Happy Hour & Early Bird Reviews

 

 

Rolf’s Florida Kitchen – Osprey (In the Casey Key Resort)

Outdoor tiki hut & bar at the back next to the pool –also an outdoor patio for dining

Off the front lobby is a casual bar & dining and a fancy dining area called the Coral Room

HH drinks from 12 to 5:30pm in all bars & dining areas.  House wine $4.50 – Wells $5 Mon – HH all day

HH apps from 3:30 to 5:30pm (only at the tiki hut)   from $4 to $12. Great grouper sandwich and tacos.

Music on weekends starting at 5:30 pm at the tiki bar

Coral Room (fancy restaurant inside with piano music starting at 5pm)

EB apps not available in the Coral Room

There is a regular menu with specials on some nights and a special 3-course menu for $18.99

Sat is Wine Lover’s Night - $2 off glass - $10 off bottles

 

Clever Monkey – Osprey

Sports Bar with HH drinks but no apps – from 4 to 6 pm

Usually have some good craft beer but no HH prices

Food is pub food – mostly fried

Sometimes have music on the outdoor patio at the front (overlooking the parking lot for Publix)

 

 

 

Shipwrecked - Osprey (on Blackburn Rd overlooking Marina & Deep Lagoon)

New restaurant recently opened.

Initially HH had only a $1 discount for beer. Owner says he will expand HH to include wine & cocktails as well as apps.

Update: HH now has a $2 discount on wine & wells and $1 on beer!

The owner has added bar bites to the HH menu ranging from $7 to $15. Bar bites & HH discounts are available in the bar and restaurant upstairs.

There is a bar on level 1 and a bigger restaurant on level 2 with great views of the Marina.

The menu is like a Tiki Bar menu with lots of apps and handhelds. Reasonably priced.

Lots of room to improve to become a favorite neighborhood bar?

Update #2: HH bites are now ½ price during HH (in the bar area only)!

Update 3: Unfortunately the owner has discontinued the ½ price discount on HH bites.

 

 

 Deep Lagoon – Osprey (on Sarasota Bay with great views)

HH drinks 2 to 6:30 pm and apps from 2 to 5 pm

House wine $6 – beer $4 - martinis $8. House wine does include Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir.

HH apps from $6– expanded choices – good value!

Special offer - $30 off a bottle of wine with two entrees. However the regular menu was drastically changed. No longer offer small (5 oz) portions of fish – only set fish dishes that are more expensive than the previous fish portions.  $30 to $40 for a set dish. Thus the special offer is no longer a great deal!

Update # 2. I can no longer recommend Deep Lagoon for dinner – even with the ‘Summer Wine Special’! They have managed to ruin the special/value dinner even more that described above.

In addition to the drastic change in the menu and increased prices they have increased ALL of their wine prices. The lowest-priced wines are now priced at $48/bottle making the $30 discount meaningless! Until they come to their senses and re-introduce lower prices and more menu choices I will take my business to competitors who offer better values. Those places are described in this blog!

Casey Key Fish House – Osprey (on the Bay and ICW with great views – old FL fish house)

Outdoor tiki hut with great drinks & ambience – but no HH & no apps – must go into the restaurant for food

Food is good but overpriced

 

 

 

Local Pizza – Osprey

HH & apps from 3 to 5 pm

House wine $5 and apps from $6 to $8 are good

Thin crust pizzas are good

 

 

Mad Moe’s - Osprey  

Sports bar with lots of TVs and pub food – mostly fried

HH - Mon to Fri from 11 am to 6 pm

HH drinks $1 off  - but no HH apps

Very noisy – outdoor patio is on US 41

 

 

Evie’s – the Point and Tiki Bar – Osprey (on Sarasota Bay with great views – often watch dolphins playing off the dock)

The Tiki Bar is a local hangout for regulars

The Tiki Bar has HH drinks & apps.

House wine $5

The Point is a new multi-story restaurant/bar – upscale with same great views

HH – all day – every day

Limited menu – food is OK but overpriced

 

 

Bella Vino & Cucina – Osprey

Two restaurants operated by the same owner

No HH or EB

Food is good but overpriced.

 

 

Mama Leone’s - now rebranded as Tuscany – Nokomis 

HH & EB from 4-6pm every day.

½ price drinks (excl bottles of wine)

House wine $5. Premium wines (sauvignon blanc/pinot noir are only $1 to $1.50 more than house wine)

EB menus priced at $20.99 include soup or salad

Music from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Fri (Acoustic guitar) & Sat (Frank Sinatra)

Restaurant bought by a new chef who has improved the menu and is becoming the new ‘in place’ so reservations are needed if you want to sit in the bar area.

