The sun twinkles on the turquoise water off palm-fringed Waikiki Beach, the air heady with the scent of coconut sun tan lotion. "Aloha," grins the waiter at Duke's Shoeless Bar as he sets down a Tropical Itch, an icy mix of vodka, rum, and Curacao with a foot-long bamboo back scratcher sticking out.

That scratcher is yours to keep, but the strongest itch you'll feel is the need to linger forever on the bar's open-air terrace above the white sand, listening to live music and watching coral and lavender hues streak the sky. Sure, it sounds cliched, but 50 million people will be electrified to go to American beaches this summer.

The most recent American Express Spending & Saving Tracker reveals that 42 p.c of all vacationers prefer to be near the water, and 29 % of those are selecting their summer destination based totally on its vicinity to the beach. And from the sand, it is never far to a bar. The perfect way to relax "The beach bar is an ideal summer respite," asserts Jamie LaMarco, bartender at The Beachcomber, nestled in the dunes of Cape Cod, with a roofed deck open to the beach and a 45-foot bar. "You never have to change your attire, and you do not have to pack lunch or a cooler. It's where you find lifeguards, surfers, and beach bunnies of all shapes and sizes." In Cooperation With You'll also find something going on whatever the time of day. The Beachcomber packs in a crowd at lunchtime and is family-friendly until after nightfall, around nine p.m, when it morphs into a casual club with musicians playing anything from surf-rock to reggae to jazz. Such a laid-back vibe is typical of dodgy bars, surfer shacks, and even beach bars associated with exclusive luxury brands. Guests at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla, for example, trade business casual for swim-suits when hanging at the resort's Sand Bar no shirt, no shoes, no problem. It is your vacation, after all , and the point is to mellow out. So scratch your itch this summer at one of America's best beach bars, serving up refreshing cocktails and handcrafted lagers.

Old Tony's Bar Courtesy Of OLD TONY'S BAR Redondo Beach Pier, California

The scene : This octagonal all-glass landmark on top of Old Tony's Bar draws South Bay beach bums who come for the impressive sunsets, crashing surf, and 360-degree views of the coast.

A spiral staircase leading up to the Crow's Nest, as it's known, is lined with shots of celebs who've joined the regulars for nightly live entertainment.

Signature drink : The Fire Chief, a grenadine Mai Tai with a kick from three different rums including a 151-proof floater, served in a take-home collectible cocktail glass embellished with Old Tony's logo, $7.75

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company San Francisco, California

The scene : A surfer's refuge that's conveniently diagonally opposite to Mavericks break, feted for some of the planet's toughest big-wave surfing. Handcrafted Mavericks Amber Ale and Mavericks Budgetary Alement are piped straight to the bar from the Half Moon Bay Brewery next door. Grab a patio seat close to the raging fire pits in time to watch the sun set. Weekends are for live rock 'n ' roll and blues while "Brews & Views," a heated political discussion, takes place monthly. Signature drink : Mavericks Amber Ale, as full-bodied and robust as the legendary wave for which it was named, $6.75 for a twenty-two oz bottle.

The Barefoot Bar, Duke's  Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

The scene: The dress code at this Waikiki hot spot takes its cue from the name: bare feet with bikini or surf shorts. Beach loungers drop in for the Jawaiian music, a mixture of classical Hawaiian mixed with groovin' reggae.

Named after Olympian Duke Kahanamoku, father of international surfing, the bar displays paraphernalia such as his original redwood board. Sip a Tropical Itch, Lava Flow, or draft beer served at a chilly 28 degrees while taking in drop-dead views of Diamond Head and Oahu's leeward coast.

Signature drink: Tropical Itch, with passion fruit juice, vodka, rum, and orange Curacao, served with a local bamboo back scratcher (yours to take home), $7.75.

Sand Bar Naples, Florida

The scene : You will not expect the funky two-year-old Sand Bar to be part of the opulent Ritz-Carlton Resort. The vibe here is casual and cool. Guests saunter up from the beach to sit on a bamboo barstool beneath a tiki roof. Nurse your drink and, with any success, a school of dolphins will swim by before long.

Nature-themed data boards educate guests about other area wildlife like the loggerhead turtles that nest on the beach and the fauna in the resort's mangroves.

Signature drink : The Naples Nightfall, a blend of rum, peach schnapps, and tropical juices, $12.95.

Marshside Mama's Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

The scene : "Our bar is like Canterbury Stories ; there's a sprinkle of everything," announces bartender Tyler Gerow of the honky-tonk Marshside Mama's. Owner Beth Shipman cooks up mouth-watering gumbo, shrimp, and grits, and there's always the most up to date fish because fishermen pull up to the dock to drop off the catch of the day.

Even though it's only a 45-minute ferry ride from Hilton Head, the ferry does not always run, so the crowd is mostly local boaters. They rock out to live bands on weekends and follow the lead of owner Beth, who's known to yell out, "No whining, just dance. ".