Prefer to get out and enjoy the Super Bowl with a horde of likeminded strangers? Just about every bar and restaurant will have at least one television showing the game, but here are a few spots that specialize in televised sports, game-worthy food, and plenty of cold drinks.
Beef O’Brady’s
Multiple locations; beefobradys.com
A franchise started in Brandon in 1985, Beef O'Brady's has several locations spread across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties (check out the locator at beefobradys.com) but our favorite is the one at 4925 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. The restaurant carries local craft beers, full-liquor and tasty bar food starting with those delicious wings that always arrive exactly the way we order them (extra crispy). Warning: The Cortez location is where Patriots fans have been gathering all year so don’t go if you’re hoping to hang with fellow No. 12s.
Bogey’s Sports Pub
652 E. Venice Ave., Venice, 488-9156; 7230 52nd Place E., Bradenton, 799-3000
These cozy Venice and Lakewood Ranch spots have just enough screens to cover the room and will be packed with locals, with food that’s a step above the average sports bar.
Buffalo Wild Wings
4067 Clark Road, Sarasota, 922-5554, buffalowildwings.com
There is something to be said for chains like Buffalo Wild Wings, at least when it comes to sheer television coverage. No matter where your eyes turn, you’ll find a wide open screen (or a half-dozen) showing the game, from living room-sized to massive television mostrosities, well above the heads of your fellow fans. The wings aren’t bad, either.
Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub
6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 794-2489; clancysirishsportspub.com
The big game party will be shown on large-screen TVs inside the sports pub and outside around the Clancy’s sprawling, open-air tiki bar. Food choices include calzones, Cuban sandwiches and one of the best reubens in the area.
Evie’s Taverns
Multiple locations; eviesonline.com
You can’t go wrong for Super Bowl fun at Sarasota-based Evie’s Tavern’s five locations that including ones in Bradenton and Ellenton. Numerous flat-screen TVs adorn the walls, the service is consistently impressive and the food, from wings to pizza, is commendable and easy on the wallet at all the locations except downtown Sarasota, which does not have a kitchen. The local craft and ice-cold national beers plus wine and specialty cocktails are available at all locations along with free popcorn.
Geckos
Multiple locations; geckosgrill.com
Geckos will feature food and drink specials as well as giveaways at all of their locations on Super Bowl Sunday. Here are some of the highlights:
Landings: Prizes for Super Bowl trivia, commercial bingo and most Super Bowl spirit.
Fruitville: You can reserve a seat by pre-purchasing a $25 gift card that will be held at the restaurant until Sunday. There will also be a pre-game cornhole tournament and prizes for guessing the score each quarter.
Clark Road: Free football squares to the first 100 guests, plus more prizes at each score change and quarter, and a raffle for other prizes.
SR70 & SR64: Every guest will receive Raffle Tickets and prizes will be given all throughout the game.
Hillview: Flick Ball Contest and prizes for a free raffle.
Hooter’s
Multiple locations, originalhooters.com
Clearwater-based Hooters has been winning over patrons with its “delightfully tacky, yet unrefined” approach to sports bars since 1983. Those young women wearing tight white tank tops, orange short shorts, pantyhose, white socks and shoes can be found serving the restaurant’s distinctive wings and other bar grub, beer and liquor libations at locations in Sarasota, Bradenton and Port Charlotte.
Ker’s WingHouse
1991 Main St., Sarasota, 556-0005; 5105 14th St. W., Bradenton, 932-8629; winghouse.com
Another Florida-based wings and women purveyor – but the waitstaff here wears black! – Ker’s newish spot in downtown Sarasota has a beautiful outdoor patio facing Main St. and a massive interior lined with screens.
Lee Roy Selmon’s
8253 Cooper Creek Blvd., Sarasota; 6510 Cortez Road, Bradenton; leeroyselmons.com
Founded in Tampa about 15 years ago by Buccaneers Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, the restaurant features enough TVs to satisfy viewing from any bar stool, table or booth with great deals on craft beer, wine and liquor drinks. Best part? Selmon's serves quality soul food dishes like “sweet heat fried chicken,” “chicken and waffles” and “mama’s meatloaf” plus more traditional sports bar items like wings, sandwiches and nachos, but even those are given a fun “back country” twist.
Miller’s Ale House
3800 Kenny Dr., Sarasota, 378-8888, millersalehouse.com
One of the most popular spots in town for watching pretty much any televised athletics, Ale House has plenty of screens and more varied food options than at many sports bars.
Norma Jean’s Sports Bar & Grill
5446 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 444-7823; 1635 US 41 Bypass S., Venice, 492-5524; 1272 S. Tamiami Tr., Osprey, 786-1834
With three locations, Norma Jean’s has a little something for everyone, depending on where you are. You can take your best friend to watch the game on the pet-friendly patios in Sarasota and Venice, or try out the stadium seats with a Fenway Park backdrop at the newer Osprey outpost.
