Anna Maria bar frequented by celebrities and locals alike on sale for $7.2 million
Bortell’s Lounge, a longtime favorite of celebrities and locals alike, has gone on the market for $7.2 million.
Steve Rose bought Bortell’s, 10002 Gulf Drive, in 2016 and then closed it in 2018 for remodeling, posting a “gone fishing” sign.
After three years of reconstruction, the sign was updated to “almost done fishing” in 2021.
During the rebuilding of Bortell’s, Rose and his wife, Marci Wilhelm, were in a 2019 plane crash in Greenville, S.C., that nearly claimed their lives. They were passengers in a Dassault Falcon 50 jet, that slid off the runway, killing the pilot and co-pilot.
Bortell’s reopened in 2021, the second year of the pandemic, initially with limited hours.
During the remodeling, it had been reduced to a shell, and then rebuilt with a kitchen, new look and made flood-proof, said listing agent Richard Bucko of Machado Property Pros of Sarasota.
“I grew up on Anna Maria Island. We used to bike by there and hear the old-timers tell stories about the place,” Bucko said.
Bortell’s Lounge first opened in 1977. The 2,850-square-foot building was previously home to a VFW post and Sundries Drug Store.
“Many stories of local celebrities such as Greg Allman and other band members, as well as many sports stars, have called Bortell’s home while living and visiting Anna Maria Island,” the online listing website says.
“What makes Bortell’s legendary is not all the famous celebrities, but it’s the long history with the locals and vacationers that have created lifelong memories and friendships over the past 46 years,” the website says.
Not included in the sale are the owner’s personal fishing gear which decorate a ceiling on the south end of the building.
The fishing gear will be removed prior to closing.
For more information, visit the LoopNet website.
