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TCPalm Enterprise Editor Cheryl Smith<\/a> was 25 when she moved to the Treasure Coast in 1989.<\/p>\n So many of her go-to spots are gone now: SBI (Sebastian Beach Inn), The Patio<\/a> and Marvin Gardens in Vero Beach, the Original Tiki Bar <\/a>in Fort Pierce, Mr. Laff’s and Shuckers<\/a> in Jensen Beach \u2014 the way it was then; open-air and sandy.<\/p>\n At least one Old Florida bar echoes those early salad days: Earl’s Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar<\/a> in Sebastian.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In 1999, John Laman\u00a0of 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.<\/p>\n It’s no longer on the market after the owners contemplated selling in 2017.<\/a><\/p>\n Q: What is special about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2014 talking, eating, drinking, dancing, playing pool and listening to live music.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I especially love the outdoor patio’s natural setting, and walking across the street to catch a cool Indian River Lagoon breeze.<\/p>\n Q: What’s it known for?<\/strong><\/p>\n I love the $3.50 giant slices of New York-style pizza \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Earl’s even serves breakfast 7-11 a.m. daily.<\/p>\n Q: Does it have entertainment?<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ben Prestage<\/a> is my favorite, and Tom Waits’ “Mr. Siegal” <\/a>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.<\/p>\n
\nEarl’s Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar biker bar on the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian is known for its New York style pizza.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n