Firkin Around...: Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)

Firkin Around...Sarasota, Florida.

It's just a little beachcomber joint in Siesta Key Village, a shell's throw from Sietsa Key beach. No pretense here; it is a come-as-you-are bar and restaurant that caters to the upscale and beach bum clientele alike. SKOB as it is pronounced by locals, serves up cold beer, tasty food and breezy tunes.

You can choose from dining on the L-shaped deck that wraps around the west side of the building, or dine inside at high top tables. You can even sit at the bar from inside or outside. No air conditioning here, so if you can't stand the heat, well, you get the idea.

Straight off the beach, a little piece of paradise.

So being locals, we know when to hit this place when it's not so crowded. Some nights you can hear the steel drum band or like tonight, a guitar man is plying his trade. Getting down to dinner; this visit we had the clam strips and side salad, (Mom says you have to have something green, ya' know!) They were done to perfection; not greasy at all. I also tried the local area award winning SKOB Burger and fries. Got the burger medium with lettuce, tomato, onion and a pickle. Starting to sound like a Jimmy Buffett song, but this was a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" for sure. All we need is the cold beer...

Brew selection you weren't expecting.

Since this is a beer blog after all, we now needed something to wash it down with...a Sam Adams Octoberfest, on tap. And that, my friends is a fait accompli. Further inspection of the bar showed three tap stations with a few single taps scattered about. Besides your Bud/Miller/Coors lineup, there were cider's from Magner's and Strongbow. Sam Adams Lager was also there with the Octoberfest seasonal. Kona Longboard, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Bell's Oberon rounded out another tap station. Other popular favorites on tap: Bass Ale, Stella Artois, Red Hook IPA, Blue Moon, New Castle Brown Ale, Shock Top, Yuengling and the ever popular Guinness 'crooked sheleighly' was seen. They even have SKOB Brew, a house beer, on tap. Oh my! All of those tap handles packed in behind that tiny, busy bar.

There is a crazy little custom of signing dollar bills and having them stapled to the walls and ceiling or anywhere they can fit them. It really stands out when you walk inside the dining area. Sure to make your eyes pop when you see how many there are all around you. The wait staff are friendly and get you seated as fast as they can. No long wait on the food, and the presentation is so great, it clashes with the decor. It won't be what you expect.

So come in your board shorts, bikinis and flip-flops or your best Tommy Bahama's...the great food, beer selection and live music on the deck put you in just the right mood. Planning a beach vacation to Siesta Key sometime in the future? Be absolutely sure to make this a can't miss stop on your beach going agenda.