There is a new buzz about Sunny Isles Beach and much of it relates to the emerging restaurant/bar/hotel lounge/pool party scene that is slowly developing in the city. So last Friday, the VisitSunnyIslesBeach.com team embarked on what you might call a ‘typical’ night out – cocktails, casual dinner and then a little partying. It is something we do pretty regularly, with variations in terms of location, but last week just seemed to typify what we like about our neighbourhood and so we thought we would share it with you.

We kicked off with cocktails at Sole on the Ocean – 17315 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, tel 305.935.4777 A coastal residential condo development, the Sole now has a bar and grill by the small pool which has a pleasant view of the ocean and beach. Nothing amazing in terms of design or ambiance but a pretty cool and chilled out spot to just kick back after work.

It’s early days for this event, which seeks to become a regular part of the Sunny Isles scene, but the 40 or so people hanging out around the pool, a young, fashionable crowd, created a casual and fun atmosphere helped by two for one cocktails from 6pm – 8pm – we tried the South Beach Lemonade (orange and raspberry vodkas, sweet & sour mix, lemonade, grenadine and a Blue Curacao) and the Watermelon Quencher ( Grey Goose Vodka, fresh watermelon juice and sweet & sour mix) – both hit the mark.

The mood was also lifted by the tunes of DJ Tamara Sky – best known for featuring in Playboy and being crowned Miss Bikini Puerto Rico, but besides being as sexy as you would imagine from such labels, she also happens to play just the right kind of progressive house music – perfect for that time of the evening. Keep your eye out for her next time she is in the area – she’s candy for the ear as well as the eye.

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.