Beach ... bar ... repeatSchool’s out for spring break and that means party time in The 941. From Siesta Key to Anna Maria Island, we have you covered with the hottest spots to drink, dance and hook up – all within stumbling distance of the area’s world-famous, sugary sand beaches. Enjoy.
The Beach ClubThe top party palace on Siesta Key since back when your grandparents were wild and crazy, this is still the place to dance (now to slamming DJ sonics as well as live music) while lubricated with killer drink deals every night of the week. Don’t miss: Ladies night on Wednesdays with Tampa DJs Rev Kev and Gregg R. 5151 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 349-6311; beachclub.com
Gilligan's Island Bar and GrillA bar, restaurant, dance club and package liquor store located right smack dab in the middle of Siesta Key Village, this is where many a first mate and more have gone to have some serious fun. Don’t miss: Spring Break 2013 Sunday Funday Bikini Contests. 5253 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 346-8122; gilligansislandbar.com
Siesta Key Oyster BarGet on island time while washing down raw oysters with cold beer and cocktails while listening to great live music nightly starting at 7 p.m. Don’t miss: Tony Tyler Band (Mon.), Kettle of Fish (Wed.) and Pete Arevelo and family (Thurs.). 5238 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 346-5443; skob.com
Daiquiri Deck (Siesta)Frozen drink destinations don’t get much better than this Siesta Key original, which is home to such dangerous concoctions as the Deck Diesel. An orange, grain alcohol and vodka mixture, it pretty much guarantees a night of good times and a morning of regrets. Don’t miss: Bikini models signing Daiquiri Deck’s homegrown calendar, 9-10 p.m. March 8. 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 349-8697; daiquirideacksiestakey.com
Blase CafeA delightfully funky, hole-in-wall restaurant and bar serving everything from grouper to Buffalo wings to jambalaya, this Ocean Boulevard business that also books bands and specializes in mouthwatering (and perhaps head-spinning) martinis like the mango, key lime and cappuccino. Don’t miss: The opportunity to imbibe the traditional gin martini preferred by great men like James Bond. 5263 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 349-9822; theblasecafe.com
The CottageThis cozy eatery just off Siesta Village’s main drag serves tasty homemade chips, awesome alcohol-absorbing burgers and other flavorsome seaside bar stuff, but it’s also where you’ll find $2 drafts and $5 mojitos and margaritas during happy hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Don’t miss: The six-hour happy hour. 153 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key; 312-9300; cottagesiestakey.com
Dcoy DucksThis Holmes Beach hotspot is where Anna Maria Islanders and other assorted party people go to throw back shots and get frisky on the dance floor. Don’t miss: Come Back Alice band, 9:30 p.m. March 15. 5410 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach; 778-5888; ducks.net
Sharky's On The PierVenice’s primo spot for beachfront drinking and dining makes it easy to go from sand to table repeatedly throughout the day. Don’t miss: Sharky's hosts live music every night of the week, which makes the difference between week and weekend kind of unnecessary, doesn’t it? 1600 Harbor Dr. S., Venice; 488-1456; sharkysonthepier.com
Daiquiri Deck (Venice)This recently opened outpost of the local mini-chain is rightly famous for one important thing – it single-handedly gives downtown Venice a late-night scene. The bar/restaurant is open until 2 a.m. every night, which beats most spots in the area by a couple of hours. Don’t miss: Have a Deck Diesel and slurp raw oyster after midnight while the rest of the city sleeps. 300 West Venice Ave., Venice; 488-0649; daiquirideckvenice.com
Harpoon Harry'sAlthough not near the beach, Harry’s has the benefit of being on top of Charlotte Harbor, for those days when you want the Florida experience without the sand between your toes. Just claim a spot at the massive open-air bar downstairs and set a while. Don’t Miss: Try your hand in the video game arcade, drink in hand. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; 637-1177; harpoonharrys.com
Spring Break Hotspots
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Justme
Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 2:20 pm
OK let's see. beachclub.com is not Siesta Key. Obviously an advertorial as every place mentioned is an SHT advertiser. Not a mention of Gator Club, Ivory, any bar in Gulf Gate or downtown? Let's call BS on this claiming to be a guide to anything except sucking IP to your advertisers.
Justme
Friday, March 8, 2013 at 8:24 am
"...all within stumbling distance of the area’s world-famous, sugary sand beaches."
What beach is close to Harpoon Harry's? 31 miles to Stump Pass Beach.
joe battaglia
Friday, March 8, 2013 at 10:47 am
hookah and shisha at cheap smokes in englewood is the best around about 3 miles from the beach
sickof syscos
Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 12:40 pm
good thing for spring breakers, is that not many of them wind up here in this nowhere town..
blueheneye
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 8:16 am
Let them set the table at Harpoon Harry's and you sit for a while.
Love the Daiquiri Deck (Venice) photo... Nothing says Spring Break like granddad and his pal enjoying a nice Stella and watching the game!