Bud and Alley's Restaurant

UP BAR!
UP BAR!

(the sounds you will likely hear when you are "Upstairs at Bud & Alleys" - It's the "Down Bar" calling the "Up Bar" to tell them they need something from upstairs!)

This review is for the UP BAR - otherwise known as the Bud & Alley's Waterfront Bar, the Tarpon Club, and, most recently, The Roof Deck Bar.  Call it what you wanna call it - I call it damn good beach fun, and a trip to Seaside is NOT a trip to Seaside without a few stops at the bar that occupies the space above Bud & Alley's restaurant.  

Being the single waterfront bar on 30A for many years (until that Disney-esque place came on the scene in 2000), this was the PLACE TO BE.  It still IS the place to be in my mind.  There is nothing as wonderful as enjoying a post-dinner cocktail concocted by Moe, my favorite beach bartender (i have followed Moe all around Santa Rosa Island for many years!)

You can enjoy those same cocktails in the middle of the day when you need a respite from the hot sun AND add some snacks to go with it.  A few of my faves (this menu makes a perfect afternoon meal for three or four people.  I can attest to the portions!):

Smoked Tuna Dip (a staple not to be missed - creamy and yummy)  with Lavosh ($15)
Sweet Potato fries w mustard dipping sauce ($8)
Hummus with Nan ($9)

If you want something a little lighter, try one of the salads - I like the Nicoise ($16) and the Caesar ($10) and I like to add a crabcake to that - you can also add shrimp or chicken for a small up charge.

For sandwiches, the Grilled Chicken Portobello Melt is my favorite - that will run ya about $14.  They have lots of other selections, if you have picky eaters in your crowd, and they have an ample and inexpensive kid's menu too.

In the summer, this place is definitely teeming with the who's who of Birmingham, Nash, Atlanta and points west - so wear your pretties.  Great for people watching.  If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the old steam roller bell game:  Every day, the bell is rung to celebrate another gorgeous sunset (the sunsets on the gulf are breathtaking) - if you can guess the time of the sunset (all the names and times are posted on a chalkboard) you get a mouth watering prize :)

Aside from the food being great, the atmosphere is spectacular - laid back beach bar, great bartenders, cool breezes and pretty near perfect scenery! It doesn't get much better than this!

CHEERS!

Great dinner on the back deck. Food was fresh and delicious. Family friendly.

Had a great bowl of a seafood gumbo,  flavorful, hardy, full of good stuff. Then ordered the catch of the day.  A simply prepared, few capers, broiled whole flounder cooked perfect. Couple of tasty scotches,  hey I call that a great meal,  and the service was attentive from the greeting to server to the "thanks come back".   And of course I will return.