While Eau Claire may not be located on a Caribbean island, there are still ways to find a slice of paradise all year round with fresh, fruit-filled drinks so sweet that you'll feel yourself transported to a warm, sunny beach in the tropics. Discover the best places to sip back, relax, and drink tropical drinks around Eau Claire!
Photo: Juanita's Mexican Restaurant
Juanita's Mexican Restaurant
First up, we're shouting out Juanita's Mexican Restaurant in River Prairie with an extensive Mexican food & drink menu and an outdoor patio! Juanita's can whip up a variety of margaritas like an Ocean View Margarita, Spicy Margarita, Sangria Margarita, Corona Margarita, and Margarita Flights. You can also pick from many cocktail creations like mojitos, pina coladas, martinis, and so many more. While you're here, fill up on delicious tacos, burritos, fajitas, appetizers, and more tasty dishes while relaxing on the patio. Visit their website to check out their complete menu!
Clancy's
Stick around downtown Eau Claire to experience a parrot-themed dive bar! Clancy's is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire on Barstow Street and serves their mixed tropical drinks in adorable mason jars for a little extra added character. Locals and visitors think of Clancy's as a once-in-a-lifetime bar find as the people are friendly, the games are entertainment, and the drink specials during happy hour are some of the best in town. It may not be on a beach in the Caribbean, but the hospitality and drink flavors totally make the Clancy's experience one to remember!
Photo: Loopy's
Loopy's Cruzan Rum Tiki Bar
If you're seeking waterfront views this summer to sip on cold drinks, Loopy's Grill & Saloon is your spot. Located in Wheaton, WI, Loopy's lies right along the banks of the Chippewa River and hosts many weekly events at their outdoor bar space throughout the summer. Say "Cheers!" with a seasonal Leinenkugel's beer at the tiki bar, or take in the views of tubers on the river while sipping on a mixed drink. Loopy's has sand volleyball courts for weekly volleyball leagues, so it feels pretty close to being somewhere on a tropical beach!
The Lakely
Find a stunning patio to sip on in the summer in downtown Eau Claire at The Lakely! This restaurant and cocktail lounge is located at The Oxbow Hotel and serves seasonal rotating and signature cocktails. These drinks can be enjoyed inside over live entertainment on stage with open mic nights, Bingo, live music, & more, and they taste even better in the summer evenings on the patio by the fire pits. Pair your cocktails with shareable platters, salads, sandwiches, and other tasty dishes at The Lakely!
Photo: 44 North
44 North
By this point, you should know that River Prairie is the place to go to find sweet, summery drinks to sip on, and 44 North is no exception. The menu at 44 North changes throughout the seasons and makes room to offer specialty cocktails like River Prairie Punch, Berry Swizzles, Strawberry Splashes, Short Islands, and more. You can also choose from non-alcoholic sippers like Lemon Berry Freezes, Strawberry Lime Smashes, and Blackberry Italian Soda. Step your drink selection up a notch, and order frozen flights with rotating flavors, margarita flights, mojito flights, and other drink flights to cure every craving!
Helix
To wrap up the tropical drink trail in River Prairie, end your cocktail hunt at Helix with fresh, seasonal cocktails. Another patio favorite, Helix creates fruity drinks like Italian Daiquiris, Hugo Mojitos, Pacific Margaritas, Peachy Keen Sangria, Strawberry Guava Mules, and other classic options. Sip on glasses of wine or beer on the rooftop at Helix, and tune into live music performances on Monday and Wednesday evenings in River Prairie Park right from your seat.
Cowboy Jack's
The tropical scene moves over to Cowboy Jack's in River Prairie with tasty, fruity cocktails and mocktails! While dining on the patio overlooking the park and Eau Claire River, choose from a variety of drinks to sip on at Cowboy Jack's, which also offers some of the best happy hour deals in town. The drink menu changes to reflect the different Wisconsin seasons, so the summer menu features drinks that taste like seasonal fruit, beach trips, and a tropical vacation. Order cocktails like a Bahama Mama, Berry Mojitos, Hawaiian Punch, Sunny Side of the River, Prickly "Pear"adise, and more. Cowboy Jack's is said to have some of the best cocktails and mocktails in the Chippewa Valley; plan a date over drinks to see for yourself!
Transport to the tropics with cocktails in Eau Claire! #CaptureEC