Updated: June 2026
There’s something magical about beach bars. The salty breeze, cold drinks, live music, and a relaxed vibe that instantly puts you in vacation mode. But what really sets the best ones apart? Games.
Whether you’re battling it out over trivia, going head-to-head at billiards, or laughing your way through a round of corn hole, beach bar games on Anna Maria Island bring people together in the best way. This guide covers every spot worth knowing, what games they offer, and when to show up. And if you want to keep the fun going beyond the bar, I also have guides to Pickleball on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide and Mahjong on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide for a different kind of competitive fix.
When the games wind down and hunger kicks in, my Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide will point you in the right direction.
Where to Play
Not sure which bar fits your crew? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Best for serious game variety: Sports Lounge on Bridge Street, billiards, darts, shuffleboard, and more
- Best dive bar experience: Anchor Inn or D Coy Ducks, both beloved by locals and welcoming to visitors
- Best for families: The Ugly Grouper, outdoor games and live music in a laid-back setting
- Best for trivia nights: D Coy Ducks, two nights a week
- Best for bingo: Drift-In, three days a week with long afternoon sessions
The Bars
Anchor Inn
- 3007 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-3085
- Daily · 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- Arcades · Golden Tee and Led Zeppelin
- Billiards · three tables
- Darts · three boards
A true dive bar in every sense. Anchor Inn is a hole-in-the-wall Holmes Beach institution with strong drinks, no-frills atmosphere, and a crowd that welcomes strangers like regulars. Cash only, ATM on site.
Bortell’s Lounge
- 10002 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-778-5487
- Monday – Thursday · 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday · 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Darts · one board
A time-honored bar at the north end of the island. Low-key vibes, a jukebox stocked with beachy tunes, pub-style food, and pizza available any time they’re open. It’s the kind of place you stumble into once and keep coming back to.
Bridge Tender
- 135 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-4849
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM
- Live Music · Daily · afternoon & evening
- Bingo · Saturday 1:30 PM
- Cards Games · Bar Poker · Monday & Friday 4:00 PM
A local favorite on historic Bridge Street, Bridge Tender offers indoor dining, a patio bar, and a dockside bar. It leans more sports bar than dive, with a steady calendar of games and live music that keeps things lively all week.
D Coy Ducks
- 5410 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-5888
- Daily · 10:30 AM to 1:30 AM
- Happy Hour · Friday and Saturday · 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Arcade Game · Golden Tee
- Dart Board · one board
- Trivia · Tuesday 7:00 PM · Thursday 3:30 PM
“Ducks” as the locals call it is the quintessential island dive bar. Tucked into the Island Shopping Center strip mall in Holmes Beach, it’s known for scrappy charm, affordable drinks, and a chill crowd that makes newcomers feel right at home.
Drift-In
- 120 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-8565
- Daily · 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Friday · 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Bingo · Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Card Games · Bar Poker · Daily 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- Karaoke · Tuesday & Sunday 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Strong drinks, loud music, local history, and a fun-loving crowd. The Drift-In has everything a great dive bar should, plus a large tiki hut bar out back for extra breathing room. If you love bingo, this is your spot.
Freckled Fin
- 5337 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-251-3930
- Sunday – Thursday · 11:00 AM to 11:00PM
- Friday & Saturday · 11 AM to 2:00 AM
- Live Music · Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – Sunday · 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Live Music · Saturday · 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Happy Hour · 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Darts · two boards
- Karaoke · Monday 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
A family friendly Irish pub in the heart of Holmes Beach that blends traditional pub fare with island life. Live music most nights, happy hour every day, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a reliable stop for visitors and locals alike.
Sports Lounge
- 118 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-5689
- Daily · 12:00 PM to 2:30 AM
- Happy Hour · Monday through Friday · 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Billiards · five tables
- Darts · two boards
- Punching Bag
- Shuffleboard
Don’t let the name fool you, the Sports Lounge is more dive bar than sports bar. What it lacks in TVs it more than makes up for in game options. Five pool tables and a shuffleboard make it one of the best spots on the island if you actually want to play something.
The Ugly Grouper
- 5704 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-896-8033
- Daily 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Live Music · Saturday & Sunday · 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Corn Hole
- Jenga · Jumbo Jenga
- Ring Toss
The Ugly Grouper is the most family friendly option on this list. Outdoor lawn games, live music every day, and a relaxed waterfront setting make it a great spot to bring the whole crew. Grab a drink, stake out a spot, and let the afternoon disappear.
Local Tips for Beach Bar Games
Call ahead or check websites. Game schedules and hours can change seasonally. I always recommend verifying before you go, especially for trivia, bingo, and poker nights.
Bridge Street is a one-stop destination. Bridge Tender, Drift-In, and Sports Lounge are all within steps of each other in Bradenton Beach, making it easy to bar hop and find your game of the night. For everything else the street has to offer, check out my Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Happy hours are worth planning around. Several spots offer extended happy hours well into the evening, especially on weekdays. I cover all the best deals in my Best Happy Hour Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Pair it with a full island day. Start with an early morning round of pickleball, grab breakfast at one of the spots in my Best Breakfast on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide, spend the afternoon on a boat tour, and wind down with bar games in the evening. That’s a pretty perfect AMI day.
And when you’re ready to eat, my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide (available on Etsy) is the most comprehensive dining resource I’ve put together for the island.
Coastal Close
Anna Maria Island’s bar scene isn’t loud or over the top, and that’s exactly what makes it great. Whether you’re a trivia regular, a pool shark, or someone who just wants to toss a corn hole bag in the sunshine, there’s a spot here for you. The stakes are low, the drinks are cold, and the company is always good.
— izzy