Originally opening their doors in 1992, Mr. Bones BBQ in Holmes Beach is a staple restaurant on Anna Maria Island, and especially when it comes to barbecue. The restaurant itself is an extremely unique environment, which is prevalent as soon as you walk through the front doors. A large coffin stocked with a variety of beer for you to take and enjoy while you’re dining can be found at the entrance. There’s even a skeleton, not a real one of course, at the front of the restaurant which adds to the fun found inside the dining area. Feast on several different types of barbecue ribs, chicken, or beef. The baked beans are delicious, as well as the beans and rice. Not a fan of meat? No problem! Mr. Bones takes special care of their vegan and vegetarian customers and dishes.
“This care includes buying, when possible, organic and local ingredients. Or, like soaking and seasoning our own black bean recipe, and using organic quinoa as one of our binders for the black bean burgers. Just as we ask our customers with allergies to inform us when they order, we ask our vegan customers to let us know so we can take every needed precaution in the kitchen when preparing their meals.”
– Direct Quote from Mr. Bones Website
Mr. Bones takes pride on making their food from complete scratch. This includes all 5 of their sauces. And their BBQ sauces are so good, you’ll want to take some home with you, and luckily you can! They bottle and sell their original BBQ sauces AND their hand-mixed dry rub right out of the restaurant.
If you haven’t already visited Mr. Bones BBQ Restaurant, then you need to! Make sure you try their Mrs. Frost’s Strawberry Shortcake for dessert (if it’s in season). It is to die for!
MR. BONES BBQ:
. 3007 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Holmes Beach rental guidelines are extremely complicated and this post is an introduction into Holmes Beach Rental information. It is critically important that you find a real estate professional that understands all zoning requirements for all three cities of Anna Maria Island. First lets start with zoning in Holmes Beach City and how it relates to rentability. Rentability in Holmes Beach can be defined in five general categories.
Rent nightly – 365 guests per year
Rent weekly – 52 guests per year
Rent monthly – 12 guests per year
Rent monthly – less than 12 guest per year due to condominimum bylaws
Rent annually – 6 months or more. Normally referred to as tenant.
Below is the current Holmes Beach Zoning map. I would ALWAYS suggest verifying the zone your property is in by calling Holmes Beach City hall and confirming what they have on record. The map is not 100% accurate from property to property however it does paint a picture for Holmes Beach zones.
R1 and R1 AA zones may only be rented for 30 days or more. There has been a great deal of discussion in the past that one guest per month is acceptable however the code does dictate 30 day minimums so if you are purchasing a Holmes Beach property for rental income be sure to utilize 30 day minimums as your reference for income to be sure you use a conservative approach rather than an aggressive approach when calculating potential revenue. The typical buyer for these zones is someone who would like to stay multiple months and perhaps rental income is nice to have but not necessary to fiscally maintain the property.
R2-R4 zones can essentially be rented once per 7 day period. Holmes Beach does have a vacation rental ordinance which requires annual inspections for vacation rentals in these zones. The typical buyer for these zones is someone who would like to rent the property weekly for the vast majority of the calendar. A word of caution if you anticipate living in the property or visit for multiple months. R2-R4 zones are primarily filled with seasonal vacation rental homes so your neighbors normally change weekly or monthly. If you require significant rental income for your Anna Maria Island property then consider the impact later if you plan to live at the property permanently or a good portion of the year.
A1 zones can be rented nightly and it is zoned for high tourism. It is up for discussion if A1 properties require inspections however in my humble opinion inspections are not required for A1 zones and not subject to the Holmes Beach Vacation rental ordinance. I must state again, this is my opinion however after several years I have not registered A1 properties via the vacation rental ordinance in Holmes Beach. The typical buyer for this area is someone who wishes to be close to the beach and maximize rental income as well as minimize maintenance on the property since the vast majority of properties in the A1 zone are condominiums.
C1 – C3 zones are primarily commercial areas of Holmes Beach which are not residential friendly. If you are considering a commercial property be sure to find a sales professional that has assited in the buying and selling of multiple commercial properties in Holmes Beach. This is extremely complicated and if someone is informing you that you may rent a C1 – C3 property on a seasonal basis then I strongly suggest more research at Holmes Beach City hall is initiated. I can help with commercial property as I have personally bought, sold and developed on Holmes Beach Commercial property.
