50 Best Bars near Lakewood Ranch

“WOW! We went last night while in town for a soccer tournament in Tampa.. Drove out to Sarasota to visit family and my cousin suggested here... and WOW the food was AMAZING! The service was FANTASTIC. The atmosphere was even better. This place is a must while in town!“

“Outstanding. First time customer. Fabulous across the board. I’ll be back. Again .... outstanding.“

“prime rib special was delicious. reservations were at 6:15. it was so loud in the restaurant we couldn't talk to our friends at the table next time, I'm eating outside Then a couple came in with a southeastern guide dog who laid down by my leg I really didn't appreciate this since I am not a dog lover and it is an expensive place to eat.“

“Wonderful & friendly staff. Great burgers“

“I finally discovered a little slice of Hungarian paradise in Florida! From authentic wines and refreshing Hungarian beer to perfectly seasoned dishes and heavenly desserts, every bite and sip feels like home. Truly unforgettable!“

“Five + stars to Mark and his team at 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop! They opened early just for our group and treated us like VIPs from the moment we walked in. This was my first visit, but definitely not my last. The staff was incredibly attentive, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the customer service was truly top-notch. Highly recommend checking this place out if you’re in Sarasota!“

“Fantastic spot! We went there for lunch today and had a great time. The food was spot on. I wish I had the downtown dip right now! We will be back!“

“Live jams and cold beer! Great spot for friends and good times!“

“Amazing ambiance and food! Beautiful decor and the culinary presentation is top notch! Anthony Bourdain would be impressed! Julianna was wonderful!“

“Really Great Food ,and service.“

“Bar Hana is a wonderful place. Cocktails, food, atmosphere and service are each excellent and consistent. Classy yet casual. If you are a seasoned patron of establishments which fit this mold you will recognize the poor reviews for what they are. Bar Hana should be on your short list for a visit to Sarasota.“

“Awesome spot to hang out. They have awesome food with the best prices around. There are always delicious specials on the board by the bar. They have darts, chess, and tons of board games. Sometimes they have baseball games on which is one of my favorite things about the place. There’s also live music and trivia on weeknights and it’s a blast! Highly recommend.“

“Loved this place for 20 years!❤️“

“Great staff. Family atmosphere like "Cheers". Bartenders are mixologists. Great prices and Specials. Karaoke. Pool and darts with specials on both. Foosball and dome hockey as well.“

“Awesome neighborhood bar!!!“

“Great bar with great bartenders! Ari is amazing! Officially on my top 5 all time for bartenders! Definitely recommend coming to this bar!“

“I work here and it’s a great place to have a nice cold beer and meet some friends!!“

“Had a great nite with Family & friends. Drinks were cold , bartenders were great attentive, and very personable. I great place to relax , meet people and enjoy being with family & friends!“

“Very friendly staff, great burgers, pizza and jukebox. Nice place all around.“

“Great spot! Newly felted pool tables-FREE! Pool tournament every Friday night at 7:30! Great staff! Great food!“

“best hole in the wall there is!!“

“Alex at Office Bar SQ is super efficient, attentive, and has high energy, I would recommend this bar if you want a relaxed atmosphere.“

“My sister came to visit, she's an avid electronic dartboard player. so I went on line and found Coleman's Tavern has several dart machines, we went there for drinks and darts and met a lot of nice people. Coleman's is a nice little neighborhood bar with friendly people and good service. if I lived closer I would frequent there often.“

“Happened across Scalawags after doing a quick Google search of the name while in Sarasota area. Came in about noon on a Wed, just a few mixed age locals there, friendly people, fun and good laughs! Mainly a pool tables and electronic games type bar, dimly lit. Kitchen opens about noon, had a beer on tap and ordered the Grouper Sub, which was great - would get it again. Had another beer. Cash only for Papa Ron's food menu. Bar service is Scalawags, pay separately from food - works for them and me - no problem. Will return!!BTW - The Scalawags name came to mind because of the recent Gasparilla fest in Tampa and also because there is a Scalawags Whiefish & Chips in Mackinaw City, MI that a good friend of mine created, owned and operated for 30 years - serves the BEST fresh-caught Great Lakes Whitefish anywhere! So if you ever go there - you won't be disappointed there either!“

“Cool place. Darts. Pool. Longest bar“

“Every time that I go there it is fun. Always random people who know each other, greeting each other friendly. It has become a real community. But, it is not a closed society, but inviting and welcoming to others. In the past year or two, the quality of the place has improved remarkably. The staff, the owners, the guests and even the wine selection. The TVs are better, the fans are better, on and on. If you like socializing over a few cold ones, this would be a good to stop.“

“Great Aerie. Very friendly. Welcome us visitors. Would recommend.“

“Great service and open before Milton“

“It is an excellent place to meet awesome local winners and is supper-friendly. I have been going here most of the week when I am in town. It is a lovely wine store and “a testing wine bar.“

“The vibes are amazing and the owners are great! Its a safe and inclusive space for all that are sober 💕“

“great bar makes you feel like home“

“Best bar in all of Sarasota!!!!
It's a local spot with true regulars that have been coming here for over a decade!!!
Good ole Charlie may he rest in peace😢
But Jake and Millie some of the OG bartenders still there I love them both!!!“

“Very friendly, welcoming bar. Come in and introduce yourself around. We like hamburger nights for an inexpensive meal, good conversation and a couple of drinks.

