Earl’s Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar biker bar on the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian is known for its New York style pizza.
TCPalm Enterprise Editor Cheryl Smith was 25 when she moved to the Treasure Coast in 1989.
So many of her go-to spots are gone now: SBI (Sebastian Beach Inn), The Patio and Marvin Gardens in Vero Beach, the Original Tiki Bar in Fort Pierce, Mr. Laff’s and Shuckers in Jensen Beach — the way it was then; open-air and sandy.
At least one Old Florida bar echoes those early salad days: Earl’s Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar in Sebastian.
Earl Roberts, who was mayor from 1947-49, opened Earl’s Bar & Package Store in 1957 and catered to locals and fishermen, not bikers. Since he retired in 1972 and died in 1980, Earl’s has had different names and owners.
In 1999, John Laman of Micco and William Balloughs of Vero Beach bought the bar and revived the original name, calling it Earl’s Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar. Carole Ballough assumed her husband’s role after he died in 2022.
It’s no longer on the market after the owners contemplated selling in 2017.
Q: What is special about it?
It’s just fun, with down-to-earth people generating a good vibe without any drama or in-your-face politics. Everyone’s just laughing and having a good time — talking, eating, drinking, dancing, playing pool and listening to live music.
Indeed, the bar once had a bad “rough and rowdy” reputation for violence, but the current owners for the past 27 years have created a friendlier place that prohibits motorcycle club “colors” and welcomes people from all walks of life.
I especially love the outdoor patio’s natural setting, and walking across the street to catch a cool Indian River Lagoon breeze.
Q: What’s it known for?
I love the $3.50 giant slices of New York-style pizza — either plain or pepperoni, depending on my mood. It’s thin, crispy and has a little black oven char on the bottom that adds flavor.
Whole pies range from $14 to $24 for Earl’s Special, an 18-incher with ham, bacon, sausage, meatball, pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms and black olives.
Pizza is available starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday-Wednesday. On Thursdays, you can get Italian hoagies from 11-3 p.m., then pizza starting at 4 p.m.
Earl’s even serves breakfast 7-11 a.m. daily.
Q: Does it have entertainment?
There’s live music five times a week: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays-Saturdays; and 2-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.
Most bands, including tributes to legendary rockers, play Southern rock and blues, with some funk and soul. You’ll hear lots of 1980s and 1990s covers of your favorite throwbacks.
Ben Prestage is my favorite, and Tom Waits’ “Mr. Siegal” is my favorite cover. The lyric, “How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves his porch light on,” evokes Earl’s underbelly.
Q: What’s the atmosphere like?
It’s covered in signs, faded photos and even has an old-school cigarette vending machine near the pool tables. I’m thankful the bathrooms are always so freezing cold, especially when it’s 96 degrees in the shade.
Cheryl Smith is TCPalm’s enterprise editor over trending, entertainment, environment and social justice coverage. Contact her at [email protected].
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