely go back..in fact, we went there every night after we discovered it! read more

Wow....first time this area and I was looking for a place to go out tonight. After reading these reviews, my fiancé and I will most definitely not be coming here!!! Looks like a shit hole! read more

Horrible experience, courtesy (or lack of) from what appeared to be the owner. He will go out of his way to ruin your time, even if you aren't in his establishment anymore and you're on the beach. Definitely not ever returning or recommending this place to anyone. read more

My friends and I spent two glorious law school spring breaks being patrons at Undertow. Unfortunately during the first spring break we didn't stumble upon it until late in the game so we made sure to make up for it the second time around. We made some local friends and played hours of beach volleyball and ring toss. We were also fortunate enough to be there on a full moon night, and girls drink free! The food, which does take a while to get the attention of a waitress to order, is pretty good as far as bar food goes. The drink prices are also reasonable. We also fortunately didn't encounter any of the problems with the staff that some of the other reviewers had. read more

Until now I used to go after work & have a beer to watch the sunset. Except when I went this week, I was surprised to see the ugliest chain length fence not only blocking the view of the sunset but making it feel like I'm in a bad neighborhood or something. Thanks Undertow. Good luck with that. read more

We were at the beach and decided to check out this bar i had bookmarked a few weeks back. First thing i noticed coming in were pool tables to my right, and ahead to my left i saw a girl upside down. What the heck is she doing?....She was drinking a shot upside down! (If you are game, you can also climb up and drink a complimentary shot upside down). The bar top was a really unexpected touch... where there is water running through it with rubber duckies floating around. Also unexpected were the good drink and beer prices. $3 Coronas...i'm in ! I was also game for playing some pool (which was a blast...i had to show off my skills...or lack thereof) and then came back to the bar to socialize with fellow patrons and chat up with the friendly bikini clad bartender. I love the fact that it is right next to the beach, it has a great view, good music, and lively atmosphere. I loved this place and can't wait to return. read more

See all

The only reason I'm giving this place a 2 star instead of a 1 star is because the 1 drink I had there was actually pretty good ( although it was in a small plastic cup with lots of ice which was about 4 sips.) Terrible service and a trashy bar. The bartenders wear bikinis that are practically thongs and posters of the same on the walls. I get it, it's by the beach and some bartenders will do anything to make tips but this place is too much. I much prefer Bongos where the bartenders are a little more classy and I don't feel like I'm at a strip club. Won't be coming back. read more

I like this bar. It amuses me to see the little rubber fish to float in the little "creek" around the bar. I hear, people watch them "race" on occasion. The staff seems to be tickled by those as well. Gives me something to look at while waiting on my drink... Speaking of the staff, they are pretty good. Friendly and proficient. I like hanging at this place, watching sunsets. I also like that my friends and I can play with the "throw ring on the hook" game. There are two of those. After couple of drinks, I get pretty good! For more sober/sporty folks, there are beach volleyball nets. The reason for 4 stars is their parking situation. The parking is very limited. If you go there, carpool. There's an additional parking across the street, but I believe it's for a fee. read more