Lido Key residents and visitors rejoice a Tiki bar's return

By Dana Kampa
| 11:45 a.m. June 27, 2026

Kelera Turaga, a dancer with GRAE Productions, performs at sunset for The Ritz-Carlton's reopening celebrations for the Lido Key Tiki Bar on June 20. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, the beachside bar is now open to the public.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Losses from hurricanes Helene and Milton were felt community wide on the barrier islands, and one of those losses was a favorite gathering spot for Lido Key residents. High winds tore down an outdoor watering hole that neighbors and longtime visitors had visited for decades to swap stories and sip on craft cocktails.

Now, the Lido Key Tiki Bar is officially open, and The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club celebrated the year-and-a-half rebuilding journey with a grand reopening on June 20 with about 200 guests.

The festivities featured a fire eater and dancers from GRAE Productions, an on-site cigar roller, tunes from the steel pan, samples of new appetizers and signature drinks, all concluding with a vibrant seaside sunset.

Juan Cordoba, director of Beach Club operations, explained that the longer rebuilding timeline stemmed from the extent of the storm damage. The 9 feet of storm surge brought 5 feet of sand to the area. Because the winds blew the structure down and pushed back the bartop, planners weren't able to rebuild in the exact same location, meaning it couldn't be grandfathered in like other buildings.

"It was a learning process," he said. "If we had been able to save the structure, we would not have needed to apply for these permits. But everything was too compromised."

However, he said the resort saw value in bringing back the beloved beach bar and preserving the piece of community history. So, planners set about rebuilding.

Cordoba said he was overjoyed to see familiar faces return to reminisce and check out the new bar, which touts itself as the only fully on-the-beach bar in Sarasota County.

"The Tiki Bar was not only an institution," he said. "We discovered after we lost it how much of a symbol it was for the locals. It was supposed to be 70 years old in 2027."

Cordoba said it was among the area's half-dozen early staple bars, including the Red Barn and Bahi Hut. It opened originally under the Azure Tides Hotel, before The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club bought the property in the early 2000s.

Later, The Ritz opened the Tiki bar to the public. The bar originally opened with a single bar, and in about 2018, it added a covered pavilion. It quickly became a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

The renovation comes with a few changes, including updates to the menu. Cordoba said the bar wanted to offer the classic beach-inspired, rum-based drinks, but also branch into other specials, like gin-based "Lido Bloom" with passion fruit, aperol and prosecco.

The Tiki hut itself still has the classic aesthetic, though they did make changes like installing new TV screens for sports fans. Per local beachside building regulations, the thatched rooftop was built by indigenous Americans, and the intricately woven pattern stands out under the canopy.

"The bartop may look a bit newer and fancier, but the footprint is exactly the same," Cordoba added.

Attendees, including several members of the Lido Key Residents Association, praised the Tiki hut for retaining its classic feel.

Ann and David Rosenbach said revisiting one of their favorite spots on Lido Beach felt like a sort of homecoming. They have visited since their now 35-year-old daughter was attending college, making trips for Labor Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and other events.

"It was conspicuous in its absence," David said. "It needed to be here."

Ann added, "It's right here on the beach — you can't beat the location. But also, it's sort of like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. It's just like old times."

General Manager Mark Sherwin joined the crowd at sunset to take in the view of a bustling Tiki hut again.

Cordoba summarized simply, "We're glad to be back."

Longtime visitors to the original Lido Key Tiki Bar checked out the newly rebuilt beach bar on June 20.

Performer Adam Netane brings the heat at the grand reopening of the Lido Key Tiki Bar.

David and Ann Rosenbach, who knew the Lido Key Tiki Bar long before the 2024 hurricanes destroyed the beach bar, said they were delighted with the rebuild.

Juan Cordoba, director of beach club operations, welcomes guests to the Lido Key Tiki Bar grand reopening.

The original Tiki bar would have celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2027. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, Lido Key residents are applauding its return.

Flames were flying as part of the reopening festivities, with fire dancer Adam Netane performing.

8-year-old Aria Bertolini, who attended the Lido Key Tiki Bar reopening with her family, is inspired by performers with GRAE Productions to demonstrate some dance moves of her own at the oceanside celebration.

Alla Karan offers samples of the ahi tuna served in the Lido Key Tiki Bar's marinated tuna poke bowl.

Leo Echevarria puts the finishing touches on a freshly rolled cigar at the Lido Key Tiki Bar reopening.

Indigenous American experts crafted the intricately woven roof of the Tiki bar.

The new Lido Key Tiki Bar offers the classic rum-based beach drinks, but also new signature craft cocktails.

As the sun sets over Lido Beach, dancer Kelera Turaga seems to nearly pluck it from the sky.

Residents of Lido Key, St. Armands Key and beyond close out the reopening celebration watching the sunset.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.