Friday, December 9, 2011

Punta Gorda 's Cool, Vibrant Bar Scene

Part of what makes Punta Gorda  such a cool, vibrant place to be is its drinking scene – the downtown and nearby are now brimming over with neat bars, cool cafés, restaurants with stylish lounge areas . By day, there’s great places to sip coffee or have lunch, then come sunset, everyone’s sipping cocktails at the town's  many taverns and bars.  Whether it's up on the roof,  by the water, outside somewhere, in a tropical garden or inside with either a modern-chic or low-down interior, Punta Gorda has a wide variety of choices as to where to enjoy your martini, glass of wine or mug of beer.

 Here are just a few of our favorites:



The Perfect Caper (Bar/Lounge)


This award winning restaurant is also perhaps one of the town's most sophisticated bar spots.  With its sleek marble bar, dimmed lighting, and striking art, the Caper's lounge is a pleasant place with an upscale feel to sip cocktails and nibble on an appetizer or two . Jazz piano a few nights a week adds to this ambience.  But don't be turned away thinking you'll be priced out by all this, the Caper's all-day happy-hour-type specials let you imbibe at fairly reasonable prices.  And too there is the opportunity to sample some of the Chef''s outstanding menu offerings... they have a special bar menu and you can also order appetizers or full meals from the regular menu.  The food is delightful and quite good for soaking up the alcohol.   


Rooftop Bar at the Wyvern

While rooftop bars have their appeal no matter where you are, when you live in a state as flat as Florida, they're even more sublime.   And the Wyvern's is no exception -- it's subliminal.  Designed with a canopied center bar surrounded by a reasonably large lounge area, the space delivers as the sun descends over Punta Gorda and in to the night with lighted views of the magnificent harbor on one side and the illuminated downtown vibe on the other.    Drinks are not cheap, but pours are usually good.   A bar menu with a delectable flat bread pizza and very good hamburger is offered.  On weekends, there are frequently some great local bands playing, and it's a delight to listen to cool sounds  pumped into the night air, bath in the tropical breezes and down a good, if not great, martini.



Should the weather not be conducive to the rooftop, Lulu's Bar/Lounge on the ground floor is an alternative.  Can't quite figure the place out because it's never crowded for such a stunning setting -- sleek bar, comfortable furnishings, variety of seating options, good bartenders. Something is missing and that's too bad because this place could be great too.


Closer to the Vine

With its sleek minimalist décor, this comfortable café-wine bar situated in a old-style Floridan cottage on Sullivan Street, is  a cozy multi-function space where you can have coffee and breakfast in the morning or a light lunch mid-day.  In the evening it is transformed into a wine bar offering intriguing light supper selections frequently accompanied by jazz musician entertainment.  With a variety of eclectic seating arrangements -- from high tables, to a living room setting to a small bar, as well as some outdoor alternatives in a garden venue - the Vine provides a comfortable environment to enjoy wine, jazz, and a light meal.



Captain's Table


Yes I know there is Harpoon Harry's that's a given -- with its multi-bar options, outdoor seating along the river, bar that swings around near the edge of the pier maximizing views of boats coming in and out of PGI and views of the Peace River, great bands several nights a week, on and on.   However, one of our personal favorites takes you upstairs to Harry's more elegant cousin -- the Captain Table.   The horseshoe style bar surrounded by comfy lounge tables with leather seats that you slip into to down your choice of cocktail or wine.   Or perhaps even better take a seat at the piano bar and listen to Maury (currently) on the keys sing some of your favorites.



Hendrick's

Talking about a magical transformation.  Here is a spot that is a cafeteria type deli breakfast/lunch place during the day that on certain nights (Wednesday through Saturday) as the sunsets is transformed into a really cool bar.  Screens with old movies playing hide counters that are used to serve soups, sandwiches and bakery items during the day.  Higher lights are dimmed.  Music changes.    The beautiful  bar on the right side of the restaurant hardly noticed during the day becomes a focal point.  Serving wine and beer, and absolutely incredible burgers, Hendricks surprises and is a pleasant place to spend some time sipping wine with a bite to eat.


Phil's 41 Lounge


Tucked away to the right as your enter Phil's on 41 is a cute little bar that we have favored for years.   With high tables scattered about and a small bar anchored by TV sets, it is a comfortable neighborhood setting for a glass of wine with a lite bite or full meal.  Boat clubs like to congregate here so some nights it's difficult to get in.  There is an outside area as well, but unfortunately for us, it's a smoker's hangout so we don't usually venture here.





Biehl's Slip Not


Let's not forget that for a  truly, unique, down home Punta Gorda experience with great music, dancing and way-out setting in a tropical neon atmosphere, Biehl's can't be beat.  Cars pack the parking lot every night, people gather around the Star Wars like bar and enjoy beer and great burgers at tables scattered about or one of the other novel wooden bars. Then on a laid-back weekend afternoon, sitting at Biehl's at one of those island-like bars under the palm trees (at least one of the bars has a tree growing right through it), you feel as though you have just landed on Jost Van Dyke for a drink at Foxy's in the VI.

Dean's South of the Border


Just about every night this long established Punta Gorda hangout rocks with great local bands.  Dean's is a cool place for outdoor drinks and Tex-Mex style bites.  Only issue I have is smokers tend to congregate here so not the best for non-smoking folks.

Opus


This downtown restaurant's tiny front of house bar is a delightful spot to nibble one of the kitchen's fabulous appetizers with a martini or glass of wine.   Only hangup I have with this upscale lounge area  is that it is tiny so unless you arrive fairly early to take up one of the coveted spots, you won't get a seat at this  sleek, intimate bar.


Ice House Pub


Not only does this historic building have something to rave about in its inherent decor with cavernously high ceilings and magnificent English pub-style bar, but the place provides a lot of fun and good entertainment along with a huge selection of beers and some great pub grub.   Along with great local musicians like Jim Morris, the Ice House frequently brings in touring singers and band during season.  Moreover, no matter when you go, there are the darts -- a whole wall of dart boards and a friendly owner ready to show you how to play.

Celtic Ray


What can we say about the Ray... one of the first bars we visited when we moved to Punta Gorda.
And one you can always turn to for great Irish entertainment.  In the process of expanding, the Ray is only sure to get better.  Go for a pint and some really good fish and chips.  Also, serves some decent Indian food .  Whenever we haven't been for awhile the refrain of the Van Morrison song whose lyrics edge their way around the ceiling of the Ray echo back to me,  "I've been away from the Ray too long," calling me over to a favorite haunt.


Laishley Crab House


For a spectacular view of the Peace River with your cocktail and perhaps some sushi, Laishley's outdoor bar is unbeatable and unbelievable.  One of Punta Gorda's delights is the numerous spots we do have on the water, and Crab House's outdoor bar is particularly special for watching the sunset through a glass of wine slowly.





No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Freedom Swim

Hey it's the Fourth of July in Punta Gorda Let's All Jump in the River

Hey it's Punta Gorda on the 4th of July -- and what do Punta Gordans do -- jump in the river?  Or not. Or maybe float across.  Or...