This bar opens pretty early for the early risers who like to get a head start on drinkin'! They offer and indoor and outdoor bar, both having good customer service. What I enjoyed about the couple of times I was here was the music that they had playing. There's so much to look at in this bar too such as the ceiling where you will find snake skin! The servers are nice. Overall, you must check out this bar when you are visiting AMI because of the drinks, customer service and the indoor and outdoor environment. read more

Drift In AMI - Inside - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

Not your typical dive bar, but it still qualifies. It's cleaned up quite a bit because of the hurricane. Great place to have a beer or two at the outside bar. Plus, the bar games make it inviting and fun. Pretty cool to say you had a drink at the bar that Babe Ruth used to own. read more

Drift In has always been THE best dive bar. Then they remodeled after the hurricane and it became even better! Then....... In came a big bingo screen, plastic card tables and a P.A. System. Ugh. It's just AWFUL! Don't get my wrong, bar cards and bingo are a blast and we loved playing but all P.A. System and plastic table has absolutely RUINED the atmosphere. read more

Total dive bar ... smokes and beer and liquor "Best of Anna Maria Island" without a doubt. Quirky bar tenders, heavy pours, bar games, and crazy locals make this place great. Just what the Dr called for! read more

Drift In AMI - Manny getting some feels - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

Fun spot to gather with friends. New extended outdoor area. Often have live music. Outdoor patio has multiple TV including a 98 inch. Service is always great. read more

Heather was an amazing bartender, she was attentive, kind, and friendly! Thank you for a great night

Thank you to Heather for an awesome night and great service!! We will definitely be back!!

So happy they got to reopen. Actually wasn't a big fan before but love how it feels there now. They did a fantastic job on the rebuild. Inside bar tender is great, so friendly and helpful even to us non regulars read more

Fun! Great People! I've never Not had fun there! Good music, , games. There all like family read more

I really wanted to get a drink at Drift In during my recent vacation at AMI especially after reading that it once belonged to Babe Ruth. Sadly, we passed by several times but, because of the cigarette smoke, the heat blowing from the A/C unit on the wall or just lack of space/seating, we weren't able to go/stay. You can definitely tell that this is a local hang out. read more

A good dive bar in a great location! I sat outside during a rainstorm and listened to the rain come Down as I drank my cocktail! I'm a big fan of dive bars and this is one you need to visit! read more

Drift In AMI - The outdoor bar is quaint. Drinks are cheap, but bring cash! - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

had so much drink with #B trivia! Highly recommend! Everyone should come here on AMI! read more

Drift In AMI - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

I am in love with this place. Drinks are cheap and they have Jell-O shots! The bartender, Chase, was the best bartender I have ever had. She killed it! It was our first time and by the time we wanted a second drink, she remembered. Same for the third and the fourth..well you get where I'm going. She's dang good!!! The people were even amazing. It's a local spot and we loved that. We felt welcome! There were no parking spots so we had to park a couple blocks away. But I need the exercise haha. For a first timer: Cash Only! But there is an ATM, but it charges you. So bring a couple hundo. read more

Been to many dives all over the country and this is one of the best. Characters abound, cheap strong drinks, friendly staff, blue collar no BS vibe. You'll dig it. read more

I am 22 years old. My cousin is 23. We went in with our entire family and used our REAL IDS BECAUSE WE ARE OF AGE. And the bar tender behind the counter was drunk and slurring her words, then told us to leave. I am disgusted by the entire place. read more

Ok so we were at Ana Maria Island visiting friends so everything in town is walkable to get to. Our friends said we would love this place. Well it has alot to love. #1 reason is they carry my husband's favorite beer. For that they deserve 5 stars. Michelob Light in recent years has been harder to find. It has been pushed aside for Michelob Ultra. Also this placs had jello shots which it is hot out this bar is outside so what better way to cool off. Now some important information for first timers or out of towners like us. Carry Cash as this is a Cash only bar. Must be inconvenient for vacationers so for that they now lose a star. Next and most important you cannot leave with a drink in your possesion opened. To me that's a lot strict. South Florida Miami and Ft. Lauderdale we are more liberal when walking with a drink. But not on the West Coast they are relentless. Signs are posted and nice police officers are every where so be safe not sorry. read more

