Schooners – The Last Local Beach Club is a Gulf‑front restaurant and beach club in Panama City Beach serving casual, fresh seafood, sandwiches, salads, and classic beach fare for lunch and dinner right on the sand. Guests come for dishes like grouper baskets, shrimp, crab claws, and burgers, plus drinks from the full bar and a front‑row view of the Gulf and sunset.
Atmosphere
Schooners has a laid‑back, beachy vibe where flip‑flops and sandy feet are the norm, and locals and visitors mix at picnic tables, indoor dining rooms, and the beachfront deck. Many guests spend hours here playing beach volleyball, listening to live music, and watching kids splash in the surf just steps from the restaurant.
Every evening, it’s a local tradition to gather behind Schooners to watch the sunset and countdown to the firing of an old cannon as the sun dips below the horizon. Live bands, friendly staff, and the sound of the waves give the place an energetic yet relaxed feel, especially at golden hour.
Food and Drink
The menu focuses on simple, fresh “beach food” rather than fussy fine dining, featuring fried and grilled seafood baskets, peel‑and‑eat shrimp, fish tacos, salads, burgers, and daily specials. Popular picks include the blackened or fried grouper baskets, crab claws, mahi bites, and hushpuppies, often paired with beer‑battered fries or Gouda grits.
A full bar serves ice‑cold beer, frozen drinks, and beachy cocktails, with many reviewers calling out specialties like key lime rum drinks and classic margaritas that pair well with the Gulf view. With menus for lunch, dinner, and occasional brunch offerings like shrimp and grits or biscuits and gravy, there’s something for most appetites throughout the day.
For Vacationers
Schooners is ideal for beach‑goers who want to walk straight from the sand to a meal without changing, making it perfect for families, couples, and groups staying nearby. It’s especially popular with visitors who prioritize fresh seafood and a true “on‑the‑beach” setting over a quiet, formal dining room.
Expect waits at peak times, but the text‑when‑ready system lets you enjoy the beach while your table is prepared, and many guests say the food, service, and sunset show make it worth it. For many PCB vacationers, a trip to Schooners has become a must‑do tradition each time they’re in town.