As the sun sets over nearby Sarasota Bay, every seat at the outdoor tables of the popular downtown craft beer destination 99 Bottles is occupied, with the inside lounge and bar equally packed — impressive even for tourist season on a Tuesday night.
Sure, the crowd might include a few spring breakers, snowbirds and curious out-of-towners. But what has sustained 99 Bottles since it opened about seven years ago — and what thrust it into the national spotlight Wednesday, March 4 — are its loyal locals, who come to quaff from an expertly curated beer list featuring 34 rotating taps while noshing on a newly updated menu of upscale bar snacks and sandwiches, or perhaps meeting with their book club gal pals.
Yes, a beloved downtown Sarasota craft beer bar has just earned a national spotlight.
99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop was named the fourth best beer bar in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories. Editors then vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented to the voting public for a period of four weeks.
“With 34 rotating taps and an extensive bottle selection, the bar offers something for both adventurous drinkers and fans of the classics,” the USA TODAY 10BEST blurb for 99 Bottles reads. “A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable staff make it easy to discover new favorites or revisit trusted pours.”
Located at 1445 Second St. on the ground floor of luxury apartment building The DeSota, 99 Bottles was opened in 2019 by owner Mark Tuchman, who formerly owned another popular Sarasota craft beer bar, Mr. Beery’s in Gulf Gate.
In addition to its extensive beer and wine selection, 99 Bottles offers a food menu now consisting of “snacks” such as marinated olives, shishito peppers, and a cheese and charcuterie dip consisting of melted camembert cheese with prosciutto, blackberry jam, a sprinkle of rosemary and toast points. There are handhelds, too, including a mortadella sandwich, BLT and “cold cut banh mi” with sliced roasted pork, cucumber, jalapeño, pickled carrot, pickled daikon, cilantro and hoisin.
Of course, beer remains the main attraction at 99 Bottles.
“To be recognized as a Top 5 Beer Bar in the country is incredibly meaningful for our team,” said Tuchman in a statement. “This recognition really belongs to our staff, our regulars, and the Sarasota community that shows up for us week after week.”
Bradenton’s Motorworks Brewing also makes Readers’ Choice Awards
99 Bottles wasn’t the only Sarasota-Manatee establishment spotlighted by the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards in the beer category. Bradenton brewery Motorworks Brewing landed at No. 9 for best beer garden.
Motorworks Brewing’s beer garden with a century-old oak tree is one of the main draws of its Bradenton location at 1014 Ninth St. W., near the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training ballpark, LECOM Park. Additional attractions include live music — hosted under a covered stage in the beer garden — and other entertainment, award-winning beers anchoring a full-liquor drink menu, and food offerings from Blue Water Catering and Wilder’s Pizza.
“The open-air courtyard pairs a broad selection of house-brewed beers with a food menu built for casual dining,” the USA TODAY 10BEST blurb for Motorworks Brewing read. “Games, music, and ample space give the beer garden a lively, social energy well suited to the Gulf Coast climate.”
Founded in Bradenton in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has since expanded to Tampa and Orlando, as well as a location in Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The brewery previously earned national attention for beer can art featuring adoptable dogs, appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2020.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Wade Tatangelo is Audience Director for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular downtown Sarasota bar named among best in US
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts and Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