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Had a lot of fun inside bartender was completely rude outside bartender was fun they should definitely let the old hag go. She was super rude and carded our group over the age of 30 after we had our 10th drink from outside bar. So if you're going to card it's a little late. Highly recommend walking past. read more

Interesting place Always like Micheal bartender she was always so nice. Not sure she works there anymore. Jack read more

I wish ZERO stars were allowed. I sat down at the outdoor Tiki bar to have a couple of beers while my wife was shopping. Sat there for 15 minutes with a $20 outstretched and neither "bartender" bothered to ask me what I wanted. It was moderately busy, but apparently not to busy for the "bartenders" to serve the people that were regulars. I watched as they served several people step up and order beers at the end of the bar and as three other people (that they apparently knew) sat down at the bar about 10 feet from me. Here's the thing. I always look for local dive bars when I travel. They're usually genuine, welcoming, and fun. And, I like supporting small businesses. Don't waste your time or money at this place. They apparently don't want it. read more

Well if you want a cold beer and some rowdy crowds with music this is it! Don't expect much except good service. Lawdy those restrooms were ripe! read more

I hesitate to share how great this place is for fear all you window lickers that will come ruin it. But between Chase and Dan as bar tenders outside this is hands down the best bar on the island. Don't come here to figure out how much you can drink, it a chill local bar, where tourists are welcome. If you make a scene you will be remembered and the regulars will talk about you. Bring cash or get cash inside, no cards accepted. After 2 nights Chase will know what you drink and have it waiting for you when she sees you walk up (even if you were an ass the night before). Inside is more smokey than a bingo parlor so if you aren't into it, just go in for the restroom. Quality pours, dirt cheap Jell-O shots, and cold beer. Some sort of live music every night, and people watching second to none. Stop in if your on vacation and see why people live on the island all year long. read more

What in the love of god is this place?!?! Can't quite describe what me eyes have seen but I can say the image of the night will be burned into my eyes forever. All I have for you is WOW...because there are literally no words. read more

Come on, it's a dive bar-act like a local! Always a good time especially people watching, bands & bar games! I'd give it 5 stars but then it wouldn't be a dive! Love it! read more

What a gem. Now, if you don't like a smoke filled local bar, then you're going to hate this place. However, if you're down for some local action while you're at Bradenton Beach or Anna Maria Island, then you gotta stop by here. They are also a package store, so you can grab a big fat 1.75 liter bottle but make sure you bring CA$H. They don't take cards and there is no ATM inside. We also stop by for a drink and chat with a few of the beach locals when we come to the beach for 4th of July weekend. The prices on bottles are pretty high, but they're open a lot more later than most of the store around. read more

We stopped by this bar in the afternoon on a Wednesday to have one drink. We ended up staying for a couple of hours and playing BINGO. Super fun, very friendly staff, and patrons. Drink prices are super reasonable and they have a great outside Tiki bar. Highly recommended. read more

This place hates you. You are not one of them, so avoid it at all cost. It's a dump anyway. Only people that have no respect for themselves could enjoy themselves here. They tow their own customers' cars. You heard that right. I was a paying customer, parked legally in their lot, but because I didn't sit there and enjoy the second-hand smoke and another warm beer, they had me towed. I wonder how much of a kick-back they got from the $215 cash I had to give the degenerate tow lady in order to get my car back? read more

TERRIBLE!!! Worst bar on the island. My best friends bachelorette party ventured into this bar and I have never regretted a decision more. Bartender was rude and should consider a new career. Clientele were miserable and should get out more. The bride was kicked out of her seat by not only a patron but also the bartender. I threw my drink out before I could even enjoy it because we were aggressively forced to leave (without our drinks we paid for) Waste of time and money. Go here if you want to have the worst night ever. read more

This is the best little dive bar !!! ~ everyone is friendly ~ drinks are reasonably priced ! Chase the outside bartender is always very attentive and she is right there when your glass/bottle is empty !! AWESOME BARTENDER!! We always bring out company/ out of town guests down here for out here for a fun night out - Karaoke Sunday is a fun night and Jilli the inside bartender is super !! If your going to Anna Maria Island do not skip this place!! read more

Drift In AMI - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

The employees are horribly rude and made us feel unwelcome. The bar is clearly only for locals and tourists are not invited.

