Caddy's: Fun in the sun, if you can find a parking space

I arrived at Treasure Island's Sunset Beach mid-afternoon on a gorgeous Saturday. Just as I expected, an awesomely spring break-style, carnival atmosphere surrounded Caddy's.

And like every other occasion I've visited, the wonderfully beach-y bar and restaurant's parking lot was full. Probably had been since daybreak. Same went for the lot across the street, where the guy charged "$5 when it's slow and $10 when it's like this."

Park in most of the nearby neighborhoods and you're almost guaranteed a ticket. Trust me. Police officers on bicycles hand them out like nightclub fliers. A lack of signs delineating where it's legal to leave your car makes the situation extremely frustrating.

I recently found a tiny side street near the 7-Eleven, though, that didn't result in a fee. I returned there, found a spot that wasn't blocking a driveway, and tried my luck again.

Unlike on past trips to Caddy's, I planned ahead this time and brought a cooler packed with ice. I ducked into the crowded convenience store for a sixer of Miller Lite cans that runs $6.99 plus tax. Much cheaper than what I would pay at the bar.

Unlike just about every other public beach in Florida, alcohol is permitted here. In plain view of a police officer, I cracked open a thirst-quenching cold one, took a long pull and paid no mind to the suds-y rivulet running down my arm — that is, until I saw I was being watched by a raspberry daiquiri-sipping hottie in a barely-there white bikini. Oops!

In addition to the inside bars, dining area and upstairs deck, Caddy's has picnic tables and complementary beach chairs that extend nearly halfway to the water, making it the undisputed epicenter of the revelry. DJ Blaze blasted the crowd with booty jams as I walked past the volleyball court. I spotted about seven cornhole matches, several flying footballs and a fratboy doing an impressive 30-second keg stand. Yep, you can apparently bring a keg right out onto Sunset Beach. Beautiful, isn't it?

I opened another icy Miller Lite and squeezed my way into Caddy's. The inside bars and tables were slammed with party people of all ages: families, leather-skinned bikers, 20-somethings with perfectly tanned and sculpted bodies that make me painfully aware of my beer gut.

I finished my beer and threw down something like $7 on a refreshingly sweet and potent Rum Runner.

The view from the second floor is astounding, and watching the youthful fun taking place below makes me smile. I had a half a mind to stick around on the deck and catch one of the Gulf's postcard-perfect sunsets, but decided I better get back to SoHo. Caddy's will be kicking it spring break-style like this on the weekends for basically the next six months.

Returning to my car and seeing the windshield lacking a ticket capped a superbly relaxing, low-budget Saturday afternoon.

— What's your favorite drinking destination? Contact Barfly columnist Wade Tatangelo at wtatangelo@ hotmail.com.