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Old 27-02-2021, 06:40   #1
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Floating Bar in State waters?

Does anyone know of a floating bar (similar to Willy T's in BVI) located in the US? I'm interested in the legalities of it. I figure finding one already in existence would give me a good place to start my research. I'm thinking of starting one near Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach NC. Lots of old shrimp trawlers around here begging to be repurposed.
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:03   #2
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

You should probably consult a lawyer and the state's business license division.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...da-239708.html
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:13   #3
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

You should probably consult a lawyer and the state's business license division.


Oh I definitely will, I'm just trying to find any already in existence. I'm not looking for legal advice on here.

But jeez, that thread got hot quick. Makes me want to delete this thread before I get a similar treatment. Thanks for the link.
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:23   #4
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

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Originally Posted by Catalier View Post
Well, that thread got hot quick. Makes me want to delete this thread before I get a similar treatment. Thanks for the link.
I mean, this is a cruisers forum. Not exactly geared towards providing any legal advice about a commercial concern doing a very specific thing in a very specific place.
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:26   #5
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

There is a man made island in Tampa Bay called Beercan Island. It was made from the remnants of a dredging operation, and for years boaters went out there to hang out. Because it was man made, it lacked zoning ordinances of any kind. An interesting legal loophole.

A few years ago, a couple guys did a little homework and discovered that it was owned by the power company. They reached out to them and convinced them to sell it for something like $50,000. They then put a tiki bar out there.

It’s annoying that something so simple was just sitting right there in front of everyone and two guys just figured it out. Having said that though, based on this thread, I looked up the latest on it and it seems they have been wrestling with the local governments for a couple years now:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tam...outputType=amp
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:27   #6
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

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Originally Posted by NaClyDog View Post
I mean, this is a cruisers forum. Not exactly geared towards providing any legal advice about a commercial concern doing a very specific thing in a very specific place.
I tried to clarify that I'm just looking for ones already existing. I should have just asked where any were, and left off the part about me wanting to start my own.
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:36   #7
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Floating Bar in State waters?

Floating bar in seabrook tx

Www.barge295seabrooktx.com
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:36   #8
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

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Originally Posted by NaClyDog View Post
I mean, this is a cruisers forum. Not exactly geared towards providing any legal advice about a commercial concern doing a very specific thing in a very specific place.
Obviously you're not reading the threads!
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Old 27-02-2021, 07:37   #9
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

The Trading Post in Point Baker, Alaska. It's afloat and has a bar.

I don't know anything about Willy T's, but I imagine it's a lot different than what you'd find in Point Baker.
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Old 27-02-2021, 08:19   #10
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

https://floridatikitours.com/


I don't think this is exactly what you are looking for, but it is an idea. It is a six-pack operation, so only small groups. They also do not have a liquor license, so it is BYOB.
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Old 27-02-2021, 08:23   #11
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

PM me if you want to hear about how creating one was foiled. M
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Old 27-02-2021, 08:29   #12
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

Not U.S. but anecdotal on the subject...Dinghy Dock Pub in Nanaimo...great place, literally dinghy up to it from the anchorage. Heard more recently customers stopped for DWB on way back to their boats, possibly the pub held in some liability as well. But in the good old days...
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Old 27-02-2021, 08:34   #13
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catalier View Post
Does anyone know of a floating bar (similar to Willy T's in BVI) located in the US?.................
You can do an internet search on "floating bars in the US" and find some like:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...usa/492209001/.

1. Honorable William Wall is a steel barge anchored in New York Harbor and operated by the Manhattan Yacht Club. The floating bar and venue is accessible only by boat.
2. North River Lobster Company is a lobster shack and bar that sets sail two to five times daily (closed Tuesdays) on the Hudson River in New York City.
3. Brooklyn Barge
4. Hudson’s is a three-story restaurant, bar and lounge located on a yacht operated by New York Cruise Lines, which takes patrons on dinner or brunch cruises.
5. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino is home to Pier 111, a bar floating on Lake Tahoe at the end of the resort's floating pier

It seems to me you can buy a large boat, former ferry or barge and get it licensed for serving food and drinks. You will need business license, liquor license, food service license, etc. like any other bar and/or restaurant as discussed in the article below.

https://www.fsrmagazine.com/expert-t...pen-restaurant
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Old 27-02-2021, 08:48   #14
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

Supposedly one is coming to the Jersey shore, but it looks more like a party boat than a real floating bar. https://www.nj.com/entertainment/202...is-spring.html
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Old 27-02-2021, 09:20   #15
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Re: Floating Bar in State waters?

Willy T's in the BVI at the Bitter end is actually the third so named boat. The last one went down in Hurricane Irma. I think it better to find the perfect location for a floating bar and then do the do diligence with licensing then find a large stout boat or barge to repurpose into your bar.
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