Cheers to Gramma Dot's.
After 37 years, the award-winning waterfront gem — one of Sanibel's oldest restaurants — is now serving a full liquor bar.
And that’s a very big deal.
“It was hard when someone at a table would say, ‘I want a margarita,’” General Manager Wesley Brent said. “We would have to say we were sorry. But not anymore. The new owners (Acme Marinas out of Charleston, South Carolina) want everyone to have options when they come here. We don’t want to limit choices.”
Frozen drinks have been a popular order for customers enjoying the picturesque views of Sanibel Marina on the island's east end. Martinis, gin & tonics, and Key lime coladas are other best-sellers.
"And Gramma’s Favorite old fashioned," Brent added.
The staff has been getting creative too.
The Henry, for example, is named for the yellow-crowned night heron who has been a regular at Gramma Dot's for 10 years. It’s made with vodka, lemonade, blue curacao and a lemon garnish.
“We don’t have a bartender,” Brent said. “The servers make your drinks, take your order, run your food over and bus your table.Most have had previous bar experience. I’m fortunate to have this staff. It’s been amazing.”
You won’t find them serving up well drinks though.
“We have some of the best food on the island,” Brent said. “The seafood is brought in fresh daily. We are going to have really nice drinks to go with it. It’s only the best here.”
Don’t be discouraged from stopping by for a quick drink or two even though there currently is no seating at the lovely bar inside.
“Come sit at a table and enjoy,” Brent said. “I’ll promote that all day long. ”
We’ll gladly drink to that. 634 N Yachtsman Drive; (239) 472-8138; sanibelmarina.comor on Facebook
While we’re at it, here are 11 other Captiva and Sanibel bars we’ll gladly raise our glasses to as well:
Cheeburger Cheeburger
The eye-catching sports bar debuted when this remodeled Sanibel classic reopened in April. “We’re really going for a family-friendly sports bar,” Becky Miller—general manager of the Sundial Beach Resort, which is owned by the same company (R.L.R Investments) as Cheeburger Cheeburger — said at the time. "You can sit at the bar for a drink and yet it’s comfortable enough to bring your kids. It’s not a late-night bar.”The spacious 32-seat bar has the same cool vintage vibe found throughout the restaurant. With 13 TVs, friendly staff and comfortable diner stools, we’ll be happy to grab a burger, beer and basket of onion rings here anytime. 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; (239) 748-1150; cheeburger.com or follow on Facebook
Doc Ford’s
We love the look and feel of the distressed wood covering the invitingly roomy downstairs bar and the smaller upstairs bar at the flagship Sanibel location of this rum bar & grille. Locals and visitors from near and far eagerly fill those seats, enjoying island mojitos and an array of signature rum drinks, margaritas, frozen concoctions and much more. Order one of a dozen specialty drinks — from the rum-based Sanibel Stoop to the Silver Glider with tequila, agave nectar lemonade and pineapple juice — and $1 is donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital. It all goes well with an order of signature Yucatan shrimp too. 2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel; (239) 472-8311; docfords.com and on Facebook and Instagram
Great White Grill
We only recently discovered this family-friendly Pittsburgh Steelers-themed pizza joint on Sanibel and we’re sure glad we did. It’s a fun spot for a beer and pie — we got the bacon cheeseburger Steel Curtain — or a burger, salad or wings. Only beer and wine are available but don’t let that deter you. This neighborhood hangout is a local favorite and one of ours too. 2440 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel; (239) 472-0212; greatwhitegrill.com
The Green Flash
We love to slowly sip Green Flash coladas (a pina colada with a splash of melon liqueur) at this iconic waterfront wonder on Captiva. And when the patio bar is open (weather permitting), we enjoy them even more. Or we can opt for a Captiva's Favorite — the signature margarita. Or a rum co*cktail, a mule or a mojito. Maybe a coffee drink, martini, or classic. These are our favorite kinds of decisions. 15183 Captiva Drive, Captiva; (239) 472-3337; greenflashcaptiva.com or on Facebook
The Mucky Duck
This iconic British-flavored pub on Captiva was recently named one of 18 best beach bars in the South by Southern Living. We can see why. Grab a beer, glass of wine or wine-based co*cktail from the bar and enjoy it with your feet in the sand at a beach-side chair or picnic table. For table service, opt for a table on the patio or inside the dining room. Time it right and you’ll be in for some of the best sunset views around. 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; (239) 472-3434; muckyduck.com and on Facebook
MudBugs
This Cajun Kitchen on Sanibel checks all the boxes. Happy hour? Indoor bar seating? Outdoor bar seating? Upstairs and downstairs bars (!!!!)? Check, check, check and check. Happy hour, one of the few we found on the two islands, runs 3-6 p.m. Monday to Friday with half-priced domestics, house wines and wells. Food deals include $3 crunchy pork rinds, $6 fried pickle chips with remoulade and $8 cast iron seared pork belly. With friendly servers and a fun atmosphere, it’ll check all your boxes too. 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; (239) 472-2221; mudbugssanibel.com and on Facebook
Rosalita’s Cantina
The string lights and lanterns cast a warm glow over the welcoming 14-seat bar at this year-old Mexican restaurant on Sanibel. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying a signature margarita.
“Our house recipe is designed to take muchofthe tartness and bite out of the taste profile,” co-owner Tim McGowan said when Rosalita’s debuted in March 2023. “It is the No. 1 selling item in the restaurant and most of ourcustomers think it is quitedelicious.”
We’re one of them. 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel; (239) 955-7673; rosalitascantina.com and on Facebook and Instagram
Sanibel Grill
Even before this sports-themed restaurant opens, customers start lining up for a coveted seat at the bar. And we can see why. It's one of the friendliest spots around.
“We are the ‘Cheers’ of Sanibel,” owner Matt Asen said.
And with more than a dozen large screen TVs, daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m., great service and great food — think crunchy grouper and grouper Reuben sandwiches — we’re happy to get in line too. 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; (239) 472-4453; thesanibelgrill.com and on Facebook
The Shipyard
The bar at this nautical-themed restaurant at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa is one of our favorites. With soft blue neon lighting and distressed wood galore, it’s warm, inviting and welcoming. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy the BBQ — a cheddar burger with barbecue pork, fried onions and pineapple slaw. Throw in some onion rings and there’s nowhere else we’d rather be after a day on Captiva. 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva; (239) 472-5161; shipyardcaptiva.com or on Instagram and Facebook
Traders
This 25-year-old Sanibel restaurant has it all with coastal-inspired food, indoor and outdoor seating and shopping. Add in a lively stainless-steel bar with cool co*cktails (the Junonia has mango, coconut & pineapple rum, pineapple and orange juices and grenadine) and we can see why it’s been an island staple for visitors and locals alike. 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; (239) 472-7242; traderssanibel.com
Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
The full bar at this new breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant on the east end of Sanibel is quaint and intimate with one of the loveliest bar tops around. It’s owned by Brian and Elke Podlasek (who own Island Cow) and Max and Bridget Kolshak (of The Mad Hatter). But what we really love here is dropping by and ordering drinks through the window outside that bar.
“People love the bar inside and the outside window,” Elke said. “Some stop just for a co*cktail and come back for dinner later. They come for bloody marys, mimosas and manmosas (with vodka, bubbly, beer and fruit puree). Word is spreading. People really love to hang out and have co*cktails.”
We certainly do. 362 Periwinkle Way, Suite 2, Sanibel; (239) 472-0011; wickieslighthouserestaurant.comor follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Robyn Georgeis a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect atrhgeorge@gannett.com
