USA TODAY just dropped its Bars of the Year list, spotlighting 29 top drinking spots — from a luxury cocktail bar that simulates a flight in Phoenix to a beloved waterfront pub right here in Sarasota.
The picks come from USA TODAY Network food writers across the country, highlighting the places they know, love, and actually drink at.
Local favorite The Old Salty Dog on Sarasota’s City Island made the cut this year, while downtown icon The Gator Club earned a spot on the 2024 list.
But what about the other great bars around here? We’ve got plenty more that deserve national love.
Bahi Hut
Details: 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-355-5141; bahihut.com
Open since 1954 and proudly billed as Florida’s oldest tiki bar — and the country’s longest-running “tiki treasure” — Bahi Hut is Sarasota’s go-to spot for strong drinks, retro vibes, and good times. Locals and tourists alike have flocked here since the Eisenhower era to sip cocktails in a delightfully dark room filled with Polynesian kitsch and Old Florida charm, or out in the newer open-air area with its thatched roof and wooden tiki head statue beckoning folks on the North Trail.
Bahi Hut is most famous for its secret-recipe Mai Tais, which are so deceptively potent they come with a two-drink limit. Planning to test that limit? Be sure to book a room at the bar’s surrounding sister business, the Golden Host Resort, which also dates back to the 1950s and boasts plenty of its own midcentury mojo — plus a 50-foot heated saltwater pool, perfect for floating off a couple of Mai Tais or riding out an epic hangover.
The Beach Club
Details: 5151 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota; 941-349-6311; beachclubsiestakey.com
One of Sarasota’s oldest bars — and still one of its most popular nightspots — added a food menu earlier this year, offering more to soak up the booze than it has in decades.
Walk into the iconic, tiki-roofed Beach Club in Siesta Key Village — open since 1947 and just a stroll from world-famous Siesta Beach — and where there used to be a pool table, you’ll now find high-tops topped with menus and plates. Overhead, the massive shark still keeps watch over what’s now part dance floor, part dining room.
There are new outdoor tables, too. But don’t worry, party people — The Beach Club still brings the DJs, dancing, and strong drinks once the sun goes down.
Brewster’s Gastropub
Details: 1454 Main St., Sarasota; 941-343-2380; brewstersfl.com
Truth time: My favorite downtown Sarasota bars are The Gator Club and Brewster’s Gastropub — both on Main Street and within easy (possibly wobbly) walking distance of each other. While The Gator brings the history, high-end hooch, and live music, Brewster’s is part sports bar, part craft beer and cocktail hangout — and fully committed to feeding the friendly crowd that fills the long bar and indoor and outdoor tables just about every day and night.
The food? All the gastropub greatest hits — wings, burgers, tacos, sandwiches — and they nail every one. The real move, though, is swinging by for steals like $1 wings on Wednesdays or the Friday burger special: a fully loaded burger, fries, and a happy hour drink (yes, even a margarita or Bloody Mary) for just $15.99.
Crescent Club
Details: 6519 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota; 941-217-6837; crescentclubsiestakey.com
A true Siesta Key original dating back to long before the island became a world-famous destination, the Crescent Club has been serving cold drinks and local stories since 1949. The new covered front patio — where bikini- and swim-trunk-clad twentysomethings rub shoulders with middle-aged couples while live music often plays — now feels as modern as the “Siesta Key” reality TV episodes shot there for MTV. But step inside, and you’re transported to a bygone era.
It’s still the smoky, no-frills, dimly lit watering hole of yesteryear, feeling worlds away from the surrounding resort scene and, yes, the blazing sun. Glowing red lights shine on often-loud locals and curious visitors at the long wooden bar, while a few high-tops with red tablecloths, matching candle covers, and ashtrays sit ready. With its low, wood-paneled ceiling that has seen countless blurry nights, it’s the kind of Old Florida dive-bar charm where multimillionaires and beach bums drink side by side without anyone blinking twice.
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Details: 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; 941-203-4771; olearystikibar.com
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill is the closest thing to a true beach bar in downtown Sarasota, thanks to its white-sand location at Bayfront Park, where condo canyons meet the bay, the boats and, yes, the occasional curious dolphin. Reopened in May after an eight-month closure caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, O’Leary’s returned to all its former glory — and then some — when its bigger, better, open-air tiki bar debuted June 29.
It was a rainy Sunday, and my wife, Kristin, and I were already curled up on the couch for the night when I heard the new tiki bar had finally opened. I tossed aside the book I was reading,, and we walked down so I could do some much-needed “research.” Within minutes, the place was buzzing — every seat taken, drink lines forming — as the two Katies and the rest of the stellar staff slung signature cocktails, including dangerously good frozen favorites like the Mudslide. And sure, the food at O’Leary’s is still nothing to brag about, but honestly, who cares when the setting screams vacation mode and the service is spot-on?
Pangea Alchemy Lab
Details: 1564 Main St., Sarasota; 941-870-5555; pangeaalchemylab.com
Slip into Pangea Alchemy Lab — the hidden cocktail haven on Main St., marked by minimal signage and accessible only through a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it alley — and you’ll find yourself in a moody, vintage-chic lounge that feels more like a 1920s speakeasy than a downtown Sarasota hotspot. Amber lighting glows against dark walls and tufted leather booths, while antique mirrors and vintage photos set the scene for sipping something strong — and stealing glances across the table.
