99 Bottles marks five years in Sarasota with block party

When Rena Elliott, a customer of 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop, was asked by its owner Mark Tuchman if she would like to help out with the business, she was eager to climb on board two years ago in an administrative role. 

"Everybody that comes here knows it's like a 'Cheers' bar," Elliott said as the taproom celebrated its fifth anniversary on April 13. "Everybody knows everybody's name, and it's a fun place to be." 

Hosted outside the bar on 2nd Street, the 5th Anniversary Block Party featured drinks, live music and food trucks, as well as the release of two new beers, a Hazy IPA brewed with 3 Sons Brewing and an Imperial Stout brewed with Magnanimous Brewing.

The turnout was substantial and many attendees were already familiar with the establishment. 

"We've been coming here since day one," said Jim Lally, noting he and his wife Joanne Lally were drawn there by the selection of beers and by the personalities of Tuchman and the staff. "It's just a family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere."

Attendee Alle Swor was excited to visit the location again, after attending the Cinco De Mayo celebrations at Circo last year.

"As soon as I heard about it I was very excited," she said. "This is the perfect little block to hold it on."