Sit back, relax, enjoy the beach air, and watch the waves roll in.

There are many places along the Seawall in Galveston to enjoy the end of the summer. However, The Beach Hut, at 8th and Seawall, is the only bar on the beach side, with steps going right down from their palapa onto the sand in a very kid-friendly and dog-friendly beach setting.

With a beach volleyball court, affordable food options, swings and a beach bowling alley beneath the building, frozen drinks, an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand, live music on the weekends, and more, The Beach Hut provides a memorable experience for any beach-goer. No wonder it has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike who are into events like bicycle pub crawls, music festivals and beach volley ball tournaments.

Owners, Lee and Angela Hunter took over The Beach Hut at the end of October last year, and relocated to their own dream of paradise.

Lee says, “We are originally from Dallas. We met while working at the American Airlines Center, where the Stars and the Mavericks play. We were managers running different food and beverage departments. Angela ran 36 concession stands, and I ran the Jack Daniel’s Club and the Platinum Club. Later, I was GM for the double affiliate of the Texas Rangers for their F&B (food and beverage) and Retails. She ran concessions for Pizza Hut Park. It was our dream to own a bar on the beach. We began looking in other cities, but this place was an opportunity that was perfect for us. Galveston became our home. [We love] the weather and the beach. We have a great view at work every day."

Angela adds, “We always talked about someday owning our own bar on the beach. We started looking a few years ago. We would plan vacations around looking at a place that we could someday own. We found this location and knew that it was something we could build and develop into our dream. It just happened to be in Galveston. For the last 16 years, we have been in corporate food sales working large sporting venues, stadiums, and ballparks. We wanted to take something we knew how to do and were good at and make it our own.”

The Beach Hut is comprised of an outdoor tropical bar and grill, with dining outside on the beach side of the building, as well as a gift shop and beach supply store inside on the Seawall side of the building. They have live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and are quickly becoming recognized as not only a bar and restaurant, but a good venue for music.

Their porch was the stage for the 2nd Annual Music Unity Freedom Festival during spring break in mid-March 2012 (which featured HR of Bad Brains and many other bands), and was also home to the Memorial Day Beach Hut Bash music festival.

Lee says, “One of my goals was to support local music. That’s why we have live music on the weekends. There are some tremendously talented musicians in the area. We have had some great shows here and made some good friends.”

Open every day of the week from 11 a.m. until the last person leaves (weather permitting), The Beach Hut’s menu is a blend of American and Beach cuisine. According to their Facebook (#TheBeachHutGalveston) page, their mission is to showcase “the freshest local seafood, meats and produce. The fare is exciting, innovative and eclectic! The Beach Hut Galveston was conceived to evoke the feel of a beach cafe where the Galveston Island surfers, locals and tourists would relax after a day spent in paradise- Galveston Island… Menu is all fresh, all the time. We make our own salsa, queso and fry our own tortilla chips. Great shrimp and fish tacos. Burgers are the best on the island.”

Of the menu, Lee says, “Receiving compliments on our food is another thing I enjoy. The kitchen staff works very hard to make sure that our guests enjoy it.”

Lee and Angela are the kind of “hands-on owners” that are often seen clearing tables and personally taking care of customers. They are full of energy. Maybe that is because they are living their tropical paradise dream.

About their choice of Galveston as the place they are investing their future in, Angela says, “My favorite thing about Galveston is Galveston. It is a beautiful island. There is so much history here. I have met so many wonderful people.”

“The Beach Hut is a place to hang out, meet new people, and listen to great local music. You can relax and enjoy the ocean view and we have the best place to do that,” adds Angela. So, enjoying an umbrella drink from The Beach Hut’s full bar (served in a souvenir coconut shell), or dancing to local band’s groove should be on the “island time” agenda for your next trip to the Galveston.

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