Take A Dive Into The Dolphin Lounge

The term “old Florida” applies to places like, 2608 9^th St. W.

It’s a decent-sized, nondescript-looking structure on the city’s old commercial corridor, Ninth Street West, that takes motorists into downtown. Nothing about the exterior cries out to passing drivers to stop in for a drink; It sports one lit sign along its front façade.

But The Dolphin Lounge has proved its durability in an era when restaurants and bars come and go. It has been a local watering hole since the 1970s and is one of the first in Manatee County to get a liquor license. Like vanishing old Florida, there aren't too many other spots like The Dolphin Lounge.

The lounge opens at 11 a.m. seven days a week. When a bar can open that early and still draw patrons, including on Sundays, that’s a sure sign that it has its fans.

The bar serves Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Light on tap. Michelob Light is a crowd favorite, said bartender Stacy Clark. The bar serves several other domestic bottles, some wines and liquor, too. Top-shelf bourbon, vodka and rum mixed drinks are popular with the crowd because of their low prices.

Mixed-drink prices can run as high as $5, but the average price is around $3. “The best deal in town,” Clark said.

The bar is smoker friendly and doesn’t serve food, but you must be at least 21 years old to enter.

The dimly-lit interior fits the bar’s mood: quiet and unassuming. There are only a few small windows in the lounge that seemingly blend in with the wood paneling interior during the dark of the night. The walls are livened a bit with neon beer signs and several sculptures of frolicking dolphins, which is fitting for the bar’s name.

The interior is divided into three areas. The bar, which snakes around the south wall, offers about a dozen stools and a few televisions to gaze at while enjoying a brew. The northeast side includes a pool table, a table shuffle board, video games and more chairs along the wall in the low light where couple can essentially vanish into the evening. An opening leads into another room that’s a bit more lit and includes a couple pool tables.

“The only bad thing about it is there are more guys than girls usually,” said one patron named Paul. “But that’s OK because they’re a bunch of good guys who come here. Everybody’s real friendly and we just like to have a few drinks in the evening.”

If you’re looking for a bar without the frills but with affordable liquor, check out The Dolphin Lounge.

IF YOU GO:

, 2608 9^th St. W., is open from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. seven days a week. The bar is smoker friendly, and you must be 21 or older to enter.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• Downtown Bradenton’s monthly street party, Get Down Downtown, is from 6-10 p.m. Thursday with musical guest Gumbo Boogie. Visit historic Old Main Street for food vendors, arts and crafts and more. The live music and the party on the street ends at 10 p.m., but Old Main Street’s bars – , , , and – are open until 2:30 a.m.
• Live music from The Todd Wolfe Band at , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., starting at 9 p.m. Friday. Here is a description from Ace’s website: “Blues Leaf recording artist Todd Wolfe plays aggressive and daring blues-tinged, jam rock reminiscent of the bands of the sixties and seventies. Originally, Todd Wolfe was the lead guitarist for Sheryl Crow from 1993 until 1998, opening shows for the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Page & Plant among others.” Cover: $5.
• The Cortez Commerical Fishing Festival is all day Saturday and Sunday in the fishing village of Cortez, located just west of the city limits off Cortez Road before the barrier islands. This annual festival features live music on two stages, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, exhibits and tons of seafood and beer. The cost to attend is $2 and free for children under 12. Click here for more information, including the live music lineup.
• Step back in time during ’s 1980s celebration from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. Dress in your best 1980s outfit and join the crowd for drink specials all night long.
• Live music from Scott Curtis from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at , 1200 First Ave. W. No cover. The restaurant serves food until 10 p.m., so grab a late meal. Happy hour is 3-7 p.m. in the bar, outside bar or lounge with half-price house wines, draft beers and wells and $1 off bottled beer, liquor and mixed drinks.