Sneaky Tiki
This local favorite is deliberately hard to find and impossible to forget
By Cynthia Reeves Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Sneaky Tiki is that off-the-beaten-path place most tourists are imagining when they ask, “Where do the locals hang out?” Walk, bike or boat there — the key is finding it.
Where to Find It
The Tiki’s physical address is 17 Via De Luna Drive at the edge of the Pensacola Beach RV Park. There’s no parking lot unless you count the shoreline where boats pull up or anchor out.
The popular phrase repeated for specific directions is simply, “Ask a local.”
Originally called the Island Culture Tiki Bar when it opened in 2018, the owners officially changed it to The Sneaky Tiki because that’s what locals called it, and the nickname stuck.
Born-and-bred local Jennifer Jackson, known as JJ to friends, is the general manager and co-owner, along with Pensacola native Scott Zep. Customers say Jackson’s positive energy sets the tone for the Sneaky Tiki’s vibe.
“I definitely feel like bringing positive energy into any place is going to attract people because they want to be around.”
Being humble, Jackson attributes the bar’s success to her team.
“When I hire people for the team or bring people to the team, it’s really, you’re becoming a part of our tiki family.”
The semi-secret, secluded setting is just cool.
“We built a place that we can hang out in with our friends, our families, our dogs, a little bit off the beaten path. It’s just kind of more private, and then who knew?”
An Internationally Inspired Atmosphere
But that laid-back atmosphere is actually carefully curated. Jackson travels the world and finds “fun concepts from other places we really enjoy and really like. We try to bring back concepts here and incorporate them into the bar.”
This year, customers will find a new portable bar area with swings hanging from it that was inspired by a trip to Puerto Banus in Marbella, Spain. It is a nod to the Pensacola area’s Spanish heritage.
“So, it’s always evolving based on where we’ve been and who we’ve talked to, but it’s always very authentic.”
Last year, the inspiration for totem poles, stickers, koozies and tumbler designs came from a trip to the original Tiki Village in Tahiti. Jackson is always thinking outside the box and searching for ways to surprise patrons with cool little tie-ins.
— Jennifer Jackson, general manager.
Drink Specials
There are special drinks most nights because serving up a cold beer or beachy cocktail is, of course, the central focus of the fun.
The week starts with Mojito Monday, followed by Tequila Tuesday, which features margarita specials. Wednesday is called Waggy Wednesday.
“We’re pet-friendly all the time. But we dedicated a day, Waggy Wednesday, with our friends at Tito’s Vodka. They’ve got a whole tagline that’s ‘Vodka for Dog People’ and they do a lot of animal rescue work.”
Tito’s Vodka is actually named after a dog, so “for every Tito’s drink purchase that people do on that day, we donate a portion back to local animal rescue.”
Guests can bring their furry friends, and Jackson or the staff will give them a free dog treat or some swag like a little bandana or plush toy.
Thursday is Tumbler Thursday, which offers $5 off a tumbler and includes a free drink. Fridays are Island Fridays.
“So, we usually pick one of our island-inspired signature cocktails and put that on special. We kind of rotate it.”
Simple Food
Most customers bring their own food from nearby restaurants or picnic from their boats. The Wet Taco floating food truck is usually on the premises too, but Jackson says there’s another secret: The Tiki does have a limited menu.
“So we actually always carry Maria’s Seafood, yellowfin smoked tuna and Ritz crackers.”
Or order the “Redneck Charcuterie Board.” Haha! It’s actually just a grocery store Lunchable and probably pairs well with a Michelob Ultra.
EXTENDED HOURS
Since October 2025, The Sneaky Tiki got the green light from the Island Authority to open year-round rather than just seasonally.
The bar is open at noon Monday through Thursday and at 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
“Depending on the weather, we’re going to either close at 9 or 10…We have a fire pit out there, and we have heaters under the bar, so if the weather’s good, we’re going to stay open.”
Typically, the establishment is closed after its New Year’s Day Polar Plunge through Mardi Gras to refresh and renew.
WANT TO GO?
What: The Sneaky Tiki
Where: 17 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach (behind Pensacola Beach RV Park)
When: 12 p.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., Friday-Sunday (weather permitting)
More Ways to Get There
Pensacola Beach Island Trolley
Gopher Carts: 850-972-8485
Island Breeze Carts: 850-940-6280
