Pensacola’s beach bar season may last a little longer than usual, thanks to a major change made by Santa Rosa Island Authority Executive Director Mike Burns this month.
Due to seasonal permits previously required by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, several waterfront Pensacola Beach bars could only open from March through the end of October. The permits only applied to a handful of waterfront businesses, including Sneaky Tiki, The Shaka Bar and part of Casino Beach Bar.
“It’s just one of those things where the season is expanding, these guys and gals are responsible business owners. They always turn in their reports on time to us at the Island Authority. They pay their lease fees and they asked me, so I went and took a look at it, and I thought, ‘Look, I think this is a reasonable request.’ It’s the right thing to do, that’s what I try and do every day is the right thing,” Burns said. “They’re helping their patrons as well as helping their employees by allowing them to keep working. The small guys are making money and the Island Authority’s getting their fees.
“It’s good for the island, the residents like to go there, the visitors like to go there, so why not do it. So, that’s what we did,” Burns added.
Jennifer Jackson, owner of Sneaky Tiki Bar at 17 Via de Luna Drive, said she has been trying to get the permit lifted for years, and when she finally received the news at the start of the month stating she would now be able to make the decision for when her season starts and ends, it felt almost too good to be true.
“I’ve been sending letters every year,” Jackson said, since opening the bar in 2018.
Jackson said that the limitations no longer make sense as the tourism season has also extended in Pensacola, and customers will still be lining up for one of their signature Tiki-Whackers no matter what month it is—a sentiment echoed to Burns by other beach business owners that he agreed with.
“That’s one thing that’s happened around here … the season, it’s not a shoulder season anymore, it’s a year-round season out here on the beach,” Burns said.
Previously, if they wanted to open for a special event outside their permit window, such as the Blue Angels Homecoming Show weekend or a Mardi Gras celebration, they had to apply for special permission, which was hit or miss.
These kinds of events were top of mind for The Shaka Bar General Manager, Andrew Ferrara, after recently receiving the news.
“Over at the Shaka Bar we are excited for this new opportunity to continue the good vibes throughout the off season, giving us the chance to celebrate the holidays and special events with our community,” Ferrara told the News Journal. “Keep an eye on our Facebook page to remain up to date for anything we may be brewing up soon!”
Jackson believes the changes will not only boost Pensacola Beach’s tourism season, but also create jobs for locals, who were previously limited to only part of the year, making it difficult to attract and retain talent.
Burns, who just took over as executive director this year, said that while he did not make the rule for the permitting, he recognized that the handful of businesses being held to it were responsible owners and should be trusted with knowing what is best for their business.
Since the weather can be questionable in January and February, Jackson said she might still close for part of the year before Mardi Gras, but it will be left to her discretion to decide.
“I think it’s going to be great value to them, allow them to stay open and service their customers and visitors that come to Pensacola Beach, whether that be in September, October, all the way through the Christmas season, Mardi Gras when that happens, New Years they can stay open. If they have clientele, they can serve them and have a great time,” Burns said. “It’s going to benefit the businesses, the employees and the island at the same time, with the lease fees being paid, money generated through the Santa Rosa Island Authority and both residents and visitors getting to experience these locations.”
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Sneaky Tiki Bar, Shaka Bar, Casino Beach Bar no longer forced to close at October’s end
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