Bartender was VERY friendly and advised me immediately they were cash only, and pointed me to an ATM.....which avoided later drama I'm sure. Cold beer, good service. I was approached by a "regular" who was drunk, and was verbally assaulted. This was my first time here. I might be back. Maybe. Server was nice and told me to ignore him, but I'm a very laid back patron, who attracts no trouble. Ever. read more

I must say even if I didn't work here at the Drift In I would still be a regular. They have the Best Bartenders, day and night. There is music 7 nights a week, I'm there Tuesdays and Fridays, you can't beat the prices of the drinks and they do make a pretty strong drinks. Babe Ruth enjoyed this little bar so much I have been told the he bought into it back in the 30's. It's just a nice bar and has very friendly people...check it out read more

Drift In AMI - Russ sings at the Drift In on The Bay every Tuesday and Friday nights. - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

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We love a good dive bar, and this place usually delivers in spades: diverse live music, juke box, patio bar, eclectic mix of patrons and friendly, weathered bartenders. Last night, however, was an exception. While a surly, but highly skilled and efficient bartender can often be expected in a dive bar - and is sometimes even entertaining - the outside bartender, Dan, did not fit the bill. We have a habit, when we find a great bartender whose service and company are enjoyable, of hanging out all evening and then leaving them an exorbitant tip that may even outweigh our bill at the end of the night. Because Dan went looking for it after serving us our first round and then cried like a baby and became unbelievably rude when we jokingly told him our dollar-and-something in change was his tip, he got no additional rounds from us and a measly $5. Great way to make patrons Drift Out vs. Drift In, buddy! UPDATE: While my original review docked the Drift In's star rating, I've revised it based on the fact that the owner personally reached out after it was published to address this situation and make it right, which I had anticipated since I'd never had this type of experience in all my other previous visits to Drift In. It's typically a MUST to frequent this place on a visit to AMI! As a result, I've adjusted my rating to reflect all of my past experiences with this establishment versus just my most recent one with this particular bartender. read more

Be warned - CASH ONLY - No ATM... What a spectacular dive bar full of locals! They made us feel super welcome! read more

Lance needs work. Takes your empty drink and walks away. This isn't the first encounter with him. No engagement with patrons whatsoever. Nothing. We LOVE this bar but we leave as soon as we see he's tending. Doreen the Queen is exceptional. Stay away from Lance. read more

If you want good bar service, generous pours, fun entertainment at a cheap price definitely give the Drift-In a visit. By the 3rd time the bartenders knew exactly what we liked and greet us with warm smiles. Friendly salty dogs and local dive bar. A must on the island! read more

This is a typical dive bar not at all classy. It is a good place to go when you are already drunk and want to people watch and laugh. They allow smoking, so if you don't like to smell smoke stay away. It is a small bar with very little room. They had live music the night I went, so that was enjoyable while we waited to get our drinks. It took awhile because they were busy and there were lost of people there. If you are the dive bar type person this is the place to go where all the locals hang out. read more

Super cool local hang out. Had a great time and the people were super nice. Cash only so leave the credit card at home. read more

Went here to meet an old school buddy who performs here a couple nights a week. Russ Hancock. Great to dance to his tunes. Drinks are reasonable read more

Drift In AMI - Russ Hancock performs at the Drift In - Dive Bars Near Me - Bradenton Beach, Florida

Witnessed an issue that was concerning at this establishment. I posted a poor review, owner cared enough to reply and explain. For that reason I have changed my rating read more

We had a great time with the awesome band on 11/18/17 beer was good and cold, great service!!!