Welcome to Sarasota Downtown
A lively and energetic neighborhood of Sarasota
Located within the city of Sarasota, Sarasota Downtown is a lively neighborhood. Known for its plentiful art galleries and live theaters, restaurants, and shops, Downtown is a cultural hotspot with many amenities and things to do. Sarasota Downtown is one of the most energetic neighborhoods in the area and is full of lively residents looking to have fun.
What to Love
- Hip, urban atmosphere
- Cultural hotspot
- Energized
Local Lifestyle
Sarasota Downtown is one of Sarasota’s most sought after areas to live with a hip and urban vibe - making the area the perfect place for those wishing to live with the convenience of a high walkability lifestyle.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Sarasota Downtown has many custom shops and premier restaurants to explore; some of the best in the area. Entertainment options include the Florida Studio Theater, Cinemas, McCurdy’s Comedy Club, and the Sarasota Orchestra Symphony Center.
When looking for good eats in Sarasota Downtown, one of the most popular places is Marina Jacks. Located on the bay, Marina Jacks is the perfect venue to find seafood and unmatched bay views. O’Leary’s next door is a fun casual watering hole. Another great restaurant in the area is element, a steakhouse serving upscale steaks and seafood alongside cocktails and wine. Flavio’s on Main is a family-owned restaurant serving delicious Italian fare, including pasta and seafood dishes. When looking for a pre-theater meal, Bijou Garden Cafe is an upscale, cafe-style restaurant serving modern Continental dishes with a unique wine list. Roof top bars to visit include The Westin and the Art Ovation hotel. JackDusty’s at The Ritz Carlton is a popular venue with indoor and outdoor dining.
There are also several unique stores in the area. Swim City is the perfect place to find everything from resort wear to swimwear in a variety of brands. Women’s clothing can be found at Rahelia Couture, selling designer clothing, shoes, and accessories and at Darci’s. Sarasota Trading Company sells antiques, furniture, fine art, and collectibles. Items for sale in Sarasota Trading Company are acquired from all over the United States. For incredible beauty products, The Herbarium is one of the best stores in the area and imports bath and beauty products, skin care products, and home products from Italy.
Things to Do
Sarasota Downtown also has many opportunities for enjoying time out of the house. Whether you want to go to a local park or enjoy an event, there is something fun for everyone in Sarasota Downtown.
When looking for a place to spend a day out in nature, there are several great options in the neighborhood. One of the best parks in the area is Payne Park, a large park created from a former ballpark that has a tennis court, fitness trail, picnic space, and skateboard park. Bayfront Park, as its name suggests, is a beautiful park located right on the bay. The park is a great hangout spot with a playground, tiki bar, and gorgeous views of the bay and city. The West John Ringling Causeway Park, located just across the John Ringling Bridge, is a quaint area with a beach, sidewalks, and picnic areas.
Sarasota Downtown also has many events to enjoy. One popular series of events is the Chalk Festival, in which street artists decorate the sidewalks with chalk artworks according to the display’s theme. The Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival is a great place to find locally made crafts, such as jewelry, paintings, clothing, and many other art forms. The Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival is another annual event celebrating artists in the area that is hosted by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association.