Late Night in Sarasota? Forget The Fourth Meal!

Brasserie Belge

serves dinner until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and then switches to a small plates menu that highlights the same authentic Belgian flavors showcased on the regular menu including their sublime ‘moules frites’ (mussels and fries). I love sitting at the bar flirting with the cute waiters, but they do have a beautiful courtyard, too.

1990 Main Street | 941-706-1944

Poki Joe’s Cafe

If you go to Gulf Gate and do the pub crawl chances are you’ve walked past street meat and thought fleetingly about trying whatever it is that smells so good before shaking your head and heading to the next bar. Do yourself a favor and stop! Stop and get yourself a plate of macaroni and cheese or sausage and peppers or my personal favorite: a sweet and savory pulled pork sandwich that the owner refuses on a regular basis to give me the recipe for.

6614 Superior Avenue | 941-922-5915

Lan/Pangea

Lan is a beautiful and eclectic restaurant that serves up exotic and tasty comfort food at incredibly reasonable prices. I’m always amazed by the fact that Lan is not packed with people. I’m assuming that it has something to do with location but that’s just lazy. If you walk just a little further up or down Main Street you’ll find yourself at Lan with a mouthful of Duck Brie Crepes and a smile on your face. Pangea Lounge is Lan’s cocktail lounge and after a tasty late night snack belly up to the coolest looking bar in Sarasota for a taste of some of downtown’s most creative libations.

1568 Main Street | 941-953-7111

The Sports Page

Old faithful. has been a downtown Sarasota staple for decades and there’s a reason that it’s favored by locals and restaurant industry insiders: the food is really, really good. Without question the best mozzarella sticks and patty melt in town but don’t be afraid to try fish – this may be divey little sports bar but their kitchen is not messing around and they serve food until closing time.

1319 Main Street | 941-365-0469

Darwin’s on 4^th

is fast becoming one of the most popular late night hangouts in downtown Sarasota. The bar is lively and the drinks are innovative and delicious (did I mention that they’re brewing their own beer?). Darwin is famous for his incredible cuisine and he is having fun at this new venue with his signature dishes and brand new flavors. Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. you can sample the late night menu while enjoying your cocktail and some serious people watching.

1525 4th Street | 941-343-2165

Heavenly Ham and Devil Dogs

There’s a sign outside in Gulf Gate that proclaims ‘Voted Best Reuben in the State of Florida.' I think that it might be the best reuben on the East Coast. There’s a large and varied menu of classic American foods but my boyfriend, and I have yet to try anything other than the reuben and the tuna melt because they’re just that good.

2647 Mall Drive | 941-923-2514