Update: I've been in here a few more times now, and depending on who is working, service can be very slow. I once stood at the bar (which only had two other patrons at it) and waited at least ten minutes until the bartender made eye contact with me and finally asked me what I'd like to have.
I still like the place, but when I walk up to the bar, I expect to at least be acknowledged within the first few minutes.
4 Stars for amazing beers and handlebar 'staches! Â Ok so someone checked in before me and got me thinking... After finishing up with some work late a friend called to ask if I was up to grab a beer. I like beer too and I havent been to Growlers so this seemed like the perfect chance!
  They had a show scheduled in to play that night but we were too early for it so I think everyone was waiting until the band showed up. We had the place pretty much to ourselves at that point which gave me  a good chance to get the lay of the land. Inside there is a pool table, dart board, and an amazing selection of beers! Luckily they were slow and I was in the mood for something different so the bartender gave me a couple of shots of different beers to try out some of their selections. I ended up going with a beer that was aged in a cask that once held rum so it had an extremely tasty kick to it.
   I dont go to bars very often but when I do this is the kind of selection I search for. It is a very lady back spot where anyone can feel comfortable. Also being right across from Ringling School of Art you will find a very eclectic mix of people but over all a nice mix of good people!
Last night was my first visit to Growler's. Â Someone had told me about it months ago and I finally checked it out for open mic night. Â I went it and it was pretty dead but did have great decor and one guy on the mic performing. Â However when I walked in I made eye contact with the bartender as I sat at the bar and she walked right by me and went to go hang out with a patron. Â I did not receive a "hello" or asked if I wanted a drink. Â So I sat at the bar for about 10 minutes, she never looked back at me while she was with her friend. Â So I just decided to leave. Â It was a tough first impression, I would consider going back but hope to get acknowledged and served next time.
Review Source:Ah, my kind of place: dark, quiet, great beer selection and friendly locals --and a helluva bartender (who knew her stuff)!
Who would have thought we would find this place as visitors to Sarasota? (Thanks, Yelp!) And a little friendly tourist-y advice, you might pass it, as the bar is kind of unassuming -- almost hidden on the corner of a building.
But definitely worth a visit for some awesome craft beers. The bartender even helped us out with suggestions for additional "beer lovers" places while we were in town.
This is Sarasota's newest addition to the "good beer bar collection." If they all have their different aspect (Cock n Bull's awesome atmosphere and outdoor area, Stairway to Belgium's exceptional pub food, World of Beer's sports bar vibe) I would have to say at this early date Growlers has the potential to be the college bar party spot. This is a good thing in my opinion, a whole that needs filing.
Now that Fall semester is starting up I will be interested to see if Growler's takes off in this direction. As of right now it is dark, quite, NICE "dive", with the cleanest lines in town and delicious, always changing on tap selection, good pub games (darts, pool, foos), friendly staff and reasonable prices. Tosh.O on the TV is always a good sign too.
I have a special place in my heart for Growlers because its descriptive menu led me to discover my new favorite beer. Weihenstephan Hefe. "Sweet malted wheat, clove, banana, hint of black pepper." Â This is exactly what I want out of a menu and out of a beer. LOVE!
Ladies and conisseurs be on the look out for the beer blends available. There is one that mixes a chocolate stout and a blueberry ale and it literally tastes like drinking a chocolate blueberry pancake. Mind blowing.
I really hope this place makes it, because it has potential to be a great beer bar. Â I'll be back. Â It's nice to have an alternative to driving all the way to Mr Beery's or World of Beer... and I think this may be a better space.
The Good: 30 taps! Â (yay) with a wide selection and mostly craft brews. Â The couple who own the bar are really knowledgeable about their beers, attentive servers, and seem to be nice people. Â The bar is no-smoking so you won't have to take a shower after! Â The cafe next door delivers, and the owners don't mind if you bring your own food in from other venues. Â They give samples. Â There is a pool table, a foosball table, and a (real & free) dart board. Â The music is not too loud and you can have a comfortable conversation. Â The bar chairs are great - they have little backs & are cushion-ey
The Bad: Even the non-craft beer - like Yuengling, Stella, Bass, is priced at craft beer prices  ($4/pint). While I go to a beer bar to drink good beer, if there was a cheaper pint I might stay for one more.  Also I'm not sure the college kids can afford those prices & I'm thinking they might be the ones to keep this place alive.  There are not enough tables and those they have are tiny.  They may do live music, as they have a stage. (arguably bad, I don't care for bars with live music as it's always way too loud and I go to a bar to actually talk to people)
The Ugly: Their smoking "patio" is pretty ugly. Â Right on 41 & not appealing. Â I don't mind because it means the rest of the bar is smoke-free, which is so wonderful. Â But a friend I went with smokes and I didn't even want to go out there to keep him company.
Growler's pub has been open a total of 5 days as I write this, but my trip there last night bodes well and I hope for many visits to this lovely dispensary of the brewers arts. Â 30 beers on tap, more in the bottle and you don't have to sit in a parking lot looking at a bad hotel chain like you do at world of beer. Â
Located on the north trail near the Ringing School of art and Design and spitting distance from New College, Growlers occupies the far end  of an old strip mall, where Fly used to be.  This place will not be for everyone, and it will be interesting to see what character it takes on when the students return in the fall, but right now it is perfect for me and those like me. Â
Number one, no smoking! Â I love it! Â A bar where I don't have to suck down someone else's fumes. Â Or take a shower when I get home. Â Number two, the music is at a level I can talk to my friends! Â Number three, 30 beers on tap, and good beers! Â Dark beers! Â Beers from all over, but mainly craft beers! Â Number four, the bar tender knows his beers and is a nice guy! Â Number five, they'll happily give you a taste. Â Number six, the owners seem to know what they are doing and know when to step back.
All of this means this is my kind of place. Â But I know it will turn off others, Â and that is fine with me because there are plenty of other joints in town where you can go have a smoke, get your ears blown out on bad music, and have the bartenders ignore you. Â Leave this place for me and those like me who love a good pint and want to shoot the shit with their pals. Â
Oh yea, the cafe down the way will deliver food. Â Will be back next week to try that out to go along with my lovely pint of dark beer.
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