What Exactly is a Marlin Bar??
An eating, drinking, and shopping concept that hits the mark
What’s in a Brand? In its purest sense, it should bring something to the front of your brain that’s very specific. It’s not just the thought of something, but it’s also the feel, sound, and taste of it. Sometimes, just thinking about it makes you recapture the “magic.” Or, at least, put you in a place to do just that.
💭 Let’s Run Through A Few, Shall We? Here’s a list. You may have heard of a few of these…
Club Med, Disney, Celebrity Cruises, and Corona Beer. You think of each of those nameplates, and you pretty much instantly get a “feeling.” You know what I mean. It’s almost transportational.
You could be sitting in a tavern in northern Minnesota, but if you’re quenching your thirst with a Corona with its attendant slice of lime, you immediately feel like it’s 30° to 40° warmer outside. Oh, yeah, and it’s finally stopped snowing. ❄️
There’s another one of these mood-altering brands that we haven’t hit on yet. It has had a presence here in the Sarasota area for decades.
🌴 You know this brand. You’ve seen it or may even have a sample of their “Island Feel” ware hanging in your closet. It’s possible that you’ve sipped on one of their Mai Tais or even enjoyed a bite or two of the World-Famous Coconut Shrimp. Yes, Tommy Bahama certainly has its own unique style.
🤝 Meet the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar! Here’s where things get a little interesting. The TB Marlin Bar is part bar, part restaurant, and part clothing store (?). Huh? Yes, this mashup touches on everything that you have come to know from Tommy. Sip, dine, and shop, all in one super casual but upscale place.
Let’s Take a Quick Spin Around the Place. Usually, we’re only writing about food and drink. So, the choices we’re faced with are food and drink-related. It never occurred to me that I might have clothing decisions to make as well. 😁
Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows that my clothes-shopping skills are not top-notch. I can do it. I am an adult, after all. But it’s just not even close to my thing. Luckily, TB has a staff of ready, willing, and able shopping “advisors” waiting to show you something you’d look fantastic in.
Let’s get back to my comfort zone before things come unglued.
That’s more like it. Yes, they pour a great selection of local draft beer here.
We did say clothing store, bar, AND restaurant. That, of course, means food.
Those are the Ahi Tuna Tacos (Won Ton Shell filled with Island Slaw, Ahi, Wasabi Avocado Crème). A nice way to start things off.
They have a couple of flatbread pizzas to choose from. Since there are only two, the choices won’t be mind-numbing. Above is the Margherita Flatbread (Fresh Mozzarella, Campari Tomatoes, Cilantro Pesto, Basil).
Seems like EVERYBODY has a Nashville hot chicken something these days. The Marlin Bar is no exception. Their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (Cajun dry rub on the chicken, then fried and served on Hawaiian Sweet roll with Island Slaw, Garlic Aioli, Sriracha, and Dill Pickles) is a really good size, and it’s LOADED with flavor.
🗣️ HEY – Do you want to try and make your own Tommy Bahama Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich? We’ve got the official recipe for you. – 📝 RECIPE HERE!
Of course, it’s not a Tommy Bahama Restaurant experience without the World-Famous Coconut Shrimp (served with Papaya/Mango Chutney).
It’s not over until you have dessert…
This little piece of sweetness makes for a great final act.
Want a look at the whole menu? Sure, you do… – MARLIN BAR MENU HERE!
That’s it for your Branding 101 lesson. It’s just incredible how a company headquartered in a place that is overcast and drizzly six months a year (Seattle, WA) can make you think of palm trees, sandy beaches, and the smell of sea air. 🌊
👀 Here are a Few Things That Might Be Helpful…
🟰 THE BASICS
• WHAT: Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar
• WHERE: 6562 University Pkwy. | 941- 337-0568
• WHEN: DAILY, 11AM TO 9PM
• GET MORE INFO: Marlin Bar Website
✅ BOTTOM LINE – What can you say? It’s shopping, it’s eating, and it’s drinking, all rolled into one nice, neat little package. The food is exactly what you would expect from a Tommy Bahama Restaurant. A modest local craft beer selection. And A TON of free parking! Next time you need to upgrade your swimwear, it can be accompanied by a frozen Mai Tai! 🍹
~ LH
📌 ODDS & ENDS
🧀 Who Moved My Cheese? When we change things at dineSarasasota HQ, we get email and messages. This time was no different. “Where’s this month’s edition of The LIST? I didn’t get one?” Fear not! We’re still writing about our most popular monthly restaurants; it’s just not getting sent to your inbox. We’re posting that exclusively on the website. (📝 We’ll let you know when it’s up. Check our dineSarasota FB page). If you missed this month’s rundown, you can view it here ➡️ The LIST – JANUARY 2025!
⏰ Opening Time! Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar (428 N. Lemon Ave. (941) 954-8688)
opens their doors to the eagerly awaiting public on Monday, January 27, at 4:00PM. Some
sea-touched oysters and a cold beer may be just what you need! – LEFTY’S MENU HERE!
🎶 Yeah the House is a Rockin’… It’s a dance party for a great cause. Sarasota Memorial Health Foundation’s Rock the Roof is Saturday, February 22, 2025. There’s live music AND a DJ! It all happens on the SMH West Parking Garage roof! – GET TICKETS HERE!
🍷 Wining and Dining. Rub elbows with Paper Street Wineries Wine Maker Janelle Dusi at Pop’s Sunset Grill’s January 30th wine dinner. Chef Marcos Vasquez and Chef Matt Slattery are cooking up a five-course gourmet feast to accompany those delicious wines. – TICKETS & INFO HERE!
🥪 Pass the Mustard, Please. Deli lovers rejoice! The Sarasota Jewish Food Festival is back for the 17th time! Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at Temple Sinai (4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd.). This is a great chance to sample everything from classic Kugel to Pastrami to Chicken Noodle Soup – DETAILS HERE!
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️
Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – FRANCE🌍
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS
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Tommy Bahama’s showcased their menu items at a media event. They did not compensate us for writing any content about their business. For more information on our editorial policy, CLICK HERE.
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