I grew up in Ft. Walton Beach FL. It's still small enough to be less costly than other places. And it has a few watering holes.
If you go here, you MUST stay on Okaloosa Island
And the 3 big party hotels on the Island are:
The Ramada Inn
1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Bch, FL
(850) 243-9161
The Blue Horizon Motel
1120 Santa Rosa Blvd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 244-5186
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resorts
(850) 244-5926
(850) 244-8686
573 Santa Rosa Blvd
Fort Walton Bch, FL 32548
they have photos too.....
http://www.hifwb.com/photos/show_directory.php?directory=Sunspree%20Gallery
Granted these are OLD hotels. I used to cruise them in the summer in the early-mid 80's and they are both right on the beach, and there are plenty of awsome restaurants nearby. This part of florida is known for their shrimp and grouper.
But they are packed with college kids all summer and there are always parties... Just go up and down the elevator and get off a the floor that has the music blasting.
And they are not so uptight about liquor laws... one of my favorite places was Robinsin's Cruize through...a drive through liquor store...
It's called Robinsons Crusie Thrill now...
104 Ferry Road Northeast,
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 243-8617
There is a nifty shack of a restaurant..you know... the kind where you throw peanuts on the floor ......it's on the underside of Brooks Bridge (on the mainland side).... that's the bridge that goes into Fort Walton Beach.
I think this is it:
Rick's Crab Trap
203 Brooks St SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Phone: (850) 664-0110
Some Bars are as follows (I pulled the reviews off a 10 best website...)
Swamp
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Bch, FL 32548 (850) 796-1300
One of the area's hottest clubs, the Swamp is also one of the newest. Disneyesque in its appeal, the venue has trails that wind through landscapes of old tires, wooden shacks, and whiskey barrels. There's even a moat and a waterfall. Located right on the beach, the Swamp can hold 1500 people and entertains them with live music, DJ-spun dance tunes, and five bars. The place is a tribute to bayou culture, and patrons flock to it for the innovative surroundings and expansive space. It's a perfect club for mingling and wandering around. You'll never get bored, and you're likely to meet some cool new friends. Must be 18 to enter; shirts required. No food is served.
Hog's Breath Saloon
(850) 837-5991
541 Highway 98 E
Destin, FL 32541
"Hog's Breath Is Better Than No Breath At All"
This local hang-out looks like it's had its share of loving over the years. In classic bar style, it sports dark wood, brass rails and neon beer signs, but you know you're at the beach by the surfboards suspended overhead. Very laid-back, it always entertains a gang at the bar, and at night, patrons gather to play pool and listen to live bands. Rock music and cover tunes are most popular, but you'll also hear blues, jazz, and island music. Inside, several levels corral bar-goers, but if you don't like the cigarette smoke, there's an outdoor deck. The place also serves food, including appetizers, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. Raw bar, too.
Nighttown
140 Palmetto St, Destin, FL 32541 · 850-837-6448
Inside this metal, warehouse-like building, the night takes hold and so does the fun. Patrons come to show off their favorite dance moves, and music of all genres plays for them to do so. When they're drenched in sweat, the bar serves up cold beer and frosty drinks to bring down the temperature. TVs are tuned to sporting events for those who just want to hang out, and pool tables provide welcome distraction and perhaps a little friendly competition. The club isn't on the main drag but isn't too hard to locate either, and once you're there, you'll find enough to keep you occupied until the wee hours come.
This is probably more info than you wanted...sorry got all nostalgic...