The Pelican Bar is a real favourite for anyone who has spent any amount of time on the beach. Located on the old Newport pier, just to the right of the Newport Beach Hotel – the Pelican is a classic tiki bar – wooden floor, simple tables, straightforward but tasty food and a magnificent view of the Atlantic ocean.

The menu offers standards faves such as various burgers, salads, club sandwiches etc but the Pelican also has a raw bar which is proving increasingly popular as customers enjoy the oysters and clams. The English style battered fish and chips also met the approval of a Brit in our party and the Spanish style paella also seems to go down well. The beer is cold, the cocktails freshly made and the service fast and friendly. The clientèle is a mix of locals and visitors from the coastal hotels – all ages, families, ’spring breakers’, couples, whoever happens to be passing by.

But to be honest – you don’t go to the Pelican for a gourmet experience or any kind of ’scene’. You go there because it is a lovely day, the sun is shining, the sky and the sea are a beautiful blue, you are thirsty and need a beer, you are hungry and need a bite and you satisfy your needs in beautiful surroundings undisturbed by the pretentious crowd you might find on Ocean Drive.

The Pelican is what a bar beach should be. Basic, fun, cheap and cheerful. Come by – you’ll probably find us there at one of the tall chairs looking south.

Open till 9pm.