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Seven Lively Bars & Restaurants for Experiencing Siesta Key Nightlife
You may be familiar with all the amazing things to do and see around Siesta Key and Sarasota during the day. From museums and outdoor adventures to delicious restaurants and, of course, the famous beaches of Siesta Key, there is so much to enjoy. However, what happens when the sun goes down? After experiencing a truly gorgeous and magnificent sunset on the white sand beaches, it is time to hit the town for exciting nightlife. Here at Best Western Siesta Key, we are highlighting a few local hot spots where you can sip on adult beverages, listen to live music, dance the night away, or even make a few new friends.
Downtown Sarasota
Pangea Alchemy Lab
If you’re looking for a hip speakeasy, then Pangea Alchemy Lab is a must. Pangea has some of the most unique and well-crafted cocktails in the entire Sarasota area. Be sure to keep an eye out for their seasonal drinks, which are made with locally sourced ingredients. Hidden away in an alley off of Main St., Pangea may be difficult to find at first, but the fantastic menu and great atmosphere are well worth the search.
Brewster’s Tavern & Joe’s
These two bars sit side by side and offer excellent late-night fun. Brewster’s Tavern is a sports bar perfect for watching a game late into the night or challenging friends to a game of darts. Brewster’s also has an extensive menu full of delicious bar food that pairs well with one of the many local draft beers they have available. Next door at Joe’s, you’ll find a casual and relaxing bar experience with a wider variety of unique cocktails and fantastic bartenders. These two bars are the life of Main St. late at night in downtown Sarasota making them a great place to have a full evening of fun and make new friends.
El Melvin Cocina Mexicana
El Melvin Cocina Mexicana has recently opened its doors as a nightclub on Main St. With fantastic Mexican bar bite-style food like street corn and queso fundido, El Melvin is sure to satisfy an appetite. But once dinner ends, El Melvin’s dance floor and bar become the Sarasota hot spot. Don’t miss out on its beautifully designed interior, which is fun and distinctive and receives much praise from visitors and locals.
The Gator Club
The perfect club for dancing the night away on Main St., The Gator Club has live music every night of the week that ranges from rock bands to DJs. This club has two floors with live music and a dance floor on the first floor, and pool tables on the second floor. The Gator Club is one of the best clubs in downtown Sarasota for getting a few drinks, blowing off some steam, or enjoying some unique events like Bingo and Karaoke.
Ocean Boulevard Siesta Key
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or SKOB as it’s known by the locals, is the perfect place to wind down with friends and grab some drinks. Siesta Key Oyster Bar’s ideal location on Ocean Blvd. and a wide variety of beers and cocktails make it a great place for a fun night out after a nice day at the beach. SKOB is open until midnight and offers a wide range of tasty food, from fresh seafood to their award-winning bar food. SKOB also hosts live music, open mic nights, and free pool nights. Check out this local favorite for a great place to get fantastic food or dance the night away with friends.
The Beach Club Siesta Key
The best nightclub and live music venue on Ocean Blvd. is The Beach Club Siesta Key. This lively club is known for its live music, terrific martinis, and great atmosphere because of its prime location by the beach. The Beach Club has live music seven nights a week and a large dance floor to let loose on.
Gilligan’s Island Bar
Also, on Ocean Blvd., this tiki bar offers a wide variety of food and drinks late into the night. Gilligan’s Island Bar is the largest tiki bar in Sarasota and Siesta Key, making it a “go-to” location when visiting town. Have fun ordering your food from a vintage VW bus parked in front of the kitchen while you enjoy a nice night by the beach. This bar feels like a tropical paradise both day and night as palm trees and tiki torches provide a delightful and relaxing environment for spending your evening after a nice day on the beach.
Whether you are looking for a good old local bar, sports pub, fancy speakeasy, tropical tiki bar, or lively dance floor, Sarasota and Siesta Key have you covered. When the night ends, and it’s time to head home, we will be ready to welcome you back to Best Western Siesta Key for a refreshing night’s sleep.