Sand Key Park May Allow Alcohol Sales

The contract with vendor who currently provides concession service at the Sand Key Park expires in a few months. That vendor along with 2 others has submitted proposals for the new contract.

The current vendor is mobile, selling snacks from a roving golf cart, and hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks from a mobile kitchen/trailer. One of the alternative proposals includes a 2,200 square foot elevated pavilion, called "The Sandbar Grill". The pavilion would provide beach concession services, hot meals in addition to the standard beach fare of hot dogs and hamburgers during the day. After 4 pm the pavilion would be used to host "weddings, food functions and other special events and would include providing "controlled and restricted alcoholic beverage services." The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the city's public beaches and parks, but Sand Key Park is governed by the County, not the City.

Pinellas County will review all three proposals and the city Commission will discuss the proposed availability of alcohol at Sand Key Park at their next meeting.