Guidebook for Sarasota
Arts & Culture
The Ringling Museum is a world class art museum with permanent and traveling exhibits. Includes a wonderful restaurant, Treviso's, which is open for lunch and dinner.
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John og Mable Ringling kunstmuseum
5401 Bay Shore RdThe Ringling Museum is a world class art museum with permanent and traveling exhibits. Includes a wonderful restaurant, Treviso's, which is open for lunch and dinner.
Live theater is within walking distance of the cottage. Check out what's playing and buy tickets early, they frequently sell out.
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Asolo Repertory hosts the Mertz Theatre
5555 N Tamiami TrailLive theater is within walking distance of the cottage. Check out what's playing and buy tickets early, they frequently sell out.
The winter lecture series is worth perusing. Within walking distance of the Cottage.
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New College of Florida
5800 Bay Shore RdThe winter lecture series is worth perusing. Within walking distance of the Cottage.
Seagate, Powel Crosley Estate
8374 N Tamiami TrailGreat special exhibitions like a Christmas Tree Exhibit.
World class performances in a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece building. Van Wezel has hosted Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Zuben Mehta, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell as well as Jay Leno, The Righteous Brothers and Air Supply, Howie Mandel, Carol Burnett and Gladys Knight. Worth a look at the current season's offerings before your trip.
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Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami TrailWorld class performances in a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece building. Van Wezel has hosted Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Zuben Mehta, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell as well as Jay Leno, The Righteous Brothers and Air Supply, Howie Mandel, Carol Burnett and Gladys Knight. Worth a look at the current season's offerings before your trip.
Tickets sell out early but are occasionally available at the door. Worth looking at the current season and if you are coming for an extended stay a season ticket price pays for itself in three performances.
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Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
1012 N Orange AveTickets sell out early but are occasionally available at the door. Worth looking at the current season and if you are coming for an extended stay a season ticket price pays for itself in three performances.
Actor's Guild performers in a small and very intimate theater. Creative, often "edgy" entertainment. Right in downtown, walking distance to several fine dining restaurants.
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Florida Studio Theatre
1241 N Palm AveActor's Guild performers in a small and very intimate theater. Creative, often "edgy" entertainment. Right in downtown, walking distance to several fine dining restaurants.
Concerts, opera, lectures, book signings, performances of all kinds.
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sarasota opera
61 N Pineapple AveConcerts, opera, lectures, book signings, performances of all kinds.
Known for their collection of Rubens they also have rotating exhibits as well as a park like setting on the bay. Check out Turrell Skyspace: Joseph's Coat at sunset for meditation, yoga or just slowing your heartbeat for a while. There is a separate $10 admission fee or it's included with paid admission to the museum. Most of the museum, excluding the rotating exhibits, is free on Monday. The Muse Restaurant is worth scheduling into your visit there.
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Ringling Museum station
Known for their collection of Rubens they also have rotating exhibits as well as a park like setting on the bay. Check out Turrell Skyspace: Joseph's Coat at sunset for meditation, yoga or just slowing your heartbeat for a while. There is a separate $10 admission fee or it's included with paid admission to the museum. Most of the museum, excluding the rotating exhibits, is free on Monday. The Muse Restaurant is worth scheduling into your visit there.
The Orchestra tickets don't sell out as quickly as the Van Wezel Tickets but they do go fast for the more well known performers. Check the Concert Schedule before you come if possible, you can buy tickets online or they can be held at Will Call. We love the Sunday Matinees.
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Sarasota Orchestra
709 N Tamiami TrailThe Orchestra tickets don't sell out as quickly as the Van Wezel Tickets but they do go fast for the more well known performers. Check the Concert Schedule before you come if possible, you can buy tickets online or they can be held at Will Call. We love the Sunday Matinees.
Food Scene
Another of Sarasota's best kept secrets is that on Fridays they have delicious, home smoked salmon. It comes off of the smoker around 11 am and frequently sells out by 3. You can order several days in advance or place a standing order if you don't want to take a chance of it selling out before you get there or we can pick some up for you.
