LOUISE BOLGER | SUN
Bill Herlihy has been a driving force behind the success
experienced at Island Time.
Everyone knows that island time is the best kind of time. And where's the best kind of place to enjoy the best kind of time? Island Time Bar & Grill in Bradenton Beach.
For five years, Island Time Bar & Grill has contributed to the lively activity at the Bradenton Beach roundabout on Gulf Drive. Offering indoor and covered outdoor seating, the sidewalk seating features eye-catching red umbrellas that make this trendy, casual eatery an inviting local hot spot.
President and General Manager Bill Herlihy, originally from the state of New York, grew up in the restaurant business. His father was a chef, and he started working in restaurants as a teenager, learning the business from the ground up.
In Februrary 2011, Herlihy and his partners, John Hardesty and Keith Daum, opened the Bridge Street Bistro in the space above what is now Island Time. They knew immediately that what was being utilized as a gound-level parking garage was destined to become much more, and that vision was right on target. Within a few months, they created an attractive, street-level restaurant right across from the beach, at one of the busiest intersections on the Island. After opening that Fourth of July weekend, Island Time Bar & Grill quickly became a focal point on Bridge Street and has been going strong for five years.
Island Time has a humongous bar with 10 flat-screen TVs, happy hour every day until late afternoon and entertainment nightly. You can check out the entertainment calendar at the Island Time website or on Facebook. Island Time is pet friendly, has a complimentary parking attendant and also offers takeout food service.
Island Time's menu should satisfy everyone's appetite and features the popular crunchy grouper sandwich that is never frozen, fresh Florida grouper, great chicken wings and their New York-style burger. There is also a large appetizer menu that includes ahi tuna, coconut shrimp, chips with salsa and guacamole, baskets of fries and onion rings and more. Entree offerings include cedar-planked salmon, filet mignon, coconut and almond-crusted mahi, a broiled seafood platter and a selection of entree-style salads. Island Time also offers side salads and soup, including lobster bisque and French onion; a wide array of sandwiches; lobster mac and cheese; fish and chips and many delicious desserts. The list goes on, and Herlihy says you can get anything from chicken wings to filet mignon, and it all comes out of the same kitchen that serves the Bridge Street Bistro.
After more than 30 years of working together, Herlihy's friend, business partner and executive chef, Daum, has retired, but he will remain as a consultant. Taking his place is Chef Nicholas Jorge, who was Daum's sous chef for over three years and took the helm when Daum took off during the summer months.
Former manager and bar manager Eric Fleishman is returning as general manger for both the Bridge Street Bistro and Island Time Bar & Grill.
With his new team in place, Herlihy's plan is continue improving the menu and offfering great service and fun for patrons. And speaking of fun, Island Time will celebrate its five-year anniversary during the Fourth of July weekend, with extended hours Saturday and Monday, and food and drink specials all weekend.
Rain? No problem. Sun? No problem. The beach? No problem. Parking? No problem? So don't worry, be happy because you're on island time at the Island Time Bar & Grill. Stop in and help them celebrate five years at Bradenton Beach's iconic corner.
ISLAND TIME BAR & GRILL
111 Gulf Drive S.
Bradenton Beach
941-782-1122
www.islandtimebarandgrill.com
Open every day
11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Happy hour: Tues.-Sat., 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and
Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All major credit cards accepted
Entertainment nightly
Pet friendly