July is here and Summer 2013 is in full swing in Ocean City, Maryland. This is the time of year when we all want to be at one place—the beach! Located on 37th Street at The Castle in the Sand Hotel, Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill is the perfect place to spend your entire beach day with your friends and family.
    Open every day from 11 AM to 11 PM, Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill features creative food and the most popular happy hour in town. Dubbed by locals as “power hour,” 5-6 PM is the daily timefor two-for-one drink specials. Staying at the hotel? Show your room key to your server at 4:45 PM for VIP happy hour specials. Coconuts offers plenty of specialty Crushes, such as Orange, Grapefruit, Creamsicle, and Skinny Margarita Crush. You can also ask for your Crush in a 32-ounce Crush Bucket. Or you might want to try their signature drink, the Tipsy turtle Rum Punch. Order it on a Tuesday adn be eligible to win a five-day vacation at Coconuts sister resort, The Green Turtle Club Resort in the Caribbean.
    One major reason Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill is a favorite daylong hangout spot is waitress service on the beach. The stretch of beach in front of the Castle in the Sand Hotel is one of only a few destinations in Ocean City where bikini-clad waitresses will serve your favorite food and libations to you in your beach chair, right up to the ocean’s waterline.
    Coconuts is always a happening hotspot. Live bands, games, movie nights, a beach volleyball court, and a tiki bar keep the party going all day and all night. The food menu is fabulous too.
    I spent the evening at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill this week, where the beautiful hostesses and three-year staffer, Josh, greeted me and led me to an umbrella-covered table on the big patio. The place was packed! I admired the swaying palm trees and huge castle wall as my friend, Carl, emceed “Let’s Do Trivia Night.” Our server, Liz, is exceptionally friendly. She told us that after trivia night, the managers would set up a projector to feature the popular movie, “Brave,” on the castle wall. Every Tuesday night, free movie nights are family friendly and include free popcorn and candy.
    My fiancé, Joey, and I were already having so much fun when we started perusing the menu. Tons of new items are on the menu this year at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill. For starters, we ordered a basket of Wasabi Shrimp & Crab Dip Bites. An innovative take on a classic appetizer, this spicy dish features deep-fried crab, cheese, and wasabi shrimp. We also tried the Crab Guacamole—a fresh avocado, stuffed with Old-Bay-seasoned crabmeat and served with tortilla chips.
    Also new on the 2013 menu at Coconuts are a Chesapeake Burger and a Chesapeake Chicken Sandwich, each topped with Maryland Crab Cake, shredded cheddar jack cheese, and Old Bay on a Kaiser roll. The Lump Crab Salad is five ounces of decadent Blue Crab, piled high and sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning with lemon butter vinaigrette. The Veggie Basket is an irresistible concoction of broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, fried green beans, and chipotle dipping sauce. The Southwest Chop Salad is another novelty mix with iceberg lettuce, black bean salsa, shredded cheese, grilled chicken, fresh pico de gallo, and ancho cilantro ranch dressing.
    Tacos, Burgers, Sandwiches, and King Wraps are classic favorites that remain on the menu. Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Steak Tacos, and Jerk Chicken Tacos are each prepared with shredded cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, and fiesta mango salsa. Try an eight-ounce certified Angus beef burger. Or, for a healthier choice, select the Turkey Burger with grilled pineapple, caramelized onion, and chipotle mayo, or the Black Bean Burger with melted pepper jack cheese, sliced avocado, and fresh black bean salsa on a nine-grain bun.
    We ordered the Grilled Mahi Sandwich—a grilled six-ounce Mahi filet seasoned Key West style and topped with Jamaican jerk mayo. It is so tasty. We also shared a homemade Shrimp Salad Sandwich on pita bread. Other delectable sandwiches at Coconuts are Seared Tuna, Chicken Salad, Mega Hotdog, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, and Yuengling Battered Fried Haddock.
    Traditional appetizers, such as Fried Oysters, Jerk Chicken, Mozzarella Sticks, Buffalo Wings, Chicken Tenders, Jumbo Steamed Gulf Shrimp and Coconut Shrimp are on the menu. Sides and extras include Potato Salad, Sweet Potato Tots, and Fresh Fruit Cups. A “Little Surfers” menu is available too, including Fried Shrimp, Junior portions, Mac ‘n Cheese Bites, and Mini Pretzel Dogs.
    Remember: The entire food and drink menu is available on the beach with waitress service. The big fun happens at the bar and grill, where live bands keep the crowds entertained every day. This week, Darin Engh performs on Friday, July 5, from noon until 4 PM, followed by John LaMere from 5-9 PM. Saturday presents one of my favorite local duets, the Nate Clendenen Duo, at noon, followed by First Class at 5 PM.
    On Sunday, July 7, Coconuts will be bursting with fun when The Chest Pains perform at 5 PM, following the Aaron Howell Trio at noon. Keep reading Coconut Times for upcoming entertainment in July 2013. While you’re at Coconuts, check out their extensive apparel boutique for stylish souvenirs, T-shirts, and beach accessories.
    For more information, including a full menu, visit castleinthesand.com/ocean-city-md-coconuts. Check out fun photos on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CoconutsBeachBar. Call 410-289-6846 to speak to a friendly staffer, and learn more about daily and weekly activities at Coconuts Bar & Grill.