Best Bars and Drink Spots on St. Armands Circle & Lido Key

St. Armands Circle isn’t just a shopping mecca, it’s also one of the best places in Sarasota to sip your way through an afternoon or a night out. Just a short hop from Lido Key Beach, this cluster of restaurants, patios, and lounges makes it easy to grab a cocktail, people-watch, and soak in that Gulf Coast breeze. Add in a few hidden gems right on Lido Key, and you’ve got a perfect mix of classy, beachy, and just plain fun.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar

Vibe: Island sophistication
Tropical cocktails, classy island décor, and a menu that feels like vacation. Their mai tai is a local legend, and the outdoor patio is perfect for sipping while you watch the Circle spin by.

Cha Cha Coconuts

Vibe: Laid-back & beachy
Perched on the Circle, this open-air bar is all about frozen drinks, buckets of beer, and casual vibes. Think flip-flops, steel drum music, and margaritas that arrive faster than you can say “sunburn.”

Columbia Restaurant

Vibe: Old-world charm
Florida’s oldest restaurant chain brings its Spanish-Cuban heritage to St. Armands. While most people come for the 1905 Salad, the sangria is a must. Order a pitcher, sit back, and enjoy the elegant throwback atmosphere.

Crab & Fin

Vibe: Seafood & sips
Known for its fresh-caught seafood, Crab & Fin also has an excellent wine list and a strong martini game. Perfect if you want something more refined before or after shopping the Circle.

Lido Beach Resort Tiki Bar

Vibe: Toes in the sand
Right on Lido Beach, this tiki bar is Sarasota’s only toes-in-the-sand drinking spot. Expect rum runners, piña coladas, and unbeatable Gulf sunset views. It’s touristy in the best possible way.

Sand Dollar Restaurant & Bar (Holiday Inn Lido Beach)

Vibe: Rooftop sunsets
Head up to the 7th floor for panoramic views of Lido Beach and beyond. The bar here is casual but the views are anything but—grab a glass of wine or a simple cocktail and watch the horizon melt.

Insider Tip

Start your night on the Circle with sangria at Columbia or a tropical cocktail at Tommy Bahama, then head over to Lido Beach Resort’s tiki bar to catch the sunset. That’s the move locals would make if they had just one night to sip their way around St. Armands & Lido.