I’ve sipped professionally at just about every kind of bar imaginable — beach bars, dive bars, rooftop lounges, even a former brothel believed to be haunted — but I’d never experienced anything quite like downtown Sarasota’s Sugar Champagne Bar, which I toured this week with owner Ronnie Shugar ahead of its March 28 opening.
Sugar Champagne Bar is the bright pink, two-story building at 127 S. Pineapple Ave., located across Lemon Avenue from Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park and next door to Ana Molinari Salon Spa and Boutique. Shugar, a Sarasota-based entrepreneur who made a fortune with Raw Sugar Living — his personal care brand specializing in eco-friendly hair and skincare products — famously invested $4 million into the swanky bar and piano lounge, which specializes in champagne, cocktails, and meticulously crafted small plates featuring, say, caviar or wagyu.
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Shugar also recently gave a $4 million gift to the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to establish the Shugar Pool Club, an aquatic facility featuring three pool styles tailored to different age groups and skill levels on the Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life.
“I’m committed to contributing to the future of Sarasota and making meaningful investments,” said Shugar, who moved to Florida from California over five years ago. “Through this project, I’m giving back to Sarasota in a way I hope will impact many generations to come.”
It’s a sentiment Shugar echoed during our tour of Sugar.
“I believe in this city, and this is one of my legacies that will be here 50 years from now,” he said. “My goal is to replicate this in other cities around the country and around the world.”
So if all goes well, you’d like to see Sugar Champagne Bars in places like Miami, New York, and Chicago?
“This is going to be — this is the mothership, okay?” he said.
A grand vision for luxury
Ronnie Shugar, right, owner of Sugar Champagne Bar, and Jacob Lesitsky, beverage director, pose for a photo at Sugar Champagne Bar in downtown Sarasota on March 20, 2025, ahead of its March 28 opening.
Shugar has a confident, polished presence, sporting a neatly groomed beard and slicked-back hair, exuding a bold yet refined look. His signature ensemble includes a sharp blue plaid blazer with gold accents, a crisp white dress shirt with the top buttons undone, and well-fitted white pants. He accessorizes with dark sunglasses, a black belt, and black loafers, completing a sophisticated, high-end aesthetic that matches the luxurious ambiance of Sugar Champagne Bar.
His demeanor is charismatic and hands-on, actively engaging in conversation and showcasing the elegant space with enthusiasm. Shugar told me he came up with the idea after breaking up with his girlfriend and Raw Sugar cofounder Donda Mullis. Unable to sleep, he would walk around downtown Sarasota, and when he discovered the nearly century-old, two-story building at the corner of Pineapple and Lemon — a holdout that refused to be swallowed by the massive Mark Sarasota condominium complex — he set his sights on purchasing the building, bringing Sugar Champagne Bar to life, and creating a romantic retreat for Sarasota’s elite.
An immersive, European-inspired experience
“To me, it’s all about the experience,” Shugar said from the bar’s covered patio area, its black awning and pull-down walls visible to passersby headed to the office or perhaps the gym on this balmy weekday morning. “When a guest walks into my establishment, I want them to feel special, unique — transported out of Sarasota to a charming Parisian café. That’s what we’re creating with the beautiful chandeliers and the signature pink décor.”
Karen Chandler, a well-known Sarasota muralist, created a custom piece of art for Sugar’s covered patio area. Shugar said he plans to rotate artwork from different local artists to support the community and give the space an ever-evolving artistic touch.
A tour of Sugar Champagne Bar
Sugar Champagne Bar, at 127 S. Pineapple Ave. in downtown Sarasota, photographed March 20, 2025, ahead of its March 28 opening.
My tour of Sugar Champagne Bar began with a stroll through the side entrance on Pineapple Avenue and up the staircase, which features a striking combination of dark wooden steps and soft pink walls, accented by a pink LED light strip running along the handrail. The subtle glow enhances the sophisticated yet playful aesthetic.
The second floor, once home to apartments, now houses Shugar’s office, equipped with a full bathroom including a shower — as well as a trophy case that, he said, will soon showcase all of his products from throughout his career, including those he developed with his father.
Upstairs is also home to the Raw Lounge, marked by a neon pink “RAW Lounge” sign that stands out against the neutral walls. The shelving behind the bar is framed with polished brass piping, designed to display high-end glassware and bottles. Pendant lighting with black and gold accents hangs above the bar, casting a warm glow that enhances the intimate atmosphere.