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Captain Brian's Seafood Market & Restaurant
8421 N Tamiami TrailAnother of Sarasota's best kept secrets is that on Fridays they have delicious, home smoked salmon. It comes off of the smoker around 11 am and frequently sells out by 3. You can order several days in advance or place a standing order if you don't want to take a chance of it selling out before you get there or we can pick some up for you.
One of our favorites and only a mile and a half away with vegan to carnivorous fare, all done very well. Owned by Chef Tamas and Eva, easily the best, full meal breakfast and lunch place in town.
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SunnySide Cafe
4900 N Tamiami TrailOne of our favorites and only a mile and a half away with vegan to carnivorous fare, all done very well. Owned by Chef Tamas and Eva, easily the best, full meal breakfast and lunch place in town.
Delicious, authentic Cuban food that is the best deal in town for hardy eaters, reasonable rates, large quantities. Family owned and operated. An easy walk of less than half a mile.
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Mirna's Cuban Cuisine
7980 N Tamiami TrailDelicious, authentic Cuban food that is the best deal in town for hardy eaters, reasonable rates, large quantities. Family owned and operated. An easy walk of less than half a mile.
Great German bakery with good coffee, pastries are European sweet not American sweet. Continental breakfast or one of, usually two, lunch specials offered Monday thru Saturday. Family owned and operated.
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Mama G's Coffee Bakery
8431 N Tamiami TrailGreat German bakery with good coffee, pastries are European sweet not American sweet. Continental breakfast or one of, usually two, lunch specials offered Monday thru Saturday. Family owned and operated.
Fine, upscale food with an incredible wine list. Our personal favorite place for steak though they are also know for seafood. Beautiful ambiance and live piano in the evening. Nice for celebrations. Valet parking only or you can park in front and walk through the shopping center to the restaurant in the back.
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Michael's On East
1212 S East AveFine, upscale food with an incredible wine list. Our personal favorite place for steak though they are also know for seafood. Beautiful ambiance and live piano in the evening. Nice for celebrations. Valet parking only or you can park in front and walk through the shopping center to the restaurant in the back.
Elegant for lunch or dinner, known for unique seafood, meat and vegetarian creations. Call for reservations, it’s small. Enjoy a walk around downtown after your meal. Next to the library, parking is very limited.
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Bijou Cafe
1287 1st StElegant for lunch or dinner, known for unique seafood, meat and vegetarian creations. Call for reservations, it’s small. Enjoy a walk around downtown after your meal. Next to the library, parking is very limited.
Fine Peruvian cuisine. Inside or open to Main Street dining. Save room for dessert, their pastry chef is known for it. Also good for a walk around downtown after dinner.
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Downtown Sarasota
1383 Main StFine Peruvian cuisine. Inside or open to Main Street dining. Save room for dessert, their pastry chef is known for it. Also good for a walk around downtown after dinner.
Our favorite place on “the circle”. Dining indoors and out with very fresh fish and the best gazpacho we’ve ever had anywhere. Live piano outside for lunch and dinner. Nice wine list. Try for an outdoor table on the north side of the building in the bushes, seriously!
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Crab & Fin Restaurant
420 St Armands CirOur favorite place on “the circle”. Dining indoors and out with very fresh fish and the best gazpacho we’ve ever had anywhere. Live piano outside for lunch and dinner. Nice wine list. Try for an outdoor table on the north side of the building in the bushes, seriously!
Elegant dining inside, the walls are glass, or out including dockside. Amazing food and wine list. One of our personal favorites for intimate celebrations. Reservations necessary, valet parking only.
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Ophelia's on the Bay
9105 Midnight Pass RdElegant dining inside, the walls are glass, or out including dockside. Amazing food and wine list. One of our personal favorites for intimate celebrations. Reservations necessary, valet parking only.
Beautiful views of New Pass from anywhere in the restaurant. Incredible salad bar includes caviar and everything else you could ever want on a salad. They are known for their prime rib, fresh fish and extensive wine list. Great place to celebrate a big day.
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Chart House
201 Gulf of Mexico DrBeautiful views of New Pass from anywhere in the restaurant. Incredible salad bar includes caviar and everything else you could ever want on a salad. They are known for their prime rib, fresh fish and extensive wine list. Great place to celebrate a big day.
