Panama City Beach, Florida: Fun Guide to Pier Park

What is that constant rumble on Panama City Beach, Florida? Not another condo going up! It is the hungry tummies of the tourists and locals. Where are we going to eat? Everyone has grumbled for years about all the high rises being developed on the beach. "Where are these folks going to go when the sun goes down?" Our beautiful beaches are the main attraction. Pier Park has opened and calmed the restless native's appetite for food and entertainment.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville-

Floridians and visitors do not have to travel all the way to Key West for a Cheeseburger in Paradise! I like mine with mustard and pickle, if anyone is taking orders. Jimmy Buffett is not exaggerating about the big kosher pickles! The cheeseburger was good God almighty! Margarittaville has two floors of indoor seating and outside on the deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. In tune with the name- I can truly say- they serve the best-frozen Margaritas on the beach!

A clown on giant stilts stopped at our table and made a balloon character for the little girl in our party of five. I know clowns creep some people out but he did not seem to scare any children. My apologies, I was not aware it was customary to tip the clown until he already left our table and I saw the person at the next table slip him a tip. There are a few surprises in the floorshow but I will not give everything away! Just arrive ready to be entertained! There is a live band and live VJ. Music videos play on projection screens.

Hofbräu's Beer Garden-

Authentic German flavor imported directly from Germany. The restaurant serves traditional German food and brewskis. I will have to ask forgiveness from my German ancestors. I just do not believe beef and pork belong together. When I ordered a hamburger, they took me serious, and brought a 'pork' burger.

A friend of mine had moved out of town and came back to visit. We were going to meet at Margarittaville but the wait was over two hours. This was Memorial Day Weekend and there were honestly thousands of people at Pier Park. When you live on the beach, you sometimes forget about the crowds, until you are stuck in traffic!

The two-man band at Hofbräu's was excellent! There is nothing like the chicken dance to bring nations together! Men love the frauleins serving beer in low cut blouses. For the ladies, there are waiters in lederhosen. The manager was available to customers and helped support the staff. Hofbräu is a great place to get together with friends or get up close with strangers! The photos of my friend Rachel, {after too many shots] up on the table are under review. You may see at a future date- if the blackmail check does not go through!

Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House-

This fine restaurant is next to Margarittaville at Pier Park. Located directly on Front Beach Road, the main strip. We ate outside on the patio, facing the Gulf. There is an awesome view of the water from the upper deck. They do have indoor dining and a bar inside. I was impressed with the Back Porch. We were seated right away. Considering how busy they were, the food service was extremely fast. The food was very good and the waiter apologized for slow service. When he brought our check, they had given us a discount! All three restaurants get high marks for good taste and Southern hospitality.
Sources:
http://www.pcbeach.org/pierparkdemographics.shtml

When I initially took snapshots of Pier Park, I forgot to check the camera setting and took video by mistake. In the published photographs, you do not see the usual party crowd because they and the sun had barely risen!