Shorty's Place

Ah, Shorty's Place, the quintessential dive bar where the locals and tourists alike flock for that final nightcap fix. As you step through the weathered doors, you're greeted not only by the scent of stale beer but also by a sight to behold - a ceiling adorned with a kaleidoscope of baseball caps, each one telling its own story of nights gone by.Now, let's talk drinks. If stiff is what you're after, then stiff is what you'll get! Shorty's doesn't mess around when it comes to pouring a potent potion to soothe your soul. But alas, beyond the libations, there's not much to write home about.Sure, the atmosphere has that charmingly grungy appeal that we dive bar aficionados adore, but let's be real - there's nothing particularly thrilling about this joint. It's your run-of-the-mill dive, with its worn-out bar stools and dimly lit corners where secrets are whispered and memories are made.So, if you find yourself in Port Aransas craving a drink and a dose of local flavor, by all means, swing by Shorty's. Just don't expect any fireworks - unless, of course, you count the occasional burst of laughter echoing off the walls.

It was so hot in this small place. The bartender was trying her hardest to get everyone's drinks out. She was great but other than that, it's a local joint to just chill with friends. Nothing fancy.

Grungy dive bar, grumpy bar tender. Cold beer, no A/C. We stayed for one drink, it was just too hot inside and outside there was not much seating in the shade.

Service was not what I expected. She was friendly to the regulars, but not to the tourists. Never ask if we needed another beer as She ask the gentleman next to me if he needed another drink. She never made us feel welcome or wanted. This place maybe the oldest but today was NOT the friendliest. So sorry!!!!!

The hats were the cutest thing I ever seen in a dive bar.they were all over the ceiling; I have never seen anything like this before.

The owner of our RV park suggested this stop. "If you like to drink (we do), if you love finding whole in the wall places (which we do), and if dive bars are on your list of where the locals drink..... Shorty's is your place.It's worth the stop just to see the hats that have been hanging from the ceiling for 20 years!!

Shorty's is well... beachy, divey, and a local nirvana. Many local's drop by here and there is definitely a neighborhood bar feel. If you haven't been before, it is worth a drop in. I have popped in a few times over the years when we venture to Port A and the good news is that wasn't destroyed in the Hurricane a few years back. They often have something going on, on their back porch. This time around it was a crawfish boil. We had a pass on that, however we did sit up at the bar and have a few cold beers. The service was friendly, however, I was with my bro in law, who knows everyone in the world down in these parts. Don't be ordering any manhattan's or the like, just get a shot of tequila or whysky. We visited with the owner and there is apparently a rumor/factoid that the bar itself will be moving... the whole building that is. Hopefully, if they do, the will remove all the ceiling hats and other knick knacks and give it a good clean. If you are a little freakish about cobwebs and the like hanging from the thousands of ball caps stuck to the ceiling, you may want to make this a pass. Or sit out front or back. It is part of the charm, but if a flame hit any of this, the bar would light up in minutes due to the lint etc around the place. They have a pool table and a juke box blaring tunes out, that are danceable, which we found fun. This is beach wear, beach vibe and carefree environment, so no Karen's please, I'm sure you will find something to complain about. It was humorous to see a couple of tied up business, off work HH types playing some of the worst pool I have ever seen.. but that is what's great about the space, since they were having fun as was everyone else. It will always be a stop in when we are in town.

Port A's Oldest and Friendliest! This place seems to be where all the locals go and everyone knows their name. It seems to be a lot of regulars here- maybe that's why there's so many hats stuck to the ceiling. I swear, the entire ceiling is filled with baseball caps, all dusty from the last seventy years or so of people coming in and drinking. When I went, they had a full bar, and accepted credit cards! Shots all around! They had a good selection, and the prices were quite reasonable. The beer was cold, and Lone Star was served in long necks. I happened on to a kickin' island band when I went! Yehaw! Parking was easy- there's a big dedicated lot, along with another bar next door if you need to liven things up a bit. It's a cool dive bar- you can take your beers outside, where the weather is generally good out in Port A. This place is a nice change from drinking on the beach! My favorite thing about this place is that it was mentioned in the song, "Gulf Coast Romance" by Luke Olson. Wear your best tank top!

For a dive bar at the coast... I'll give it a 5 stars!Yes, it's still standing after Hurricane Harvey (Fri/Sat 25-26 Aug 17)... and opened just a few days later... been serving Port A since 1946!Shorty's... "The Oldest and Friendliest"... is the place to see and be seen with the local crowd. Last time I stopped in, I ran into four friends from out of town... all were down there working separately post Hurricane Harvey. It's open air with a nice porch in the front and on the side... so you've been warned, no A/C... it's a dive! Let's say about 20 years ago, I would get a kick out of watching the old lady watching over the young boys that would come in. She would sit in the window at night. I told my husband that was going to be me one day! Ha! The original owner passed away, then her grandson Brian came back in town to take over for a few years... ... and yes, you can still find Brian behind the bar during the day although the bar is now owned by another... and with those changes came liquor and credit cards. (I could swear it was beer and cash only in the old days.)Domestic Beer is $2.25 HH $3.25 regular hours. Jukebox is internet... AND has a photo both app on it! How fun is that? (see pic). Sometimes you can find live bands or karaoke at night. For me tho, people watching is the best entertainment! *Note*Watch your step... the floor is buckled in several places and who is looking down to see the bright orange strips warning you... Lol... it has to be great entertainment for the locals watching everyone, including me, trip around the bar. Ha! *Note*If you are not into dirty dive bars, pass this place on up... quit complaining that it's old, it's cluttered, blah blah blah... it is what it is... Cheers!

The lady that was bartending was very drunk or on drugs.. seems like she couldn't comprehend anything. And she was pretty rude to us but nice to the regulars. 6/14/24I really like dive bars but the service completely ruined it for that place.