A Locals Guide To Siesta Key and Sarasota

Experience the Siesta Key/Sarasota area like a local. In Siesta Key you have the Siesta Key Village, the Sunday night drum circles and of course, the beautiful beaches. In Sarasota, there’s the Saturday Morning Farmers Market, improv at the Florida Studio Theatre and watching a movie at Burns Court Cinema while previously enjoying a meal at Owen's Fish Camp.

Catch a Flick at Burns Court Cinema 

Photo Courtesy of: Burns Court Theater Facebook

It is hard to find true independent cinemas that are devoted to film. The Burns Court Cinema is a shining example of a passionate theater with their soul invested in the art of film. From the outside, the Burns Court Cinema can be characterized as a pink cement block at first - but when you enter inside you find a humble, simple theater with a devotion to exposing the Sarasota community to insightful, foreign films.
To understand Burns Court Cinema and its roots better, you have to trace the Sarasota Film Society - for that is the not-for-profit, member supported business that birthed Burns Court as their first Cinema. Started by Dan and Sue Morris in 1984, the Sarasota Film Society aimed to provide the highest art in film as well as education. Almost 10 years later, in 1993, the Sarasota Film Society had gathered enough funding from members to open up their first cinema - Burns Court Theater. 

The Burns Court Theatre has been open for almost 30 years. In 25 of those years, starting in 1998, the Sarasota Film Society started the Cine-World Film Festival. A once-a-year event spanning throughout the month of November that aims to bring the best international films to the big screen right here in Sarasota, Florida. The Cine-World Film Festival is met with raving reviews from locals for its community building and awareness. 

That’s the main draw to Burns Court - the educational aspect. Sure, they do showings of Hollywood movies but their main focus is to educate through film and the art of film. This is what draws us to the Sarasota Film Society - its goal to put people and education before profits.

Owen’s Fish Camp

Photo Courtesy of: Owens Fish Camp Facebook


If you are looking for dinner and a movie there is nothing like Owen's Fish Camp, a cozy, southern fish-forward restaurant that makes you feel like home. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of oysters, Owen’s Fish Camp has no doubt the freshest, yummiest oysters I’ve ever had in my life.
Ordering the freshest seafood in town off of their paper placemats, everything feels cozy and down to earth. 
Don’t believe the hype? Check out the almost 3,000 reviews on Google My Business praising this local classic.

Now that we know of the best hidden secrets in Sarasota, here’s the night!

During your stay at Tropical Beach Resorts, take an afternoon/night to head over to the Burns Court area. After a leisurely stroll throughout the neighborhood head over to Owen's Fish camp around 5:00 for the best seafood experience in the area. Afterwards, walk across the street and head into the humble Burns Court Cinema for a 7:00 PM showing of one of the featured foreign films (Movie Screening times and tickets are available here).

 After a riveting movie experience, head back to your Tropical Beach Home for a cozy night in or stay out experience some amazing Sarasota bars!
*Make it a whole day and enjoy Marie Selby Gardens or maybe the Saturday Morning Farmers Market in Downtown Sarasota.

Enjoy one of my favorite nights out in Sarasota! It is a personal one and I am incredibly happy to share it with you!