Alga Beer Co.'s Florida Room Cocktail Lounge Opens in Pensacola

As you sip your Neon Technician cocktail under the lavender-hued fluorescent lights of The Florida Room, you forget that the 450-square-foot cocktail lounge is connected to East Hill brewery Alga Beer Co. at 2435 N. 12 Ave.

“As soon as you walk in, you’re completely transported,” said Brett Reid, co-owner of Alga.

About a year and a half ago, Reid and co-owner Thomas Grier decided to bring the electrifying spirit of the ’80s into the small space, which was no small feat. It took a series of intentional touches—neon lights, tropical drinks, hot pink wallpaper, and open, airy garage doors—to give the space a cohesive sense of time and place.

“Everything has to make sense… If one of those (elements) doesn’t work, the whole thing doesn’t work,” Reid said.

Fortunately, once the music started and the drinks were served, garnished with sprigs of herbs and freshly cut citrus fruits, Reid saw all the pieces of the vision come together.

“It’s so ’80s and it really sets the mood for the whole room,” he said.

The design process was very personal to them, which is why you’ll notice quirky artwork donated by regulars and the Florida Room bar made from the familiar composite material, terrazzo, used in the flooring of Alga’s tasting room.

While Alga isn’t licensed to serve alcohol, they are allowed to serve sparkling malt beverages, which can be flavored to resemble the staff’s chosen spirit. With botanicals infused to resemble a gin or “tequila” seltzer that’s perfectly paired with a margarita, they can then mix in any juice, syrup, or puree to create a cocktail where the seltzer will react like any traditional liquor would. With their house-made hard seltzers ranging from 17 to 18 percent ABV, The Florida Room’s hand-shaken and hand-stirred concoctions should hit harder than your average 5 percent canned seltzer from the grocery store.

“The taste and feel will always be that of a cocktail,” Reid said.

When developing their signature drink list, they wanted to put a few twists on the classics, like the signature Square Grouper, made with a boiled Mexican Coke combined with sparkling lime water from local Big Jerk Soda Co.

While the drinks are carefully crafted, they also don’t want you to take the experience too seriously, offering hard seltzer slushies, Jello shots and Sunday Bloody Mary bars.

While Alga is a family-friendly, dog-friendly venue, the more restricted Florida Room is for guests 18 and older and service dogs only. Those bringing their kids or four-legged friends along are welcome to order Florida Room cocktails at the counter in the outdoor courtyard, where they have access to the full menu.

Previously: The ’80s await at Pensacola’s new cocktail bar, a fan-favorite brewery

Since there are a variety of fun flavors to discover, here’s what we recommend ordering during your visit:

Four Florida Room cocktails you absolutely must try:

Mai Thai

Menu Description: “Nuts, citrus and a classic Tiki.” ($10)
Reid’s Note: The Florida Room’s Mai Tai is a twist on a classic tiki cocktail that infuses the familiar flavors of fresh lime and nutty almond with Underberg bitters dropped into the glass like a float that seeps into the drink, making the cocktail experience an interactive one.

Neon Technician

Menu description: “Alcoholic, herbal, slightly sweet.” ($9)
Reid’s Note: Made with a glow-in-the-dark ice cube, the Neon Technician is a “special product” and “brings together the whole concept” of The Florida Room’s 80s atmosphere.

Mojito

Menu description: “Rum, lime and mint.” ($9)
Reid’s Note: This Mojito brings all the flavors of fragrant mint and fresh lime crushed into the glass, infused with pure cane sugar rather than a traditional simple syrup.

Square grouper

Menu description: “Our rum and coke, but better.” ($10)

Reid’s Note: Named after the ’80s slang term for a ball of marijuana washed up on the beach, Square Grouper brings a lighter, more refreshing take on rum and Coke, which can typically taste syrupy and sweet.

The Florida Room is open from 4pm to 10pm on Thursdays, 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 9pm on Sundays. For more updates and information, follow The Florida Room on Instagram.

Want to eat even more? Stay up-to-date on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletter.