Shuckers Closes Sunday. We Chatted With Regulars About the Good Times

It's five o'clock on a Thursday in breezy October.

Old friends are ordering a round of beers at the outdoor bar, a couple is ordering a "Rum Runner" off the happy-hour menu at a waterside table overlooking the bay, and Jimmy Buffett is blasting over the sound system. A group of men on a yacht have just pulled up to "dock and dine," a couple with their two children are ordering coconut fried shrimp and special grilled wings for the table, and a group of friends are playing a round of pool next to a life-like statue of a pirate.

It feels like a typical Thursday evening at Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill in North Bay Village, but it's anything but; it's the last Thursday the restaurant and bar will be in business.

"Kinda sad. Shuckers is an institution, especially if you're a fan," says a longtime customer at the bar. "You've got this beautiful view here, and it's home to a lot of wranglers. It's going to be sad once it's gone."

On the evening of Sunday, October 27, the waterfront institution beloved by generations of Miami residents will serve its last "Shucker Rita" and "North Bay Breeze" after nearly 40 years in business. Founded in 1989, Shuckers will close its doors following a controversial exit after the restaurant and a hotel on the property were acquired for $75 million earlier this year.

An Affordable, Laid-Back Gem to Become a Costly Hot Spot

Although its owners claim they are working to find a new location to continue the legacy of Shuckers, it's hard to imagine they will find a location as beautiful.

Shuckers overlooks Biscayne Bay facing north, so patrons get a gorgeous sunset to the left and views of Normandy Shores and Indian Creek Island to the right. While waterfront dining exists across Miami, the low-key atmosphere and cheap prices that made Shuckers a staple cannot be matched elsewhere.

"We are devastated to have to close the doors of this iconic Miami institution," said Bruce Siegel, vice president of operations, in a statement earlier this month. "So many locals have created incredible memories here over the decades."

A hotel and restaurant called Palm Tree Club will replace Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill and Best Western with a "dynamic fusion of tropical vibes, coastal gastronomy, and curated music and events" that will "merge the energy of a festival scene with the joy of laid-back hospitality," stated a press release sent out in June. Palm Tree Club is set to include a waterfront restaurant, a 20-boat slip marina with dine-and-dock services, 118 guest suites, and a pool adjoining the restaurant and hotel — a far cry from the humble shack that is Shuckers.

Longtime Regulars Pour One Out for Their Old Friend Shuckers

Back at the restaurant, other longtime patrons are also visiting Shuckers to bid their final heartfelt goodbyes. "Every other week we come for drinks, and it's so sad that this is our last time here," says a man at a table. "It's one more local place down." The view is great, drinks are cheap, and everyone is nice. It's very sad."

While most patrons were visibly saddened that this would be their final time at the bar and grill, others were a bit more hopeful for what Palm Tree Club will bring to the property.

"I've been coming to Shuckers since I was about 16 years old, and I'm 26, so, ten years," says a young man at a table. "As a Miami native, this is a great spot to come and watch your sporting events, hang out with the boys, or even go on a date and watch the sunset. It's a Miami staple. As a local, it's sad to see this go, and it means a lot to many people, but I'm also excited to see what comes of this space. I'm excited to see what Palm Tree Club brings to the area and to the local economy."

A longtime customer since the restaurant opened nearly 40 years ago was also optimistic about what is to come — she even brought her entire group of friends to pour one out for the legendary spot.

"I started coming here in high school, which was about 40 years ago, but even in college, I would come down here because I live in Miami Shores. So, this was like the hangout for a lot of my high school friends," she says fondly. "The view and atmosphere of a sports bar is what always brings me back here. I come for the chicken wings, fish tacos, and beer. I've brought my whole tennis team here tonight to say goodbye to Shuckers."

She says longtime customers have known the end was near for years, but she is hopeful the new spot will be "just fine."

Shuckers was one of the last affordable, laid-back waterfront dining options in South Florida. While Miami bids it farewell, it will forever be ingrained in South Florida history.

Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill. 1819 79th St. Cswy., North Bay Village; 305-866-1570; shuckersbarandgrill.com. Open daily from noon till midnight (noon till 11 p.m. on Sunday).