4067 Clark Rd - (941) 922-5554 | map | website
Beer. Wings. Sports. This about sums up this very lively bar in a somewhat unlikely place in south Sarasota. This is THE place to be for the big game– it’s so popular, in fact, that you’d better get there at least an hour before the game. The food is typical bar menu but tasty. We tried the hottest wings they had an nearly had to call an ambulance. Family friendly and patio seating available as well.
Key words: south Sarasota, sports bar, family friendly, popular

5250 Ocean Blvd. - (941) 349-8697 | map | website
Daiquiri Deck is one of Siesta Key’s hot spots. They offer every imaginable daiquiri option you can think of, and some you’ve never thought of. The outdoor seating is great for happy hour people watching (happy hour 3-7pm every day). They do have a food menu to soak up all that alcohol goodness you’ll be enjoying at the deck.
Key words: happy hour, Siesta Key, outdoor seating, popular

1400 Main St. - (941) 952-1170 | map | website
Patrick’s has a great bar, great burgers, and great steaks. This is a popular downtown restaurant that attracts business-types during lunch and happy hour. It’s always busy here, but take time to enjoy their juicy steaks.
Key words: steakhouse, downtown, popular, happy hour, business lunch

1 N. Lemon Ave - (941) 330-0440 | map | website
Mattison’s is actually a local chain of restaurants, with each one offering different types of cuisine (check the website for details). Mattison’s City Grille is in a perfect downtown location, and the open-air patio lends itself to great people watching– and the perfect place to hear their live music. The menu isn’t expansive, but the bar is, and Mattison’s is a popular destination.
Key words: downtown, local favorite, happy hour, live music, outdoor seating

417 Saint Armand’s Cir - (941) 388-3300 | map

With live music, great people watching, and a lively Caribbean-influenced menu, Cha Cha Coconuts is always busy. They claim their specialty is the ribs, but we’ve tried almost everything on the menu and haven’t been disappointed. Snag a patio seat if you can. Casual atmosphere.
Key words: casual, St. Armand’s Circle, happy hour, popular

5238 Ocean Blvd - (941) 346-5443 | map | website

Drive down Ocean Boulevard on almost any given day, and you’re bound to see the outdoor patio at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) spilling over with people (which makes it a great place to take visitors). There’s often live music, so it can get pretty loud and fun. Chris ordered the “happy hour” oysters-on-the-half shell special: $5 for 12 oysters. We shared a calamari appetizer, which was extremely good. Chris then had the shrimp skewers and I had the seared scallops. Chris liked his shrimp, but my scallops were pretty sandy (scallops shouldn’t crunch) and fishy-smelling. The rice that came with both was probably Uncle Ben’s. Each entree came soup or salad (we opted for the Cesar, which was nothing to write home about). This casual seafood joint is the place to see and be seen, great for people watching and cocktails, happy hour and live music. Don’t wear anything nice here– this is a shorts and flip-flops kind of place. Be sure to use your Entertainment Book coupon for $8 off an entree.
Key words: local favorite, seafood, cocktails, outdoor seating, casual, Siesta Key, happy hour, live music, near the beach