Pangea is where Sarasota cocktail connoisseurs — yours truly included — have been drinking in style for the past 15 years. The menu balances timeless classics with creative concoctions, including my personal favorite: their deft rendition of the Crescent City masterpiece, the Sazerac, with “stiff bourbon up front” and a “sweet maple finish.” Of course, the boozy cereal bowls made with spiked milk remain a crowd-pleasing hit. Still hungry? Go for the burger with roasted mushroom and brie, the cacio e pepe (a pasta dish with cheese and pepper), or any number of standout selections from the small but mighty food menu courtesy of next-door sister business Marcel.
Shakespeare’s Craft Beer & Gastro Pub
Details: 3550 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-364-5938; shakespearesenglishpub.com
Tucked away in a nondescript strip mall just out of reach from the tourists idling onto Siesta Key, Shakespeare’s boasts a cozy atmosphere that readily transports guests from the Florida heat to a dark, cool English pub setting. Originally known for its selection of imported beers, especially those from the U.K., Shakespeare’s shifted its focus about a decade ago to highlight local and national craft brews. You can still get a proper pint of Guinness, though. In fact, all of the pub’s beers are served in 20-ounce glasses, with 17 rotating taps and seven mainstay drafts — including international classics like Guinness and Smithwick’s, along with local standouts such as Zote IPA by Sarasota’s Calusa Brewing. (On the wagon? Shakespeare’s also serves Guinness 0, a non-alcoholic option.)
Perhaps the best reason to visit Shakespeare’s Pub, though, is the food. Start with the Spicy Beer Cheese Dip, and then move on to one of their 11 signature burgers, which are something of a local legend I praise whenever possible — especially the essential Caramelized Onion & Brie Burger. The umami from the perfectly seasoned and charred eight-ounce Black Angus patty, the sweet balsamic caramelized onions, and the buttery, nutty brie sandwiched between toasted rosemary Kaiser buns make each bite a true pleasure every burger enthusiast must experience. Of course, no burger experience at Shakespeare’s is complete without a side of fries and a towering pint of Guinness.
Because sometimes the best way to beat the Florida heat is with a burger, a pint, and a pub that feels straight out of London — especially if you time it just right and land at the bar during a summer downpour.
Shamrock Pub
Details: 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; 941-952-1730; facebook.com/shamrockpub
Flags hang from the ceiling, license plates line the walls, and every inch is packed with character — from the dartboards and bar stools to the mirror bearing the Guinness logo. Yeah, if you’re seeking a great little neighborhood hangout with a smart, fun staff and plenty of history, Shamrock Pub is your place. Located just east of downtown Sarasota, the building dates back to 1955 and originally housed a bakery before its pub lineage began in the 1970s as Churchill’s. It later became the Ringling Pub, and since the 1980s, it’s been known as the Shamrock Pub — or still just “the pub” to its loyal regulars.
Owner Derek Anderson took over in 2007 and gave the place its current soul: covering the bar top in pennies, turning it into Sarasota’s best spot for watching soccer, and curating an ever-changing lineup of excellent craft beer taps alongside the tried-and-true Guinness. On game days, the crowd’s loud, the pints are flowing, and the vibe is pure pub perfection. Need to get some fresh air or, OK, have a smoke? In February, Anderson added a covered back porch — a handsome, Seminole Indian-approved chickee — he proudly pointed out during a recent visit over, yes, pints.
Sharky’s on the Pier
Details: 1600 Harbor Drive S. Venice; 941-488-1456; sharkysonthepier.com
The Venice community recently toasted the $2.5 million makeover of one of its most iconic watering holes: Sharky’s on the Pier. The beachfront bar and restaurant took a beating from hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, not to mention Ian in 2022, but it’s now back and better than ever with new rooftop seating — a primo perch for sipping frozen drinks, listening to the live music that starts each day around 5:30 and watching the sun sink into the Gulf.
Voted best beach bar in Florida multiple times and honored by Southern Living last spring, Sharky’s has been a south Sarasota County institution since 1987. It’s located at the base of the Venice Fishing Pier and puts you right on the soft white sands of Brohard Beach. The food menu hits all the waterfront Florida favorites — wings, beer-battered fried shrimp, various grouper dishes — while the drink list goes big on colorful, boozy frozen concoctions, including a whole lineup of margaritas like the Megalodon. And if you’re feeling fancy, Sharky’s upscale sister spot Fins is right next door.
SKP Tiki Bar at Siesta Key Palms Resort
Details: 1800 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota; 941-786-4778; skptikibar.com
If you’re chasing that Old Florida vibe, Siesta Key Palms Resort has long been a Sarasota hidden gem. Tucked just off Stickney Point Road — on the mainland side of the bridge to world-famous Siesta Key — this 1950s hideaway, formerly known as the Elephant Ear Suites, got a nearly $1 million makeover in 2016. Think hammocks strung between palms, white-sand “beaches,” Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, bright wooden signage, and enough bamboo and palms to make you feel like you’ve been teleported to the Keys — no flight, ferry, or long drive required.
For years, only overnight guests enjoyed this slice of paradise, but the resort recently unveiled its SKP Tiki Bar and opened it to everyone. Overlooking the pool and sandy courtyard, it’s a low-key gem open daily from 3 to 10 p.m., slinging frozen favorites like the Miami Vice, pouring a signature Bahama Mama made with RumHaven coconut rum, and keeping beer fans happy with ice-cold Coronas and such. There’s often live music, sometimes a food truck, and always that perfect island-time mood. This spot’s got just enough kitsch and charm to feel like Sarasota’s best-kept secret.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 10 best Sarasota bars we wish made USA TODAY’s Bars of the Year list
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
