It’s 5:00 somewhere.

You want to take a vacation but are not sure where to go. You only know that you are tired of the cold weather, snow and gloomy skies. You remember your friend telling you about their time on Longboat Key, so you look it up online. It looks great! The beaches, water, palm trees, and sunshine look like paradise. Us locals know that it looks like paradise because it really is paradise.
You booked your vacation to Longboat Key, packed your bags and are on your way. When you arrive, you are thrilled. The island is as beautiful as it looked online. As you cross the bridge onto the island you see the luminous turquoise water. It looks so inviting, you can’t wait to submerge yourself in it. You find your way to your rental, unpack your suitcase, change your clothes and head to the pool.
After a couple of hours of swimming, basking in the sun and making new friends you start craving a snack and maybe something to drink. You look at your watch and see that it is 4:00. You think, “Perfect, it’s time for Happy Hour!” Where should you go? Well, I can help with that.
If you are looking for a Happy Hour on Longboat Key you have several choices. You could pop over to Whitney’s. Whitney’s is a groovy casual restaurant and bar. They have a Happy Hour menu with specials on drinks and appetizers from 3:00 till 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursdays. If you are lucky, you might even have a chance to listen to some live music by one of their talented musicians. Check them out at whitneylbk.com .
Right down the street is Mar Vista. They have a Happy Hour from 11:00 am till 4:00 pm Monday thru Thursday. They have a rotating Happy Hour menu with specials on drinks and various appetizers like their Grilled Cheese and Grouper Bites. I have eaten both of them and both are delicious. Mar Vista is a Restaurant and Bar that offers valet services. It is on the water with a first come first serve dock of boat slips. I have seen customers dressed up and also seen them dressed very casually. My very favorite appetizer on their dinner menu is the Brussel Sprouts, made with Teriyaki and Ginger. They are simply delicious. Mar Vista has an outdoor dining area with a great tree canopy overhead, but remember, as with any outdoor island spaces, bug repellent can add to your comfort at certain times of year. Check them out at marvistadining.com .
If you desire a place with delicious Happy Hour Margaritas, then you should go to Zota. Their Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday from 5:00 till 6:30 pm. They have half price well drinks, specially priced Margaritas and select appetizer specials. They offer a free valet service. Zota is a beach resort on Longboat Key. You can sleep, eat and play there. You can even get married there. Check them out at zotabeachresort.com .
Chart House is another option. They are located on the South end of the Island. They have a Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:30 pm with various drink and appetizer specials. At Chart House you can sit in a nice comfy air-conditioned restaurant – bar and gaze out the window at the iradecent blue bay. You can also stay for a very delightful and scrumptious dinner. Check them out at chart-house.com .
Last but certainly not least is Harry’s Continental Kitchen. You can’t think of Longboat Key without thinking of Harry’s. He also has the only convenient store and free-standing deli on the island. Their Happy Hour is EVERYDAY from 2:00 till 5:00 pm. Plenty of time to get your drink on. They offer specials on their drink of the day and on Martinis. They do make a deliciously mean Martini. I have a sweet tooth, so I prefer their Lemon Drop and Key Lime Pie Martinis. Harry’s in also a full-service restaurant with an exceptional menu, indoor and outdoor dining, and a seasonal menu that mixes old favorites and new cuisine. The are defiantly a must, when on the Island. Check them out at harryskitchen.com .
Another fun place is Chubby’s. Where you can catch up with friend, have a cold drink and play a game of pool. Also, Ventura’s and The Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key are wonderful places to have cocktails and a delicious dinner.
If you are here for a few days, I suggest checking out all of them. You can’t go wrong. Please remember to always drink responsibly, and tip the Uber when necessary.