Jukebox, pool table. Pinball seems out of commission though. Patio.“

“We were visiting and came to watch the Liverpool game. We got to meet another Liverpool fan from NY and were delighted to have Derrick behind the bar. He was so much fun and we got to meet his mom and step dad. Such a great afternoon, thanks Derrick.“

“This place is fantastic! The selection is unbeatable, with everything from rare whiskeys to affordable wines and craft beers. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to help you find exactly what you're looking for—or recommend something new to try. The store is clean, well-organized, and it’s clear they take pride in their business. Prices are fair, and they often have great deals. I always leave here feeling like I got excellent service and value. Highly recommend to anyone looking for quality and variety!“

“Ryan, our server is FANTASTIC! He made us feel welcome, and provided great hospitality. TRULY ABOVE AND BEYOND. From food & drink recommendations, to dealing with allergies, and new tourists. My fiance and I both agreed, “He is invited to our wedding”.

He made the atmosphere of the entire tiki bar feel like friends and family, not just our table. Thank you Ryan for welcoming us into your slice of paradise!“

“I had to flag down and one time waited 5 minutes before anyone asked me for another while my empty sat at refill position on the bar. But you might get better service or noticed if you are better looking I suppose. But they where very friendly and made very good drinks.“

“Love it here! Best food ever!“

“Lucas Lemig has climbed high up the ranks with his knowledge of the area, from bar scenes to his talent behind the bar top. Man never disappoints, if this gets to Lucas, let him know Roddy says quality things. I have Facundo’s contact info we’d love to present a theme night of sorts focused around his beverage. Lemig’s got my number, don’t be shy. Enjoy every bit of it my man!“

“This was my first visit to 8 Ball Lounge..
I was very impressed with all of the options, games, service and management.
The GM, David, kept a great pulse on a very diverse clientele while supporting two amazing bartenders, Ms. Kate & Ms. Anna... both of whom were obviously veterans of their jobs and experts of their craft.
Dart league, pool league, Golden Tee, Punching Bag and a very clean atmosphere!!!
Highly recommend this establishment and staff!!“

“My husband and I had a wonderful Mother’s Day at Elixir’s tea house! The service was top-notch. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. The food was ample and delicious…I would highly recommend!!!Thank you for a wonderful Mother’s Day❤️“

“Fresh herbs on wood fired pizza. So good! Alex (our waiter) went out of his way to ensure a stellar dining experience. A++++“

“Great place for entertainment! The outdoor tiki is fantastic and the staff are friendly and attentive“

“Amazing from start to finish! Had dinner last night with 4 other ladies and EVERY single dish was my favorite! So hard to choose! The drinks, the service, the menu, the food…couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Don’t miss this place if you’re in town! Thank you Chef Jeremy!“

“We love the staff and the atmosphere! Having a place to bring the dogs that offers an indoor and outdoor area is awesome, especially for Florida! There is always different events and fun things going on at boos ☺️ Perfect for humans and our furry friends!“

“The happy hour there is fantastic. Most of their appetizers are half off. They are the size of a meal.our favorite app are the chicken tenders. We upgrade from fries to onion rings for an extra $2. It's well worth it. Their onion rings are a beer batter variety an really good. Their pizzas are also half off during happy hour. They are Gourmet pizza and really good as well.“

“Look no further. Delish!! We will definitely return. YUM-a-licious!!“

“My wife and I visited Oyster River Rooftop for Valentine’s Day, and overall we had a very pleasant experience. The restaurant is located at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Palmetto, which really impressed me. The hotel itself is beautiful — easily one of the nicest properties in the area. I also appreciated the added touch of checking in with staff before heading upstairs, since a badge is required to access the upper floors. It definitely gives the space a more exclusive feel.

The restaurant is small and modern — more of an upscale rooftop bar atmosphere that also serves dinner. We were seated outside and enjoyed a wonderful view of the river, which made for a great Valentine’s setting. There was a duet playing live music, which added energy to the evening, though in a smaller space with minimal sound-absorbing decor it felt a little loud at times.

The hostess was very nice and welcoming. I had to smile when she gave “Monsieur” her best shot — I work for a French-based company and speak a little French myself, so I notice those things — but I appreciated the effort to create an upscale ambiance.

Our server was congenial and accommodating. He happily made me a Sangria even though it wasn’t on the drink menu, which I appreciated. His personality leaned more casual than what the restaurant seems to be aiming for, but his friendliness was genuine and well-intentioned.

For food, we started with the Grilled Octopus. It was very tender, though I would have loved a bit more bold flavor. The main courses, however, were outstanding. I had the 16 oz Ribeye with Za’atar butter — cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. My wife ordered the Chilean Sea Bass, which was equally excellent. We skipped dessert as nothing quite jumped out at us, but we left very satisfied with the meal.

All in all, it was a lovely evening with excellent food and a beautiful setting. With a little refinement in front-of-house polish to match the quality coming out of the kitchen, this place could truly hit the high notes. We would absolutely return — especially for the ribeye and the view.“