Take note, if you plan to rent your Holmes Beach or Anna Maria City property. Each of the two cities currently require inspections on an annual or two year basis. Bradenton Beach is currently working to modify their ordinance to require much of the same. Why is this mentioned? If the property you are considering has not been rented since 2015 then “owner improvements” which have not been permitted may cause significant grief. Normally cities do not inspect properties unless there is a significant reason to do so. However, once the property is signed up for one of either two cities to enter the seasonal rental pool that will trigger an inspection. Ground level usage in an elevated home may require permanent removal by the city. For sure non permitted work will be found and the improvements that may be adding value to the property being considered may be required to be torn out upon the Vacation rental required ordinance.
Do yourself a favor and PLAN to register your property as a vacation rental in the appropriate city. DO NOT plan to slip under the radar as all cities have become fairly effective at finding vacation rental advertising and linking it back to the property.
Buy a property on Anna Maria Island as a seasonal vacation rental is very complicated. Be sure to use a full time real estate professional with your search. No weekend warriors or non Anna Maria Island Real Estate professionals. There is too much at stake and each city has complicated ordinance that can significantly impact value if all characteristics of the property are not taken into consideration. I have written a blog to help you find the right real estate professional however I know any of our full time sales professionals at Island Real Estate would love to help. Happy hunting and good luck. Larry Chatt
The Beach Bistro is a fantastic restaurant that offers a dining experience to remember. Several courses are served, or you can order how you like. Reservations are strongly recommended, but you can also try to grab a seat at the bar. The bar has a little more limited menu and provides some “lighter fare” options. If you are looking for a romantic spot with limited gulf views and price is no option then we strongly recommend the Beach Bistro. Average meal prices are well over $35, so be sure you are comfortable with their prices.
Younger children are welcome, but are not recommended if you plan on having a long dining experience. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but if you can find a “legal” spot go for it otherwise be sure to use their valet parking. One additional note, the seating for two is normally fairly intimate so be prepared to get to know your neighboring diners.
We’ve provided some information below to help you contact them or find them once you’re on the island!
Beach Bistro
The Bistro is located in Holmes Beach, FL
Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 stars – based on 377 reviews
Anna Maria- When vacationing on the coast eating fresh seafood is a must, and Anna Maria Island Oysters are no exception. With countless restaurants on the island, finding some delicious oysters to eat is easier than ever!
Anna Maria Island Oysters
Many people believe humans have eaten oysters since the Roman times from evidence of oyster farms in France and the United Kingdom. Crazy right?
Oysters can be found in all of the world’s oceans. They are bivalve mollusks that have rough irregular shells. While most oysters are edible, there is a difference between food oysters and pearl oysters. Even though it is possible, most food oysters don’t produce pearls. Both are also in two different families of bivalves.
Surprisingly enough, oysters breathe much like fish, using both gills and mantle. They can be both male or female, and can change genders one or more times throughout their life.
Health Benefits
Oysters are one of the most nutritionally balanced foods because they have proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in them. Just eating four or five medium sized oysters supply the recommended daily source of iron, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus!
Where to celebrate!
With so many restaurants on the island, there’s plenty of options for eating Anna Maria Island Oysters! Here’s a few to think of going to:
AMOB on the Pier– Located in Bradenton Beach, enjoy delicious oyster platters such as Grandma Georgie’s Chipotle Oysters, Rockefeller or an oyster sampler.
Eat at AMOB on the Pier!
Island Gourmet Grill– Serving baked oysters with toppings such as cheese, bacon, and jalapenos, there’s no way to go wrong here! You can find Island Gourmet on Holmes Beach.
Enjoy yummy oysters at Island Gourmet!
Island Fresh Market– Specializing in locally caught and grown food, the Fresh Market serves oysters caught right around the island! You can order them cooked or raw. You can find them on Holmes Beach!
Be sure to enjoy Anna Maria Island Oysters on your next visit!
Anna Maria- If you’re looking for a fun activity with the family, why not have a photo scavenger hunt on Anna Maria Island? Great for all ages, grab your camera and go explore some of the best features of Anna Maria! Don’t forget to post your pictures on our Facebook page at the end of your trip!
Photo scavenger hunt on Anna Maria Island
1. Selfie in your vacation rental
What better way to start your vacation? Take a selfie in your new vacation rental and make all your Facebook friends jealous! Plus we always love seeing our guests satisfied with our properties.
Take a picture at your vacation rental!
2. Buried treasure on the beach
Make like a pirate and find some buried treasure while staying on Anna Maria Island! Many times loose change can be found, and every once in a while jewelry! Take a lap around the beach and see what you might find.
Find buried treasure on the beach!
3. Sunset Scavenger Hunt on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets. Good places to view these lovely colors are White Avenue and Bean Point.
