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Spring training heats up this week with local Grapefruit League games at Ed Smith Stadium, McKechnie Field and Charlotte Sports Park. Sure, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiasts – and everyone here for the visiting ball teams – can eat and drink inside the gate, but what about before and after the game? Don’t worry. We have you covered, sports fans. Here are spots where you can grab a cold one – and maybe some grub – near the ballparks in Sarasota, Bradenton and Port Charlotte.
-- Wade Tatangelo & Brian Ries
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Ed Smith Stadium
2700 12th St., Sarasota; orioles.com
JDub’s Brewing Co.
1215 Mango Ave., Sarasota; 955-2739; jdubsbrewing.com
No trip to Ed Smith should be complete without stopping in for a tasty craft beer at this brewery and taproom hidden in a warehouse space about a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Drop by after the game and chances are you will also find one of Sarasota’s top food trucks parked outside, too.
JDub's Brewing
Jager Tavern and Grill
1100 N Tuttle Ave., Sarasota; 955-8235
Like the name suggests, Grand Slam Plaza on Tuttle Avenue behind Ed Smith Stadium could totally be reached with a long one by a slugger like Adam Jones. The strip mall is where you will find the Jager Tavern and Grill as well as El Patio Latino and Marisco’s Azteca (see below). Jager Tavern is a full-liquor neighborhood joint with pool tables, jukebox and a kitchen serving favorites like the burger made from ground beef marinated in Jägermeister.
El Patio Latino
1100 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota; 955-5093; elpatiolatino.com
A local favorite for the past decade, the Peruvian cuisine served here includes lamb leg, stir-fried beef, shredded chicken and seafood – all pairing well with the beer, wine and sangria selections.
Mariscos Azteca
100 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota; 954-5500; aztecasarasota.com
Mexican seafood restaurant serves quick and easy foods like beef and chicken tacos and burritos and fish fajitas, as well as more serious seafood concoctions.
Shamrock Pub
2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; 952-1730; shamrocksarasota.com
A mere mile from Ed Smith, with easy post- and pre-game access, Shamrock Pub is a cozy craft beer bar that also serves wine. Be warned: it’s Sarasota's only official U.S. Soccer Bar so, you know, don’t get mad about that other sport being shown on the pub’s lone TV set.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
McKechnie Field
1611 9th St., W., Bradenton; 747-3031; pirates.com
Motorworks Brewing
1014 9th St. W., 896-9892; motorworksbrewing.com
From craft beers brewed on location to cocktails and wine, Motorworks offers a powerful libations lineup to go with a rotating food truck menu and an air-conditioned indoor area as well as an outdoor playground billed as “Florida’s largest beer garden.” