Growler's Pub

Bar, Beer-to-go

2831 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida, 34234
United States

(941) 487-7373 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.2
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
6
pDev:
4.29%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of Jerkheart
Reviewed by Jerkheart from Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.75
Growler's was really the first "craft beer bar" I ever entered. Everything else I had experienced up until then was attached to a restaurant, or was just a straight-up hole in the wall. Each with one thing in common- served only domestic/pilsner,/basic beers.
It is possible I never noticed the other beers. Growler's simply made me notice.
They encourage trying tasting, and beer-related inquisition. The bartenders are obviously knowledgeable and friendly. They will always point you in the direction if you are lost in the variety. In regards to variety though, Growler's has a dynamic menu, and can't be relied on to carry certain beers from one week to another. So if you're coming for something specific, try again later. They have a great selection compared to most, but a limited supply at times.
Growler's is also great for fun, frequent events. They have a different thing going on virtually every night. Trivia, live music, karaoke, and even open-mic night happen every week.
Overall, a great place to visit, even if you're a regular you wont get bored of this place.
<a href='http://postimg.org/image/7d94vzdxl/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s28.postimg.org/7d94vzdxl/growlers2.jpg' border='0' alt="growlers2" /></a>
Jan 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by HighonHops42 from Colorado

Aug 29, 2014
Photo of PorterLambic
Reviewed by PorterLambic from Florida

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Right across from the Ringling School of Art & Design and a Burger King in a little strip plaza.
Great location with a solid college crowd. Good music playing at a volume that still allows conversation. Sweet.
30 taps of deliciousness and a cooler of a similar variety of beers in cans and bottles. Choices from Rolling Rock to Duvel , Molson to Unibroue, St. Bernardus to Swamphead.
Staff is friendly and helpful.
Atmosphere is more traditional bar than most I frequent but it ain't a dive.
And, yes, they have growlers. Plus don't forget the free wifi.
Jul 24, 2012
Photo of Franticc
Reviewed by Franticc from Illinois

4.44/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Growlers is the first pub that I have regularly visited since turning 21. Admittedly convenience is one of the reasons for this as I am a Ringling student and it's across the street. But I return because of the service, the beer selection, and the benefits of holding a pub pass.

The selection rotates fairly regularly. Unfortunately this means that sometimes I am not able to get a beer more than once, but it does open up a lot of opportunities for me to try new things. I usually ask whoever is working that night for a suggestion if it's not busy. As a pub pass holder I also have the incentive of getting $1 off drafts that I have never tried before.

The atmosphere is (on most nights) fairly open, a nice quiet place to go for a drink. During events it can get pretty loud and crowded, but there is also an outdoor patio area which is a good escape from this noise.

The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, and create a very welcoming atmosphere. They are one of the big reasons I keep coming back.

All in all a great bar for Sarasota college students. Reasonably priced and good deals for those who wish to become pub pass members.
Apr 12, 2012
Photo of AdamBear
Reviewed by AdamBear from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Atmosphere: a bit larger than an average dive bar. plenty of room. went here on a saturday night and was pleased with the amount of breathing room.

Quality/Selection: not very large, but it is fairly exciting. i was excited to see some swamp head on tap. it was the first time i was able to find their APA...which was amazing. the tap list is often rotating to keep any craft lover to keep going back

Staff: very friendly. has a family owned feel to it.

As the name suggests, they do fill small growlers here...and for a very decent price...$10 for most drafts which i thought was pretty good.
Sep 20, 2011
Photo of thryn
Reviewed by thryn from Florida

4.06/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Full disclosure: One of the main bartenders here is a dear friend of mine; I actually suggested he apply for the job when Growler's opened.

That said, the bartenders are great, and not just Cabe. The owners began as craft beer neophytes, but cleverly took input from their beer geek bartenders and customers on what to order. The pub is a bit less than a year old now, and it seems to be filling a niche in North Sarasota quite nicely. While there is a good selection of craft beer on draft and in bottles, they also typically have a few British pub standards and one basic "retro lager" on draft, typically Narragansett or Molson or something.

The pricing is decent, though I sometimes find it inexplicable which beers are served in a small glass and which are served in a pint.

Cabe describes the place as a "post-craft beer revolution neighborhood pub," and I don't think I can improve upon that. They have good beer for the discerning palate, but are happy to serve the college students who just want a cheap liter or those with smaller budgets and/or less interest in branching out. The clientele is a mix of college students from nearby Ringling and New College, and other folks, beer geeky and non, who live in the area.

Service can be a little slow when it's busy but they try to stay on top of things.

They don't serve food, other than the bowls of not-always fresh pretzels. Hungry patrons can order from a few nearby establishments. There's a pool table, darts and ring toss. Smoking is outdoor-only.

Their "growler" bottles (32-ounce to fit Florida law) are a bit spendy at $10 (fill prices vary), but they are swingtops and seal very well, so to me they're worth it. The screw-top bottles that Mr. Beery's and Cigar City use simply do not seal as well.
Jul 06, 2011
Growler's Pub in Sarasota, FL
Place rating: 4.2 out of 5 with 6 ratings