Dining Out and Nightlife
Most of the restaurants in the Panama City area serve basic home-style food and lots of it. Many chefs prepare freshly caught seafood like Gulf scallops and swordfish Cajun style. You'll find the buffet restaurants to be the least expensive eateries, especially for families. Most charge around $15 per adult, and less for kids, for all you can eat. Both Bishop's (12628 Front Beach Road, 850-234-8450) are favorites.
Captain Anderson's: An award-winning landmark seafood restaurant where you can watch the fleet come in while you eat. (5551 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, 850-234-2225)
Pineapple Willy's Beachside Restaurant and Sports Bar: Dine on prime rib, oysters, and shrimp by the beach. (9875 S. Thomas Drive, 850-235-0928)
Sweet Basil's Bistro: An affordable family restaurant, serving fresh pasta and pizza. (11208 Front Beach Road, 850-234-2855)
The Treasure Ship: Your kids will love this seafood restaurant complex built to resemble a wooden sailing ship, complete with pirates. Three restaurants serve a variety of beef and seafood dishes. (3605 Thomas Drive, 850-234-8881)
As with any typical seaside resort along the east coast of the United States, nightlife in Panama City Beach is most active during the summer. If you love country music and the Grand Ole Opry, then head straight for Ocean Opry, an imitation show put on by the Rader family in Panama City Beach. Singing, dancing, and good old country humor make for a couple of hours of fun (850-234-5464).
JUST FOR PARENTS
After the workout you and your spouse have gotten keeping tabs on your kids in this kiddy playland, take some time for yourselves and board a moonlight dinner cruise with dancing out on Saint Andrews Bay aboard the Lady Anderson on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — that's right, the same Anderson with such delicious food in his restaurant. (Toll-free 800-360-0510)
If you prefer to stay out late and listen to music under the stars while overlooking the bay, you'll find Pineapple Willy's, with its Caribbean ambiance, to be just the place. If you're a bit younger, you'll enjoy the raucous crowd of the twenty bars at Spinnaker where '70s and '80s rock groups sometimes perform. Both have a cover charge. Whatever type of music you like — rock 'n' roll, country, jazz, or blues — you'll find it here.
