You’ll Find Rubber Ducks in Your Ice Cream at This Quirky Florida Spot
St. Augustine just got a whole lot quirkier. Hidden on Hypolita Street, The Tipsy Duck Parlor serves up drinks so fun they come with their own rubber duck companions floating right in your glass. This whimsical bar has taken the internet by storm with bathtub cocktails, bubble-topped creations, and enough duck-themed charm to make anyone smile.
1. Bathtub Cocktails That Double as Souvenirs
Picture this: your drink arrives in an actual miniature bathtub, complete with a tiny rubber duck bobbing around in the liquid. The souvenir bathtub drinks at The Tipsy Duck Parlor aren’t just Instagram gold—they’re genuinely delicious concoctions that you get to take home afterward. At $20 to $22, these oversized cocktails pack enough punch to share or sip slowly while soaking in the atmosphere.
Popular choices include the Tipsy Duck signature bathtub and the Dreamsicle Bathtub, which tastes exactly like the childhood ice cream treat you remember. The ceramic tubs make perfect planters, desk organizers, or conversation starters long after your visit. Every bathtub drink comes with that adorable rubber duck, which has become the bar’s calling card.
Bartenders craft these drinks with care, mixing flavors from nearly a hundred different options displayed on the black wall behind the bar. Whether you prefer fruity, creamy, or refreshing, there’s a bathtub combination waiting for you. The presentation alone makes it worth the splurge, but the quality ingredients and generous portions seal the deal for most visitors.
2. Duck-Butt Bar Stools That Steal the Show
Forget boring bar seating. At The Tipsy Duck Parlor, you’ll plant yourself on stools designed to look like duck butts, complete with webbed feet dangling below and tail feathers sticking out behind. When someone snaps a photo from the back, it looks like you’ve sprouted duck legs and a fluffy tail—pure comedy gold that guests can’t resist sharing online.
These aren’t just novelty seats thrown together for laughs. Reviewers consistently mention how surprisingly comfortable they are, even during longer visits. The clever design adds to the immersive duck experience without sacrificing functionality.
Only four of these iconic stools line the main bar, so seating fills up quickly during peak hours. Weekends see the place packed with visitors eager to claim a duck-butt throne for their drinking session. If the bar stools are taken, a few small tables with tiny chairs offer alternative seating, though they lack the same photogenic appeal.
The attention to detail extends beyond just the seats. Every surface, decoration, and design choice reinforces the playful duck theme that makes this spot so memorable and shareable across social media platforms.
3. Build-Your-Own Italian Sodas for All Ages
Not everyone drinks alcohol, and The Tipsy Duck Parlor gets that. Their build-your-own Italian soda station lets kids and non-drinkers create custom mocktails from the same impressive flavor library that goes into the boozy drinks. With close to a hundred flavoring options lining the black wall, the combinations are practically endless.
One reviewer raved about a fruity drink with desert pear flavoring and cream that rivaled any cocktail for presentation and taste. The bartenders bring out bubble guns for certain Italian sodas, covering the drinks in a cloud of bubbles that delights customers of all ages. Watching these creations come together is half the fun.
Parents especially appreciate having a spot where their duck-obsessed kids can participate in the experience rather than just tagging along. Young visitors can design their perfect soda while adults enjoy wine-based cocktails or beer drinks at the same table. Some drinks even come with scratch-off lotto tickets that might win you a free Italian soda on your next visit.
Prices for these non-alcoholic options run significantly less than the bathtub cocktails, making it easy for families to enjoy the quirky atmosphere without breaking the bank.
4. Every Drink Comes With a Rubber Duck Friend
Walk out of The Tipsy Duck Parlor without a rubber duck, and you’ve done something seriously wrong. Every single drink purchase—alcoholic or not—includes a complimentary rubber duck to take home. These aren’t generic yellow duckies either; the collection features themed variations that match different drinks or seasons.
For duck collectors, this policy turns a simple bar visit into a treasure hunt. Some guests return multiple times just to grow their duck collection, trying different drinks to see which feathered friend they’ll receive next. The attached shop sells hundreds more duck varieties for serious enthusiasts who can’t get enough.
