SEC-AAAE 2027 · Your local guide
The conference may bring you to Pensacola, but we hope you leave with a few favorite places of your own.
From fresh Gulf seafood and waterfront cocktails to historic streets, coastal adventures and some of the whitest sand in the world, there is plenty to discover beyond the conference agenda. Whether you have a free afternoon, an open evening or a few extra days along the Gulf Coast, consider this your starting point for exploring Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
For even more ideas, itineraries and local events, visit Visit Pensacola →
Pensacola local guide
You do not have to travel far from the conference hotel to find great seafood, cold drinks and waterfront views.
An upscale waterfront restaurant known for fresh seafood, an impressive oyster bar and beautiful views of Santa Rosa Sound. A great choice for a client dinner or a more elevated evening out.
Best for: Seafood, cocktails and special-occasion dining Visit Website
A beloved Pensacola Beach institution serving oysters, seafood baskets and casual coastal favorites. Expect a lively, laid-back atmosphere and plenty of local character.
Best for: Oysters, casual seafood and a true beach-town experience Visit Website
Known for generous portions, waterfront seating, live entertainment and its larger-than-life beach atmosphere. Do not leave without trying a Bushwacker, Pensacola Beach’s unofficial signature cocktail.
Best for: Groups, live music and waterfront fun Visit Website
A relaxed waterfront restaurant with outdoor seating, lawn games and Southern-inspired coastal dishes. It is an easy choice for groups looking for good food without a formal atmosphere.
Best for: Casual groups, outdoor dining and sunset views Visit Website
Located beside the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, Casino Beach Bar & Grille offers seafood, sandwiches, cocktails and an excellent view of the Gulf.
Best for: Gulf views, lunch and drinks near the pier Visit Website
A casual local favorite serving breakfast and lunch just steps from the beach. Stop in for omelets, pancakes, seafood-inspired brunch dishes and plenty of coffee.
Best for: Breakfast, brunch and a relaxed start to the day Visit Website
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Pensacola local guide
When the day’s sessions are over, Pensacola Beach offers plenty of places to keep the conversation going.
An open-air waterfront bar on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk known for frozen drinks, live music and an easygoing beach atmosphere.
Best for: Frozen cocktails, live music and late-night fun
Home of the Original Bushwacker, the Sandshaker is a longtime Pensacola Beach gathering place with regular live entertainment and plenty of local personality.
Best for: Bushwackers and an authentic beach-bar experience Visit Website
A relaxed neighborhood-style beach bar offering live music, pool tables and a casual crowd.
Best for: A low-key night out and live entertainment Visit Website
Tucked along Santa Rosa Sound, Sneaky Tiki is an open-air, toes-in-the-sand bar with tropical drinks, hammocks, loungers, games and laid-back island music. Part of the fun is finding it—follow the path behind Pensacola Beach RV Resort.
Best for: Tropical cocktails, sunset views and a relaxed hidden-gem atmosphere Visit Website
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Pensacola local guide
Located approximately 20 minutes from Pensacola Beach, Downtown Pensacola pairs historic architecture with award-winning restaurants, cocktail bars, breweries, shops and live entertainment. Most destinations are concentrated around Palafox Street, Seville Square and the waterfront, making downtown easy to explore on foot.
A contemporary Southern restaurant known for creative seasonal dishes, craft cocktails and an intimate atmosphere.
Best for: Elevated Southern cuisine and smaller dinner groups Visit Website
A downtown favorite specializing in tapas and shareable plates from around the world.
Best for: Groups, shared plates and a lively dinner Visit Website
A modern gastropub serving inventive Southern-inspired dishes in a polished but approachable setting.
Best for: Creative comfort food, cocktails and business dinners Visit Website
A chef-driven seafood restaurant offering fresh Gulf flavors in an intimate setting.
Best for: Seafood and a memorable dinner away from the beach Visit Website
A Pensacola waterfront staple and home of the city’s famous Grits à Ya Ya.
Best for: Local flavor, waterfront dining and larger groups Visit Website
One of Pensacola’s most recognizable restaurants, McGuire’s is known for steaks, Irish favorites, house-brewed beer and more than two million signed dollar bills covering its walls and ceilings.
Best for: First-time visitors, groups and a uniquely Pensacola experience Visit Website
A chef-driven downtown restaurant serving thoughtfully prepared Italian cuisine in a refined yet welcoming setting. The menu draws inspiration from Italy’s coastal regions and features house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, seasonal dishes and an extensive wine selection.
Best for: Italian cuisine, wine and an elevated group or client dinner Visit Website
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Pensacola local guide
A thoughtfully designed cocktail bar offering craft drinks in a stylish setting near Union Public House.
Best for: Cocktails and a quieter evening out Visit Website
A Pensacola nightlife landmark featuring multiple rooms, bars, live music and entertainment inside the historic Seville Square district.
Best for: Groups, live music and late-night entertainment Visit Website
Located atop The Clark Family Cultural Center, The Rooftop pairs an open-air setting with craft cocktails, premium spirits and sweeping views of Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Bay. Its polished but relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for sunset drinks and post-conference conversation.
Best for: Craft cocktails, sunset views and an elevated night out Learn More
A farmhouse-inspired brewery on North Palafox Street with an emphasis on seasonal brewing and beers suited to the Gulf Coast climate. Its rotating selection frequently includes lagers, saisons and IPAs served in a distinctive, relaxed taproom.
Best for: Craft beer, seasonal releases and a laid-back downtown stop Visit Website
An intimate downtown music venue hosting regional and national touring acts.
Best for: Live music View Upcoming Events
Sometimes the best plan is not having one. Stroll Palafox Street and explore its restaurants, cocktail bars, breweries, shops and historic architecture along the way.
Best for: An open evening and spontaneous plans
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Pensacola local guide
Located within Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens combines nearly two centuries of history with undeveloped beaches, trails and views of Pensacola Pass. Visitors can explore the historic fort, walk the shoreline or simply enjoy one of the most scenic areas on Santa Rosa Island.
Fort Pickens is approximately nine miles west of the conference hotel. Park admission may apply.
See Pensacola from the water aboard a dolphin, sailing or sunset cruise. Several operators depart directly from Pensacola Beach and offer options ranging from large group tours to smaller private excursions.
Advance reservations are recommended.
The Pensacola Bay City Ferry connects Pensacola Beach, Fort Pickens and Downtown Pensacola, offering a scenic alternative to traveling by car. All-day and hop-on, hop-off options may be available.
Ferry service is seasonal and subject to weather and operating schedules. Confirm availability before making plans.
Stretching into the Gulf of Mexico, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier offers panoramic views of the coastline and opportunities to spot dolphins, rays, sea turtles and other marine life.
A small admission fee may apply for walkers.
Discover more than 460 years of local history throughout Pensacola’s walkable historic district. Museums, preserved homes, archaeological sites and the America’s First Settlement Trail tell the story of the city where America began.
Rent a paddleboard, kayak, personal watercraft or pontoon boat and experience Santa Rosa Sound at your own pace. Parasailing and guided water adventures are also available from Pensacola Beach.
No reservations required. Pensacola Beach is known for its sugar-white quartz sand and emerald-green water. Start the morning with a walk along the Gulf, catch the sunset over Santa Rosa Sound or simply find a quiet stretch of sand between conference events.
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Before you go
Hours, seasonal schedules and availability may change. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner, cruises and group activities. Please visit each business or attraction’s website directly for current hours, pricing and booking information.
For even more ideas, itineraries and local events, visit Visit Pensacola.