Carnivals, concerts and where to eat, shop and play in this delightful Gulf Beach neighborhood
By Nanette Wiser | Photos VisitStPeteClearwater.com
When you come to Madeira Beach, summer is year-round. There’s something for everyone, from beautiful pristine beaches and parks to entertainment and friends you haven’t met…yet! You can take yoga on the beach, parasail or catch a pirate cruise from John’s Pass, embark on a fishing excursion with Hubbard’s Marina or cast off with a Salty Boat Rental. There’s live music and festivals everywhere. Best of all, the sunshine is free!
Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Madeira Beach, a Paradise neighborhood that welcomes you with a smile. Check out all the Madeira Beach restos, bars and coffeehouses in this cover story as well.
R.O.C. Park stands for Remember Our Children, celebrates the lives of our children, and remembers the joy they brought to this world. Opened in 2015, it’s a great place for concerts, softball, walking and watching the annual holiday boat parade. R.O.C. Park hosts dozens of events, from King of the Beach fishing tournament and festival to the annual Spring Carnival on St. Paddy’s Day weekend and other events are around the corner. Don’t miss Annual Kite Day at R.O.C. Park 5/13 10am-1pm; the first 500 children will receive a free kite.
There’s so much to do and see in Madeira Beach. The Gulf Beaches Library near City Hall offers free clubs, talks, Scrabble and dozens of activities including children’s storytelling hours. The Rec Center features the popular cardio drumming and other exercise classes for every levels.
Looking for a place to host a party? Check out West Events and Tide The Knot Weddings on Gulf Boulevard for beautiful alfresco and interior venues as well as local hotels and beach pavilions rented out by the city as well as indoor/outdoor spaces at City Hall and Mad Beach Rec Center too.
SHOP The ultimate spot to browse and enjoy the great outdoors is John’s Pass Village for apparel, crafts, kites, spices, home decor and jewelry, especially The Bronze Lady. Visit the new Madeira Beach City Store for logo shirts and caps. For swimwear and souvenirs, look no further than Surf Style or Colette’s Fashions & Swimwear. Bronze Lady Home Furnishings is the ultimate destination for coastal décor for your home and patio.
ATTRACTIONS Be sure to walk Wednesday Madeira Beach Market from 10am-2pm; features local artisans, live music, lunch bites and beach vibes and an afternoon at Archibald Memorial Beach Park. Check the beach out at www.timbchamber.org/beach-cams. How about teeing off at Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf, a family favorite?
The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center in John’s Pass is a non-profit providing humane, professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned native wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild. The Center is home to over 250 animals including lizards, small mammals, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and of course … alligators. It’s the ultimate way to learn and get up close to these animals. www.Kissagator.com
Looking for family fun on St. Patrick’s Day weekend? From 3/16-3/19, The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club in partnership with city of Madeira Beach’s Recreation Department will host the 13th Annual Spring Break Waterfront Festival at R.O.C. Park on the waterfront, located at 300 Municipal Drive. This four-day, fun-filled event will offer a collection of carnival rides provided by Arnold Amusements, live entertainment as well as awesome food and craft vendors. All profits from the carnival are donated to local children and families in needs. Visit bit.ly/3YTXD3B for tickets/info.
The live music line-up is stellar with Fusebox 3/16 6-8pm. On Friday, Juna N Joey perform 5-7pm, Southbound 75 8-10pm; on Saturday Second Rodeo hits the stage 2-4pm, followed by Lee Cole & The Wranglers 5-7 and Pirate Flag Band 8-10pm. Sunday kicks off with Electric Soul Therapy 2-4pm and Twisted Revolvers 5-7pm. You can shop till you drop with vendors selling crafts and more.
Madeira Beach hosts many popular events and fundraisers. The Grouper Gala is May 6 @6:30-9pm with The Black Honkeys Band and 9pm fireworks. July 3 is the annual Independence Day fireworks at 9pm. In 2024, the 42nd Annual John’s PassSeafood Festival returns Jan. 19-21.
On May 20, Gulf Beaches Rotary and Old Salts Fishing Foundation also hosts a fishing clinic at R.O.C. Park seawall, giving 100 fishing rods/reels, goody bag to every child to take home as their own.
