Restaurant
Unclaimed profileAJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Destin, FL · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The beverage program at AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar leans on a long specialty cocktail list, frozen drinks, and a dedicated zero-proof section. AJ's Bimini Bash, a five-rum tropical mix served since 1984, anchors the menu alongside margaritas, a Paloma, an Espresso Martini, and a Pickle Bloody Mary. Beer brings local names like Props Brewery and Grayton Beer Co., while wine stays a compact 12-label list. Happy hour discounts signature cocktails, house wine, and 24 oz drafts.
- What should I order?
- Start with the AJ's Bimini Bash, a five-rum tropical drink limited to three per person and priced at $7.00 during happy hour. For a lighter route, the AJ's Paloma uses Tres Agaves Tequila and organic grapefruit, while the Zero Proof Dark & Stormy covers a non-alcoholic order with Ritual Rum and Fever Tree ginger beer.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Groups ordering rounds of frozen or specialty cocktails, beer drinkers looking for local draft options, and guests who want a full zero-proof menu rather than a token alternative.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the value window, with the Bimini Bash at $7.00, Crown & Down drinks at $5.00, house wine at $5.00, and 24 oz drafts at $5.50.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy hour pricing is the clearest benchmark: $7.00 for the Bimini Bash, $5.00 for Crown & Down drinks and house wine, and $5.50 for 24 oz draft beers. Margaritas can be upgraded to Don Julio or Patron Silver for $1 more.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A five-rum Bimini Bash served since 1984 gives the cocktail list a genuine house signature, and the zero-proof section uses Ritual non-alcoholic spirits across four named drinks. Local beer from Props Brewery and Grayton Beer Co. Appears on both the draft and packaged lists.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A deep specialty list covers tropical drinks, margaritas, a Bloody Mary, an Espresso Martini, and a frozen section with four named options. The Bimini Bash has been a house favorite since 1984 and is capped at three per person. Happy hour discounts the signature drink.
Menu strengths
- — Specialty Drinks section lists 14 named cocktails, plus four frozen drinks, giving the list unusual range for a seafood restaurant.
- — Sunset Margarita and Frozen Margarita can be upgraded with Don Julio or Patron Silver for $1 more.
Standout selections
- — AJ's Bimini Bash: five rums and tropical fruit juices, an AJ's favorite since 1984, limited to three per person and $7.00 during happy hour.
- — AJ's Paloma: Tres Agaves Tequila with Tres Agaves Organic Grapefruit, shaken and served on the rocks.
- — Espresso Martini: Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, Three Olives Vanilla, coffee liqueur, and cold brew espresso.
Pricing: Bimini Bash $7.00 during happy hour; Don Julio or Patron Silver upgrade $1 more
Wine
Twelve wines by the glass or bottle span Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and sparkling options from J. Roget and Avissi. Happy hour house wines are $5.00. The list is functional and broad in varietal coverage rather than deep.
Menu strengths
- — Twelve wines by the glass or bottle cover white, red, rosé, and sparkling categories.
- — Happy hour house wines are priced at $5.00.
Standout selections
- — Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc: listed on the wine menu by the glass or bottle.
- — Avissi Prosecco: listed on the wine menu alongside J. Roget Sparkling.
- — Meiomi Pinot Noir: listed on the wine menu.
Pricing: House wines $5.00 during happy hour
Beer
Draft beers come by the pint or pitcher, including two house-labeled Props Brewery beers, 30A Beach Blonde from Grayton Beer Co., Golden Road Mango Cart with a Tajín rim, Kona Big Wave, Stella Artois, and Wicked Weed Perni-Haze IPA. Bottles and cans add local and national names. Happy hour 24 oz drafts are $5.50.
Menu strengths
- — Draft list includes local options from Props Brewery and Grayton Beer Co. Alongside national brands.
- — Bottles & Cans section is extensive, with local Fish Whistle IPA and a wide range of lagers, ales, and ciders.
- — Happy hour 24 oz draft beers are priced at $5.50.
Standout selections
- — AJ's El Dorado Sunshine Lager: by Props Brewery, available on draft and in bottles or cans.
- — 30A Beach Blonde: by Grayton Beer Co., available on draft.
- — Fish Whistle IPA: by Grayton Beer Co., available in bottles or cans.
Pricing: 24 oz draft beers $5.50 during happy hour
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated 'For an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle' section lists four zero-proof cocktails built on Ritual non-alcoholic spirits: Paloma, Strawberry Margarita, Blueberry Gin Fizz, and Dark & Stormy. Packaged options include Michelob Ultra Zero and FRE Chardonnay, Sparkling Brut, and Cabernet. The zero-proof cocktails can be customized.
Menu strengths
- — Four named zero-proof cocktails use Ritual non-alcoholic spirits across Tequila, Rum, and Gin.
- — Non-alcoholic beer and wine are listed, including Michelob Ultra Zero and three FRE wines.
Standout selections
- — Zero Proof Paloma: Ritual Tequila and Tres Agaves organic grapefruit mix.
- — Zero Proof Dark & Stormy: Ritual Rum, lime juice, Fever Tree ginger beer, and fresh lime.
- — FRE Sparkling Brut: non-alcoholic sparkling wine listed under alcohol-free options.
Spirits
Happy hour Crown & Down drinks are $5.00, and margaritas can be upgraded to Don Julio or Patron Silver for $1 more.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour Crown & Down drinks featuring Crown Royal whiskey are priced at $5.00.
- — Top-shelf upgrade to Don Julio or Patron Silver in margaritas costs $1 more.
Standout selections
- — Crown & Down: happy hour drink special featuring Crown Royal whiskey, $5.00.
- — Casamigos tequila: used in the Casamigos Filthy Skinny Rita.
- — Tito's Handmade Vodka: used in multiple cocktails including Pickle Bloody Mary and Ice Water.
Pricing: Crown & Down $5.00 during happy hour; Don Julio or Patron Silver upgrade $1 more
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