The Best Beach Bars in Menorca, Spain

Overlooking Platja de Sant Tomàs, one of the island’s best beaches, is this thatched pavilion, sheltering a casual patio of white plastic chairs and tables. Settle in beside its rustic railings, fashioned from driftwood washed up on the beach, to people-watch the antics on the sands below. As well as full-on seafood lunches, this place sends out condensation-slicked pints, jugs of sangria, moreish croquetas and salty padrón peppers – just in time for drinks o’clock.

Stone benches are cut into the rocks at this rugged, tropical-looking beach, with its huge succulents and almost tropical shallows. Take cover under the thatched parasols scattered around the chapel-like white building from which your drinks emerge: dimpled glass tankards of San Miguel, simple mojitos garnished with mint sprigs and local fave pomada – ice-cold gin mixed with cloudy lemonade. Binibequer regulars love how it’s barely changed in 40 years.

Menorca isn’t really an island of flash, Ibiza-esque beach clubs, but this is one of the few beach clubs. Whitewashed walls contain a photogenic, blinding-white terrace with canvas chairs and tasselled parasols; Instagram-ready couples snap pics of pale-salmon rosé and towering piña coladas against the view, an impossibly scenic sun-bleached cove with idyllic pastel waters. During dining hours, it’s a full-on restaurant, but sippers and snackers are just as welcome.

In the sceney southern resort of Son Bouis is this mellow beachfront chiringuito, decorated with bubblegum-pink lanterns, cushions, flowerbeds and watering cans. There’s a boho spirit to its bottled beers, fishbowl-sized sangrias and views of the dune-trimmed beach. The frozen cocktails are great (try the strawberry daiquiri); ditto the calamari, salads and patatas bravas. Look out for live guitarists and chillout DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Terrace Bar is the hot spot du moment for sunset drinks, high on the island’s rugged north coast. It’s a simple patio built into the rocks and scrub, where you can summon rounds of upmarket cocktails from the elegant whitewashed building behind you. The hour before sunset here delivers a spectacular light show, as the dipping sun turns the bay a dazzling gold, then peach, then pink. Like the atmosphere? Stay on for sushi rolls or perfectly pink steak.

Glossy banana plants and overhanging pines shelter this huddle of simple wooden tables on the sands of Sa Caleta. The area is known for its amber cliffs and sheltered, swimmable coves – so come for a dip before seeking out this secret-feel bar, where a large blender sits ready to whizz up fruit, ice and whatever spirit you fancy. Try the strawberry mojitos, daiquiris or the smoothie of the day alongside a bowl of cheesy nachos, as a handful of in-the-know patrons chat around you.

Above the ancient capital, Ciutadella, on the west coast, is peaceful Cala’n Blanes, home to a huddle of coves and a couple of friendly, low-key beach bars. Pirates has the most atmosphere – a quirky thatched shack adorned with international flags, ship’s figureheads and colourful chalkboards, plus a dozen or so tables set among the palms. Kids love playing on the pirate ship out front as you order jugs of sangria, sip from coconuts and lounge on printed hippie rugs.

Fancy a fizz-toasted first or last night on the island? Come to this swanky, multi-level affair, with its walled gardens, a see-and-be-seen restaurant and a sunset drinks terrace. The grounds have tropical-feeling palms and ferns, and on the top deck, sail-like canopies are draped with festoon lights for a festive feel. Bar snacks include kimchi-packed croquettes and burrata salads; the maxi-dress and linen-trouser crew is ordering cava, champagne and rosé.