E.R. Bradley's Saloon: A Waterfront Nod to Palm Beach's Gilded Age

Tucked along the Intracoastal Waterway at the foot of Clematis Street, E.R. Bradley's Saloon has been a fixture of downtown West Palm Beach since 1984. Its name is more than a marketing flourish — it references one of Palm Beach's most colorful early residents, giving this waterfront restaurant and bar a bit of local history to go along with its views.

The Colonel Behind the Name

The saloon takes its name from Colonel Edward Riley Bradley, who in 1898 opened Bradley's Beach Club on the island of Palm Beach with his brother John "Jack" Bradley, just north of where the Flagler Memorial Bridge stands today. Run as a private club to work around Florida's gambling restrictions, it paired a formal dining room with roulette and card tables and drew wealthy winter visitors for more than 50 years, helping shape the town's early reputation for exclusive society. Bradley later became one of thoroughbred racing's most successful owners, breeding four Kentucky Derby winners. The modern saloon is an homage to that legacy rather than a continuation of the original club.

A Waterfront Gathering Spot on Clematis Street

Today's E.R. Bradley's sits directly on the water, serving brunch, lunch, dinner, and a late-night menu with views of the Intracoastal. It has also built a following as a nightlife spot, with live bands and DJs and an outdoor lawn area that adds to its reputation as a downtown gathering place.

Good to Know

E.R. Bradley's Saloon is located at 104 S Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Whether you're after a waterfront meal or a taste of Palm Beach history, it remains one of downtown's most recognizable addresses.