Manatee Island Bar And Grill

07/30/2022

https://www.tcpalm.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/2022/07/29/manatee-islands-bittersweet-last-night-service-port-salerno/10180490002/

Manatee Island Bar and Grill in Port Salerno closed its doors for the final time Thursday, July 28, 2022.

07/28/2022

WORDS can’t express how much Manatee Island Port Salerno has meant to me.

When we bought Manatee Island Port Salerno 13 years ago I was 46 years old. My best friend and business partner Michael Politano was 47. We had families with young children and we were in the prime of our working lives. My daughter was 9 years old. Anyone who has owned a restaurant will tell you that you don’t own a restaurant…it owns you. But we lived it and we loved it. No matter what you do for a living you will be blessed if you enjoy going to work every day like I did. It would be wrong if I didn’t start my thanks and gratitude with the BEST GODDAMN EMPLOYEES ANYWHERE, EVER!! Kathy Wickham and Denise McMahon – you were with us on opening night, January 20, 2010. You’ve walked every mile of the journey with us. Bill Simelunis, Marybeth Henderson, Kimberly Wedgewood – not just friends for life but brothers and sisters. So many others that worked long stretches supporting our dream I simply can’t mention them all. But my love and gratitude is deeper than you can imagine. As if that family weren’t enough, there were so many people who started out as customers, became acquaintances, and are now counted as GOOD FRIENDS. True friends are hard to come by, and yet we were blessed with so many.
In the last 5 years of my life I have beaten cancer, survived a boat explosion, divorced after a 22 year marriage and been through numerous other personal tragedies. Elida Gonnella and I may be divorced, but we still love each other, our children, and of course, Manatee Island. Michael Politano recently turned 60 and I will be 60 on my next birthday. I now have a 7 year old grandson. This is a young mans game and we are parting with 1 of our 2 restaurants. I’m truly sorry to see some anger and venom out there on social media commenting on our closing. Tomorrow will be our closing night – Thursday July 28, 2022. Mikey B will be playing from 6:30 until he stops. I will be there until the end and I will be easy to find. I will be the guy surrounded by family and friends with a beer in my hand and a smile on my face. It will be a celebration. There will be sadness but it will be outweighed by happiness and celebration. I hope to see you all there celebrating with me.

So much love,
Paul

07/27/2022

There’s no Wednesday blues on 🌴🍤
$8 menu items & $1 off drinks 3-6pm 🍹
Every Wednesday- 40% off any bottle of wine! 🍷
Rob Arenth rockin the tiki at 630pm🎸

07/26/2022

Tuesdays are for Tiki Time and Fresh Seafood on the waterfront at !🦐🐟🦀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Specials- $15 Manatee Island BBQ Ribs served with housemade chips & coleslaw
$8 menu items 3-6pm ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Live music ft Chris King 630-930pm ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​at the tiki tonight! 😎
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07/25/2022

07/25/2022

Monday fun at 🌊​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Specials today- $8 Mussels Margarita, $8 Margarita Flatbread & $10 Margarita Shrimp Skewers. Pair with a $5 House Margarita on the rocks (with or without salt) 😎🍤🍽⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
It’s team trivia night! Gather your team for Trivia Fun starting at 630pm 🏆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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07/24/2022

Enjoy this summer weather at - Port Salerno!​​​​​​​​🏝 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Delicious Fresh Seafood, Ice Cold Beverages + $8 menu items 3-6pm!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Seafood Sunday Specials- $15 Dozen Oysters & $10 Shrimp Cocktail!
Live Music featuring Jason Montero Music 4-8pm! 🎶 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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07/23/2022

Saturday on Island Time ! ☀️🌊​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
🥩 Enjoy Slow cooked Prime Rib, Baked Potato & Vegetables 🍽 12oz $22.99 16oz $25.99⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Live music at the tiki tonight 4-11pm! 🎵​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Pat Powell-7pm​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

📸- Reid

07/22/2022

Happy Friday! Join us for Delicious dishes, Cold beverages & Live Music at Port Salerno!🏝​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
$15 Fish Fry- Fried Po***ck, Clams and Shrimp, Served with Hushpuppies and Coleslaw 😋🍤
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Live music Rockin the tiki​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Steve Fredericks 4-7pm
The Katillacs 8-11pm