Snap a shot of Anna Maria’s beautiful sunset while on your scavenger hunt!
4. Triple-Decker ice cream cone
When in the hot Florida sun it’s always nice to cool off with some cold ice cream! Stack on multiple scoops for the ultimate ice cream cone. Delicious places to go to are Two Scoops and Holy Cow Ice Cream.
Get some yummy ice cream! Photo courtesy of http://www.njfamily.com/NJ-Family/July-2011/Youll-Scream-for-Jerseys-Best-Homemade-Ice-Cream/
5. Wild Parrots
One of the best characteristics about Anna Maria is the occasional sighting of wild parrots. These beautiful creatures can be found all over the island, and are definitely picture worthy. Just please don’t try to feed or disturb them!
Spot beautiful Blue Crowned parrots on the island!
6. Seagulls (Do not feed!)
Some of the most common birds in Florida are seagulls. Found all over the beach, seagulls are the perfect addition to your vacation photos. However, do not feed them as they can be very aggressive and won’t leave you alone once you do!
Find seagulls on your scavenger hunt!
7. Selfie on the free trolley
A great feature on Anna Maria Island is the free trolley that goes through Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. As you’re traveling around the island make sure to snap a picture to record your travels! You can find the schedule for the trolley here. All we ask is to not take a photo in front of the trolley as it will hold the driver up and put it off schedule!
If you like sweets The Donut Experiment is an absolute must to go to. With delicious donuts that make for great pictures you can’t go wrong here. Plus, you get to choose EXACTLY what goes on your donuts as they are made-to-order. There will be a little wait however as they are extremely popular!
Grab some yummy donuts!
9. Spell your name in shells
Leave a little of yourself behind and spell your name out in the sand! Anna Maria has pretty shells littering the island, and is a great way to get creative on your vacation. Plus it makes your pictures a little more personalized!
Photo courtesy of http://trenchesofmommyhood.blogspot.com/2011/04/jacob.html
10. Build a sand castle
What better way to show off the island’s beautiful sand than creating sand castles? Show off your creative skills and build your own or be on the look out for professionals creating theirs! This is also a great activity to do with the family, and adding kids into the picture only makes it cuter! Get inventive and have fun.
Known for their delicious burgers and cold beer, Duffy’s Tavern is the perfect place to go for food. Make sure to document you’re meal for the scavenger hunt on Anna Maria Island!
Get the best burgers and beer at Duffy’s Tavern!
12. Selfie at the beach
The best part of vacationing at Anna Maria is the beach! With pretty water and cool wildlife you’re sure to get some awesome pictures. Take a selfie (or selfies!) with the family, you’re sure to get some Instagram-worthy pictures!
Take fun selfie’s at the beach!
13. Visit the Historic Green Village
Located on Pine Avenue, the Historic Green Village is one out of 100 places worldwide to have achieved the highest possible green building standard. With cool shops such as ami Outfitters and Beach Bums there’s a lot to see and do! Learn more about this historical place here.
Snap a picture at Anna Maria’s Green Village! Photo courtesy of http://www.historicgreenvillage.com/
Have fun with this scavenger hunt on Anna Maria Island, and remember to be safe!
Anna Maria Island – While relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island you may notice beach warning flags. A notice of swimming conditions, You’ll see them flying from the lifeguard stands at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. These are color coded flags to warn you about different conditions that you as a beachgoer should be aware of.
What the beach warning flags mean
Double Red – No swimming allowed
Red – Swim with extreme caution due to strong currents or rough surf
Yellow – Swim with caution due to strong currents or rough surf
Green – Swimming allowed, calm conditions
Purple – Presence of marine pests such as jellyfish, sharks, stingrays or red tide
In 2005 the Florida Legislature introduced the uniform beach flag system. Florida’s beach flag program uses four colors accompanied by interpretive signs along the beach to explain swimming conditions. All public beaches in Florida with lifeguards must use the state flag system. With a quick glance at the lifeguard stand beachgoers are informed about the existing water conditions. Life guards will monitor conditions changing the flags throughout the day in order to keep patrons informed. Follow the link for swimming conditions prior to your beach visit.
Just in time for the summer season 2014 additional beach flags will be posted at two fire stations in MANATEE COUNTY. One fire stations is on the island: Fire Station No. 1 at 6001 Marina Drive on Holmes Beach next to the Island Real Estate office and the second fire station is on the way approaching the island via Cortez Road: 10350 Cortez Road, Bradenton.
Lifeguards will communicate with firefighters to change the flags as necessary.
