Fun in Sarasota/Bradenton? (Siesta Key, West Bradenton: movie theater, live in, restaurants)

[Oobie119]

Hello all,
My husband and I are looking for a fun place to have few drinks outdoors and maybe some appetizers. Maybe somewhere with a nice outdoor patio and some entertainment. Nowhere snooty, but not trashy either.. We are in our early 30's-- any ideas?

[SaveMtns]

Just this morning my parents and I were out at the new Bridge Street pier on Anna Maria Island, which just reopened after being destroyed by a hurricane. The restaurant, now Rotten Ralphs, was completely rebuilt, and is very nice--with a breezy open-air patio over the water. We had just had breakfast at Cafe on the Beach, so didn't stop in, but will definitely do so in the future. At the end of the pier are big swings you can sit on.

To get there, you go south on the island until you come to the roundabout, then go east down Bridge Street. The Bridgekeeper's Inn right by the pier is also a great patio-dining place...we really like it. It has live music on the weekends - often steel drum tropical type.

[LeavingFL4Seasons]

Downtown Sarasota, the Village of Siesta Key, and St. Armand's Circle. I don't know if you're staying in Bradenton or Sarasota...if you're staying in Sarasota, than there is really no reason to drive all the way up to Anna Maria island, which takes at least 30 mins, when Sarasota has nicer places than anything on Anna Maria anyhow.

The Village on Siesta Key is really cute, there are several bar n' grills...like the Daquiri Deck and Gilligan's, as well as a couple others...Gilligan's is also a nightclub. You can walk to the access beaches just a couple blocks down the street after eating and having drinks at a table on the porch, it's very pretty.

St. Armand's has many restaurant/bars, with tables right on the sidewalk. You can also walk around the circle, have ice cream, it's very quaint. North Lido Beach is just a couple blocks off the circle, so you can walk over there after eating/having drinks.

Downtown Sarasota has many restaurants and bars...some with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. You can eat indoors or on the sidewalk. There is O'Leary's right on the bay at Marina Jack, which is right downtown, where they have a bar just feet from the water, and it's also a restaurant that serves fish n' chips, burgers, fries and sandwiches. There are also cafes downtown, little art galleries and a big movie theater.

[SaveMtns]

Being aware that you live in West Bradenton, NewFlGal, I wanted to also share with you the Sandbar and Beachhouse - both are right on the gulf beaches, and are fun places to have what you describe: drinks, appetizers, live music. Our absolute favorite is the Waterfront - not inexpensive - but the food is superb, and the atmosphere very nice but not snooty. Great outside dining, and bay view.

[SRQ_Sioux]

Originally Posted by LeavingFL4Seasons

Downtown Sarasota, the Village of Siesta Key, and St. Armand's Circle. I don't know if you're staying in Bradenton or Sarasota...if you're staying in Sarasota, than there is really no reason to drive all the way up to Anna Maria island, which takes at least 30 mins, when Sarasota has nicer places than anything on Anna Maria anyhow.

The Village on Siesta Key is really cute, there are several bar n' grills...like the Daquiri Deck and Gilligan's, as well as a couple others...Gilligan's is also a nightclub. You can walk to the access beaches just a couple blocks down the street after eating and having drinks at a table on the porch, it's very pretty.

St. Armand's has many restaurant/bars, with tables right on the sidewalk. You can also walk around the circle, have ice cream, it's very quaint. North Lido Beach is just a couple blocks off the circle, so you can walk over there after eating/having drinks.

Downtown Sarasota has many restaurants and bars...some with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. You can eat indoors or on the sidewalk. There is O'Leary's right on the bay at Marina Jack, which is right downtown, where they have a bar just feet from the water, and it's also a restaurant that serves fish n' chips, burgers, fries and sandwiches. There are also cafes downtown, little art galleries and a big movie theater.

Often Bradenton folks get stuck thinking Sarasota is snooty so they never try it for themselves so go and try it out for yourself and really see. As said above there are some Great places! The Gator club (downtown Sarasota) is THE happening place and caters to a mixed crowd. Usually great bands too.

[nwbrdtn4]

Originally Posted by SaveMtns

Being aware that you live in West Bradenton, NewFlGal, I wanted to also share with you the Sandbar and Beachhouse - both are right on the gulf beaches, and are fun places to have what you describe: drinks, appetizers, live music. Our absolute favorite is the Waterfront - not inexpensive - but the food is superb, and the atmosphere very nice but not snooty. Great outside dining, and bay view.

Don`t forget Mar Vista .. that is one place to hang out

[Pete10k]

Ezra on Manatee Ave West draws crowds from all over. Mattison's Riverside and Mangrove Grill have great music and food. Then there are places like the Beachhouse and Sandbar, not to mention the Beach Bistro, that are right on the beach with magnificent sunset gulf views.

[Sarasota Fun]

Outdoor dining with drinks in Downtown: Ceviche Tapas, Cinco de Mayo, Mattisons, Arosa, Pinos, Bungalow, Galileos, Burns 516, Drunken Poets Cafe, Esca, Divinos, Ca'Rina's, Zoria, Marina Jacks, Olearys. On Siesta Key: Turtles, Daiquiri Deck, Gilligans, Hub, Cafe Gabbiano, SKOB, Old Salty Dog.
Best Wishes!

[Big House]

I recommend Siesta Key as well. There are a number of nice places to get a drink, and some nice food as well. And, it is all easily walkable too.

You'll love it! Have a great time.