Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill has officially kicked off its fifth season and is now open seven days a week, serving drinks, appetizers, burgers and sandwiches and Calabash-style seafood on a floating barge along the Riverwalk.
 
The restaurant’s 2020 season was scheduled to start on St. Patrick’s Day last year, the very same day the governor’s order for restaurants and bars to close for in-house service went into effect.

While Anne Bonny’s did initially attempt to offer take-out, owners quickly learned that this model didn’t work very well for many of their menu items. The restaurant then remained closed until in-house dining was permitted just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
 
Operating partner Madison Vithalani said that despite the late start, the restaurant fared well throughout the summer and early fall.
 
“I think because we’re an all-outdoor restaurant, that helped us as far as the regulations and making guests feel comfortable,” Vithalani said.
 
Anne Bonny’s will be serving customer favorites such as their giant Ship’s Wheel Soft Pretzel, Cheese Curds, Fried Pickles and Fish n’ Chips, but also have few changes planned for the 2021 season, including the addition of some new margaritas, funnel cake and brunch specials on weekends.
 
“We’re looking at probably a brunch burger, shrimp and grits and a sweet option,” Vithalani said.
 
Anne Bonny’s will also be offering a new house-made wing sauce, Garlic Caesar, in addition to flavors such as Buffalo, Sriracha-Honey and smoky house dry rub.
 
Anne Bonny’s offers several local and state craft beers, as well as frozen and traditional cocktails and wine slushies. Live music will take place every Friday and Saturday evening starting in April.
 
While seating is still limited to 50% capacity, Anne Bonny’s does have use of a gravel area alongside the barge, where guests can be seated at picnic tables.
 
“We’re excited for the coming season and hope everyone will be feeling a little more comfortable with being out in public,” Vithalani said. “We’re starting out with a lot of great new staff members and look forward to serving our customers.”
 
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