The sun twinkles on the turquoise water off palm-fringed Waikiki Beach, the air heady with the scent of coconut sun tan lotion. "Aloha," smiles the waiter at Duke's Barefoot 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 most powerful itch you will feel is the desire to linger forever on the bar's open-air terrace above the white sand, listening to onstage music and watching coral and lavender colors streak the sky. Sure, it sounds cliched, but 50 million folk will be provoked to head to American beaches this summer.

The newest Amex Spending & Saving Tracker exposes 42 percent of all holiday-makers prefer to be near the water, and 29 p.c of those are choosing their summer destination based totally on its proximity to the beach. And from the sand, it's never far to a bar. The perfect way to chill "The beach bar is an ideal summer respite," claims Jamie LaMarco, barkeeper at The Beachcomber, snuggled 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 clothes, 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 Association With You'll also find something going on whatever the time . The Beachcomber packs in a group at lunchtime and is family-friendly until after sunset, around 9 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 scummy bars, surfer shacks, and even beach bars affiliated with exclusive luxury brands. Guests at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla, for instance, trade business casual for swim-suits when hanging at the resort's Sand Bar no shirt, no shoes, no problem. It's your vacation, in fact , 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 hand made lagers.

Old Tony's Bar Thanks To OLD TONY'S BAR Redondo Beach Pier, California

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

A spiral staircase leading in to the Crow's Nest, as it's known, is covered with shots of stars who have joined the regulars for nightly live entertainment.

Signature drink : The Fire Chief, a grenadine Mai Tai with a kick from 3 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 haven that's conveniently diagonally opposite to Mavericks break, feted for some of the world's hardest big-wave surfing. Hand made Mavericks Amber Ale and Mavericks Budgetary Alement are piped directly to the bar from the Half Moon Bay Brewery next door. Grab a patio seat close to the blazing fire pits in time to observe the sun set. Weekends are for live rock 'n ' roll and blues while "Brews & Views," a heated political discussion, happens monthly. Signature drink : Mavericks Amber Ale, as full-bodied and strong as the mythical wave for which it was named, $6.75 for a 22 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 might not expect the funky two-year-old Sand Bar to join the opulent Ritz-Carlton Resort. The vibe here is casual and cool. Guests stroll up from the beach to sit on a bamboo barstool beneath a tiki roof. Nurse your drink and, with any good fortune, a college of dolphins will swim by before long.

Nature-themed info 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 Sunset, a mix of rum, peach schnapps, and tropical juices, $12.95.

Marshside Mama's Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

The scene : "Our bar is like Canterbury Tales ; there's a little bit of everything," claims barkeeper Tyler Gerow of the honky-tonk Marshside Mama's. Owner Beth Shipman cooks up mouthwatering gumbo, shrimp, and grits, and there's always the latest fish because fishermen pull up to the dock to drop off the catch of the day.

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