So, just check today’s beach flag color, apply sunscreen and enjoy your day on the beautiful beaches on Anna Maria Island. You might also like to check out what the Island Real Estate team brings along in their beach bags or take a live look at the beach via the Island Real Estate beach cam.
Holmes Beach – During the month of May, the watercolor mirror image titled “Reflections” by Bayshore High School student Erin Kenney will be displayed at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Erin is a senior AP art student who plans to work after graduation as a tattoo artist and attend college later. She was selected to be part of Art and Soul in 2013-14 and also Art Slam as well as The River Walk Art Festival. Her art teacher is Claire Hickman.
Pictured left to right, Claire Hickman, Erin Kenney and Guild Education Chairperson Karen Ellsworth Artists’ Guild Gallery
Holmes Beach – We’re proud to announce that effective June 1st all of our Holmes Beach properties will have rear door recycling! No more taking you’re recyclables to the curb!
Recycling will be collected on Tuesdays, while trash is still being picked up on Monday and Friday. See below a break down of what and what not to put in your recycling bin, and where to place it.
There are two separate garbage receptacles available. One is for garbage waste, and one for recyclables listed on the top of the can.
Anna Maria Island – Anna Maria Island birds and wildlife are very important to locals, and the success of our environment. Bird nesting season is here and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC for short, is asking beachgoers to watch out for and avoid disturbing nesting shore birds. With nests built out of sand, respecting local wildlife is especially important during high traffic times like Spring Break. A lot of these birds face conservation challenges and taking into consideration a few do’s and don’t can go a long way towards helping preserve our local ecosystem.
Anna Maria Island birds and wildlife
Rules for beachgoer’s
Keep your distance, whether on the beach or paddling watercraft along the shore. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet from a nest. Birds calling out loudly and dive-bombing are giving signals for you to back off.
Never intentionally force birds to fly or run. They use up energy they need for nesting, and eggs and chicks may be left vulnerable to the sun’s heat or predators. Teach children not to chase shorebirds and kindly ask fellow beach-goes to do the same.
Respect posted areas. Avoid posted nesting sites and use designated walkways when possible.
Do not take pets to the beach.
Keep the beach clean and do not fee wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows, which can prey on shorebird chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
Rules for wildlife photographers
Remain beyond the posted area, with no part of you or your camera equipment extending beyond the string or signs.
Restrict photography to no more than 10 minutes. Too much time photographing near the nest may stress birds.
Don’t “push” birds around the beach. Stay far enough away so the birds do not change their behavior in response to your presence. They need to feed and rest without disturbance.
If you see someone disturbing nesting birds report their behavior to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC(3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone or by texting Tip@#MyFWC.com.
Black Skimmer feeding it’s babies during nesting season on Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island – Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins may be one of our nicest finned friends, but they are still wild animals protected under law by the Marina Mammal Protection Act. Here are some do’s and don’ts for interacting with them.
Anna Maria Island Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins
Do’s
Stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins when viewing from a vessel or watercraft.
Limit time spent observing marine mammals to 30 minutes or less.
Avoid making loud or sudden noises near these aquatic mammals.
Move away slowly if a dolphin’s behavior indicates the animal is stressed or disturbed.
Look before you book! Book wild dolphin viewing tours with businesses that responsibly view dolphins in the wild and help cetacean conservation.
Put your vessel’s engine in neutral if in the close vicinity of dolphins.
Dont’s
Pursue, swim with, pet or touch wild dolphins, even if they approach you.
Encircle or entrap dolphins with vessels.
Operate or maneuver vessels in a manner that may cause dolphins to change their current behaviors. Specifically, do not direct a vessel or accelerate toward dolphins with the intent of creating a wake.
Separate mother and calf pairs.
Drive watercraft through or over groups of dolphins.
If you see a dolphin in distress call Mote Marine’s Stranding Investigations Program at 941-988-0212.
Originally opening their doors in 1992, Mr. Bones BBQ in Holmes Beach is a staple restaurant on Anna Maria Island, and especially when it comes to barbecue. The restaurant itself is an extremely unique environment, which is prevalent as soon as you walk through the front doors. A large coffin stocked with a variety of beer for you to take and enjoy while you’re dining can be found at the entrance. There’s even a skeleton, not a real one of course, at the front of the restaurant which adds to the fun found inside the dining area. Feast on several different types of barbecue ribs, chicken, or beef. The baked beans are delicious, as well as the beans and rice. Not a fan of meat? No problem! Mr. Bones takes special care of their vegan and vegetarian customers and dishes.
