The Red Bar fire was a visceral loss not only for Grayton Beach residents but for the legions of visitors who had fallen in love with the ambiance and incredible live music it was home to .
“ The Red Bar is far more than just a restaurant ,” says longtime 30A local , Brandt Enos . “ It has always had a warm , homey vibe embraced by musicians and music lovers . Those well-worn couches and floors remain saturated with the grooves of master drummer John ‘ Jabo ’ Starks and the stomps of locals at a Dread Clampitt show on a Sunday afternoon . Good times !”
Replacing the legendary restaurant was something few thought possible . Nevertheless , that became the plan . Eight months after the fire , the owners were breaking ground on a new building with the near-exact footprint and layout of what had been lost . Finally , on July 15 , 2020 , they officially reopened .
“ Going through something like this puts a perspective on things ,” says Oli Petit , a co-owner of the Red Bar . “ It ’ s great to be back and to be back in a unique town with a special dynamic .”
Petit moved to Grayton in 1991 and opened the Red Bar four years later . He loved the history and all the “ imperfections ” of the funky little beach town . Though the restaurant reopened at the height of a global pandemic , Petit describes the event as “ absolutely wonderful .”
“ There was such a mixed emotion with the fear of COVID and the excitement of relaunching the restaurant , but the excitement of relaunching was much greater than the fear of COVID .”
As a restaurant and hangout spot that has been known for years for its eclectic decor , vibrant live music scene , seafood and cocktails , Petit describes the reopening as “ the greatest honeymoon a restaurant could dream of .”
Walking the sandy streets of the town is a liberating experience in and of itself . The shopping is limited but decidedly eclectic . Check out the Zoo Gallery , where you ’ ll find gorgeously designed jewelry , clothing , art and furniture , while Tribe Kelley Surf Post offers high-end beachwear . Just steps away is Chiringo , a seafood restaurant offering tapas and cocktails .
Explore the shaded side-streets and paddleboard the Western Lake and the Gulf when the water is calm . Charter fishing is available , with the beach itself serving as a boat launch . On weekends , the beach itself becomes a favorite locals ’ hangout . Vehicles with the proper permits are allowed to actually drive on the beach , which allows for tailgating activities . The atmosphere is casual and family friendly , with the outflow of Western Lake serving as a waterway for the young at heart to play on its final leg to the sea .
Grayton Beach is the living , breathing essence of the Old Florida beach town . And like any other community , it has weathered its share of challenges — from COVID to tropical storms to fire . The hamlet is as resilient as it is authentic , having risen above it all to become everything that it was before .
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