Best Bars in Ocean City, Maryland

The Best Bars in Ocean City, Maryland for 2026

What are the best bars in Ocean City, Maryland? According to more than 15,000 votes cast by Ocean City locals and visitors, the 2026 favorites include Seacrets for Best Bar Overall and Best Live Music, Fager’s Island for the best sunset view, Coconuts Bar & Grill for happy hour, Harborside Bar & Grill for drinks and The Original Greene Turtle in North Ocean City for sports.

But the best Ocean City bar depends on the experience you want. Some visitors are searching for live bands and nightlife, while others want a quiet sunset, a waterfront happy hour, a local craft beer or a place to watch the game.

That is why the Best of Ocean City® awards recognize nine different types of bars, along with a Poll Winner and an Editorial Pick in most categories. Use the 2026 results below to find the best bar for your next afternoon, evening or night out in Ocean City.

Want to try them for yourself? Download the free Best Bars in Ocean City Trail, check in at participating locations, discover available offers and earn entries toward OceanCity.com prizes.

How We Choose the Best Bars in Ocean City

The Best of Ocean City® bar awards are determined through an annual community vote. For 2026, Ocean City locals, frequent visitors and vacationers cast more than 15,000 votes across nine bar categories.

The business receiving the most verified votes in each category is named the Poll Winner. In most categories, OceanCity.com also recognizes an Editorial Pick, selected by people familiar with Ocean City’s bar, restaurant and entertainment scene. This gives visitors another locally informed recommendation alongside the public’s choice.

The results are not based on a handful of anonymous ratings. They reflect votes from people who regularly visit these bars, attend their shows, watch their sunsets and make them part of their Ocean City traditions.

See the complete results across restaurants, bars, things to do and Boardwalk businesses on the 2026 Best of Ocean City® winners page.

Find the Best Ocean City Bar for Your Night Out

Ocean City’s bars range from sprawling waterfront entertainment destinations to neighborhood sports bars, breweries, pool bars and intimate cocktail spots. Some are built for a full night out; others are best enjoyed with a drink while the sun disappears over the bay.

Here is how to choose among the 2026 Best of Ocean City® winners.

Best Bar Overall in Ocean City

Seacrets received the most votes for Best Bar Overall in 2026. The expansive waterfront entertainment complex on 49th Street combines multiple bars, live music stages, dining areas, a nightclub and tables set directly in the bay.

Seacrets can feel like several different destinations depending on when you visit. During the day, guests can enjoy food, drinks and music beside the water. As evening arrives, the property becomes one of Ocean City’s largest nightlife destinations.

Fish Tales received the Editorial Pick for Best Bar Overall. Located on the bay at Bahia Marina, Fish Tales offers a more relaxed waterfront atmosphere with outdoor seating, food, drinks and marina views.

Best Ocean City Bars for Live Music

Seacrets also won the 2026 public vote for Best Live Music. With multiple performance areas and a schedule that can include several acts in one day, it offers one of the largest concentrations of live entertainment in Ocean City.

Beach Barrels received the Editorial Pick for Best Live Music. The North Ocean City bar offers a more intimate setting where audiences can see local and regional musicians without the scale and crowds of a major nightclub.

The two winners provide very different experiences: Seacrets for a large entertainment complex and Beach Barrels for a neighborhood bar atmosphere.

Find additional venues and current entertainment options in our guide to live music in Ocean City and the Ocean City live music restaurant directory.

Best Bars for an Ocean City Sunset

Watching the sun set over the bay is one of Ocean City’s essential vacation experiences.

Fager’s Island won the 2026 public vote for Best Place to View a Sunset. Its position on the bay provides a broad western view, and its nightly sunset tradition has made it a longtime favorite for visitors and locals.

The Angler Restaurant & Bar received the Editorial Pick. Located in downtown Ocean City on Talbot Street, The Angler combines bay views, outdoor seating, live music and convenient access from the Boardwalk area.

Sunset times change throughout the season, and waterfront tables can fill quickly. Arrive well before sunset if the view is an important part of your plans.

Best Happy Hour in Ocean City

Coconuts Bar & Grill won Best Happy Hour Specials in the 2026 public vote. Located behind the Castle in the Sand Hotel, Coconuts offers an oceanfront setting where visitors can move easily between the beach and the bar.

The Angler Restaurant & Bar received the Editorial Pick for Best Happy Hour. Its downtown location, bayfront atmosphere and regular drink specials make it particularly convenient for visitors staying near the Boardwalk.

Happy hour schedules and specials can change throughout the year. Confirm current days, hours and offers with the individual business before visiting.

Best Drinks and Cocktails in Ocean City

Harborside Bar & Grill won the 2026 public vote for Best Drinks. The West Ocean City bar is closely associated with the Original Orange Crush, a cocktail that has become part of Ocean City’s identity.

