When it comes to beer, wine, and cocktails, the best options aren’t found only in big cities. In the small, Southwest Florida coastal towns of Punta Gorda, Englewood, and Port Charlotte, there are many places (well-known and unheard of) where you can wet your whistle and have a good time. Here are some of our favorite places for beer, wine and cocktails in the beautiful area known as Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach:
Beer Lovers Unite
Peace River Beer Company was designed to honor the local vibes from picnic tables to a river-themed bar top. They brew beers for every taste that pair well with the authentic Thai food and sushi they serve.
When it comes to European-inspired pubs, Punta Gorda has them. “Proudly not serving premium domestics,” the Celtic Ray Public House serves many high-quality imports in a traditional Irish pub atmosphere. The British-style Icehouse Pub offers beers from around the world, local brews, British and American cuisine and bar games. The Belgian Monk Pub is a quaint pub with a welcoming atmosphere that serves unique craft and import beers and European fare from their “Munchies Menu.”
There’s Always Time For Wine
For a hands-on experience, make and bottle your own wine at the Gilded Grape Winery or enjoy live music, trivia or karaoke in their wine bar with a glass of house-made wine. Stop in to unWined Wine & Beer Bar and relax with wine and craft beer tastings, antipasto, periodic live music, and more. D’Vines Wine & Gift Emporium features a wine and coffee bar, wine-themed gift shop, and wine tastings, and Vino Loco Gourmet is a great combo wine bar/gourmet tapas restaurant/bottle shop with a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
Keep Calm, Have a Cocktail
Alligator Bay Distillers craft rum distillery uses 100% Florida molasses in their rum. They even coined the term “Cane to Bottle” to describe their philosophy and process. You can take a free tour of the facility, enjoy a tasting, and buy a bottle (or several) of their award-winning rum and other merch right onsite.
For creative and tasty cocktails in Englewood, visit Farlow's on the Water and Magnolias on the Bay. For alcohol-free options, head to Downtown Kava in Punta Gorda.
Whiskey-lovers will want to belly up at Leroy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar for down-home cooking, handcrafted whiskey cocktails and cold local brews.
The local spirits scene has many hidden gems, and finding them is part of the fun. Check out our Nightlife & Entertainment page and peruse the delicious-looking refreshments below for inspiration!
