Drift On In For Inexpensive Beers, Live Music

If you live in Bradenton, chances are you’ve driven down Cortez Road more than once. Chances are you’ve driven by , a package liquor store/bar that seems to have been there forever.

Not forever, but close to it. Drift-In, officially known as Drift-In Liquors II, 2709 Cortez Rd., because its sister location on the islands, Drift-In I, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, was there first, is that neighborhood bar motorists drive by a thousand times – the best bar they’ve never visited, described one patron.

“We get a lot of snowbirds that come in here, a lot of locals come in and people just stopping by for the first time,” said Rick Barrons, an eight-year regular who described himself as a “friendly ole cuss,” a trait he shares with his Drift-In pals. “This is a bar that takes care of its people,” he added, describing the numerous benefits the bar has hosted to raise money for patrons or employees whenever need be.

Drift-In is anticipating a benefit early in July for a former employee, although this Saturday’s Beach Party is all about fun. The party is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a swimsuit and dance contest beginning at 10 p.m., $3.50 margaritas, $1 Jell-O shots and music. As always, Drift-In’s festivities are open to everyone.

Bradenton’s Drift-In dates back to the 1950s. It sits on the south side of Cortez Road and abuts the Orange Grove mobile home park. A four-foot wall with an opening demarcates the package liquor section and the bar, although there are video games and a table just beneath the shelves of package liquor, so it’s apparently not prohibited to mingle there. Faultline, the house band that performs every Friday night, sets up in the liquor store side.

The U-shaped bar counter and chairs account for most of the seating area on the bar side, although several tables are aligned along the wood-paneled walls. The lone window allows a peak outside at hectic Cortez Road.

The bar serves domestics on draft at the right price: $2.15 most of the time and $1.90 on Fridays and during happy hour. The wall-sized coolers behind the bar offer more selections in bottles, including Rolling Rock, Icehouse, Smirnoff Ice, Corona, Yuengling and Heineken. Buy them per bottle or six-pack.

The bar also serves Jagerbombs on tap, cigarettes via a machine (Drift-In is smoke friendly, by the way), and several snack options, including bags of potato chips that dangle above the bar like wine glasses. Television sets are in three corners of the bar, and when a band isn’t performing, the juke box usually is.

Jose and Angie Cuervo (yes – his name is Jose Cuervo) bought the Drift-Ins in 1997. Jose had worked there a few years prior. While Jose isn’t related to the Cuervo family that began producing the popular tequila eons ago in Mexico, there is a famous name attached to the Drift-In ownership. Jose said baseball great Babe Ruth’s name is on the documents as an owner of the Drift-In I back in the 1920s.

“I didn’t believe him when he told me his name,” said Marcy Swenson, a Drift-In patron who, at 63, doesn’t want to be called Ms. Swenson or ma’am. She prefers the Drift-In’s family feel to other bars.

“When one of the regulars don’t show up, especially one of the older ones, the others are calling to see if they’re OK,” she said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie here.”

Just like in the days of the Babe when he and his baseball buddies wanted off the beaten path for a beer or two in relative quiet, the Drift-Ins remain the friendly, little havens they once were.

IF YOU GO:

Drift-In Liquors II is open from 8 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. seven days a week.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• Thursday night is ladies night at , 2604 Manatee Ave. E. Specials start at 8 p.m. 2-for-1 margaritas, sangria and wine.
• , 440 Old Main St., is extending its weekend hours on Friday and Saturday nights. The shop will be open until 2 a.m. will continue serving coffee, beer and wine and hot pressed Cuban sandwiches until close.
• Live music from Wikked Jester starting at 10 p.m. Saturday at , 7423 Manatee Ave. W. Get there early for happy hour from 3-7 p.m. for $2 16 oz. domestic drafts, $3 house wines, $4 margaritas and 2-for-1 wells and calls.
• , 2505 Manatee Ave. E., is hosting a benefit from noon-7 p.m. Sunday with games, food and drinks, and live music from Billy “Elvis” Lindsey, Loretta James, Rebecca the SongBIRD and, going on around 7 p.m., Taylor Taylor band. The benefit is for Phyllis Marotta, a former employee who is battling cancer. Proceeds raised from this benefit will help her pay for daily expenses incurred from her illness. Cover: $15.
• Live blues from the Delta Tones starting at 4 p.m. Sunday at , 302 Old Main St.