Venice is home to some of the best beach bars in Florida, which says a lot considering the number of bars and beaches in the Sunshine State. Some of the most popular bars according to the Venice Foodies Community is hot spots in town like Wally’s Pour House, Pop’s Sunset Grill, TJ Carneys, Paradise Grill, Linksters in Venice, Nokomo’s Sunset Hut, and Dockside Waterfront Grill.

Where Are The Best Bars in Venice?

A Guide to the Best Bars and Happy Hours in Venice

In the hot and sunny Florida weather, a cocktail on the beachside is the best way to relax and refresh. If your New Year’s resolution or preferences excludes alcohol from your diet, don’t worry—there are ways to still enjoy a fancy refreshing concoction under the Venice sun. We’re going to dive in and give you the ultimate guide to the best bars in Venice… Then, read on to discover how to turn your favorite cocktails into mocktails.

What are the local favorites according to the Venice Foodies?

We recently took a poll inside the Venice Foodies Community asking where their favorite bar was… and we got a fantastic list! Check out 6 of the Top Favorite Bars in our area:

  1. Pop’s Sunset Grill: A popular waterfront bar and restaurant located in Nokomis, just north of Venice. This laid-back establishment offers indoor and outdoor seating, with beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Known for its casual atmosphere, Pop’s Sunset Grill is an ideal spot for enjoying a meal or drink while watching boats pass by or taking in a stunning sunset.
  2. Wally’s Pour House: Recently under new ownership of Michael Riley (of the infamous Big Mike’s Pizza), it is known for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly service. The bar offers a variety of beers on tap, bottled beers, and other beverages, as well as a menu with a range of pub fare like burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers. They are also known for their homemade pierogies.
  3. TJ Carney’s: A vibrant Irish pub situated in the heart of downtown Venice, Florida. It features a welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to gather and enjoy good food, drinks, and company. The combination of hearty meals and a well-stocked bar ensures a satisfying dining experience for patrons.
  4. Nokomos Sunset Hut: A tiki-style bar and grill situated on the picturesque shores of Dona Bay near Venice, Florida. This unique, waterfront establishment exudes a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors to unwind and soak in the beautiful surroundings.
  5. Linksters of Venice: Known for its relaxed atmosphere and casual setting, it’s a great spot to meet with friends, catch a game, or play games like pool or electronic darts. The bar offers a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as bottled beers, wines, and cocktails. Although Linksters doesn’t serve food itself, they may allow patrons to bring in food from nearby restaurants or order delivery directly to the bar. On Friday and Saturday nights, Dog Friendly Gourmet Hot Dogs frequently sets up in the parking lot to serve their fabulous menu.
  6. Bogey’s Sports Pub: A popular local spot, it offers a wide selection of beers on tap, including local and national brews, as well as bottled beers, wines, and cocktails to cater to different preferences. With numerous TVs strategically placed throughout the venue, patrons can easily watch multiple games and sports events simultaneously, making it an ideal spot for sports lovers.

Watch a Movie with Access to A Full Bar!

2111 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293

Our own Spotlight Theater in South Venice has a FULL BAR to enjoy while catching your favorite movie. Experiencing a film in a theater with a fully stocked bar is an indulgent pleasure that elevates movie-watching to a novel level of enjoyment. The ability to enjoy a perfectly mixed cocktail, a refreshing beer, or a glass of fine wine while immersed in a cinematic masterpiece adds an extra layer of sophistication and delight to the experience. It’s not just about the movie anymore; it’s about the total sensory indulgence – the taste of your chosen beverage complementing the visual and auditory feast on the screen. The playful chatter of pre-film conversations, the clink of glasses, and the buzz of anticipation all blend into an intoxicating mix. A theater bar brings a social aspect to the movie-going experience, creating a convivial atmosphere that rivals a night out at a high-end lounge. It’s the joy of shared stories, both on and off the screen, making every outing a memorable occasion.

