Image via Complex Original
Beach season is upon us. As an adult, the beach is a whole different ballgame. You’re trying to scout a new bae for the season or master the grill, but the real challenge is conquering the perils of day drinking. We hope you’ve got your red cups handy because we’re prepared to turn up your summer. Pregame with these 10 Bacardi cocktails and keep the fun rolling well into the night. You can’t bring sand to the beach, but you can most definitely bring the turn up.
Venice Beach
City: Los Angeles
Lit level: 8
What should be in your cup: Bacardi Mango Storm
Why the turn up will be real: Home to the beautiful and the bizarre, this Southern California summer spot is a staple in a bevy of bucket lists. Adorned with street vendors and buzzing with the spirit of the West Coast hustle, Venice is a favorite among many.
It’s always happy hour somewhere, and Canal Club gets it right every time. Every day between 5-7 p.m. you can ball on a budget with their $5 libations. Danny’s takes it a step further on Sundays with their Beats & Brunch, featuring bottomless mimosas and a DJ. While the popular beach spot has more than enough bars and pubs to pick your poison, High is Venice’s secret weapon. The city’s only rooftop lounge sits atop Hotel Erwin, overlooking Muscle Beach and the boardwalk.
Catalina Island
City: Santa Catalina Island, Calif.
Lit level: 9
What should be in your cup: Between the Sheets
Why the turn up will be real: The weekday struggle gets a little too real at times, so for the California residents who are looking to break the monotony of their Monday-to-Friday routine, traveling an hour off the coast doesn’t seem like a terrible idea.
You might be familiar with Catalina Island if you were an avid Laguna Beach viewer over 10 years ago, but the Marlin Club experience is what they couldn’t show you on television. Known as Catalina’s best dive bar, brace yourself for a night of inexpensive drinks and Jell-O shots.
South Beach
City: Miami
Lit level: 9
What should be in your cup: Century Club Punch
Why the turn up will be real: What would a beach turn up compilation be without South Beach securing a spot on the list?
Wet Willies and Fat Tuesday aren’t the only places where you can have a blast in a glass. Downtown Miami’s E11EVEN almost sounds too good to be true. Equipped with four fully-functioning 24-hour bars, this is the turn up that never ends. Their Executive Happy Hour is probably more than you can handle—trust us.
South Padre Island
City: Cameron County, Texas
Lit level: 7
What should be in your cup: Bacardi Cuba Libre
Why the turn up will be real: Texas has a rep to protect. They either go big or go home. South Padre is trying to go big at all costs. Not shy when it comes to claiming the crown as the best beach in Texas, the people of South Padre show no mercy with their pride for their shoreline.
Pier 19 works hard to protect that rep with its eight-hour happy hour every day. Yes, you read that right. You can drink at a reduced price from 11-7 daily. It’s a special reserved only for champs.
Virginia Beach
City: Virginia Beach, Va.
Lit level: 8
What should be in your cup: Dragon’s Bite
Why the turn up will be real: Virginia may be known for lovers, but it should be known for its bar scene too.
VA Beach’s boardwalk is home to a strip of bars, perfect for bar crawl enthusiasts. Cocomo Joe’s also shares its love for hearty happy hours, with a daily bar experience beginning at 11 a.m., showcasing their mojitos and black raspberry margaritas.
Coney Island
City: Brooklyn
Lit level: 8
What should be in your cup: Mai Tai
Why the turn up will be real: Right in the midst of New York City culture is Coney Island, perfect for those days when the heat reaches unbearable heights. For what Coney Island lacks in scenery, it makes up for in excitement.
As if some of the characters that you’ll see on the boardwalk aren’t enough, The Freak Bar is Coney Island’s premiere location for a freak show. A full-blown show dedicated to all-things-odd will look like an episode from American Horror Story. If sword swallowers and beds of nails aren’t enough, try experiencing it all while drinking booze.
Seaside Heights
City: Ocean County, N.J.
Lit level: 8
What should be in your cup: The Social Stigma
Why the turn up will be real: If you take a look back at MTV’s Jersey Shore, there are four out of six seasons that all point to why Seaside Heights was the ultimate turn-up spot in New Jersey. Snooki and Deena’s meatball antics proved that Seaside’s strip had the juice.
Beirut anyone? Seaside’s own Captain Hooks provides the ultimate party experience with drinking games and drinking specials galore. Enjoy their full bar for day drinking or a pregame before a night at Karma. Hair gel not included.
Panama City Beach
City: Bay County, Fla.
Lit level: 9
What should be in your cup: Bacardi Limonade
Why the turn up will be real: Your friends flock to Panama City Beach every year, and for good reason. Aside from catching a serious tan, PCB provides a serious turn up.
Coyote Ugly may have been a movie 15 years ago, but it looks as if The Coyotes are still on the prowl. With daily drink specials, these women are ready to pour you up. But consider your trip to Panama City done wrong if you haven’t stopped by Sharky’s Beach. The Watermelon Crawl, a hollowed watermelon filled with liquor, is sure to stop you in your tracks.
Daytona Beach
City: Volusia County, Fla.
Lit level: 8
What should be in your cup: La Florida Rum Daisy
Why the turn up will be real: Providing entertainment for all of the different crowds Daytona houses means there’s no single way to stumble.
We’ll leave the rest up to your imagination.
Santa Monica Beach
City: Santa Monica, Calif.
Lit level: 9
What should be in your cup: Bacardi Mojito
Why the turn up will be real: Santa Monica Beach may have one of the most recognizable piers in America, which by default makes this beach one of the greatest of all time.
As if the pier didn’t provide enough fun with a larger-than-life Ferris wheel, the nightlife directory is even larger. The extensive list provides over 100 options for everyone: rooftop bars, dive bars, and pubs are all at your disposal.