Drift-In AMI — Restaurant in Brandenton Beach

I came upon what I thought was this gem of a bar that reminded me of an old school seaside bar, but I was reminded of what kind of trouble these bars could harbor. But before I get to the bad, I feel the positives need to be told first, because they really made this the funnest bar I’ve been into in a long time. First, they have some of the best bartender and service I’ve found in a long time. Ashley was so fun to be around and great service to everyone there. The drink prices are amazing for a bar in a beachside village. They had an afternoon bingo game that they do several times a week that we had a blast playing. Joy was so personable and even had me and my wife laughing and feeling so welcome here. Now, unfortunately for the bad. I hate to have to mention it about this fine establishment, but I feel it’s so heinous I have to bring it up. At the beginning of the bingo games, a young man with a Mohawk haircut stood up and started threatening a black couple in the parking lot for no reason, threatening them he had a gun in his truck and would use it on them if they didn’t get off the property right away. I cannot tolerate this kind of hatred in today’s day and age. I thought I would just address this with the bartenders how disgusted this made me when, but I found out this young man actually works at this establishment. This behavior is completely unacceptable, ESPECIALLY from an employee. This would’ve been a one in a million bar, if it wasn’t for the unpleasantness from this racist,...

Rudest bartender ever. Literally began screaming at me about where we parked at- that it was rude to block people in. In actuality, WE were the ones blocked in looking for the driver behind us so we could leave. THEN had the audacity to tell me i was lying- that we drove something different, And continued to scream and bob her head. An old lady there tried explaining why she was so worked up, and the bartender talked over her continuing to tell me what it was that we drove. Bartender looks at my friend, asks what car we r driving since she for some reason didn’t believe me, gets the man that parked behind us, and we left. She didn’t know who we were, where we came from, what it was we wanted, and why we were approaching the bar. She immediately accused, screamed, and told me I was lying out of nowhere. Hope she finds what she is missing in her life that has made her so ignorant and rude, but the business unfortunately is suffering for it in...

So this used to be a cool local dive bar. Now it’s apparent that the bartenders are making too much money with the tourists who, even if they complain, don’t come back. So there’s basically this constant influx of new people who don’t know any better. 10 years ago, I would highly recommend the drift inn to get a fair pour and a relaxed atmosphere. Now it’s a 2oz pour (and I’m being favorable) in a 16-20 oz glass. It is incredibly difficult to get the attention of the bartender. We sat outside forever. Finally went inside and got the attention of the bartender and got out drinks made. Took them outside and tasted how outrageously weak they were. Told the outside bartender we would like to buy (literally BUY) another shot of liquor to pour in them. “Sorry, I’m closin’ down out here”. Good luck, tourists!...