Friendly Tavern

We come here at least once a month if not more. Usually because I Need the black and bleu burger. The Best caramelized sweet onions I have ever tasted! And I hate onions! My wife has have several other items, we have come here with friends, family and kids and they all have always likes their food. Great atmosphere. Great drinks specially at the outside Tiki bar where you get to meet locals. Only issue is one particular bar tender inside that is not very amicable. Had to deal with her twice and both time was a bit dry… But the bar tenders out at the Tiki bar more than make up for her.

Great drink specials… food is really good! Waitstaff was friendly and courteous. Definitely must try this place!

My brother-​in-​law said that a friend recommended Friendly’s for breakfast. So, my sister and I stopped by to give it a try. I got the friendly farmer omelet without mushrooms – it came with potatoes and toast. The omelet was freshly made and delicious. The toast was toast. The potatoes may have been made from cut potatoes by the restaurant, but seemed to be bag potatoes based on taste and style… not that great. Overall a good breakfast for a decent price and friendly service. I would go back.

I love my early morning walk on the beach, followed by a quick swim and then breakfast. Today, instead of going home and cooking, I stopped at the Friendly Tavern across from the beach access. They had a fun little outdoor tiki hut where I was able to sit in my wet bathing suit and enjoy The Nest: two eggs (over medium), country potatoes (crispy), corned beef hash (crispy) and rye toast with strawberry jam. I was happy to find my food cooked exactly how I ordered it and it was delicious. It was also nice sitting in the breeze, watching traffic and tourists go by. This will definitely become one of my regular spots!

Bar outside where leathery skin, smoking beach people who look twenty years older than their age congregate to consume bud light and cigarettes. Inside was slightly better but only about six beers on tap with Jai Lai being the only one I would order. Bartender whipped out the frosted mug and I headed for the door. Newsflash: drinkable beer should not be polluted with Florida tap water. Avoid

Here with friends from out of town. Service was good drinks were good. Karaōke was fun. Person in our party paid to get the karaōke DJ to come in. After the singing started we actually got more people coming into the bar. Would have thought they would have waved the fee since customers we actually attracted. Oh well.

Typical dive bar atmosphere, good service, slightly higher pricing. the food was hot and fresh, took a while for it to come out but I’m okay with that, plastic cups for drinks was really odd, but the server was attentive to my drink level at all times, I would recommend this place, really good dive.

Bummed. Called to see if they were serving food. Kitchen open for 15. Got there in 10 and said «no go». Really???

We had an amazing experience at the Friendly Tavern. The place was packed but we still had great service. Karaōke after 9pm each night. Great crab legs, shrimp pasta is awesome, fried mahi mahi is delicious, peel and eat shrimp are huge. Can’t say enough good things! Only thing we didn’t like were the well drinks. Thanks Friendly staff!

We go there to hang out at the Tiki Bar and chat with locals and travelers.
The laid back feel is where its at. Catch a game on the Tiki Bar TV and you may stay for hours.
Our bartender was very pleasant and cheerful.
The hot wings are good too.

Awesome breakfast! Definitely will be our new Sunday brunch location. My only complaint was the wait for service. We sat down out front and had to wait ten minutes just for our waters and another 7 for our food order to be taken. Our waitress was very pleasant and made sure we were comfortable (she even brought us our own pitcher of water because it was hot out) and the food is excellent so we overlooked the slow service. Definitely will be returning!

Friendly’s is your typical beach dive restaurant/​bar. They have decent food, but nothing you can’t love without. I ordered the tuna stuffed tomato and the tuna salad only consisted of mayonnaise. I was super disappointed. My man ordered the spicy shrimp wrap and he really liked it but was displeased with the lack of shrimp. The service is great if you’re seated at the bar and slow if you’re at a table. I have seen this place packed on the weekends with standing room only. I know the dive has a lot of locals and regulars though I’m not sure why with several other fun bars around. It does serve its purpose if you are looking for a beer or a bite to eat.

