Horse Feathers Grill & Lounge in Downtown Sarasota

Horse Feathers Bar and Grill is a great way to spend a night in downtown Sarasota. Horse Feathers Bar and Grill is about a 40 minute drive from Anna Maria Island. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, it is truly a hot spot for the younger spirited crowd. (Ages 21 and up, of course!) Bar Specials are available Monday-Friday 4-7pm, and Ladies night is Thursday nights.

Horse Feathers club has music Wednesday-Saturday consisting of Jazz and DJ’s. The interior has a very contemporary look with a large dance floor and bar. There is a dress code, no jeans are allowed and collared shirts are preferred. This is a very popular place to be over the weekend, so if you are not into fighting through crowds to get to the club dance floor, this may not be the place for you!

There is Valet Parking or self-parking.  Horse Feathers is across the street from other local bars allowing you to spend your evening exploring the Downtown Sarasota Nightlife.

Live Music & DJ’s Wednesday night through Saturday night. Thursday night is Ladies night. Sunday, Horse Feathers club is closed.  Please be sure to call or visit their website before making the drive from Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Please visit the Horse Feathers website for more information and a menu.
1923 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota,FL 34236
(941)955-9179

Rod and Reel pier in Anna Maria City is good eat’s

The Rod and Reel Pier is an institution in Anna Maria City.  Ask a local on Anna Maria Island where to eat and just about everyone has Rod & Reel Pier restaurant in their top three.  The Rod & Reel Restaurant is located in Anna Maria City and is the most Northern eatery on Anna Maria Island.  The restaurant sits out on the end of a pier in Anna Maria City so it makes for perfect scenery.  I have personally seen fish, dolphins and manatee off the pier while waiting to get into the restaurant.  The pier also doubles as a great fishing spot for visitors and locals alike.  Just about every hour the restaurant is open you will see folks fishing from the pier.

Rod and Reel serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Their breakfast is very good as well as their lunches and oh yah,

their dinners too!  Every meal at the Rod and Reel is great!  The restaurant has an old Florida diner charm.  It seats about 20 inside and seats about 15 outside.  The 20 seats inside are made up of tables for 4-5, tables for 2 and one table that can seat about 6-8.  There are about 4 tables that sit along the Bay so you can glance out at the water while you enjoy your clam strips, fish & chips, grouper Reuben sandwich or grouper any way you like it.  The 15 seats outside face towards the West so you can get an early glimpse of our Anna Maria Island Sunsets as well as the pier below.  There are a flight of steps up to the restaurant so if you have someone in your party that cannot do steps it is best to skip this restaurant.

One insider secret is the small bar under the restaurant.  It is back behind the stairs up to the restaurant and is considered on the ground level.  They will serve food at the bar although it can get tight on popular nights.  The seating is a tight 10-12 but the beer is cold and cheap.  Last time a “friend” had a beer there it was $3 for a draft.  (Yes, I am writing this in late 2009)  I recall the first time my “friend” got a beer down in the bar area.  The bar tender said “Three dollars please,”  My friend said “What?”  The bartender quickly said, “I know, I know, we just raised our draft beer prices from $2 but we had too.”  Of course we were surprised with how reasonably priced the draft beer was.  If you are looking for “insider” secrets then swing by the bar and pull up a seat.  There are plenty of locals that have a drink or two at the bar.

Now for the meals.  The lunch and dinner menu’s are one in the same.  The restaurant has plenty of sandwiches to choose from, grouper any way you like it, a Reuben grouper which is just like a Reuben but with Grouper as the meat and about four other choices of sandwiches.  My son loves the clam strips or the fish & chips.  If you are looking for a meal on the bigger side then the Mexican grouper is your ticket.  Of course they serve plenty of fish any way you like it.  The most recent night I visited they had several specials, Mahi Mahi, Sword Fish, and a few others.  They do serve bottled beer up in the restaurant as well as wine.  Their cole-slaw is great as well as their desserts.  If you still have room try their Key Lime Pie.  You won’t be sorry!

Another great feature of the Rod and Reel pier other than the awesome food?  If you get window seats you can take in the Tampa Bay, maybe see some dolphins and take in the gorgeous Sunshine

Sky way bridge.  You can fish off the Rod & Reel pier for a nominal fee.  Last I checked it was $2 for a day of fishing.  Check at the bar area for more information on fishing off the pier.

If you are looking for a Vacation Rental that is within a walk from the Rod and Reel pier then look no further, Island Real Estate can help you find your perfect rental.  Use the accurate on-line availability search or give the vacation specialists a call.  The office is open 7 days a week so you can get help all week long!  877 778 6066.   For more Anna Maria Island Information.

SEE VIDEO BELOW -

Esca Restaurant and Bar in Sarasota, FL

Esca in Sarasota should be on the top of your list of things to do once you venture off Anna Maria Island. The Nightspots in Sarasota are all in close proximity to each other, so it would be very easy to see all the hottest spots within one night! Esca is only a 40 minute drive off Anna Maria Island.

