Inside Tommy Bahama's relaxed Marlin Bar concept


Tommy Bahama's Marlin Bar is a newer concept designed to combine dining, cocktails, shopping and live music in a more casual setting than the company's traditional restaurants.
Tommy Bahama's Marlin Bar is a newer concept designed to combine dining, cocktails, shopping and live music in a more casual setting than the company's traditional restaurants.
Photo by Lori Sax
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No passport is required for this tropical escape. At least that’s the idea behind the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar at Center Point, where island-inspired food, handcrafted cocktails, live music and a laid-back atmosphere combine to create a getaway that’s a little closer to home. Dawn Hummel, regional manager for Tommy Bahama Restaurants and Marlin Bars, shares what makes the Marlin Bar different, which menu items have earned devoted followings and how Tommy Bahama brings its signature island spirit to Lakewood Ranch.


The Marlin Bar experience is ...

A more casual take on the Tommy Bahama experience. Guests still receive the same level of service and attention, but there’s no need for a reservation. They can stop in for a cocktail, grab a seat and relax. The retail store is right next door so the experience flows together. Guests can enjoy a drink, do some shopping and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

The secret of our “island-style hospitality” is …

Slowing down. We never make our guests feel rushed. We want people to relax, stay awhile and enjoy themselves. We try to make them feel like they’re on vacation, even if it’s only for an hour or two.


Dawn Hummel, regional manager for Tommy Bahama Restaurants and Marlin Bars, says the Marlin Bar is designed to bring a relaxed island state of mind through scratch-made cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, live music and warm hospitality.
Dawn Hummel, regional manager for Tommy Bahama Restaurants and Marlin Bars, says the Marlin Bar is designed to bring a relaxed island state of mind through scratch-made cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, live music and warm hospitality.
Photo by Lori Sax
We “wow” our first-time guests by ...

Engaging all their senses. From the aromas coming from the kitchen to the bright colors of our apparel to our music, your eyes, ears and tastebuds all get the same message — relax. Relaxation is the ultimate luxury.


Guests return again and again because of ...

Our scratch-made approach in both the kitchen and the bar. Whether it’s food or cocktails, everything is prepared fresh daily. We also try to learn our guests’ names and make them feel welcome when they return.


Live music takes the relaxation up a notch because ...

It’s the perfect soundtrack for our island vacation vibe. Music transports you to a relaxing oasis. That’s what you’d expect in your favorite getaway — whether it’s in the Caribbean or the Keys. That’s what we deliver in Lakewood Ranch.


Don’t leave without feasting on …

Our world-famous coconut shrimp. We serve it with mango chutney and Asian coleslaw. One bite and you’ll feel like you’re sitting on a beach in Maui.

Fresh ahi tuna, avocado, seaweed salad, crispy wontons and sesame dressing come together in the Marlin Bar’s Ahi Bowl, one of the restaurant’s lighter island-inspired offerings.
Fresh ahi tuna, avocado, seaweed salad, crispy wontons and sesame dressing come together in the Marlin Bar’s Ahi Bowl, one of the restaurant’s lighter island-inspired offerings.
Photo by Lori Sax
The Marlin Bar's steak tacos pair grilled steak with roasted corn salsa, queso fresco and house-made chipotle crema for a fresh take on a Baja-inspired favorite.
The Marlin Bar's steak tacos pair grilled steak with roasted corn salsa, queso fresco and house-made chipotle crema for a fresh take on a Baja-inspired favorite.
Photo by Lori Sax
You should also try … 

Our all-American cheeseburger served with fries. It’s not world-famous yet, but it should be. 


Our signature cocktail is ...

Our award-winning Mai Tai. We serve it frozen or on the rocks and it’s become synonymous with the Tommy Bahama brand. It’s my personal favorite. Other guest favorites include our grapefruit basil martini and the Baja margarita.


We’re right at home in Lakewood Ranch because …

Many of our guests already know Tommy Bahama from our St. Armands Circle location, where we have served the Sarasota area for nearly 30 years. We’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received in Lakewood Ranch and for the opportunity to continue serving both longtime and new guests.

This story has been updated to correct the address.

 

author

Marty Fugate

Marty Fugate is a writer, cartoonist and voiceover actor whose passions include art, architecture, performance, film, literature, politics and technology. As a freelance writer, he contributes to a variety of area publications, including the Observer, Sarasota Magazine and The Herald Tribune. His fiction includes sketch comedy, short stories and screenplays. “Cosmic Debris,” his latest anthology of short stories, is available on Amazon.

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