Nightclubs & Bars

The Gator Club is located in an historic building. The downstairs area is usually crowded with live music fans and dancers on the small dance floor. Upstairs there are pool tables and comfortable sofas. On Friday and Saturday a DJ plays house music upstairs.
1490 Main St.
941-366-5969

Restaurants

These downtown eateries are primarily restaurants, but offer live entertainment in addition to dining.

The Blue Rooster
As the name suggests, the restaurant's primary focus is on Blues. The menu is decidedly southern.
1525 Fourth St.
941-388-7539

Cask & Ale
Cask & Ale offers a large selection of bourbons and whiskeys as well as a regular weekend lineup of live music and DJ's.
1548 Main St.
941-702-8740

Red Clasico Cafe Bar
On the corner of Palm Ave., Red Clasico offers frequent live and DJ entertainment. Dining and beverage service is available at a series of outdoor tables and lounge seating.
1341 Main St.
941-957-0700

Mattison's City Grille
Located at the corner of Lemon & Main, Mattison's offers live entertainment 7 nights a week. A small dance area is located in front of the band. The restaurant is entirely outdoors under an awning, but does offer some heating on the occasional cool evenings.
1 N. Lemon Ave.
941-330-0440

Mandeville Beer Garden
Located near the corner of Fourth Street, Mandeville Beer Garden is the first beer garden in downtown Sarasota. Live entertainment is offered weekly.
428 N. Lemon Ave.
941-954-8688

Marina Jack offers an outside large patio bar area adjacent to the marina with outside waterfront dining. Inside is a piano bar and second floor restaurant overlooking the marina. Live bands play at the outside patio bar several nights a week.
2 Marina Plaza
941-365-4232

Restaurants (Continued)

Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill
Bar and grill offers weekly live entertainment.
100 Central Ave.
941-366-1288

Theaters

Downtown Sarasota has several theaters offering films, plays, concerts and comedy shows throughout the year.

Burns Court Cinema is operated by the Sarasota Film Society and offers first run independent movies. In addition to typical movie snacks and popcorn, beer and wine is available.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is Sarasota's contemporary theatre. The Florida Studio Theatre campus is a village of theatres - the historic Keating and Gompertz Theatres, and the Parisian-style Goldstein Cabaret.

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre is located downtown on Ringling Blvd. Past performers have included: Jeff Foxworthy, Chris Rock, Bobby Collins, Judy Tenuda, Diane Ford, Larry Miller and many more. Shows Wed. - Sun. reservations suggested 941-925-3869

The Players Theatre is a non-professional community theatre offering high quality productions as well as dance and acting classes.

Regal Hollywood 11 on Main Street in downtown Sarasota is a 11 screen theater offering first run movies and live broadcasts of concerts, opera and special events.

The Sarasota Opera House
Sarasota Opera owns and performs in the historic Sarasota Opera House. The Sarasota Opera House plays host to everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to film festivals, popular music concerts, comedy shows and clowns.