Update: Tuscany now offers a bar menu (only at the bar & outdoor patio) from 6 to 10 pm. Italian sandwiches are $13.95 and some EB specials are carried over at $20.95.

 

 

 

Waterfront Too - Nokomis

HH & EB specials from 4 to 5:30pm – can be ordered anywhere in the restaurant & bar

An outdoor patio at the back overlooking a canal & mangroves

House wine $5 – half carafe $9

EB specials include salad

Meat entrees are good – fish not so good

 

 

Rosebud’s – Nokomis

Steak & seafood – gourmet food but overpriced

HH offers 2X1 on wine & well drinks – only in the bar/lounge area

This restaurant is a local favorite and one must arrive before the 4 pm open to get a table or stool in the bar area

The EB specials (in the bar only) are good but overpriced and in most cases only priced about $1/$2 less than the regular menu.

 

 

 

Captain Eddie’s –Nokomis

Restaurant and seafood market.

Large outdoor patio in the back may be full with bikers and smokers.

HH from 4 to 6 pm for drinks. No HH apps or EB. Most food is fried

Update: 12/24 - Cpt Eddie's is now offeringa whole maine lobster for $19.95 during HH on Weds

 

 

Nokomo’s Sunset Hut – Nokomis (on Dona Bay with nice views)

A local favorite with music from 6 to 9pm.

HH drinks from 2 to 4 pm but no apps.

HH - $1 off wine & beer & well drinks– special cocktails

Food is Tiki Hut menu but strangely no fried food - and reasonably priced

Limited parking so arrive early.

 

 

 

 

Briandi’s Italian Restaurant – US 41, Nokomis

HH & EB from 5 to 6pm

Wine $5 – good EB specials from $12 to $16 – huge portions

Small dining area so get there early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pop’s – Casey Key (on the ICW canal with great views and lots of action with boats)

Huge Tiki Hut and outdoor dining overlooking the Intracoastal/canal

HH 4 to 6pm with discounts on wine/beer/well drinks. No HH apps

Regular menu is good food but overpriced.

Music in the tiki bar from 5 to 7pm

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise Grill -  US 41 & Laurel Rd, Venice

Outdoor tiki bar with music from 5 -7pm. Tiki Bar & tables overlook US 41 and the Publix parking lot.

HH from 4 to 6pm. HH wine $5 - Daily cocktail specials. On Mon there is a $10 discount on a bottle of wine.

EB specials 4 to 6 pm. Good prices on specials.

There are also daily specials with meat & fish entrees that tend to be overpriced and the fish entrees taste like a cafeteria meal.

 

 

 

Pinchers Seafood – North Venice (on the east side of US 41.)

HH from 4 to 7 pm.

2X1 drinks. They serve both drinks at the same time.

Sometimes have HH apps that are OK

Most food is fried, not that good and overpriced.

 

 

 

 

Chaz 51 – North Venice (in a rundown mall)

Gourmet steak & seafood.

HH from 4 to 6 pm with premium wines (incl sauvignon blanc & pinot noir) - $6 for 6 oz glass and special cocktails for $8.

Gourmet HH apps range from $12 to $16 and are good (beef wellington and tuna tataki)

HH drinks served in the main restaurant but HH apps only served in the bar area.

Music in the bar Thu to Sat.

 Update (6/18/24) Now offering  two, 3-course dinners for $49.

 

 

Venezia Restaurant – Hotel Venezia, North Venice

The Venezia offers special dinners on certain nights:

Wed – prime rib night $23.95 - 10oz cut of prime rib with mashed potatoes & veggies

Fri - all you can eat fish fry for $16.95 - haddock that can be ordered fried/grilled/blackened. One of the best fish fries in the area.

Sat – London Broil for $17.95

HH 4 to 6 pm. Discounted wine/beer/well drinks

Wine $4.

Great food at a reasonable price. Good value. Get there early (by 4:30 pm) in the high season

 

 

 

Plaza Mexico – North Venice

HH 4 to 6 pm

House wine $4- Beer $3 - daily cocktail specials

No HH apps or EB specials

Extensive menu at reasonable prices

 

 

 

Dockside Grill – Venice (on the marina at the north bridge)

Music from 5 to 8 pm on certain days

HH 3 to 6 pm

$1 & $2 off wine and beer

No EB specials

Many dinner entrees overpriced

 

 

 

TJ Carney’s – Downtown Venice

Irish pub with HH drinks and apps at the bar only.

Wine is $5 and excellent apps range from $6 to $10.

Some good pub food such as shepherd’s pie and bangers & mash.

Music on some days starting at 7pm.

