tbonesteak

Hi everyone

I am planning a trip to Anna Maria Island. Interested in any information on the island (beaches, night life,lodging...) I read somewhere that they do not allow alcohol on the beaches. Anyone know if that is true?

nolefan1

My family has been staying at the Nautilus on Holmes Beach, which is on the Island for years. Anna Maria is pretty laid back and family oriented. Bradenton Beach, which is also on the island, is sort of famous for the "bikers" but they are the friendly type.

As far as alcohol on the beach...I've never had a problem sitting on the beach with a cooler of beverages. We always take our chairs out and watch the sunset with a cocktail. I guess if you don't get really intoxicated it isn't a problem.

tbonesteak

Thank you for your response. Like you, my boyfriend and I enjoy sunsets on the beach with cocktails. I think we have decided to stay at the Bungalow Beach Resort. Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed there before....

Gekko

Anna Maria Island is a nice, quiet, "low-rise" destination.

Yes, I agree it's "family-oriented" and very laid-back. The "night life" is limited to restaurants that have bars.

Booze on the beach? Whether it's legal or not, put it in a cup and don't make a scene, and you won't have any problems.

321go

Just FYI, you are correct that they do not allow alcohol on the beaches. From their city code: " It shall be unlawful for any person to consume or possess open containers of beer, wine, alcoholic beverages or intoxicating liquors in, on, upon or along any street, alley, sidewalk, beach, coastal barrier, sand dune, beach access, public parking lot open to the public, or park within the city..."

Anna Maria is as nolefan points out, a nice laid-back area.

tbonesteak

Hi 321go...thank you for your reply.
I asked the question because I do like to sit on the beach in the evening with a cocktail. Of course if it is not allowed I wanted to be informed. This in no way would keep me from going to Anna Maria. Laid back places are my favorite!

OO

Laid back it is. Providing you aren't anticipating lots of late night partying, you'll really enjoy it.

I think you can be discrete in the evening, on the beach with a cup of something, and be fine.

In Clearwater Beach, they do mean business and I've seen them ask to look into family's coolers as they lie around on the beach!

nolefan1

OO that is incredible. When I was a senior in high school Clearwater Beach (drinking age was 18 then) was the place to hang out and party. They even had some Tiki type outdoor bars.

I bet the no alcohol law has cut down drastically on visitors, especially if they are inspecting coolers.

LN

On Coquina Beach (southern end of Anna Maria Island) they are pretty firm about NO alcohol on the beach. That area is patrolled pretty well by the police as it is a large public beach.

I think you'll really enjoy Anna Maria and Bungalow Beach. Restaurants on the island run from $$$$ (Beach Bistro) to reasonably priced places.

OO

It is incredible nolefan--they aren't picking on rowdy groups to look in their cooler, it seems to be anyone's they feel like looking into. Very random. They seem pleasant as they go about it, but still....!

MSS

We have stayed at both Bungalow Beach Resort and also rented a condo on the beach on Anna Maria. Both times we stayed, there were several people having a coctail that they either blended in their condo, or toasting the sunset with a bottle of wine, as we did. It was a small crowd and nothing was ever said. Of course, no one was boisterous or intoxicated. We had a great time there, one of our best vacations.

bellhouse

If you can bring yourself to leave the island, go across the Cortez bridge to Cortez (old fishing village) and go to the Starfish Company. The front is a retail seafood store, but in the back - on the dock overlooking Sarasota Sound - they have picnic tables and a great little restaurant with local seafood, grits, hushpuppies - yum! Also, Mr. Bones, on the island, has really good ribs. I wouldn't take a cooler of beer to the beach, but we do walk on the beach with plastic glasses of wine/beer. I probably wouldn't do that at either of the public beaches, but I've never had a problem on the residential/hotel areas of the beach. (Public meaning the two beach areas that have large parking lots - all the beach is public).

LN

Starfish is simply great and the ribs at Mr Bones are super even though the outside of the place looks fairly downtrodden.

For a good burger, try Duffy's or Skinny's (both on Anna Maria) or for a nice, sitdown meal on the patio by the bay, try Mar-Vista on Longboat Key.

As for beaches, all of Anna Maria is a delightful, white, talcum powder beach. Nightlife - there's not too much of it unless you'd like to hit the Moose Lodge on Bradenton Beach. There would be more night life in Sarasota where there's even more restaurants, museums, theater, shows, and a lot more nightlife.

For lodging there's plenty of old Florida type lodging that can be found doing a Google search on Anna Maria lodging. Bungalow Beach is very nice but there's many others.

Need any other suggestions just ask.

jordan65

I have been to Anna Maria Island many times. Stayed at Fountainhead at 6th av and 36th st, which I think is near the Bungalow Beach Resort. It's near the grocery, public beach and free trolly. (Quits running at 10 PM) You'll have a good time whatever you choose to do. As others have said, definitly eat at Skinny's and Mr. Bones. Starr Fish Co is also a must. It looks like a little hole in the wall place, but the food is as fresh as you can get. We kayaked over from Coquina beach. Rent Kayak's at Native Rentals(??)in the shopping center across from the library. Nice guy! Also go to the City Pier or the Rod & Reel pier for more good food, although they are on the tip of the island and a good sunset is hard to catch there.
As far as having alcohol on the beach, as long as you aren't rowdy the patrols usually don't bother you. This is the first year we have been asked to pour out beer on a block and a half walk to the beach. But he also said to put whatever we are drinking in a cup and no one will ask any questions. Just be sure to take a bag to the beach to lean up your cans...no glass!
If you are looking for night life, try the Anchor Inn on Gulf Drive. They have a couple of pool tables and darts. There are a couple of other bars on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach (on south end of the island). These are places where the locals hang out after they get off work. Rotten Ralph's has pretty good food too. You can sit outside at the Bridge Tender Inn. Good appetizers and cold beer. Can you tell that this is my favorite place to vacation? Let me know if you need more info...I have a whole collection of info!
P.S. There is a Greyhound racetrack in Sarasota near the airport right off Hwy 41. Free adm on Fridays w/ 50 cent beer and hotdogs! It was a fun day!

jordan65

Also, if you have a car and are looking for a "day trip", drive down to Venice (about an hr south io Hwy 41), eat at Sharkey's right on the beach and then hit Casperson Beach to look for shark's teeth. I have found many, but discovered that looking in the seaweed that is washed up on shore is more profitable than searching in the water!...But it's fun! Take a scoop and a strainer with you.

tbonesteak

Wow!! Thanks everyone! What alot of great info. We are really looking forward to going to Anna Maria. Planning to go sometime in October. Your postings will really help us have a wonderful trip.
THANKS!