The highly-anticipated Sugar Champagne Bar is currently accepting reservations for its Friday, March 28 opening. Downtown commuters have watched as the bar's historic building on the corner of Pineapple and Lemon Avenues received a hefty facelift in preparation for the new space, which includes a bubbly pink exterior that carries through into the Art Nouveau dining room via lush curtains, upholstery and other pink flourishes.

"Our vision was to bring an elevated social experience to Sarasota," Ronnie Shugar, founder of Sugar Champagne Bar, said in a press release. Shugar, a longtime entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the founder of Raw Sugar—a line of personal care products sold in Target—and prior to that created a line of bath gifts that was sold in stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory and Home Goods. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, artist Karen Chandler painted our Sarasota Heroes mural honoring health care workers on the outside of Raw Sugar HQ, also in downtown Sarasota. 

"This isn’t just a Champagne bar, though; it’s a destination," Shugar's statement continued. "From the moment you step into our pink building, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s a place where you dress to impress, sip on the finest Champagne and make unforgettable memories. We wanted this to be a must-see, go-to spot when visiting downtown.”

While Sugar Champagne Bar's menu is not yet available online, expect traditional caviar service, canapés and light bites and cocktails, in addition to plenty of Champagne, served Wednesday through Saturday.

Reservations for Sugar Champagne Bar are split into patio dining or interior dining, each with its own set of requirements—but all guests must be 21 years or older. Interior dining reservations from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. encourage cocktail attire and require a $150 per person minimum spend and a 36-hour minimum cancellation window before dining to avoid a $150 per person cancellation charge.

Patio dining does not require a minimum spend but reservations are still highly encouraged. "Smart-casual" attire—which which can include collared shirts, slacks and dark denim—is requested, and shorts and sandals for men, along with tank tops, flip-flops, swimwear, athletic wear and hats are prohibited for all guests.

Sugar Champagne Bar opens Friday, March 28 at 127 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. For reservations, click here.