 

 

 

Abby’s on Main – Downtown Venice

A low key/casual diner. Not fancy!

HH wine is $5

There are some regular menu items that are discounted by 20% for EB. One of the few restaurants that serve flounder francaise.

Bogey's Sports Bar & Pub - Venice AVE & I 41 Bypass

Offers a HH from 4 to 6 pm with $1 off wine, beer & well drinks.

No HH apps but they do offer a daily special such as a burger & fries for $6 on Mons,  and the specail lasts all day!

Food is cheap but not great! You get what you pay for!

 

Shuck n Ale- US 42, Venice

A Creole/Louisiana restaurant in a small strip mall.

There is a HH with $1 off beer & $2 off house wine. Entertainment on weekends but it is outside (even in the hot summer!)

A few HH bites – oysters @ $1.50 ea but most of the food is overpriced and not that good.

Not recommended unless you have a craving for Creole.

Norma Jean’s Sports Bar & Grill – US 41 Bypass, Venice

We used to visit the Grill a few years ago but decided to try the HH at the Sports Bar.

HH Tue through Sat from 2 to 6 pm.

Great HH prices on booze – draft beer $5, house wine $7, wells $5 but better news – 2 for 1 at HH!

There are a few ‘Barstool Snacks' during HH at $6 each. Snacks are OK but not great. Might be better to order from the regular menu?

The Grill (only open Thu through Sat) offers dinner specials priced from $20 to $25 and a bottle of house wine for $15. This used to be a great meal and a good deal. We will check it out & update the blog.

  

 

Valenti’s Restaurant – East Venice

Old style Italian restaurant with HH drinks and EB specials in the bar area from 4 to 6 pm.

Premium wines (incl sauvignon blanc & pinot noir) $6. Great EB specials from $10 to $14.

No HH drinks or apps in the restaurant area.

 

 

 

Asaro’s of Venice – East Venice

HH drinks but no HH apps or EB specials

HH wine $6

Food is good and reasonably priced. Best flounder francaise in the area (hard to find)

 

 

 

Sharkey’s and Fins at Sharkey’s – Venice Pier

On Venice beach overlooking the Pier. Great views.

HH from 4 to 6 pm

HH drinks and apps are pricey.

Regular menu is OK but overpriced!

View & ambience is hard to beat but not the food or prices!

Crow’s Nest – Venice Island

 A pleasant surprise. A gourmet restaurant that is known for views and romantic (but pricey) dinners, it now offers a HH from 3 to 6 pm (lower level bar only). HH wine, beer and wells are 2 for 1. There is a good selection of bar bites for $5.

There is also a summer special in the dining room – two -3 course dinners for $50. The menu items are limited but good. An inexpensive way to check out this restautant. 

Update: the special dinners change menus and prices each month so call to find out what the special is.

 

 

Beckham’s – Mall on Central Sarasota Pkwy

HH from 4 to 6 pm

House wine $5. Some special cocktails.

Usually have one special dinner each day (liver & onions on Thu) and there are a few menu items that are discounted for EB diners.

 

 

Fin & Tonic – South Sarasota on US 41

 A new restaurant that opened in the old Red Lobster

HH drinks & apps from 4 to 6 pm.

House wine $6, beer $3 & $4, wells $5

 Many apps priced at $8 ea.

Order 3 apps to share for $24 – about the same price as an entree on the regular menu.

 

 

 

Gecko’s  - US 41 & Stickney Point

 A local chain restaurant with good food & value.

HH drinks from 4 to 6 pm but no apps.

House wine $6.

Mostly fast food type menu.

 

 

 

Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse – US 41 & Stickney Point Rd

Gourmet steak & seafood

HH from 4 to 6 pm in the bar area

House wine overpriced - $7 at HH & $12 after HH.

But there are a few HH apps that are good and reasonably priced.

 

 

 

Chianti’s – Clark Rd

HH drinks & apps

HH wine $6

Apps range from $6 to $12

Also some EB specials around $16 that are good value.

 

Café Barbosso - Clark Rd & Honore

HH drinks and apps from 4 to 6 pm

Wine $5, beer $3.50 and a few special cocktails

Apps range from $6 to $12

 

 

 

Clayton’s – Siesta Key

 A gourmet restaurant with HH and EB specials at the bar & high-top tables

House wine $6 and apps range from $10 to $14

 Now offer a list of ‘light’ EB special dinners from 4 to 6 pm at the bar

 

 

Miguel’s – Siesta Key

A gourmet French restaurant that does not have a HH but does offer EB specials around $25 for a 3-course meal (includes filet mignon) from 4 to 6 pm. Good food & good value.

