FIRST STOP: Tiki Bar 52

Ambiance: Beer, burgers and football. Dolphins game blaring, cold beers (Blue Moon and Yuengling on draft) and a random man outside with slow-roasted meats and killer coleslaw. Ride your Harley down, bring your faithful dawg, load up your fam or drive your boat – all are welcome here. And if your team is doing as poorly as the Dolphins did the Sunday we stopped in – get away from it all by escaping to the auxiliary tikis outside. Located behind the Blowing Rocks Marina at Marker 52 on the Intracoastal, hence the name Tiki 52, it’s a great place to stop off during an afternoon of boating. And there’s live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Food: Basic bar fare. Sandwiches are $7 and include sides. Beers are between $3 and $4 and $3.50 for a Blue Moon on draft.Beer and wine only.

Info: Tiki Bar 52, 18487 SE Federal Highway, Tequesta; (561) 746-3312. Open Thursday through Sunday.

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SECOND STOP: The Islander Grill & Tiki Bar

Ambiance: It’s not that there’s a lack of fantastic places to sip a cool one on Singer Island. Still, we wanted to see what exactly was behind “The Pink Hotel” at Palm Beach Shores so checking out the Islander Grill & Tiki Bar in the Palm Beach Shores Resort seemed like a good excuse. Just like Tiki 52, this was a big, roomy tiki occupied by grizzled looking grey beards that just might have the best stories to tell about the fish that got away. How we longed to take off their sunglasses and hear them. Surrounded by a beautiful pool and steps away from the luscious beaches of Riviera Beach, this is a little more upscale. Think gourmet pizzas and the requisite Voodoo bucket of Rum. (It’s only $8!) Throw in some exotic birds around the edges and you have much more of an “I’m on vacation!” mentality.

Food: Extensive menu but the servers will quickly direct you to their gourmet pizzas, and daily fresh, homemade dough. Warning: It’s pricey. $9-12 for appetizer, and goes up from there to $25 for filet Gorgonzola.

Info: The Islander, Grill & Tiki Bar at the Palm Beach Shores Resort, 181 Ocean Avenue, Palm Beach Shores,

561.842.8282.

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THIRD STOP: Panama Hattie’s and Rum Bar

Ambiance: I’ve been stopping in and out of the Rum Bar for years – where else can you literally dig your heels into the sand and sink your nose into a bucket of rum – in a setting so beautiful that you might forget that it’s just a Thursday night and you really aren’t on vacation in Mexico? With three gorgeous bonfire pits dotted around the land, boat docks, ring tosses, a large, welcoming tiki and a bustling bar, the Rum Bar is a fascinating mix of boaters and beer pong; stilettos and snowbirds; bonfires and babes. A word of wisdom to the ladies – leave the heels at home – they don’t fare well in the sand. Otherwise, everything goes.

Food: Whenever I preach about what tiki hut food should look like – Rum Bar got the memo. Dinner menu served 4 to close offers coconut shrimp, calamari, eggrolls. But they also do a white lobster flatbread ($14.95), ceviche ($11.95) and a plethora of seafood to help absorb the alcohol. I will vouch for the conch fritters – and their sweet chili dipping sauce - $8.95. And the rum bucket is a must-experience ($13).

Info: Panama Hattie’s and Rum Bar, 11511 Ellison Wilson Rd, North Palm Beach. 561-627-1545

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FOURTH STOP: Guanabana’s

Ambiance: Like the most elegant, charming and classiest dame in the group, Guanabana’s makes us look good. Somehow, it manages to have the most fetching, jaw-dropping landscaping (well, a $2.5 million renovation will do that for you), always beautiful views, and serene atmosphere without being pretentious or stuffy. It still has that “you’re one of us” feeling that makes us feel lucky, privileged and very, very happy to traverse the paths and sit a spell in the Adirondack chairs. A place to gather with the gals while on staycation or a meeting place on a Friday night to listen to any number of their amazing bands. I once heard Julian Marley – never saw him but heard him through the trees. And somehow, it never gets old.