**Added Bonus… The seats are recliners with heated seats! Perfect for outings with the kids to enjoy some relaxation and keep them entertained.

Where Can I Find:

Live Music

Trivia Nights

  • T.J. Carney’s – Tuesday from 7 pm – 9 pm
  • Norma Jeans (in the Grill Room) – Wednesday at 6:30 pm
    • Game starts at 6:30 but come early to enjoy dinner and drinks as well! Winning teams awarded Norma Jean’s gift certificates.
      Call to reserve your team’s spot!
      (941) 492-5524
      **Max. teams of 8 persons.
  • Food + Beer – Wednesday at 6:30 pm
  • Brewburgers Back Porch – Tuesdays at 7 pm
  • Crave Hot Dogs – Mondays from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
  • Venice Ale House – Wednesday
  • British Open Pub – Monday
  • Venetian – Monday
  • Elks Club – Thursdays
  • Moose Club (Members Only) – Tuesday
  • Paradise Grill
  • Linksters in Venice – Thursday at 8:30 pm
  • Clever Monkey – Tuesday from 7 pm – 9 pm

Best Happy Hour Specials

Locals enjoying the bar scene at Snook Haven
Credit to Maureen Huston for Sharing This Image

Karaoke

Pool Tables

Outdoor Seating

Loaded Bloody Marys

Loaded Bloody Mary at Burgundy Square Cafe in Venice
Loaded Bloody Mary at Burgundy Square Cafe in Venice

Where is Smoking Allowed Inside?

A Full Guide To Bars in Venice and the Surrounding Area

Bogey’s Sports Pub

Address: 652 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 488-9156
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Brewburgers

Address: 370 Commercial Ct, Venice, FL 34292
Phone: (941) 484-2337
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Brewburgers Back Porch

Address: 545 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-BEER
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brewburgers back porch

British Open Pub

Address: 367 Jacaranda Boulevard, Venice, FL 34292
Phone: (941) 492-9227
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Cafe Venice Restaurant & Bar

Address: 101 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-1855
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Casey Key Collector Wine

Address: 266 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 480-1866
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Crow’s Nest Marina, Restaurant & Tavern

Address: 1968 Tarpon Center Dr, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-9551
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crows nest

Daiquiri Deck (Island of Venice)

Address: 300 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 488-0649
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Daiquiri Deck (Island of Venice)

Devine’s Wine Bar

Address: 101 W Venice Ave #16, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 480-0663
Check out this recipe
Devine’s Wine Bar

Dockside Waterfront Grill

Address: 509 N Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 218-6418
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Dockside Waterfront Grill

Flanagan’s Pub

Address: 761 US-41 BYP, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-1852
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Flanagans Pub in Venice

Flynn’s on Venice Ave

Address: 133 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 488-2200
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Flynn's on Venice Ave

FOOD + BEER

Address: 301 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 867-3780
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FOOD + BEER

Green Diamond Pub

Address: 2067 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293
Phone: (941) 497-4000
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Hotel Venezia Restaurant & Bar

Address: 425 U.S. 41 Bypass N, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 308-7700
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Debbie's Tequila Sunrise at Hotel Venezia

Linksters Tap Room in Venice

Address: 2127 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293
Phone: (941) 497-7677
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linksters venice

Nokomo’s Sunset Hut

Address: 690 Tamiami Trl S, Nokomis, FL, United States, Florida
Phone: (941) 488-1324
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Norma Jean’s Sports Bar and Grill

Address: 1635 U.S. 41 Bypass S, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 492-5524
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Norma Jean’s Sports Bar and Grill

Off-Trail Bike & Brew

Address: 430 W Venice Ave E, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 220- 3018
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Old Salty Dog

Address: 1485 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 483-1000
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Loaded Bloody Mary at Old Salty Dog

Old Venice Pub

Address: 100 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-3031
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Outlook Sports Bar

