The island’s go-to destination for delicious food and drinks, unbeatable views from an open-air deck 32 feet above the sand, and a come-as-you-are vibe is back and better than ever.
PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — Fish Heads, the popular pool bar that attracted locals and visitors alike, has reopened at the new Fairfield Inn & Suites Pensacola Beach (fairfieldpensacolabeach.com), a collaboration between Innisfree Hotels and RREAF Holdings. The casual Fish Heads restaurant features 119 indoor and outdoor seats, plus ordering is available around the pool area. An open-air deck 32 feet above the sand offers an unobstructed view of the Gulf, while a dune walkover leads guests directly to the beach for a post-meal stroll.
Back on the menu are Fish Heads’ famous tacos, served two to an order on corn-flour tortillas with flash-fried chips and salsa. Try the customer favorite Fresh Catch fish taco, prepared grilled, blackened, or fried, or opt for Margarita Shrimp, BBQ Chicken, or Carne Asada tacos. Crowd-pleasing appetizers like Nachos, Peel-and-Eat Shrimp, and Grouper Fingers have also returned to Fish Heads’ menu. The Farm Burger has been updated with an over-easy egg and bacon jam, and a new Slaw Dog that features Fish Heads’ house-made coleslaw is sure to be a hit.
Fish Heads’ cocktails are some of the best on the beach. The Fish Heads Bucket will wow guests with its five different types of rum (mango, pineapple, banana, passion fruit, and coconut) with orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and lime juice, all topped with grenadine and Sprite. Frozen Margaritas, Daiquiris, Piña Coladas, and Bushwackers help keep guests cool on hot summer days, not to mention signature cocktails like the 11 Mile Island and the Stress Reliever.
“When we began to build the new Fairfield Inn & Suites Pensacola Beach, we heard an outpouring of love for Fish Heads from so many in the community that we knew we had to bring it back even better than before,” said Ted Ent, President and CEO of Innisfree Hotels. “People have really missed it, both local residents and visitors, and we are very proud to make Fish Heads part of the Pensacola Beach community again.”
The reopening of Fish Heads has included hiring 20 full-time and eight part-time employees. Overseeing kitchen operations are Derrick Crandall, Director of Food and Beverage for Fairfield Inn & Suites Pensacola Beach, and Dustin Weaver, Food and Beverage Supervisor for the property. Both of the experienced culinary leaders have worked their way up from dishwasher and busboy to running and managing professional kitchens, and they are eager to show Fish Heads’ guests fun and delicious food experiences.
“Now that summer has officially commenced, guests will be able to enjoy the outstanding food and drinks at Fish Heads all while relaxing in the pool,” said Mitch Provosty, Chief Financial Officer of RREAF Holdings. “The reopening marks an exciting milestone for the season, and we’re looking forward to providing best-in-class service. We also hired additional staff members to oversee and run the restaurant, bringing economic opportunities to local residents.”
Fish Heads, located at 16 Via de Luna Dr., is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and welcomes walk-ins. For more information, visit fishheadspensacolabeach.com or call 850-934-3300. Guests are encouraged to share their Fish Heads experiences on social media with the hashtag #IMAFISHHEAD.