A fan favorite is Mad Beach’s Final Friday’s live music in front of the John’s Pass Bell Tower, hosted by Mad Beach with other businesses. Enjoy K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation 3/31, Lee Cole and the Wranglers 4/28, Big Brother Band 5/26 and 8/25, Crossfire Creek Band 6/30, K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation 11/24; bands TBD for 7/28 and 12/29.
The Gulf Beaches Rotary Club has been supporting the needs of our local community for over 60 years. This club contributes approximately $50,000 each year to local and international efforts to make the community and world a better place in which to live. This event has drawn over 10,000 participants during each four-day period.
The event is organized and managed by volunteers. All of the proceeds are deposited into the club’s foundation. Every dollar in the foundation is directed by the Board to help those in need: Eckerd College Search and Rescue, Metropolitan Ministries, All children’s Hospital, Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Pinellas Education Scholarships, Voices for Children, and many other very deserving organizations. Most businesses have budgeted funds for contribution to charitable causes. www.gulfbeachesrotary.com
Spring Break Festival sponsors include Century 21 Beggins Enterprises, Crabby’s On The Pass, Caddy’s Madeira Beach,
Johnson Bros. Corporation, Publix, Guardian ad Litem Foundation, William Karns Enterprises, Edie and Jim Earle,
Associated Paper, Beach Builders, England & Associates, Elks Lodge, Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen, Brass Captain, Salt Water Hippie, and Ricky T’s.
Eat @ Mad Beach
Dining and drinking in Madeira Beach is fun every day of the week. With happy hours and the Wednesday Madeira Beach Market, live music and alfresco views, who could ask for anything more in this little slice of Paradise.
The Interior at Angry Pepper 
The Food at Angry Pepper
Before you come over the Tom Stuart Causeway to the Gulf, take a detour to Slyce Pizzeria in the Publix Shopping Center for gourmet pizza, cocktails, wine and craft beer with a beautiful 2nd floor water view and live music. You can pull up by boat or car to the adjacent McDonald’s, Angry Pepper Waterside (smoked meat, seafood, Louisiana favorites plus 60 beers) or American Legion (members only). Pick up some fresh mahi and grouper from Key West Seafood before you head home from the beautiful Madeira beaches.
Caddy’s Exterior 
Caddy’s Porch
Speaking of a meal with a view, you can’t beat two legendary local chains, Caddy’s Madeira Beach or John’s Pass and Crabby’s On The Pass for seafood and the ultimate party with live music. Want the best grouper and shrimp on the beach? Look no further than Dockside Dave’s. Pete’s Sushi & Poke serves extraordinary sashimi, specialty sushi rolls and Asian fare as does Thai Star Sushi Bar and Thai Am 2.
The Food at Dockside Dave’s 
In John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, Hooter’s is the spot for chicken wings and sports while the best seafood can be found at Walt’z Fish Shack, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Sculley’s Waterfront, and the Friendly Fisherman, then stop by Ice & Cream Creamery or Kilwins for some sweet delights. Prefer pizza and Italian comfort food? DeLosa’s Pizza & Restaurant is deeply gratifying for red wine and lasagna or pepperoni pizza. For burgers and fries, look no further than The Boardwalk Grill. For local beer and eclectic fare, stop in Mad Beach Brewing Co. For live music and cheap beer, Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill is a local legend.
For breakfast, lunch, and delicious coffee drinks, stop in Sweet Brewnettes, a charming bistro or the Madeira Beach Snack Shack right on the beach. Daiquiri Shaq Raw Bar & Grille is now serving breakfast as well at 9am and is the weekend dance and drink hot spot serving flights of daiquiris.
For day drinking and live music, I suggest Saltwater Hippie or Brass Captain, interrupted by a delicious meal next door at Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen deck (Detroit pizza) and an Aperol Spritz. Mad Beach.
My two faves for Mexican are Coastal Taco, serving authentic Baja fare and guacamole from scratch, and Mad Beach Cantina, whose elevated view and margaritas are a great place to take visitors. Burgers and American casual fare can best be found at The Reef and The Lucky Lizard, no frills but plenty strong drinks.
For a fabulous fine dining experience, make reservations at The Gulf Bistro for French fare or Mario’s Ristorante (bring your wine) for regional Italian dishes elegantly presented. We also like Lisa’s Café for brunch, seafood, and steak. Finish up the day at The Ember Rooftop Lounge at The Cambria Hotel or behind The Cambria, the new Tiki Docks & Grill for an amazing view and sophisticated cocktails and boat drinks.