Oh Lana’s Unfriendly Tavern you done f*cked up! For years I have been allowing my annual beach crew to drag me to this hole for uncomfortable karaōke during vacation. The end has come. When you visit this strip each year, there are two main bars within trolley/​stumbling/​Lyft distance. Def sticking with Daiquiri Shack from now on. We didn’t complain after a wait on the sidewalk only to get up on the outdoor deck. We didn’t complain when we were left outside with standing room only and not allowed inside. Lana’s was ok with serving us over eight beers during the short time we were there after finally making it to the outdoor bar, but not ok with allowing us to use the restroom. Criminal. With such a better bar down the street, I’ll never be back.

Lana’s Friendly Tavern is not so friendly after all. First off, they would allow anyone in when we got there. They didn’t explain why, but I’m guessing it was a capacity issue. One person out, one person in. So we waited outside for about 15 minutes before we were all able to get in. We went for the first bar, which is located outside on the deck. There was one bartender, and she was very busy, but keeping up with the demands pretty good. However, about 10 minutes after we ordered beers, a buddy of mine asked the bartender for a water and she replied by saying, «I can’t right now. I’m too busy.» Umm ok. The customer service fail that took the cake happened a few minutes later though when La Chica and her sister attempted to go inside to use the restroom. There was a woman standing at the door, and she refused to let the ladies in to take a leak. She asked them if they had previously been inside, and since we were chillin’ on the deck, they said «No.» The woman at the door then told them, «Well if you weren’t inside, you can’t go in.» Well, since there’s no damn restroom outside, I consider that to be a problem; an UNFRIENDLY problem. So we left and took a Lyft to Daiquiri Shak, where everyone was very nice and everyone could use the restroom as they pleased.
Will never return to this unfriendly shithole.

I’m not a fan of this place and will go elsewhere next time I’m in the area. During the 2014 memorial day weekend my family and I frequented this establishment as it was the closest bar to our condo. To be up-​front, I would have given this place a 4-​star rating until the last night we went. With that said, I’ll keep this simple:
The goods: Food was decent (very good wings), staff was friendly, atmosphere was ok (kinda divey… which we like). Also, they have a cool outdoor patio and tiki bar. This place has a lot of potential to be great.
The bads: The place seems to be overrun with disgruntled locals. Each time we would arrive it would be eerily quiet in the bar (i.e. no music on at all). We noticed a cool looking touch screen jukebox in the corner, so we pump in a few bucks and picked a few classic rock songs. After the first song starts to play we notice we can barely hear the music. So, we ask our friendly waiter if he can turn up the volume a little since we’re paying to hear music. He says «sure thing» and wanders off. After asking him again several times with no success I finally pull him aside and ask why they won’t turn up the volume. He basically says «the locals at the bar (about 6 of them) don’t like the music loud so we have to wait until they leave before we’ll turn it up». Are you serious! Anyway, pretty annoying if you ask me and the lack of music on in the background really took away from the overall experience.
Parting shot — we were massively overcharged (to the point I feel like we were being taken advantage of) on our last night at this place. It was our last night in the area so we decided to tie one on and hang out in the bar throughout the night. After 9pm the bar turns into a karaōke bar, which is kinda cool. Anyway, when we get our final bill we’re shocked to see that we’d been massively overcharged (literally charged for twice as much as we ordered). Mind you, this was our third night here with the same waiter and bartenders… who we’d been taking VERY good care of every night. When we confronted him about the bill he was adamant that it was correct. When escalated to management, they said they would do nothing and that it was the correct price. Not sure why they employed this tactic on us. We left a lousy tip and the company has now lost 6 good paying customers for life.
So, that was my experience. I hope it helps someone. I will never return to this place and will advise anyone else to shy away. I know my situation and circumstances are unique and the overall experience for a one-​time customer may be a little different. Obviously we wouldn’t have gone back two consecutive times if the first night was like the last. Like I said above, this place has some serious potential and could one of the best spots in the area. It’s a shame that the staff would treat it’s non-​local customers in like this.

