Seaside Spirits: Sporty's in North Redington Beach

Coming of age up north, as many in Florida seem to have done, you may have spent your "wasted youth" in several dark and smoky bars. America is scattered with thousands of these places, and they have become almost iconic in their setting and vibe.

Walk into on Gulf Boulevard in North Redington Beach, and you are instantly transported to another time and place. Back to when you were a nervous kid trying your first fake ID, or to the neighborhood pub you felt relaxed enough to cut loose. Play a round of darts or a little pool.

Possibly, you were spending some "lost" afternoons (or evenings) with a couple of your best friends.

This is not to suggest that Bobby, the friendly guy behind the bar at Sporty's, will serve anybody underage. Not at all. In fact, he appears to be the type of person who does not take any guff from anyone, and little gets past him. Bobby seems to know everyone there by name, and the amount left of each tab is on the tip of his tongue.

Yes, the place is dark and a little smoky. The setting goes with the territory in a place like Sporty's. However, it is clean and well maintained both inside and outside, which is no small accomplishment.

The food selection is limited to bagged snacks—mainly chips and cheese puffs, to allow for smoking. Even though cigarettes have become less popular in recent times, in Sporty's, it just seems right to allow them.

Budweiser, Bud Light and Amber Bock are the only beers on tap, but I do not think beer selection is the main attraction. Sporty's is not the "craft beer" type of bar. The beer is cold and affordable. The mixed drinks are also popular—especially the blended drinks, as the well-used blender at the bar would indicate.

Sporty's has a pool table, one that has probably seen more than its share of beer-soaked challenges. There are also three dartboards and a couple of video games. Live music and karaoke keep the place humming on weekends. The entertainment brings in a steady following of locals and the curious.

If you want to spend some time having a drink with close friends, or make a few new ones, Sporty's has the right atmosphere to do just that.

Maybe even relive a piece of your misspent youth.

Sporty's is at 17093 Gulf Boulevard, North Redington Beach. Their phone is (727) 395-9807. ‎