Reinventing the Beach Bar

February 6, 2026 | Operations

Why simply rebuild when you can instead reinvent? That was General Manager Kerri Green’s question after Hurricane Helene destroyed the popular beach bar at Hilton Garden Inn in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Her answer: a spacious palapa at Coconut Charlie’s, activated as an all-weather beachfront hangout. The space officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February.

“This new palapa blends drinkers’ two favorite concepts under one thatched roof,” says Green. “We’ve combined the toes-in-the-sand vibe of a relaxing beach bar with the hands-in-the-air energy of a rollicking sports bar. With a dozen strategically placed large-screen TVs, guests can watch their favorite major sporting events without missing out on ocean breezes and brilliant sunsets.”

Coconut Charlie’s, located within Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach, is the original location of OTO Development’s group of beachfront bars. This reimagined, first-in-the-market culture combo comes complete with the best dishes and drinks on the beach.

The Coconut Charlie’s culinary experience focuses on elevated beach favorites with a sports-bar edge. In addition to handcrafted cocktails, creative shareables, and signature handhelds, guests can expect a rotating lineup of seasonal items with plenty of sports tie-ins.

“We’ve reinvented this venue to serve up a beachfront vibe like no other,” says F&B Director Tim Hmay.

Crafted of sustainable cypress and authentic thatch, the 3,000-square-foot palapa boasts a dramatically bigger footprint compared to the old bar it replaces. There’s all-weather covered seating plus activated on-the-sand spaces with flexibility for public and private events. A performance stage offers strong programming potential, from live music to sports watch parties to community gatherings.

All lighting is low-impact and turtle-friendly, ensuring compliance with coastal wildlife protections while still creating a warm, evening glow for people.

A dedicated food truck has been integrated into the operations process to deliver fast, efficient service during high-traffic beachfront periods. The truck’s mural, painted by Tampa artists JP and Vanessa Parra, adds interest.

“This was not a rebuild,” Green emphasizes. “It is a complete reinvention of what a beachfront venue can be in our market, for visitors and locals alike. Travelers gain a lively, scenic destination that fits naturally into their resort itinerary, while locals get a beachfront hangout with all-weather appeal.”  

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