One of the better steak restaurants in Sarasota. Elegance and quality come to mind. Right downtown, valet parking only.
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Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
35 S Lemon AveOne of the better steak restaurants in Sarasota. Elegance and quality come to mind. Right downtown, valet parking only.
Upscale chain steak and seafood done well. Check out the happy hour specials in the "bar".
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Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2001 Siesta DrUpscale chain steak and seafood done well. Check out the happy hour specials in the "bar".
One of the best kept secrets on Longboat Key. Up on the "old Sarasota" end of Longboat way past the golf courses and country clubs. Casual, outdoor dining dockside under the trees. Incredible, upscale food in a fishing village setting.
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Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
760 Broadway StOne of the best kept secrets on Longboat Key. Up on the "old Sarasota" end of Longboat way past the golf courses and country clubs. Casual, outdoor dining dockside under the trees. Incredible, upscale food in a fishing village setting.
Unique, upscale breakfast and lunch with a small, charming patio and great food. Known for celebrity sightings. Parking is difficult but sometimes available on the side street, you might want to take the bus or it's an interesting and scenic 4.1 mile walk. Another 0.6 miles gets you to the heart of Downtown.
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Toasted Mango Cafe
430 N Tamiami TrailUnique, upscale breakfast and lunch with a small, charming patio and great food. Known for celebrity sightings. Parking is difficult but sometimes available on the side street, you might want to take the bus or it's an interesting and scenic 4.1 mile walk. Another 0.6 miles gets you to the heart of Downtown.
Another of Sarasota's best kept secrets and known for inventing Turducken. Very reasonably priced with great food in more healthy portions. They also have a meat counter and sell some nice wines by the bottle for good prices. Have the special which is usually very good then buy a steak and a bottle of wine to take home.
Alpine Steakhouse and Butcher Shop
4520 S Tamiami TrailAnother of Sarasota's best kept secrets and known for inventing Turducken. Very reasonably priced with great food in more healthy portions. They also have a meat counter and sell some nice wines by the bottle for good prices. Have the special which is usually very good then buy a steak and a bottle of wine to take home.
Whatever you conger up from the name is wrong. Excellent food in a funky little place in the Burns Court district. Make reservations or the wait can be considerable. No parking at all, consider Doug's Limo or Uber.
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Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtWhatever you conger up from the name is wrong. Excellent food in a funky little place in the Burns Court district. Make reservations or the wait can be considerable. No parking at all, consider Doug's Limo or Uber.
This one is on the Manatee River but you can't go wrong at any of Paul Mattison's restaurants. He is an award winning chef who now owns several eating establishments in Sarasota and Bradenton all of them serving unique and delicious food.
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Mattison's City Grille Bradenton Riverwalk
101 Riverfront BlvdThis one is on the Manatee River but you can't go wrong at any of Paul Mattison's restaurants. He is an award winning chef who now owns several eating establishments in Sarasota and Bradenton all of them serving unique and delicious food.
Outdoor casual dining on the Manatee River at the east end of Riverwalk. Peaceful during the day, lively at night.
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Caddy's Bradenton
801 Riverside Dr EOutdoor casual dining on the Manatee River at the east end of Riverwalk. Peaceful during the day, lively at night.
Bradenton's landmark restaurant and a refined culinary destination with magnificent views of the Manatee River and charming ambiance. PIER 22 not only offers an elegant choice for waterfront dining, but guests can also enjoy a more casual experience on the covered patio.
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PIER 22 Restaurant • Patio • Catering
1200 1st Ave WBradenton's landmark restaurant and a refined culinary destination with magnificent views of the Manatee River and charming ambiance. PIER 22 not only offers an elegant choice for waterfront dining, but guests can also enjoy a more casual experience on the covered patio.
Another hidden gem with casual outdoor dining at the Sarasota Bayfront Park and Marina. Be sure to take a stroll around the park after your meal if you can pry yourself off of your bench. Live music in the Tiki hut at times, check their website for schedules.
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Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill
5 Bayfront DrAnother hidden gem with casual outdoor dining at the Sarasota Bayfront Park and Marina. Be sure to take a stroll around the park after your meal if you can pry yourself off of your bench. Live music in the Tiki hut at times, check their website for schedules.