The seating area is equally refined, with plush brown leather couches, chic black lounge chairs, and gold-accented side tables. Floor-to-ceiling curtains with a sophisticated pattern complement the space, while exposed brick columns provide a subtle rustic contrast. The Raw Lounge can be rented out for special events or reserved exclusively for Shugar and his invited guests.
Downstairs is where the public will be able to drink, dine, and rub shoulders with Sarasota’s well-heeled crowd.
The main room at Sugar Champagne Bar is smaller than one might imagine while offering modern luxury with an inviting atmosphere befitting a setting where guests are expected — and even required — to spend $300 per couple in an evening. Ambient lighting, including soft glows and strategic spotlights, highlights sleek architectural details and contemporary design elements. A balanced color palette, including plenty of pink and plush seating areas, includes what Shugar calls “the owner’s booth.”
“This is where I’ll sit, right, when I’m here, but this is for six people,” he said.
Exclusive cocktails and small plates
Raw Sugar is the signature drink at Sugar Champagne Bar in downtown Sarasota.
The Raw Sugar ($27) is the signature drink, inspired by the fragrance of one of Shugar’s best-selling Raw Sugar products, Mango and Raw Coconut. It’s a clarified milk punch-style cocktail, made with aged coconut rum, Chinola Mango liqueur, Cappelletti, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Becherovka, and lime juice, all clarified through cardamom-infused coconut cream. The resulting clear liquid is then combined with rosé champagne, poured over a faceted diamond ice cube in a Nick & Nora glass, and topped with edible gold leaf. It is, in a word, delicious.
Jacob Lesitsky, beverage director at Sugar Champagne Bar, also insisted I try his Cigar Box Old Fashioned ($26), inspired by the flavors and aromas of pipe tobacco and premium cigars. It consists of Camus Borderies VSOP Cognac, bourbon, PX sherry, vanilla, and house-made bitters, served over a large ice cube and presented in a cigar box in which Spanish cedar has been torched. Unlike most overly smoky old fashioneds, this one lets the carefully crafted flavors shine.
Due to the morning hour and my impending deadline, I passed on the $29 martini, but Lesitsky assured me it’s the best in town. It’s pre-batched with crème fraîche-washed gin or vodka, two vermouths, a house brine blend, and aquavit, stored in the freezer, then simply poured into a chilled Nick & Nora glass and topped with dill oil. Classic garnishes — including a Castelvetrano olive, house-pickled onion, cornichon, and caperberry — are served on the side, with caviar available as an add-on. No modifications allowed.
A5 Japanese Wagyu Tartare at Sugar Champagne Bar in downtown Sarasota.
As for food, Sugar Champagne Bar leans into opulence, offering dishes such as bluefin tuna cornets with avocado purée and white sturgeon caviar, as well as smoked salmon cornets with crème fraîche, everything bagel seasoning, and trout roe. I also had the pleasure of trying the ridiculously tender A5 Japanese Wagyu Tartare, featuring Kagoshima Prefecture picanha with caper and cornichon hâché, dijonette, and white sturgeon caviar.
(Food prices were not available ahead of publication.)
The price of luxury
Guests should expect to adhere to a dress code and pay premium prices for Sugar’s upscale experience. Signature cocktails range from $24 to $27, and seating inside the bar requires a $150 minimum spend per person for reservations.
“We want people to know exactly what to expect,” Shugar said. “There’s no cash here — we only take credit cards, and the bar itself is for service only. There’s no standing or seating at the bar.”
For those looking for a more flexible visit, Sugar offers a first-come, first-served option that does not require a reservation or a $150 minimum tab.
“From 4 to 6 p.m., you can come inside or sit outside with no minimum,” Shugar said. “We want that early crowd — people who just want to stop by and see what’s going on. If you sit down at 4 o’clock, you’re more than welcome to stay, but at 5:45, we’ll ask you to pay your bill so we can get ready for the next seating. We’ll have seatings from 6 to 8, 8 to 10, and 10 to 12, Wednesday through Saturday.”
As opening night nears, Sugar Champagne Bar is already in high demand, with reservations booked out 60 days in advance, I’m informed.
Shugar has reportedly invested more than $15 million in downtown Sarasota, but that could be just the beginning if Sugar Champagne Bar succeeds. He’s not just opening a bar — he’s attempting to build a brand and a legacy, and it all starts here.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: $150 minimum tab required at new Sarasota champagne bar