Esca Restaurant and Bar is one of Downtown Sarasota’s main hot-spots. With nightly entertainment and a roof-top dance floor that overlooks Downtown Sarasota, a night at Esca would truly be a night to remember!

The Nightly entertainment at Esca consists of Live Music, Jazz, DJ’s, Rock, Lounge, Karaoke and more!  Esca’s menu is American Cuisine moderately priced at $7-$13.  Valet Parking and Self-Parking is available.

Esca Restaurant and Bar serves Brunch, Lunch and Dinner.

Brunch 10:00AM-2:30PM Sundays
Lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM Monday-Friday
Dinner 5:00-10:00PM Monday-Thursday
Bar Menu- Until 1:00AM Monday-Saturday
Weekday Happy Hour- 5:00-7:00PM

Go to Esca Restaurant and Bar for more information.
1888 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236
(941)365-3722

Anna Maria Island Grocery Shopping at Publix

Anna Maria Island has many shopping stores however the largest “chain” grocery store we have on the island is located in Holmes Beach.  It’s very close to the public beach and there is plenty of other shopping nearby.  CVS, Walgreens, ACE Hardware, Gift Shops, and restaurants are all very close.  Of course the free trolley has a stop just outside the grocery store.

Publix is like most grocery stores but maybe a little smaller than your local grocery store back home.  They have a full bakery, deli, fresh produce, and fresh fish.  You can pick up a last minute rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, pre-made deli cold salads, sushi, and a sub sandwich made fresh. 

Publix Website
3900 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-5422
(941) 779-2712 FAX

If you are interested in accommodations within a walk away from Publix check out our website or here is a small list of vacation rentals we have within a walk from Publix.  Just a reminder the FREE trolley can get you to the grocery store from just about any location on Anna Maria Island…

4002 6th avenue, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 private home with heated pool
Sandy Point unit 207, Holmes Beach, FL – 2/2 condo with heated community pool
Sun Bow Bay unit 206, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 condo with tennis courts and community pool

Ace’s is perfect Anna Maria Live Music Hangout

Ace’s Lounge is Bradenton’s Live Music Venue and only minutes away from Anna Maria Island, Fl! Experience Live Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz and Reggae at this Ace’s bar filled with plenty of character and charm. It is a very casual environment and the interior of the Bradenton hotspot resembles a rustic barn. Ace’s Lounge sponsor’s CornHole, Flip-Cup and Beer-Pong Tournaments making it a very fun and exciting place to be!  There are drink specials almost every night and bands weekly. As of this post, Wednesday nights Ace’s bar and lounge has 40 cent wings and $5 pitchers.  That is not a typo!  Ladies drink free on Tuesdays and there are lots more specials.

Ace’s Lounge is a great place to meet the friendliest people in Bradenton, Fl.  Alcohol at great prices never hurts to create friendly patrons.  Ace’s bar is a perfect hot spot for Anna Maria Island visitors to try out.  Just a short drive away and Ace’s has the rustic, small town bar feeling, a perfect combination if you are visiting Anna Maria Island, Florida.

On top of great live music, Ace’s has a great bar menu.  Ace’s has all your favorites: Hamburger/Cheeseburger, Chicken Fingers, Shrimp Jammers. Chicken Wings, Cheese Sticks, Onion Rings, Fries, Jalepeno Poppers, Philly Cheesesteak, Cuban Sandwich, and Chili. Prices are very reasonable if you are looking for a quick bite to eat with great music to listen to.

Ace’s Bar Specials:
Tuesday – Ladies Night 10PM
Wednesday- Blues Jam 8PM
Thursday- College Night 10PM
Friday- Happy Hour 5-7PM Free Pizza!

Ace’s Bar and Lounge

4343 Palma Sola Blvd
Bradenton, FL 343210
(941)795-3886

Click here for more information on things to do in Bradenton, Florida or Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Robinson Preserve Information

If your family is looking for something adventurous and would enjoy a bike-ride on newly-paved trails, a walk along the nature paths, kayaking through the paddle trails, a climb up an Observation Tower or would just prefer to enjoy the wildlife, then Robinson Preserve is the perfect way to entertain the whole family!

The Robinson Preserve is located in Northwest Bradenton, about a 10-15 min drive off Anna Maria Island. Open year-round, Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.  Free Admission and parking.  Tours only by request and usually last about 2 hours.  Make an appointment by calling ahead of time.

Bring your bathing suit if you would like to go for a swim.  The Preserve also has plenty of picnic tables across from the Visitor Center to have a meal or a little snack. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as it can be very hot, especially during summer!!

Are you bringing your dog on vacation? Bring them to Robinson Preserve! Just make sure that you bring a leash and plenty of water!

1690 99th St NW

Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)748-4501

Robinson Preserve Downloadable Trail Map, Bradenton Florida

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard & Eatery

Sweet Berries is known for the best homemade frozen custard in the area.  Sweet Berries has been voted “best in the area” every year since it has been opened! Sweet Berries boasts a family-friendly, small town atmosphere which is a very inviting and a pleasant experience.  Their food menu consists of Soups, Salads and Sandwiches which are all made daily. Prices range from $6-$10.

