Feeling stressed? Not being able to travel got you down? For a quick and easy fix, head to Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar located at the St Johns Town Center for vacation drinks and some tasty bites.

Their large outdoor patio with retractable roof and string lighting along with the clean lines and tropical decor of the indoor bar could easily transport you to a resort in South Florida. Add in live music Wednesday through Sunday evenings and you may even imagine yourself sitting on a tropical island somewhere. 

Happy Hour is 3-6 daily in the bar featuring $6 select wines, cocktails and well drinks, $8 select martinis and $5 select drafts. All their cocktails are handcrafted and their mixers are made in house. My favorites out of the ones I tasted were the Pineapple Paradisio Martini- Bacardi Pineapple, St Germain Elderflower, 99 bananas, scratch sour and pineapple. Classic Mojito- Cruzan Citrus, lime, mint, sugar cane syrup and Q soda. They also have some N/A drinks that sound delicious as well like the Pain Chiller- pineapple, orange, cream of coconut, nutmeg. Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar is a fast casual, counter service restaurant and bar. You place your order at the counter and even if you are just ordering food they ask you if you want to start a tab. You seat yourself, and they bring your order to you generally within 5-10 mins.

So, let’s talk food... most bars aren’t known for their food and I know when I think “bar food” I think greasy and over cooked chicken tenders, potato skins or chicken wings. The Marlin Bar sets themselves apart here, their food is just as tasty as their drinks!  The menu is broken into categories of Snacks, Tacos, Handhelds and Salads & Bowls. Most of the menu items are easily shareable and are served à la carte (I recommend the Hurricane Tots if you want a side!)

Some of my favorite bites out of the ones that I tried were the Ahi Tuna Mini Tacos- wonton shell, island slaw, wasabi-avocado crème. The Filet Mignon Tacos- pecan bacon, honey roasted onions, crispy shiitakes, Island slaw, avocado, lime sour cream. Also the Lump Blue Crab and avocado salad- shredded Romaine, feta, vine-ripe tomatoes, red onions, lime-caper vinaigrette. 

They have 2 desserts on the menu, Key Lime Pie and Piña Colada Cake. Both were good, neither of them being overly sweet. Whether you go for happy hour with friends, a date night or even a lunch break while shopping with kids(they have a kids menu too) sit back, relax and enjoy the island vibes.