Pubs and Taverns to Tantalize Your Taste Buds

The great part about vacationing at our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals is that you have plenty of dining options. Cook at home in our fully equipped kitchen or eat out at one of the barrier island’s many excellent restaurants.

From fine dining to beachside cafes, Anna Maria Island has it all. But, at the end of a long day, you might just want a cold beer and comfort food. Fortunately, Anna Maria’s quaint cities are home to plenty of pubs that can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger – many of them a stone’s throw from our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals.

For guaranteed good food and an even better time, head to one of these fun island pubs on your next Florida vacation:

Hurricane Hanks

This Anna Maria Island joint is a restaurant by day, bar by night. It has plenty of inventive cocktails, craft beer, and pretty much anything else you might want on a Saturday night. Its colorful walls and bright, airy interior make it a fantastic place to lunch, too.

Whatever time of day you go, be sure to try one of the house favorites: wings, crab cakes, ahi tuna, and fried artichoke. If you’re feeling really hungry, try the Lobster Mac and Cheese or the Pub Burger, which is topped with mushrooms and caramelized onions. Even if you’re full after the main course, share an order of the Key Lime Crème Brulee – a unique twist on two traditional sweets.

Hurricane Hanks has all the amenities: outdoor seating, WiFi, and even high chairs for the youngest guests. Regular events, including liquor tastings, craft beer nights, and more.

Hurricane Hanks is located on Gulf Drive, right near our Holmes Beach 2-bedroom rentals. This bar is a quick walk – and even quicker drive – from many vacation properties and hotels on the island, making it easy to pop down the street for a quick bite to eat after a long day in the sun.

Hurricane Hanks is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for food, and until 2 a.m. for drinks.

Duffy’s Tavern

Duffy’s Tavern is also in Holmes Beach and offers a slightly different – but equally homey – vibe from Hurricane Hanks. Duffy’s is a family-owned restaurant founded in the 1960s that has always been a welcoming atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

Pull up to the bar on one of the many stools – you’re sure to find a friendly face to chat with. Alternatively, take a seat at one of the long family-style diner tables and enjoy a meal with the whole gang.

As far as food goes, Duffy’s Tavern has been dubbed one of the country’s “burger heavens” so there’s no need for us to recite the menu. From your classic tomato, lettuce, and pickle, to the spicy jalapeño Havarti cheeseburger, Duffy’s has plenty of options for the carnivores in the family. Some even say these burgers are the best on the island.

Pair your sandwich with an ice-cold beer, including dollar draft Budweiser. Fortunately, Duffy’s also has cocktails and soft drinks, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free menu items.

Slim’s Place

Go from beach to bar at Slim’s Place with their No Shower Happy Hour from 3 to 5 p.m. every weekday. Get a $3 beer or a $4 Margarita – just what you need to cool off after being in the sun. Slim’s a local island hangout that draws a crowd – sports-lovers and otherwise – every night.

Slim’s is first and foremost a sports’ bar, showing NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, soccer, golf, and more. Whatever’s in season, Slim’s is playing on its big-screen TVs. Check their Facebook page for the daily schedule of the sports they’re watching live.

The food at Slim’s is the cherry on top. From bacon-topped burgers to Cuban sandwiches to locally caught fish specials, this neighborhood sports bar has plenty to choose from. If you’re just in for drinks and snacks, order a pizza to share. The Meatball and Lobster Mac and Cheese pizzas are two unique pies you don’t find just anywhere.