Where to Drink in Downtown Sarasota

When the sun dips and the beach crowds thin, downtown Sarasota wakes up. This isn’t a sleepy Gulf Coast town after dark, it’s a place where rooftop cocktails, speakeasy vibes, and live music spill out onto the streets. Whether you’re chasing a craft martini, a local IPA, or just a good old-fashioned bar with character, here’s where to raise a glass downtown.

Pangea Alchemy Lab

Vibe: Sarasota’s secret cocktail lab
Part speakeasy, part science experiment, Pangea turns cocktails into performance art. Drinks arrive smoking, fizzing, or glowing with unexpected flavors. If you want your night to feel like an adventure, this is your first stop.

State Street Eating House + Cocktails

Vibe: Craft done right
Sleek but approachable, State Street is the kind of place where the bartenders actually care about the ice cube. Expect seasonal ingredients, clever flavor twists, and cocktails that somehow taste like Sarasota itself—bright, fresh, and a little unpredictable.

The Gator Club

Vibe: Sarasota’s OG nightlife
Housed in a 1913 brick building, The Gator Club is a downtown institution. Downstairs you’ll find strong pours and a whiskey-heavy menu; upstairs it’s DJs and dancing. It’s where history meets happy hour meets late-night chaos.

Perspective Rooftop Bar (Art Ovation Hotel)

Vibe: Views for days
Sip a cocktail poolside while taking in panoramic views of the city and bay. Perspective is one of Sarasota’s most photogenic drinking spots—perfect for golden hour selfies or starting a night out with something a little bougie.

Brewster’s Tavern

Vibe: Beer, bands, and good company
No fuss, no pretense—just a tavern that knows how to pour a proper pint. Brewster’s has a solid list of local craft beers, hearty pub food, and plenty of TVs if you’re hoping to catch a game.

Selva Grill

Vibe: Latin-inspired energy
Selva’s menu is a hit for dinner, but the bar deserves its own spotlight. Their mojitos, margaritas, and martinis are as artful as the food—and the buzzy crowd makes it feel like a night out in Miami dropped into Sarasota.

Insider Tip

Downtown Sarasota is all about happy hour hopping. Most spots run specials between 4–7 p.m., so grab a rooftop drink at Perspective, slip into Pangea for a cocktail experience, then end the night dancing at The Gator Club.