Game On at Scout Sports Tavern!

A Reimagined Sports Bar

By Caitlyn Burrus | Photography by Hunter Burgtorf

Some spaces feel instantly familiar yet refreshingly new, striking a balance between nostalgia and creativity, comfort and design. Scout Sports Tavern is one of those places. Set in Watersound Town Center just north of Scenic Highway 30-A in Northwest Florida, it’s the latest venture from husband-and-wife duo Jeremy and Angela Walton, who previously brought the community gathering spots The Citizen and Fonville Press to Alys Beach. With Scout, they’ve turned their attention to reinventing the American sports bar, giving it a fresh identity without losing its soul.

“Scout was an opportunity to reimagine the idea of a sports bar, something that is very beloved and familiar to so many,” Jeremy says. “But could we create something nostalgic, comfortable, and slightly more refined?”

Even the name carries intention. Angela explains, “For me, Scout was the perfect name. In the world of sports, there exists for every team someone whose sole focus is to identify talent and work to recruit them to help build a winning program. For us, the name also celebrates every individual on our team in every location who is there every day, caring for our guests and each other.” That sense of teamwork has become the thread that runs through everything the Waltons do. Each of their Quest Hospitality Concepts locations carries a guiding spirit; The Citizen feels adventurous, Fonville Press feels communal, and Scout feels like a rallying point for play. It’s less about taglines and more about the invitation: come as you are, and join the team.

Step inside, and the atmosphere is both striking and inviting. Scout feels like a collage of classic American design moments, a “mixtape,” as Jeremy describes it. Luxurious leather seating rests comfortably beside a 1979 Harlem Globetrotters pinball machine, sawdust shuffleboard tables call out to guests, and the walls are lined with vintage Sports Illustrated covers, mailing labels intact. A 1940s-era Fair Play basketball scoreboard still flickers to life in the Game Lounge, anchoring the sense of playful nostalgia. Nowhere in sight will you find modern athletes; the Waltons chose to feature only those who played before 1985, a deliberate nod to the timeless spirit of sport. The result is a space that feels as stylish as it is comfortable, where guests are encouraged to settle in for a cocktail, a meal, or the big game.

That balance of familiarity and refinement extends to the menu. “If people have to use Google to figure out what a dish is, we missed the mark,” Jeremy says with a laugh. Early standouts include onion rings with hot honey, steak and frites, and a Gulf-fresh take on fish and chips made with locally caught snapper. Even staples like nachos and wings are sourced with the same care as the steaks, showcasing partnerships with regional farmers and fishermen. “It really is about taking familiar food and delivering the very best version of it,” he adds.

Scout was an opportunity to reimagine the idea of a sports bar, something that is very beloved and familiar to so many,” Jeremy says. “But could we create something nostalgic, comfortable, and slightly more refined?

The same philosophy inspired the cocktail program, created in collaboration with Better Together Beverage—led by founder Christine Tarpey—and Quest Hospitality beverage director Tyler Faust. Together, they developed a menu that is clever, approachable, and crafted with the same attention to detail as the food. “Our goal was to showcase classic sports cocktails reimagined, as well as a few curated recipes we knew would become Scout favorites,” Christine explains. Drinks like the Three Pointer, a nod to basketball and its three-ingredient simplicity, and the Wimby Cup, a refreshing twist on Wimbledon’s official cocktail, offer a playful sense of discovery. At the same time, The Catcher and the Rye, a bold Old Fashioned served atop a vintage baseball card, has quickly earned a cult following. Christine adds, “All of our drinks are made with fresh fruit juices, all of our garnishes are prepared in-house, and the cocktail recipes aim to please all palates.”

Beyond game-day dining, Scout has been designed as a proper gathering place. On fall weekends, the team will host backyard-style cookouts on the patio, complete with burgers, hot dogs, and frozen cocktails, while future events will spotlight local charities. “We really try to create community gathering spots,” Jeremy says. “We want Scout to be fun and playful, a very active and comfortable space coupled with a commitment to quality and details.”

For the Waltons, the greatest reward is watching the concept come alive through the people who bring it to life every day. “More than anything, we celebrate and appreciate our teams,” Jeremy emphasizes. “Our associates who come to work every day are the ones who build genuine relationships and create memorable experiences.”

As Scout Sports Tavern settles into the community, the Waltons remain focused on consistency and quality, believing the rest will follow naturally. Angela shares, “We have been so grateful for how the local community has been so supportive and welcoming. We hope to continue to have the opportunity to create more landmark places here.”

At Scout, they’ve created just that: a tavern that blends art, sport, and storytelling, while inviting everyone to come together. At its heart, it’s an open invitation that says, “Let’s play.”

— V —

---

Ready to play? Visit ScoutSportsTavern.com or follow @scoutsportstavern on Instagram for menus, game-day specials, and more.

Top 3 Must-Try Cocktails at Scout

The bar at Scout Sports Tavern is more than just a place to watch the game; it’s where nostalgia meets craftsmanship. Curated by Christine Tarpey of Better Together Beverage and beverage director Tyler Faust, the cocktail menu features clever sports-inspired twists. Here are three standout sips you won’t want to miss:

The Catcher and the Rye

A spirit-forward Old Fashioned with a Scout twist, this cocktail is served atop a vintage baseball card, doubling as its coaster. Bold, balanced, and full of personality, it’s quickly become a guest favorite.

Honey Deuce

A refreshing crowd-pleaser, this cocktail swaps vodka for silver rum, rounding out raspberry and lemon notes with a honeydew melon ball garnish that looks like a miniature tennis ball. It’s playful, light, and ideally suited for toasting with friends.

The Three Pointer

Basketball fans will love this clever nod to the game: a three-ingredient, one-knockout cocktail. It’s simple, classic, and emblematic of Scout’s approach—elevated yet approachable, with a wink of nostalgia.

— V —

---