February on 30A moves at a different pace. The snowbirds have settled in, the beaches are uncrowded, and the restaurants are full of people who actually have time to enjoy a meal. With March Madness just weeks away and the NBA playoff race heating up, Scout Sports Tavern in Watersound has become the go-to spot for sports fans along the 30A corridor who want the full game day experience without giving up the quality food and drinks they expect down here.
Four Spaces, One Great Night Out
Scout is built around four distinct areas, which give it a range most restaurants simply don’t have:
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Bar and Lounge for drinks and a relaxed start to the evening
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Dining Room for a full sit-down meal with multiple screens in view
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Game Room anchored by a vintage high school football scoreboard sourced from a trip to Iowa
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Courtyard for open-air seating when the Florida weather cooperates
Late February in Walton County sits right around 60 to 70 degrees, which makes that courtyard one of the better places to spend an evening right now. Whether you’re catching a conference tournament game with your crew or settling in for a quiet weeknight dinner, Scout has a setup that works for both.
A Family Business With Serious Hospitality Roots
Scout is the third restaurant from Jeremy and Angela Walton, the husband-and-wife team behind Quest Hospitality Concepts, the same local group responsible for The Citizen and Fonville Press. Executive Chef Todd Hogan leads the kitchen with a menu built on elevated American comfort food and locally sourced ingredients.
Jeremy Walton put the vision plainly: “We set out to create a gathering spot that strikes the perfect balance between elevated and inviting. A place where the community can gather to enjoy a sports game, share good company, and savor a delicious meal.”
The Memorabilia Is Worth a Closer Look
Jeremy personally sourced every vintage sports piece you’ll find inside Scout. The game room’s centerpiece is that Iowa football scoreboard, and a Sports Illustrated gallery wall showcases iconic magazine covers from the 1960s and 1970s. There’s also a fully restored antique pinball machine for guests to play, with charging directly to their bar tab. The atmosphere feels warm and rooted in real sports history, the kind that sparks actual conversations over a cold beer between halves.
The Food More Than Holds Its Own
Scout’s menu leans into elevated American classics, with Gulf-caught seafood featured throughout. Here are a few standouts worth ordering:
Starters
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Smoked Grouper Dip with dilled potato chips and house-pickled jalapeños ($17)
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Twice Fried Frenched Wings in six flavors, including Orange Tamarind, Thai Peanut, and Hot Buffalo ($19)
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Tuna Poke with fresh watermelon, avocado, and lime ponzu ($19)
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Barcuterie board with grilled sausage, soft pretzel, and house-made pickles ($22)
Mains
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Fish & Grits with grilled local snapper over Logan Turnpike Grits and collards ($39)
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Steak Frites with grilled Angus bistro filet, garlic herb butter, and aioli ($42)
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Dry Aged Chop House Burger with cheddar, crispy bacon, and horseradish cream ($25)
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Pork Schnitzel with warm potato salad and sweet and sour red cabbage ($36)
This is the kind of menu that turns a quick game day stop into a full evening out, and the kind of spread that makes out-of-towners text their friends back home photos of their plates.
The 30A Happy Hour You Don’t Want to Skip
One of the best happy hours near Highway 30A runs Wednesday through Monday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Draft beers start at $4, and the full cocktail menu is always available. After a long walk on the beach or a morning on the water, this is the kind of stop that makes the afternoon stretch in the best way. Snowbirds and long-stay visitors especially tend to make it a regular habit.
Mark Your Calendar: March Madness Is Coming
Selection Sunday falls on March 15, and the First Four tips off just two days later on March 17 and 18. Scout’s setup with multiple screens across every space makes it one of the best places to watch March Madness near Watersound Beach, whether you’re a local or you’re staying along 30A through the spring. Start planning your bracket watch party now.
Hours and Location
Scout Sports Tavern
Address: 50 Origins Main Street, Suite 100, Watersound, Florida 32461
Phone: (850) 641-0056
Hours:
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Lunch: Wednesday through Monday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Happy Hour: Wednesday through Monday, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
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Dinner: Wednesday through Monday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
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Closed Tuesdays
Free parking is available on site for all guests.
Whether you’re a local, a snowbird spending the winter along the Emerald Coast, or just passing through on a February road trip, Scout Sports Tavern is worth putting on your list before March arrives. Come for the game, stay for the Grouper Dip, and see what the 30A community has been talking about since last summer.
The 30A corridor is full of local businesses worth discovering. Check out our latest community spotlights and find your next favorite stop before the spring crowd rolls in.
Sources: scoutsportstavern.com, yelp.com, Scout Sports Tavern Facebook Page, Scout Sports Tavern Instagram Page
Header Image Source: Scout Sports Tavern Facebook Page