Address: 889 U.S. 41 Bypass S, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 488-0878
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Outlook Sports Bar

Pinchers

Address: 900 Venetia Bay Blvd, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 485-9196
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Pinchers in Venice Florida

Pop’s Sunset Grill

Address: 112 Circuit Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275
Phone: (941) 488-3177
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Ristorante San Marco of Venice

Address: 305b W Venice Ave, Venice, Fl 34285
Phone: (941) 800-7280
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Ristorante San Marco of Venice

Sharky’s On The Pier

Address: 1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 488-1456
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Shuck n Ale

648 Tamiami Trl, Venice, FL 34285
(941) 499-7200
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Shuck N Ale

Tarpon Point Grill and Marina

121 Playmore Drive, Venice, FL 34293
(941) 423-9616
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Tarpon Point Marina

Teddy’s After Dark

Address: 125 Tamiami Trail N, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 468-2231
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The Banyan House Restaurant

Address: 9725 Wellen Park Blvd, North Port, FL, 34293
Phone: –
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The Olive Grove

Address: 222 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (352) 843-3394
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TJ Carney’s

Address: 231 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 480-9244
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TJ Carney’s

Venice Ale House

Address: 775 US Highway 41 Bypass South, Gulf Coast Blvd, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 303-6906
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venice ale house

Venice Wine & Coffee Company

Address: 201 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 484-3667
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Villani & Co

Address: 19790 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
Phone: (941) 584-4434
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Villani & Co. Steak Seafood Raw Bar

Wally’s Pour House

Address: 1730 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293
Phone: (941) 493-0677
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Zebra Wine Bar & Piano Bar

Address: 215 Miami Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 800-4349
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The Zebra Wine Bar & Piano Bar Venice Florida

How To Turn Your Favorite Cocktails Into Mocktails

Simply Remove the Liquor

The easiest way to transform a cocktail into a mocktail is to remove the alcohol. Many cocktail recipes consist of a base that provides you with a whole other drink within itself. Cosmopolitans with the liqueur and spirits removed leave you with cranberry juice with a spritz of lime. A virgin strawberry daiquiri gives you a frozen, fruity, sweetened citrus juice mix. Alcohol-free mojitos are basically soda water with lime, sugar, and mint. Simply removing the alcoholic components in a cocktail recipe still gives you a fun mixed drink to relish.

Mix in Some Classic Tangy Substitutes

If you want to fill the void of removed alcohol, mix in some classic tangy substitutes. Lemonade, ginger beer, and various citrusy fruit juices are go-to alcohol replacements, helping you transform cocktails into mocktails. They provide that extra kick and burn that alcohol supplies while supplementing any flavoring that the cocktail’s bitters would bring to the mix. Water is also a great filler, especially when using pre-made mixers and concentrates.

Embellish With Texture and Garnish

Cocktails provide more than just a libation—they also generate a specific drinking experience. They come with fizziness, smooth burns, and many other characteristics. Just like how serving apple juice in a wine glass immediately makes the drink seem fancier, certain cocktail features like carbonation, rich colorations, and mashed fruit do the same. Enhance the mocktail drinking experience to mirror a likeness to that of sipping on cocktails with embellished textures and garnishes.

Try To Stick to the Original Recipe

There are many delicious cocktail recipes that provide the perfect blend of flavors. Although it’s fun to experiment with creativity, sticking to the original cocktail recipe often provides the best mocktail transformations. For recipes that already include lemonade, juices, and soda, double the amount you use to fill the exclusion of alcohol. The closer you stick to the original recipe when making mocktails, the more likely you are to recreate the joys of the cocktail variation.

Whether you decide to order a mocktail or try your hand at crafting one at home, transforming your favorite drinks into booze-free versions allows you to enjoy fancy beverages. Turn your favorite cocktail recipes into mocktails with these tips, and don’t miss out on the fun of stretching out in the sun with a mixed drink in hand.

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