Food: Traditional Floribbean cuisine – which means lots of fresh Florida seafood, “South of the Border” inspired dishes (tacos and burritos), light salads and creative fish dishes such as their Pecan-Boniato (candied pecan and Cuban sweet potato crust lightly sautéed and served with a jalapeno cream sauce). I’ve never been disappointed with any of my cocktail orders, particularly their mojitos ($8.75). Or try the Guanabana’s Cat 5, which has rum, rum, rum (and tropical fruit juice) for $9.50.

Info: Guanabanas, 960 North Highway A1A, Jupiter. 561-747-8878

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FIFTH STOP: Sweet’s Conch and Crab

Ambiance: An homage to urban gardens, urban playgrounds and urban farms, we give you Sweet’s, an urban tiki. Located on U.S. 1 in Tequesta, there is no water view at this tiki but a cozy, quaint courtyard with a covering and some nice foliage. Put in in NYC and hipsters would be worshiping at the alter of their bar stools. In Tequesta, it’s a nice, relaxed place to catch up with friends, enjoy a super affordable afternoon and revel in service that is at once personable, friendly but still unobtrusive – and you thought that was an urban legend too!

Food: Okay – by now I must admit it. I am finally, finally a wee bit tired of fried finger foods. So imagine my delight when we discover that Sweet’s has a sushi house inside! Which would mean a break from fried seafood for me if I hadn’t ordered fried pickles ($5 happy hour special) and a Tuna Poke sushi roll ($11.95). In addition to sushi, steak and a raw bar, they also have a Sunday brunch from 10 to 2 with a manned omelet station and carved prime rib. Thumbs up for their $5 happy hour dishes – we wish more of the tikis offered those kind of specials.

Info: Sweet’s, 157 North U.S. Highway 1, Tequesta. 561-744-6545

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SIXTH STOP: Frigate’s

Ambiance: Have I died and gone to tiki heaven or did they really create a tiki hut that you can wear heels too? As I eye the well-dressed, well-heeled clientele of Frigate’s, I am impressed. I’m also impressed with the spread – layer upon layer of tucked away nooks starting with a complete restaurant inside, then a huge, solid tiki hut outside. Dotting the outdoor area are tables and high-tops, heat lamps and high-blazing torches and a drool worthy boat docked below.

Food: Oh my – come with an empty stomach and a fat wallet. How does Norwegian Chargrilled salmon topped with shiitake cream sauce ($21.95) or slow roasted smoked prime rib ($24.95) sound? Particularly interesting is their Sunday brunch - $14.95 for adults, $7.95 kids 12 and under and serves Zeppoles (Italian donuts), made to order omelets, a carving station, Peel n Eat shrimp along with the usual suspects. Their brunch also has a Bloody Mary Bar with more than 20 different items for $8. Of course, since I was in tiki mode, I tried – and approve – of the coconut shrimp ($10.95 for four big, fat suckers).

Info: Frigate’s Waterfront Bar and Grill, 400 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach. 561-855-7497

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LAST CALL: Square Grouper

Ambiance: It goes without saying that the Square Grouper is the last stop of many nights in North County. We guarantee you by this time you’ll either be dancing with your friends, having long heart-to-hearts on the dock, or sharing a stolen kiss under the moonlight as you dig your toes into the sand. Or watching your friends or strangers do any of the above. Above all, the Square Grouper is fun. They never lose sight of the joyousness of being right on the water, of wearing flip-flops to bars year round, of dancing under the stars in January, of celebrating life with friends. And for that, they will always have a spot in our heart.

Food: Never have I eaten here but they do have a limited menu of burgers, wings, hot dogs and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. Full bar and cocktail list. Late night happy hour Sunday through Thursday 10 to close: All beers $2.50, Sailor Jerry for $5, all house cocktails for $5.50. A burger will cost you $6 and wings will run you $7.

Info: Square Grouper Tiki Bar, 1111 Love Street, Jupiter. 561-575-0252