Bahi Hut Lounge

I've been going to the Bahi Hut for over 30 years and it hasn't changed much - even the same bartender. I went a lot more frequently in my youth while going to Ringling Art School. We used to say we remembered going, but we never remembered leaving. The decor is tropical and the drinks are "exotic", but the music is usually rock and the crowd isn't usually that into the whole tiki thing. Still a great dive bar experience.

Love this place ...very athletic but not enough patrons appreciate it. Worst Mai tai ever but unique unto itself, so I always get one

I walked in on a quiet night not knowing what to expect...I left after a couple hours and few drinks not knowing what to think. LOL It has great tiki bones! the potential is all there. It seems like the crowd there and the staff don't understand that they are in a tiki Bar...and an old Florida landmark establishment that has been there for ages. The music choice was completely wrong, the thick cloud of cigarette smoke that hung in the air was not so great, and the "Mai Tai" was Hawaiian punch and gasoline...but still somehow it hooked me. Staff is very friendly, crowd is a mixed bag...All in all a great old dive bar. Hope they can keep it open for generations to come!

This dive bar is a local rite of passage with its legendary and infamous "mai-tai". Nastiest excuse for a mai-tai ever. They limit you to 2 and if you are able to choke them down you will likely regret it. I have seen this place in the daylight with all the lights on so... I drink bottled beer when I visit.

It has changed hands since my last visit and some friends have been urging them to take it up a few notches. It may be time to see if any changes have improved things.

I grew up in Sarasota FL, in the 70's and 80's, and remember the radio jingle for the Bahi Hut fondly. Because my family moved to TX when I was 16, I never made it inside. I've only been back to Sarasota about half a dozen times since 1990, but expect to be back more often now that my parents are retired there. That said, on my last trip back, in mid December 2016, I really wanted to check the Bahi Hut out for myself finally. Unfortunately, the only time I made it out to the Bahi, with my brother, it was too early to get inside! If you're looking for it, it looks shut down during the daytime. The building and grounds are in disrepair, and the hotel it is in the parking lot of is rather sketchy looking. If they don't feature a Zombie on the menu, they damn well should! I'm posting some pics from the outside, and hope to make it inside on my next trip to Sarasota.

I started my Mai Tai hunt at Trader Vic's in Emeryville. Next was Tommy Bahamas in Palm Desert then the Tonga Hut in Palm Springs. All rockin! Basement Sushi in San Fran made crappy Mai Tais- rum and pineapple juice. Hmmm?? I was stayin across the street from the Bahi Hut in Sarasota so I bopped in for a 'Tai. Lots of rum and some magic mixer. Not bad but not like Vic's recipe. At least not a slushy mess. Music was 80s not Martin Denny....but that is probably for survival. If I was a local, this could be my haunt. It needs more Tiki-Nados. Hit it kids!!

This place has so much potential from a tiki standpoint. Visually appealing but the smoking ruined it for me. The music was southern rock not tiki which sucked. They are apparently known for their Mai Tai which was good.

I am SO glad that Bahi Hut still exists in Sarasota. This place has a lot going wrong with it, but still has the old bones and vibe lurking in the background, it is just waiting one day for someone to pick it up, polish it off and restore it to it's former glory (and if the owners read this and want to sell, please contact me). It is within an old motel (independent) near the airport on a street with old cool fifties and sixties motor lodges and such. The bar is a separate building like a hut, with bamboo and a bamboo door handle when you enter. Inside it is a gem. Old wooden / bamboo tables, old tiki pictures, a window looking at a (now dilapidated) garden and a famous Mai Tai. Unfortunately they play bad music (as noted above) and allow smoking, so it smells. I think the smoking patrons keep this place alive for now, but I can definitely see it being refurbished, cleaned up, a new music track with updated cocktails and some snacks...and potentially this could be the cocktail bar it once was.....Definitely go give it a try if you are in beautiful Sarasota Florida

I love the place, but i wish they would play some other music besides southern/classic rock. This place BEGS for some Martin Denny.

I am a Ringling College grad that has many fond memories of this joint. It was close to campus, and a great spot to stumble home from. The Mai Tai's are quite potent and have a 2 drink limit. I still find myself dropping in here quite a bit.

My in-laws live in Sarasota and we took them there for drinks. I think I had the strongest drink of my life there. They have some drink that they cut you off at a certain limit, I can see why. It was a nice looking divey, tiki bar but the cliental leaves something to be desired. Upon leaving, I wanted my photo in front of the place and drunkly stood in front of the door. Well the bouncer opened the door right on to my ankle. I was so sauced I didn't even feel it or notice the large amount of blood till later. Not sure I ever need to go back to the Bahi hut, I've got my memories.