Another hidden gem with spectacular views of New Pass and Sarasota Bay. Lots of crunchy comfort food served with salt air, good for what ails you. Be sure and include a meal there with your Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium visit or your Lido Beach day.
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The Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson PkwyAnother hidden gem with spectacular views of New Pass and Sarasota Bay. Lots of crunchy comfort food served with salt air, good for what ails you. Be sure and include a meal there with your Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium visit or your Lido Beach day.
Everything Else
We are about a 5-10 minute drive straight down University Parkway from the Nathan Benderson Rowing Park.
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Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson CirWe are about a 5-10 minute drive straight down University Parkway from the Nathan Benderson Rowing Park.
Training world class athletes from around the world. We have had some fascinating guest from as far away as China who had family members training there.
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IMG Academy
5650 Bollettieri BoulevardTraining world class athletes from around the world. We have had some fascinating guest from as far away as China who had family members training there.
Parks & Nature
Dr Beach may prefer Siesta but our favorite beach is Lido. Whether you visit the South Lido park which has trails, picnicking, swimming, restrooms & a playground, plus boat ramps or park at the public beach and walk north to the more isolated part of the island you won't be disappointed. Check Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Report online for the latest Red Tide/Beach Hazard reports.
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Lido Key-stranden
400 Benjamin Franklin DrDr Beach may prefer Siesta but our favorite beach is Lido. Whether you visit the South Lido park which has trails, picnicking, swimming, restrooms & a playground, plus boat ramps or park at the public beach and walk north to the more isolated part of the island you won't be disappointed. Check Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Report online for the latest Red Tide/Beach Hazard reports.
Siesta Key is the No. 1 beach in America, as ranked by both TripAdvisor reviewers and Dr. Beach. Get there early, all parking is usually taken by noon. Be sure to take shade and hydration as the sun is much more intense than it seems. Check Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Report noreply@visitbeaches.org
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Siesta Beach
Siesta Key is the No. 1 beach in America, as ranked by both TripAdvisor reviewers and Dr. Beach. Get there early, all parking is usually taken by noon. Be sure to take shade and hydration as the sun is much more intense than it seems. Check Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Report noreply@visitbeaches.org
Myakka River State Park is Florida's largest state park. This is the Myakka River, Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.
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Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Myakka River State Park is Florida's largest state park. This is the Myakka River, Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.
For one of the most peaceful experiences at Selby Gardens, pause along the circular walking trail in the Fern Garden and take a moment to fully appreciate the stunning variety of sounds, scents, colors and textures. In front of Payne Mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is our enchanting Butterfly Garden. Children and photographers love spending time in this natural, colorful and layered environment that was designed for the sole purpose of attracting butterflies.
Be sure to check out the special events during your stay.
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Marie Selby Botaniske Hager
1534 Mound StFor one of the most peaceful experiences at Selby Gardens, pause along the circular walking trail in the Fern Garden and take a moment to fully appreciate the stunning variety of sounds, scents, colors and textures. In front of Payne Mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is our enchanting Butterfly Garden. Children and photographers love spending time in this natural, colorful and layered environment that was designed for the sole purpose of attracting butterflies.
Be sure to check out the special events during your stay.
World class birding. In early 2001, Sarasota Audubon began conducting bird surveys at the Fields. To date, 217 species have been recorded. Wintertime offers particularly good birding, hosting sparrows, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and several species of rails, including Sora and Virginia. The Fields also host breeding birds, including Black-necked Stilts, King Rail, Least Bittern, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Eastern Towhee, Barn Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. Least Terns breed on nearby buildings and use the ponds as a primary food source. Rarities show up from time to time, including Upland and White-rumped Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Sunrise is our favorite time.
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Celery Fields
6893 Palmer BlvdWorld class birding. In early 2001, Sarasota Audubon began conducting bird surveys at the Fields. To date, 217 species have been recorded. Wintertime offers particularly good birding, hosting sparrows, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and several species of rails, including Sora and Virginia. The Fields also host breeding birds, including Black-necked Stilts, King Rail, Least Bittern, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Eastern Towhee, Barn Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. Least Terns breed on nearby buildings and use the ponds as a primary food source. Rarities show up from time to time, including Upland and White-rumped Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Sunrise is our favorite time.
