Outlier New Way Shorts are the best beach-to-bar shorts.

Yes.

They look like proper chino shorts — no mesh, no Velcro, no cargo pockets — but they’re made from a quick-dry fabric that handles a swim and a beer run equally well. The hidden zippered pocket keeps your phone dry without bulging. They’re expensive (around $130), but they replace both your swim trunks and your casual shorts, so it’s a wash. If that’s out of budget, Patagonia Baggies are the next best thing, but they’re unmistakably swim trunks. You’ll look like you just came from the beach, not the bar.

Don’t overthink it.