Visit to Sebastian, Florida
Captain Hiram’s is one of the most visited locations in Sebastian. It has a waterfront location that is greatly enhanced through the quirky murals on the wall. Upon arriving one is greeted by a stylized modern undersea or aquarium vibe.
Pictures are painted as if they are hung on the wall creating a floating effect. The artist signed their work. The mural was by “Sick Fisher, assisted by J. Thomas” and executed between April 5 and 12, 2018.
The restaurant itself is eclectic with a beachy and shipwreck vibe. Some people at the bar can sit with their feet in the sand. Large canopies and a semitransparent roof structure ensure people are always close to the sun during the day.
A more traditional underwater mural is inside. This might have even been the inspiration or a jumping off point for the more recent entrance mural sequence.
Getting away from Captain Hiram’s, while visiting Sebastian we went along the “Historic Jungle Trail.” According to the signage it is self-described as “a quiet drive.”
The pier provided an opportunity to do some fishing. And, while we did catch anything, it was good to be close to the water and close to the sun.
Finally, one last detail caught my attention. Here three parking spaces gave way to an outdoor dining area. Even the original paint stripes for the spaces remain to give a sense of what was once before. Benches with umbrellas, movable chairs, and a cornhole set were used to activate the space. And the barrier is nautical themed with a heavy nylon rope between rounded wooden posts. The asphalt was cut enough to dig a hole for the posts and set them. While simple there is some great tactical urbanism ingenuity to this place. Future iterations might involve having a permanent plaza outside of the building to give dedicated space for customers.