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Drinks With Katrina: The Best Pool Bar in Sarasota
The Sand Dollar Pool Bar at Best Western Siesta Key Gateway
It’s the best-kept secret in town! The recently renovated Sand Dollar Pool Bar, located on the Best Western Plus – Siesta Key property, offers the perfect blend of casual comfort and Sarasota beach-vibe style. Enjoy a cocktail, frozen drink, beer, or glass of wine at the chic bar in the shade or lounging on a chair in the sun by the pool.
The out-door Sand Dollar Pool Bar shares the deck with the hotel’s heated pool and hot tub. Only guests of the hotel can use the pool and spa facilities, but the bar and ambiance are free for the public to enjoy. Savor the warm breeze coming in off the Gulf of Mexico in a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there’s live music with local favorites like John Patti and his steel drums. Other musical acts also drop by and play a large variety of hip-swinging tunes. Oh, and did we mention there’s a fire pit, too?
Specialty Drinks
When you 
arrive at the bar, be sure to say “Hi!” to Katrina – who is the Sand Dollar Pool Bar manager. She’s been making specialty drinks, serving up fun, and spreading good cheer ever since the Sand Dollar opened six years ago. She’s a pro at creating colorful cocktails that taste as good as they look, such as the Berry Me in the Sand cocktail with berry vodka, peach schnapps, rum, and cranberry juice. Other specialty cocktails include the Tropical Sand Dollar, Heavenly Sunset, Peachy Day, and Tropical Breeze – it’s hard to choose just one! (If you want to walk a little on the wild side, be sure to ask Katrina for one of her famous mudslides).
You’ll always get a great value during Happy Hour with $2.50 drafts, $4 wells, $3.50 16 oz. bottle beer and cans, and $4.50 specialty beers like J. Dubbs, Sam Adams, Goose Island, and more. Plus, every Friday enjoy tasty cuisine with “Food Truck Fridays.” From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., you can delight your taste buds with Pickled Pink’s burgers, Philly’s, fries, and, of course, fried pickles, or tasty meaty fare from the Ribeye Wagon food truck. The food trucks switch every other Friday to keep things interesting.
Fun, Games, & Parties
Scattered about the pool deck are oversized versions of popular games for even more fun. Enjoy a round of chess with pieces you need both hands to move, large corn hole boards, and a huge connect-four. There’s plenty of fun for everyone.
Besides being a great place to hang on any night of the week, when it comes to celebrating holidays or a big game, the Sand Dollar really kicks it up a notch! With a make-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar, special drink prices, games, prizes, and more, you’re not going to want to be anywhere else for St. Patrick’s day, Cinco de Mayo, a play-off game, Halloween (yes, there’s a costume contest!), or New Year’s Eve.
So if you’re visiting Sarasota, are a guest at the Best Western, or a local looking for a new hangout, then come and check us out. We bet you’re going to want to come back!
Hey! If you Like us on Facebook, you’ll get $1 off any drink!