House wine is $12.50 ‘for a large pour’. Better choice is to buy a bottle of daily special wine for $30+.

Great restaurant for a gourmet dinner celebration.

Big Water Fish Company – Siesta Key

Best fish dinner in Sarasota.

Low key restaurant & seafood market

Fish platter is best deal. Platter is $22 plus an up charge of $5 for local catch – like grouper or triple tail. It can be cooked many ways and is usually a huge 8oz serving.

No HH but the good news is that you can BYOB with no corkage fee so a delicious fresh seafood diner will cost about $44 to $54 total if you bring your own wine/beer.

 

 

 

Shebeen Irish Pub – Siesta Key

Next to the Big Water Fish Company (and Miguel’s) so after dinner you can stroll next door to the pub for good Irish music from Thu through Sun starting at 6 pm

Update: music is only available now on Fri & Sat nights.

There is a HH from 4 to 6pm (Wed & Thu only) with $1 off beer & wine and they do have some HH apps. Beer & wine only but you can buy liquor at the liquor store next door and drink it in the pub.

Regular menu is reasonably priced. Nice/fun ambience.

 

 

 

Ophelia’s – South Siesta Key

Gourmet restaurant with great views and outdoor dining on Sarasota Bay. Voted one of the most romantic restaurants. Very good food and very pricey!

Many do not know that they offer a HH from 5 to 6 pm with $6 wine and apps under $10.

The trick is to enjoy HH in the bar with a few drinks and apps and then move to the dining room with a full glass of wine and limit the no of $12 wines you need to order with your meal.

Great gourmet meal/good service for a special occasion.

Mattison’s 41 – South Sarasota (US 41)

HH from 4 to 7 pm

HH - $2 off wine & beer

HH apps - $2 off regular app prices – not a great deal

Regular menu prices are expensive for HH

Music from 5 to 8 pm.

Grillsmith’s – South Sarasota (on US 41 near Stickney Point)

HH – 4 to 7pm

HH wine/beer/well drinks $5

HH apps from $4 to $9

EB specials – 3 course dinner for $20 and $26 - large portions

Bonefish Grill – South Sarasota (US 41)

HH from 3 pm to 6:30 pm

HH wine $6 - Beer $1 off – Wells $7 – daily cocktail specials $7

HH apps – small selection/choice - large portion to share $15 - small/individual portions $7

Daily specials and regular menu - pricey

Francesco’s  - Beneva & Webber

Small Italian restaurant with specials on certain days

Mon – early bird all night long

Tue – creative Tue. Create your own pasta dish from their extensive list of pasta, sauces & toppings.

Wed – wine night, 50% off a bottle of wine with two entrees.

Good lasagna!

Marina Jack’s – Bayfront, Sarasota

HH in the Piano Bar overlooking the marina

Music from 5 to 7pm

HH from 4 to 6 pm- Mon to Fri

HH wine $6 - Beer  $4 – Well $5.50 – Special cocktails $8

HH Apps $8

 

 

 

Element – Main Street, Sarasota

HH from 4 to 6 pm at the bar only

HH – premium wines $7 & cocktails $7

HH apps – good selection for $10

Restaurant - fine dining – gourmet steak & seafood – pricey!

The Fat Rabbit- Main St, Sarasota

HH – 2 to 6 pm

HH beer $5, HH wine $7, HH wells $10

No HH apps (yet) but the regular pub menu has several good apps that are reasonably priced ($8 to $15) and huge servings

Music will be available during the high season.

Clasico – Main St, Sarasota

HH – 3 – 6 pm

HH beer $5, HH wine $6, House cocktails 10, HH wells $7

HH Apps

A selection of 6 HH bites from $7 to $10

Piano music starting at 6pm.

 

 

Selva – Main St, Sarasota

A gourmet restaurant that has a pricey regular menu

HH from 3 to 6 pm

HH prices have increased significantly.

HH wine (only Pinot Grigio & Merlot) is $11, Cocktails are $13

 HH Apps

A large selection of ‘gourmet’ apps priced from $12 to $20.

Apps are good but the booze is too pricey for a ‘cheap’ HH

Bevardi's Salute  - Lemon St, Sarasota

Italian Restaurant with reasonable prices on the regular menu and great prices for HH

HH from 3 to 6 pm

$3 off draft beer, $6 wines & $6 wells

A good selection of bar bites from $8 to $10.  Calamari/spaghetti/bruschetta/etc. One choice will fill you!

Rose & Ivy – 1^st St, Sarasota

A gourmet sushi restaurant that offers a good & reasonable HH

HH wine & cocktails are $7

There are a number of HH apps priced at $9 & $12. If a couple shares 3 apps it will be a meal!