My wife and I went there one night on vacation for our one year anniversary. I got the Blackened Mahi-​Mahi and it was very good. My wife got the Florida gulf shrimp which was good as well. We went on a Wednesday around 8 pm so it wasn’t too busy. It seems like a nice local dive with some good bar food that tastes fresh. I am in my early 30’s and I was definitely one of the younger ones there. If you are looking for a young, party bar atmosphere this is not it but if you want a nice tavern with good food then go here.

Beers are cold. Beers are pricey for a dive place. The singing by customers leaves a lot to be desired. Not a fan of this bar. We did not try the food. We were present late night.

This place seems like a beach staple in Reddington Shores. It has a real dives look to it, and always seems to have a crowd on the deck when we go by, probably a lot of regulars! We decided to give it a shot for dinner and were pleasantly surprised. My chicken Philly sandwich and onion rings were very generously portioned and really tasty. The service and vibe really was «friendly.» We didn’t stay for the karaōke and late night fun, but I am sure we will be back. Definitely a place to try out if you are in the area.

Stopped in for lunch. Heard this place was good but I was very surprised at how good it was! A great little bar. Cheap drinks (happy hour is 8am to 9pm). The rib eye sandwich was amazing. A full size steak cooked perfectly on a bun!
Just a great place!

This is a real gem in the rough — literally. An overall excellent experience with excellent food in a rustic, touristy setting,… and truly friendly people to boot. We spent time with the new owner, as well as Chef Rainbow. «Friendly is…» when they don’t know you, but still spend considerable time with you.
Even though Chef Rainbow is the chef, he actually became our waiter — and, that’s seriously friendly. We found that he’s a degree’d engineer that loves food more. When we found out that he went to Marquette in Milwaukee (or permanent home turf), we spent more time with him. Where else can you go where the chef becomes your waiter, spends time with you, and actually gives a sh. t about you?
Now, on to the food…
We consider ourselves somewhat of connoisseurs of NE Clam Chowder, so of course we had to ask. Chef Rainbow claimed he made his own soups, and seemed genuinely proud of it. He even provided a cup of his Cream of Broccoli soup gratis — which turned out to be outstanding. The chowder was very good with great texture, and we enjoyed it, but it seemed a little lacking in something… not sure what. We collaborated with the chef and came up with a few ideas.
I had the least expensive Fish ‘n’ Chips (but sub’d O-​rings). Wife had Mahi-​Mahi, a loaded baked potato and broccoli. All was delicious, and prepared/​presented correctly — but the potato had been sitting a little too long. The breading was outstanding, and the fish was exceptional — not overdone, which is the norm elsewhere. O-​rings were the standard «Sysco» fare that everyone else serves. Serving size was appropriate, and we both left very satisfied.
I suspect that most diners rarely eat coleslaw, «but we do». And, I have to say that I was totally underwhelmed by theirs. In my opinion, it seriously needs an overhaul. Yes, I know that coleslaw is a very subjective issue, but owners/​chefs need to listen to those that actually do eat and enjoy it, instead of those that claim to make the best. Sorry,…
Atmosphere…
This place is geared for tourists, with an outside Tiki bar and tables, as well as an inside bar and tables. The tiki bar was full of tourists, and they were having a great time (late Sunday afternoon). Some would say décor is quite dated, but I prefer to say it’s a bit rustic (you decide). The furniture is in need of an update, but the owner is new (since November 11), and I suspect she just needs a little more time (restaurant furniture is very expensive).
Although we intended to partake of the daily karaōke, we had a previous karaōke commitment. Since Friendly’s doesn’t start until 9pm, I assume that they have a younger karaōke crowd than we’d like anyway. They must cater to their clients. We’ll find out on our next visit.
Overall, a great time, friendly people, and exceptional food (fix the slaw).