Snook Haven reopening marks the return of one of Venice’s most iconic Old Florida riverside restaurants. Located on the Myakka River, Snook Haven is known for its BBQ cuisine, live music, and authentic rustic Florida atmosphere.
Snook Haven has been closed since May 1, 2025, due to construction and renovation work. Sarasota County is modernizing the restaurant and the surrounding park. The work is expected to take at least a year. An exact reopening date has not yet been set. Snook Haven is a restaurant in Venice, Florida, that offers a unique Old Florida-style dining experience. Located directly on the Myakka River, it allows guests to enjoy the picturesque views while dining. The restaurant specializes in smoked BBQ, including pork, chicken, shrimp, and fresh fish. In addition to its culinary delights, Snook Haven also features live music and a wide selection of over 30 craft and national beers.
The Snook Haven redevelopment project includes the construction of a new, ADA-compliant* catering facility, a new accessible pavilion with covered seating and views of the river, the replacement of the band shell with a new, ADA-compliant* version, as well as an accessible terrace, a new fishing pier and associated ADA-compliant* car parks, the conversion of one of the existing huts into an equipment hire station (canoe/kayak hire) with a public toilet; the construction of accessible footpaths throughout the project area, connecting to the existing boat ramp and the canoe/kayak landing stage; and site-specific thematic features.
* In Florida, ‘ADA-compliant’ (Americans with Disabilities Act) means that public facilities, businesses, workplaces and digital services must be designed in such a way that people with disabilities have equal access. The federal law of 1990 requires businesses to remove barriers.
