Bridge Street Bistro commands the third floor of this hospitality complex located at the intersection of Gulf Drive and historic Bridge Street on Bradenton Beach. Bridge Street is the location of the historic wooden bridge that connected Bradenton Beach to the mainland and is the center of the Historic Old Town.
This has always been a hub of activity and trade since the old days. The first wooden bridge was built in 1921 between the Village of Cortez and Anna Maria Island.
This was also the time when this area of Anna Maria Island was named Bradenton Beach. It had been known as Cortez Beach until then and had only been accessible by boat.
The historic bridge was in place until 1967, when it was replaced by the draw bridge located on Cortez Road, also known as 5th Street North. The historic bridge was saved and repurposed as today’s fishing pier. Today this area is home to restaurants, shops, and homes.
The top floor allows you unobstructed beach and sunset views. The white tablecloth restaurant on the third floor has windows on three sides facing the Gulf of Mexico plus both sides of Gulf Drive.
A beautifully finished bar, high ceilings, and wood floors give the room an elegant appearance. The third floor also provides you access to the outdoor verandah, where you can enjoy a perfect sunset dinner.
The dinner menu matches the fine dining atmosphere and you can choose to accompany your meal with a craft cocktail or choose from the extensive wine list.
The restaurant’s starters include choices such as Smoked Fish Dip, Panko Ahi Tuna, Pan Seared Jerk Scallops, Fresh Oysters and Fried Cauliflower.
Seafood Chowder and Lobster Bisque are two classic standards made from scratch in their kitchen. Salads come as a side dish or an entrée. These include an Island Cobb Salad, a Caesar Salad, and a Steak Romaine Wedge Salad.
Main Dishes will satisfy almost any palate, including Seafood Specialties, Grilled Meats & Proteins, and Pastas. There is always a Fresh Catch which can be prepared a number of different ways: blackened, pecan-crusted, Asian style, or with a key lime beurre blanc (classic butter sauce).
Other seafood entrées include Fish & Chips, Seafood Mac N’ Cheese or Crab Stuffed Shrimp.
The grill serves a Duroc Pork Chop, Garlic Herb Ribeye, or Surf & Turf which serves a petite filet along with a coldwater lobster tail.
You may also want to try the Pasta Primavera or the ground steak blend Bistro Steak Burger.
I’m going to admit that I’m partial to the Apple Bread Pudding for dessert. I had it once and never thought of ordering anything else.
The second floor is the perfect setting for a private event or to attend one of their specialty wine dinners. Wine dinners are scheduled a few times a year, and you can receive updates by signing up for their newsletter.
These unforgettable wine dinners showcase specialty items and off-menu dishes, which are paired with wine selections to create a progressive dining experience. They are a true work of art, crafted by Chef Thompson, a graduate of the prestigious College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University, in Providence, RI.
The ground floor of this three-story entertainment multiplex is home to Island Time Bar & Grill, a casual setting that offers a tasty seafood fare menu, a full-service bar, and live entertainment.
This is where you come to relax after a few hours on the beautiful beach of the Gulf of Mexico, which is located directly across the street. Beach clothes, sandals, and sandy toes are welcome.
The bar at Island Time offers a selection of national brand beers and local craft beers from the area’s best-known breweries such as Calusa Brewing, Motorworks Brewing, Green Bench Brewery, and Big Storm Brewing.
Frozen Drinks, Margaritas, and Beach Cocktails are all crafted by a team of professional bartenders and mixologists. You can’t go wrong with tasty and refreshing drinks such as the Charred Pineapple Mojito, which is made with coconut water rum, fresh mint, charred pineapple, and soda.
The Grapefruit Crush and Orange Crush are made with Deep Eddy Vodka, fresh squeezed fruit juice, and lemon-lime soda, and the Jamaican Bicycle consists of Malibu Banana Rum, melon liqueur, pineapple juice, and coconut puree.
If you prefer your drinks blended, try the Frozen Sharkbite Margarita, Chunky Monkey Nuts, or the Bushwacker.
Happy Hour at Bridge Street Bistro’s third floor is daily between 12 noon to 4:00 pm. Bar Bites include a $5 Americano or Pulled Pork Taco; $7 Buffalo Chicken Egg Roll; $8 Fresh Oysters (3) or Bang Bang Cauliflower; $10 Calamari or Cuban Sandwich; and $14 Steak Burger.
On the happy hour beverage menu, you will find $3 domestic beers; $5 house wines and premium well drinks; $6 martinis and $7 margaritas.
Bridge Street Bistro and Island Time Bar & Grill are located at :
111 Gulf Dr. S. Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
(941) 782-1122
Bridge Street Bistro’s Hours of Operation are:
Sunday – Thursday – 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
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Island Time Bar & Grill’s Hours of Operation are:
Daily between 11:30 am – Close
