Summer Tap Juice Bar

A welcome respite from the impenetrable humidity as well as the bustling streets of downtown Sarasota, Summer Tap Juice Bar sits at the figurative intersection of neighborhood bar and day spa (as well as the literal intersection of Pineapple Avenue and Dolphin Street in the Burns Court neighborhood). Inside you’ll find ample seating, mellow music undulating from the speakers, and a cornucopia of fresh fruits and veggies that are delivered Monday through Saturday—which are then turned into delicious, refreshing smoothies and juices right before your eyes.

Initially dreaming of a bakery, owner Galina Naguibine had a change of plans after she and her husband spent a vacation in the Caribbean. “The trip to the Dominican Republic was definitely the lightbulb moment,” she says. “We realized that we wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and got into juicing, smoothies, and anything that has a lot of vitamins and health benefits. But it had to be yummy.”

For juices, you’ll find tried-and-true combos like the Green Juice with spinach, kale, apple, cucumber, and lemon, as well as more adventurous mixes like the Heart Beet Juice with apple, orange, beet, strawberries, and lime. All crafted with no additional powders, colors, or additives.

“The biggest hit on the menu right now is the Acai Bowl,” Naguibine says. “We sell almost 500 weekly. It’s topped with fresh fruits that we restock a few times a day.” As for smoothies, the Refreshing Green delivers on both of those promises with spinach, pineapple, mango, banana, natural unsweetened orange juice, and organic agave nectar, while the menu is nicely rounded out with a lively mix of teas and multigrain toasts—give the Smoked Salmon Toast or Avocado Toast & Tomatoes a try.

Although it didn’t bother us, something to take note of is that the lines—and consequent wait times—can grow long. However, the space is welcoming and comfy, with barstools, tables, and a small lounge area. You’ll find no shortage of neighborhood locals imbibing their greens or snacking on acai, and that aspect shouldn’t change anytime soon.

“When we were choosing the style and mood, we wanted to make sure it’s warm, cozy, and inviting,” Naguibine says. “So you can come in, hang out, and enjoy our options. We wanted to be the first step for those who are just starting their health journey, but at the same time be here for the more experienced, to make their diet more exciting.”

At the end of the day, Naguibine’s ethos for Summer Tap is balance. “I truly believe that one of the most important things that you can have in life is balance. When we were working on the menu we wanted to make sure it was healthy, pure, and clean, but at the same time tasty, beautiful, and attractive,” she says. And by all measures, balance has surely been achieved.

Summer Tap Juice Bar: 411 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; 941-993-1449;
summertapjuicebar.com