Parents love this feature because it transforms a potentially boring adult outing into something their kids actually look forward to. One reviewer mentioned their 14-year-old daughter being
5. The Secret Side Entrance on Hypolita Street
Finding The Tipsy Duck Parlor feels like discovering a speakeasy, even though it’s perfectly legal and welcomes all ages during the day. The entrance sits on the side of 58 Hypolita Street, tucked away enough that you could easily walk past without noticing if you weren’t specifically looking for it.
The bar connects to a duck-themed gift shop that closes earlier than the drinking establishment. Many first-time visitors stumble upon the shop during the day and have no idea a full bar hides in the back until they explore further or return in the evening. This layout creates that fun speakeasy vibe without any actual secrecy.
Once you find the entrance and step inside, you’re transported into duck paradise. Rubber ducks cover every available surface, hang from the ceiling, and peek out from unexpected corners. The small space feels cozy rather than cramped, with a flowing centerpiece on the bar top that adds character and visual interest.
Located in historic downtown St. Augustine, the parlor sits within walking distance of other attractions, making it a perfect stop during a day of sightseeing. Just remember that address: 58 Hypolita Street, side entrance.
6. Specialty Drinks With Smoke and Bubble Effects
Watching drinks get made at The Tipsy Duck Parlor rivals any mixology show. Bartenders pull out all the stops with bubble guns, smoking effects, and theatrical presentations that turn simple cocktail preparation into entertainment. Guests at nearby tables stop their conversations to watch when someone orders one of the showstopper drinks.
The bubble-topped creations are particularly popular on social media. Bartenders coat the top of certain drinks with a thick layer of bubbles using handheld bubble machines, creating a fluffy cloud that guests have to navigate around their first sip. These drinks photograph beautifully and taste even better than they look.
Smoking drinks add another layer of drama to the experience. Dry ice or other safe smoking elements create an eerie fog that spills over the glass and across the bar top. Combined with the rubber duck garnish, these drinks look like they belong in a fantasy movie rather than a Florida bar.
Popular choices include the Butter Beer (yes, like Harry Potter) and various themed cocktails that change seasonally. The bartenders clearly enjoy the theatrical aspect and happily explain the inspiration behind each creation.
7. Duck-Themed Gift Shop Attached to the Bar
Before or after your drinks, the attached gift shop deserves its own exploration time. Floor-to-ceiling shelves overflow with rubber ducks of every imaginable variety—pirates, superheroes, holidays, professions, animals, and characters you didn’t know needed duck versions. Prices are reasonable according to multiple reviewers, making it easy to grab a few extras beyond your free drink duck.
The merchandise extends well beyond rubber ducks. Duck-themed bath products, home decor, clothing, and accessories fill the retail space. For duck enthusiasts, this shop represents paradise.
Even casual visitors find themselves charmed by the creative products and often leave with unexpected purchases.
Parents particularly appreciate the shop because it gives kids something to do while waiting for a table at the bar or after finishing their Italian sodas. Browsing the duck collection can easily eat up 20 to 30 minutes, and the staff doesn’t pressure anyone to buy.
The shop typically closes earlier than the bar itself, so plan accordingly if shopping is part of your visit. Weekend afternoons see the most traffic, with the space cycling through customers pretty consistently during peak tourist seasons.
8. Draw on the Bar Top With Dry Erase Markers
Boredom doesn’t exist at The Tipsy Duck Parlor, thanks to a genius interactive feature: the entire bar top is a dry erase surface. Buckets of colorful markers sit within reach, inviting guests to doodle, write messages, or create temporary art while they sip their drinks. By the end of a busy night, the bar becomes a collaborative canvas covered in jokes, drawings, and declarations of duck love.
This feature particularly delights groups and couples looking for something to do with their hands while chatting. Previous guests’ artwork provides conversation starters, and adding your own contribution feels like leaving your mark on this quirky establishment. The staff periodically wipes sections clean to make room for new creations.
Kids especially love this aspect, turning their wait time for drinks into an art session. Parents can relax with their cocktails while children stay entertained drawing ducks, rainbows, or whatever strikes their fancy. The markers are non-toxic and wash off easily, so there’s no worry about permanent damage.
Combined with the duck decorations, bubble drinks, and whimsical atmosphere, the drawable bar top cements The Tipsy Duck Parlor’s reputation as one of St. Augustine’s most interactive and memorable drinking spots.
