For the past decade, the bar across the street from Ringling College has been a go-to hang-out spot for students, professors and Sarasota locals. After changing ownership last spring, the pub, formerly known as Growlers, is completing its full transformation and rebranding as The Mable by adding a kitchen and food items, expected next week.

Thesis student Lucy Sanz has been working part-time at The Mable since last spring but took the summer off. She enjoys bartending at the pub, which has about 30 craft beers and ciders on tap and does not sell any distilled beverages. 

“It’s an easy job for the amount of money I get,” Sanz said. “I don’t get paid as most bartenders do, but we also don’t serve liquor, so there’s pros and cons to that. For example, people never get too fucked up where I’d have to clean up [vomit], but at the same time I’m still a bartender and I’m still getting paid like a bartender.”

The kitchen is expected to open next week. The new menu includes a vegetarian section as well as snack items, such as truffle tater tots. 

“It’s some bougie shit but I’m excited because nothing is over $10,” Sanz said. 

Sanz thinks that the shift from Growler’s to The Mable has been going well and the rebranding efforts are nearly complete.

“We didn’t even have a name that people really knew,” Sanz recalled about the transition. “It wasn’t Growlers, it wasn’t The Mable, but now it’s clearly The Mable. You can call it whatever you want but it’s The Mable.”

Most customers have accepted the rebranding, but a few dissidents have expressed their feelings. 

“The people who really hate it? I don’t really care about their opinion because I know who they are and they don’t even tip,” Sanz said. 

The Mable is located at 2831 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. It is open 3:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Monday–Saturday. Happy Hour is 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. every day.