Dry 85 received the Editorial Pick. Its focus on carefully prepared cocktails, whiskey and a more intimate bar atmosphere provides an alternative to Ocean City’s larger waterfront venues.

These choices represent two different sides of the local drinking scene: a lively waterfront bar known for a signature Ocean City cocktail and a smaller establishment centered on spirits and craft cocktails.

Best Sports Bars in Ocean City

The Original Greene Turtle in North Ocean City received the most votes for Best Sports Bar in 2026. The Greene Turtle began in Ocean City and remains closely connected to the resort’s sports-bar culture.

With televisions throughout the bar and a casual menu, it is a natural choice for watching professional and college sports while visiting Ocean City.

Beach Barrels received the Editorial Pick for Best Sports Bar. Its North Ocean City location offers a neighborhood alternative for watching games, meeting friends and staying for live music.

For major sporting events, arrive early. Seats with the best television views can fill quickly, especially during playoff games and football season.

Best Pool Bars in Ocean City

A pool bar lets visitors enjoy the resort atmosphere without giving up an afternoon in the sun.

The Caribbean Pool Bar at the Plim Plaza Hotel won the 2026 public vote for Best Pool Bar. Its downtown location places visitors close to the beach, Boardwalk and surrounding attractions.

The Original Pool Bar at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront on 66th Street received the Editorial Pick. It offers a Midtown oceanfront setting and a relaxed resort atmosphere.

Access policies can vary by property, particularly during busy periods. Visitors who are not hotel guests should confirm public access before making plans.

Best Craft Beer Bars in Ocean City

The Tap House won the 2026 public vote for Best Local Craft Beer Selection. Its rotating selection gives visitors opportunities to try beers from regional breweries as well as producers from farther afield.

Pizza Tugos received the Editorial Pick for Best Local Craft Beer Selection. Pairing a broad beer selection with pizza and casual food makes it a useful choice for groups whose members may have different tastes.

Beer availability changes as kegs rotate, so the specific selection may be different each time you visit.

Visitors interested in locally produced beer can also explore Ocean City and the surrounding towns with the free Coastal Craft Crawl.

Best Local Breweries Near Ocean City

Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin won the 2026 public vote for Best Local Brewery. Known for creative releases and a distinctive taproom, Burley Oak has become one of the most recognized breweries on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Fin City Brewing Company received the Editorial Pick. As an Ocean City brewery, Fin City gives visitors an opportunity to drink beer produced within the local resort community.

Both breweries offer something different from a conventional bar: the opportunity to try beer closer to where it was made and learn more about the growing Eastern Shore craft-beverage scene.

Best Ocean City Bars by Atmosphere

Choosing the right bar is easier when you know what kind of experience you want:

• For a major nightlife destination: Seacrets

• For a relaxed waterfront bar: Fish Tales

• For sunset views: Fager’s Island or The Angler

• For live music: Seacrets or Beach Barrels

• For happy hour near the ocean: Coconuts

• For craft cocktails: Dry 85

• For an Orange Crush: Harborside

• For watching sports: The Original Greene Turtle

• For local craft beer: The Tap House or Pizza Tugos

• For a brewery excursion: Burley Oak or Fin City

• For a pool-bar afternoon: Caribbean Pool Bar or the Original Pool Bar

Hours, entertainment schedules and seasonal availability can change, so check with each establishment before visiting.

Ocean City Bars by Area

Downtown and the Boardwalk

Downtown Ocean City bars are convenient for visitors staying near the Inlet and Boardwalk. The area includes casual local bars, waterfront restaurants and venues with live music. The Angler is the 2026 Editorial Pick for both sunset views and happy hour.

Midtown Ocean City

Midtown contains some of Ocean City’s largest and best-known bars. Seacrets dominates the nightlife scene at 49th Street, while Coconuts offers a more relaxed oceanfront experience.

North Ocean City

North Ocean City generally offers a more neighborhood-oriented bar scene. The Original Greene Turtle, Beach Barrels, The Tap House and the Original Pool Bar are all located in the northern half of the resort.

West Ocean City and Berlin

Crossing the Route 50 bridge opens up another group of local options. Harborside is known for the Original Orange Crush, Fin City represents the local brewery scene, and Burley Oak is a short drive away in Berlin.

Raise a Glass to the Best of Ocean City

Ocean City’s best bars are as varied as the people who visit them. One evening might call for a quiet cocktail at sunset; another may involve live music, dancing or cheering for your team with a room full of fans.

Use the 2026 Best of Ocean City® results to find the atmosphere that fits your plans. Download the free Best Bars Trail to keep the winners on your phone, check in as you visit and discover available offers.

You can also browse the complete Ocean City restaurant and bar directory or see all 2026 Best of Ocean City® winners.