Closest Cocktail Bar to the Anna Maria Beach Resort

While on vacation, you want to leave all the mundane day-to-day chores behind. Especially when you’re with the whole family, cooking can be a real hassle. Anna Maria Beach Resort does provide a fully-stocked kitchen or kitchenette in each room, but if you’re not inclined to drag yourself away from the beach for meal prep, there are plenty of alternative options. Anna Maria Island is known for its wide variety of restaurants, some of which deliver right to Anna Maria Beach Resort

people clinking drinks
Photo by Pexels

After dinner, you might be looking to head out with friends for a good time. Within walking distance of the resort is one of the best bars in town: The Doctor’s Office.

This chic, modern bar provides an intimate setting for friends and family to gather. The space is small, meaning the bar is somewhat exclusive, depending on how busy the night is. Seating includes classic bar stools and small tables for groups; reservations can be made in advance for private parties of 10 or more in the semi-private anteroom or alley. 

History

As its unusual name implies, The Doctor’s Office occupies the space of a former doctor’s office. Since the ’50s, this space served as a base of operations for helping and healing. Generations of locals were treated by doctors in this office. 

One of these doctors was Stephen Pelham, originally born to an Irish Catholic family in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The current proprietor is also from Halifax, and they attended the same Catholic high school. Years later, they met again in this doctor’s office when Sean came to treat a rash. Recognizing each other from high school, they came to form a very strong friendship. 

Today, the Doctor’s Office aims to continue the legacy of the original doctor’s office through service and bringing people happiness. 

Menu 

The Doctor’s Office serves only the finest cocktails, wines, craft beers, and small plates. 

For a quick pick-me-up, try The Bee’s Knees, a cocktail of Langley’s gin, lemon, and lavender honey. Penicillin is a more serious treatment, consisting of Great King Street Scotch, lemon, ginger, honey, and atomized peat monster. For pain relief or a quick mood adjustment, there’s boulevardier – old forester bourbon, Campari, carpano antica, and orange aromatics. 

A whiskey and brandy favorite is Our Preferred Remedy with old overholt, nux alpina liqueur, carpano antica, and chocolate bitters. The Painkiller consists of old rum, lime, coconut cream, pineapple, and orange. Gin-lovers with a sweet tooth will appreciate Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with St. Germain elderflower, blackberries, lemon, and agave.  Jasmine-infused vodka can be found in The Oath and chamomile-infused añejo tequila honey in the Nightingale. 

bartender pouring a cocktail
Photo by Shutterstock

One of the best and most expensive drinks in the house is “A Song of Fire and Ice” – a tribute to the popular Game of Thrones franchise. This $45 drink consists of Puerto Rican añejo rum, brandy, orgeat, orange, lemon, tiki bitters, cinnamon branch, and to top it all off, pineapple crowned with a flaming lime doused in high proof rum served in a scorpion bowl. The drink serves four people and is available on a limited basis. 

Wine selections hail from regions as diverse as California and New Zealand. Whether you prefer bubbly, red, white, pink, or port, The Doctor’s Office has them all. Try the white Riesling from Germany, the pink Rosé from France, or port Ruby from Portugal. By the bottle, exclusives are also available, wines from California, Oregon, and Italy. 

Choose from a selection of draft beers. There’s Darwin’s Llama Mama Milk Stout, made in Bradenton, Florida, Big Storm’s “Oatmeal Stout” from Tampa Bay, and the Stella Artois “Pilsner” from Belgium and the Netherlands. You can also order bottles or cans. Try Golden Road “Wolf Pup Sessions” IPA from Los Angeles or Six Point “Resin” DIPA from New York. 

beer on the bar
Photo by Shutterstock

For designated drivers or anyone aiming to keep their heads clear, there are numerous non-alcoholic drinks available. Try Beck’s non-alcoholic pale lager, Not Your Father’s rootbeer, imperial east tonic, housemade ginger ale, or a variety of fruit juices. 

While The Doctor’s Office doesn’t serve dinner, they do offer snacks. Warm olives, nuts, and maple bacon are a good choice for those feeling just a little peckish. Duckling liver pate, pimiento cheese, and smoked fish dip are all served with focaccia toast. For a light and savory snack, try maple-roasted butternut squash, the sister Mary Rose, or asparagus tips. 

Those feeling a little bit hungrier might prefer a Cuban sandwich or “The Big Beef.” Chef specials include maple leaf duckling tacos, novey nachos, and the staff meal. Charcuterie items, such as duckling prosciutto, capocollo, and American salame felino, are finely seasoned and authentically prepared using Italian traditions. 

Finish off the meal with some artisanal cheese, such as “Avonlea” clothbound 12-month aged cheddar, the “Humboldt Frog,” or the rogue “Caveman Blue.” There’s also a dessert that you won’t want to share. Order chocolate budino – a fancy Italian name for decadent chocolate pudding – or classic crème brulée. 

Plan Your Visit

Now that you know the best place to get drinks by The Anna Maria Beach Resort, it’s time to plan your vacation! Check out our available rentals.

Location & Hours

The Doctor’s Office is located at 5312 Holmes Boulevard #B. From Anna Maria Beach Resort, this is a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute drive. Head south along Gulf Drive, which will take you directly to the bar. Opening hours are 5 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. daily. 

The owner, Sean Murphy, also writes reflections on beer, wine, and spirits, some of which have been published in local periodicals. You can learn more about the restaurant industry on The Doctor Office’s blog. Of course, we invite you to come out and experience the place personally for some good food, drinks, and laughs. 

Safe Transportation 

Like its predecessor, The Doctor Office’s mission is to help people and bring joy and happiness. The last thing anyone at the bar wants is for intoxicated guests to injure themselves or others on the way home. Among groups, it’s always wise to have one designated driver or someone who is sober enough to make sure everyone gets back to their vacation rental safely. If you are at the bar alone and need assistance, talk to one of the service staff. They will be happy to help you call a taxi or Uber. 

An alternative method of transport is the free trolley service that travels daily up and down Anna Maria Island. It runs until 10:30 p.m. and passes by about once every 20 minutes. About every two to four blocks there is a trolley stop, and most have covered seating while you wait. 

Be Our Guest

Like The Doctor’s Office, our Anna Maria Beach Resort is the product of a complete remodeling of the historic building that came before it. Once the Blue Water Beach Club Motel, now the Beach Resort offers upscale and luxurious accommodations to families, couples, and groups. It just opened its doors in 2019 and is already among the top resorts on Anna Maria Island. 

Our guests may choose from among 31 stylish resort rooms on the first or second floor. Amenities include a lagoon-style pool, a fire pit, and thatched-roof tiki hut overlooking the water. This Anna Maria hotel is located practically on the beach, so grab your towels and beach gear for plenty of days in the sun and sand.