Whale's Tail back in business

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL - Once again it is possible to walk right out of the Gulf of Mexico and belly up to a bar. The Whale’s Tail, a Miramar beach standard for over 20 years, has reopened its downstairs bar to the beach-going public.

The Whale’s Tail closed after a fire on March 28, caused when an ice machine’s compressor overheated and caught fire. The upstairs restaurant was a complete loss in the blaze.

The downstairs bar reopened to thirsty tourists and locals in the first week of June this year. Although the bar is open downstairs, the second floor remains an empty, blank slate glowing unnaturally white in the summer sun.

Jasmine Szoke is in her third year working as a bartender at the Whale’s Tail. She said that since they have reopened the customers have steadily been returning.

“Business has been good, but not as good as the years before. We don’t know if it’s because of the economy or because we don’t have the restaurant,” said Szoke.

It will not be long before food will be served again at Whale’s Tail; plans for rebuilding the restaurant are currently underway.

“We expect to start construction on the upstairs restaurant this fall. The project should take 90 days to complete,” said General Manager of Seascape Resort Jay Nettles. “The restaurant will look similar to the old one from the exterior but there will be improvements to the interior.”