Hurricane Hanks Blog

Anna Maria City Pier Rebuild: A Beacon of Hope, History, and Tourism on Anna Maria Island

There’s nothing quite like watching progress unfold on a project that means so much to a community. The ongoing rebuilding of the iconic Anna Maria City Pier is exactly that — a long-awaited restoration that’s capturing attention, inspiring optimism, and setting the stage for a vibrant tourism season in 2026. As work continues to bring this beloved landmark back to life after significant hurricane damage, locals and visitors alike are counting down the days until the pier reopens later this summer or early fall.

HHFatboyJanuary 13, 2026

Happy New Year from Hurricane Hanks: Celebrating 2025 and Looking Ahead to an Incredible 2026!

Happy New Year from Hurricane Hanks! As we flip the calendar and greet 2026 with open arms, the entire Hurricane Hanks family—from our devoted team to our incredible customers—is filled with gratitude. We hope everyone had a fantastic 2025 and are as excited as we are to share another unforgettable year of delicious food, refreshing drinks, and cherished moments together on beautiful Anna Maria Island.

HHFatboyJanuary 3, 2026

Happy Holidays from Hurricane Hanks !

If you’re celebrating the season on Anna Maria Island (or you just wish you were), the Hurricane Hanks family has one big message for you: Happy Holidays from Hurricane Hanks! Whether you’re a long-time local, a first-time visitor chasing sunsets, or one of our beloved “we come every year and sit at the same table” regulars… we’re truly grateful you’ve made Hurricane Hanks part of your island traditions. Before we get into the cozy, festive vibes: a quick holiday note for your plans. Hurricane Hanks will have limited hours on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is still a great day to stop in for lunch, early dinner, or that “one quick cocktail that turns into two” moment at the bar—just keep in mind we’ll be wrapping up earlier than usual.

HHFatboyDecember 22, 2025

Best Bourbon Menu on Anna Maria

If you’ve ever found yourself on Anna Maria Island thinking, “I want a great meal… and I also want a bourbon that tastes like a warm handshake from history,” you’re in the right place. At Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach, bourbon isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the experience. From classic Kentucky character to modern, hard-to-find pours that bourbon lovers hunt down like treasure, Hurricane Hanks has built a lineup that confidently earns the title: one of the best bourbon menus on Anna Maria.

HHFatboyDecember 20, 2025

New England Clam Chowder – Perfect for a Chilly Day!

There are few dishes in American culinary history as instantly recognizable and deeply comforting as New England Clam Chowder. Rich, creamy, and filled with the flavors of the sea, this iconic soup has warmed generations through cold coastal mornings, blustery afternoons, and cozy evenings by the fire. Today, that same sense of comfort and tradition can be found right here on Anna Maria Island at Hurricane Hanks Restaurant, where their New England Clam Chowder delivers a hearty, satisfying experience with every spoonful.

HHFatboyDecember 20, 2025

History of Holmes Beach: From Early Island Life to a Thriving Tourist Haven

Holmes Beach, one of the three charming cities that make up Anna Maria Island, has a history as rich and inviting as its sparkling shoreline. Long before vacationers flocked to its powdery beaches and vibrant coastal attractions, the area was home to Indigenous peoples who relied on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico for food, transportation, and trade. These early inhabitants — including the Calusa and later the Timucua — left behind shell middens and artifacts that tell the story of their deep relationship with the island’s natural resources. Their presence is the earliest reminder that Holmes Beach has always been a destination shaped by its connection to the sea.

HHFatboyDecember 5, 2025

Things To Do on Anna Maria

Anna Maria Island is one of Florida’s most beloved beach destinations—a seven-mile stretch of sugar-sand shores, turquoise Gulf waters, vibrant wildlife, and a timeless Old Florida charm that keeps visitors returning generation after generation. Located just west of Bradenton and accessible via three bridges, Anna Maria Island (AMI) is home to the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Each offers its own personality, but all share the same warm spirit, pristine beaches, and passion for preserving local heritage. Whether you're visiting for the beaches, outdoor adventures, small-town shopping districts, or the incredible food scene, AMI is a place where relaxation, natural beauty, and island hospitality come together. And in the heart of Holmes Beach sits one of the island’s most dependable and beloved restaurants—Hurricane Hanks—a must-visit stop for lunch, dinner, cold drinks, and friendly service after a long day of exploring everything Anna Maria has to offer.

HHFatboyDecember 2, 2025

Hurricane Hanks Loves Their Team: A Heartfelt Tribute to the People Who Make It All Happen

Hurricane Hanks Restaurant has long been one of the most beloved local gems on Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island. Known for its warm hospitality, scratch-made comfort food, refreshing drinks, and welcoming island atmosphere, the restaurant has grown into a staple for locals and vacationers alike. Over the years, it has become more than a place to grab lunch or dinner—Hurricane Hanks is part of the community’s identity. From its early days as a cozy island hangout to its evolution into a bustling, vibrant restaurant offering some of the most delicious dishes and refreshing beverages on Anna Maria Island, Hurricane Hanks owes its success to one thing above all: its incredible team. Hurricane Hanks Loves Their Team.

HHFatboyNovember 17, 2025

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Appetizer…So YUMMY

When a restaurant dish is so good that it earns its own feature more than once, you know it’s something special. Hurricane Hanks’ Bacon Wrapped Scallops Appetizer fall squarely into that category—so outrageously delicious, so consistently popular, and so frequently requested that we’re happily revisiting this AMI favorite over a year later. Guests can’t stop talking about them, locals love introducing their visiting friends to them, and the dish itself embodies everything we love about coastal dining on Anna Maria Island.

HHFatboyNovember 12, 2025