If you are in the mood for ice cream and have tried a few shops on Anna Maria Island then make the 10 minute ride down Manatee Avenue, State Route 64.  You won’t be sorry.  Sweet Berries Ice Cream is fantastic and worth the ride from Anna Maria.   Their specialty is a “Concretes”. Concretes are hard-packed frozen custard and absolutely delicious.  They are very similar to a blizzard and Sweet Berries claim to fame is they will hold your Concrete upside down as they hand it to you to show it is packed nice and tight.  Don’t worry, if you are looking for a simple, creamy delicious, ice cream cone Sweet Berries will fill the need.  If you are looking for a great family environment, fresh menu or/and great ice cream then SweetBerries is for you!  They do have an outdoor seating area as well as an outdoor ice cream order center.  Sweet Berries is open until 10PM and some nights until 11 PM.

Please go to the Sweet Berries website to find out more information and take a look at the menu.

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard and Eatery
4500 Manatee Ave West
Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)750-6771

If you are looking for more things to do on Anna Maria Island be sure to visit our top ten things to do lists.

Minnie’s restaurant in Holmes Beach

Minnie’s is a great breakfast and lunch restaurant.  The diner like restaurant plays oldies music that the waitresses sometimes sing to.  It is seat yourself so if you see a table free sit-on-down.  There is a very large table close to the cashier which is used mostly for single diners.  Minnie’s is very local as you often see lots of folks stopping and catching up with each other.

Saturday’s and Sunday’s they serve breakfast all day and normal days up until noon.  They have some great lunch and breakfast specials.  Be sure to bring your CASH as they do not accept credit cards.  I have had lunch and breakfast there several times and Minnie’s of Holmes Beach has always satisfied my hunger and the prices are very reasonable.  For breakfast they have Pancakes, eggs, breakfast sandwiches, as well as a few breakfast specials.

For lunch they have sandwiches as well as bigger meals with soup or salad.  The atmosphere is fun and in a central location in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island.  Stop in and tell them Island Real Estate sent ya!

Sorry no outside seating except for a few seats for a quick smoke.  As mentioned cash only so keep your credit cards at home.  Breakfast and lunch only.

Minnie’s beach cafe and restaurant
5360 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, Anna Maria Island
34217
(941) 778-4140

If your looking to stay in a Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental and be a walk away from Minnie’s restaurant then be sure to review 100 A 52nd street, Holmes Beach, Fl.  100 A 52nd is a 3 bedroom luxury vacation rental with private pool and spa or 100B 52nd which is a 2 bedroom vacation rental with private pool and spa.  Both properties have gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Anna Maria City trash guidelines

Anna Maria City has always had code regarding the time and placement of trash cans at an owners curb.  Anna Maria City is beginning to see trash cans sitting out at the curb for days.  The city has focused on short term rentals as well as absentee property owners that come out to Anna Maria Island and leave their cans out for the week.

The city of Anna Maria says no more.  The Islander newspaper reported on this topic in August and quoted code enforcement officer Gerry Rathvon, “These containers sit there for days.  They often get blown over by storms, and I go out and pick up the trash.”   It’s an ugly situation, trash cans sitting out everywhere for days.

The city on Anna Maria Island is compiling a list of repeat offenders.  Code

allows fines of up to $250 per day.  There is an easy solution, Waste Management offers a back door pickup service for $3 per month.  Waste Management employees will retrieve your trash at the back door on the assigned trash days.  Seems like a no-brainer.  One fine could be $250, that is 80 months of back door pick ups to pay for one fine.  Wow, what a pay back.

From the Islander, “City code states: Residential containers and garden trash shall be placed out for collection no earlier than 5 PM of the day prior to the scheduled collection and shall be removed from curbside not later than 9 PM of the day of collection.”  All residential containers, garden trash and recycle containers must be on the owners property.

Currently for 2009 the Anna Maria City the trash pick up days are

Monday – Trash/Garbage and recyclables
Wednesday – yard waste
Thursday – Trash/Garbage

Not sure why everyone does not sign up for back door service with Waste Management? One thing is for sure, if an Anna Maria Island property owner is renting their home out seasonally with or without property management the back door service is a no-brainer.

Evie’s Tavern is a great Sarasota Bar

Evie’s Tavern is a casual Sports Bar with a ‘pub’ feel and is one of the more popular nightspots in Downtown Sarasota.This bar is right across the street from Horse Feathers and Esca. Only 40 minutes away from Anna Maria Island, this area of Downtown Sarasota makes for a fun night out on the town! Evie’s Tavern has pool tables, dart boards and a jukebox. There are also 4 60″ television screens featuring the games and sports of the day. There is a loft above the bar that is a great place to have one of their Martini’s and people watch. Evie’s Tavern in Sarasota does tend to get very crowded over the weekend, as does the rest of Downtown Sarasota. It’s definitely the place to be!

Self-Parking and Valet Parking are available.

1989 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941.955.3843
Fax: 941.342.9207
Email: tavern@eviesonline.com

For more great things to do while on Anna Maria Island or in Sarasota, visit Island Real Estate’s informational website.

— Older Entries