Walk, exercise or enjoy great views of the Manatee River. There are restaurants ranging from indoor and outdoor fine dining to open air burgers and tacos as well as live theater or just sit and watch the kids in the skateboard park. Our kayaks could be available for launch there with advanced notice.
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Riverwalk
452 3rd Ave WWalk, exercise or enjoy great views of the Manatee River. There are restaurants ranging from indoor and outdoor fine dining to open air burgers and tacos as well as live theater or just sit and watch the kids in the skateboard park. Our kayaks could be available for launch there with advanced notice.
Shopping
The largest, upscale shopping mall in the area. You will find everything from great dining to clothing and jewelry to Teslas.
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The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrThe largest, upscale shopping mall in the area. You will find everything from great dining to clothing and jewelry to Teslas.
Sarasota Square
8201 S Tamiami TrailEverything from IMAX theaters to Costco.
The place to start your Saturday morning! Organic fruits and vegetables, local honeys (not the stuff they call honey in the grocery stores), street food, great coffee, tea and fresh, custom made lemonade. Arts, crafts and music. The market is dog friendly and occasionally gets crowded and a bit overrun with them, go early.
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Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueThe place to start your Saturday morning! Organic fruits and vegetables, local honeys (not the stuff they call honey in the grocery stores), street food, great coffee, tea and fresh, custom made lemonade. Arts, crafts and music. The market is dog friendly and occasionally gets crowded and a bit overrun with them, go early.
Essentials
Downtown, check out the Farmer's Market while you are there on a Saturday morning. Walk to restaurants or eat in the store or out front.
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Whole Foods Market
1451 1st StDowntown, check out the Farmer's Market while you are there on a Saturday morning. Walk to restaurants or eat in the store or out front.
Near The Mall at University Town Center. Great sushi and such. Larger than the downtown store.
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Whole Foods Market
1451 1st StNear The Mall at University Town Center. Great sushi and such. Larger than the downtown store.
One of three Publix stores that we frequent, this one is a smaller, market type store.
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Publix Super Market at Broadway Promenade
1044 N Tamiami TrailOne of three Publix stores that we frequent, this one is a smaller, market type store.
Our Publix of choice in rainy weather because it has a parking garage. Best bet for pharmacy needs and general groceries.
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Publix Super Market at Bay Street
2031 Bay StOur Publix of choice in rainy weather because it has a parking garage. Best bet for pharmacy needs and general groceries.
Jack's favorite grocery store. Large, clean and you are likely to find anything you might need there.
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Publix Super Market at University Walk
2875 University PkwyJack's favorite grocery store. Large, clean and you are likely to find anything you might need there.
Drinks & Nightlife
Worth's grocery store was one of the first brick buildings in Sarasota. Constructed in 1912, it was located on the south side of Main Street just west of Lemon Avenue and the railroad tracks. The use of brick was part of early well-publicized attempts to build a fire-proof business district.
Operated as a nightclub for 70 continuous years.
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The Gator Club
1490 Main St Worth's grocery store was one of the first brick buildings in Sarasota. Constructed in 1912, it was located on the south side of Main Street just west of Lemon Avenue and the railroad tracks. The use of brick was part of early well-publicized attempts to build a fire-proof business district.
Operated as a nightclub for 70 continuous years.
The restaurant upstairs has good food and great views of the bay while the bar scene downstairs is much more casual and open air.
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marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaThe restaurant upstairs has good food and great views of the bay while the bar scene downstairs is much more casual and open air.
Daiquiri Deck St. Armands Circle
325 John Ringling BlvdOne of Sarasota's older establishments this is the original one. A lively place after dark.
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Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village
5250 Ocean Blvd One of Sarasota's older establishments this is the original one. A lively place after dark.
The most elegant outdoor Tiki Hut type dining in town. On the corner of Main and Lemon, this could be considered the “middle” of town, great for people watching, live music. Parking is limited.
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Mattison's City Grille Downtown Sarasota
1 N Lemon AveThe most elegant outdoor Tiki Hut type dining in town. On the corner of Main and Lemon, this could be considered the “middle” of town, great for people watching, live music. Parking is limited.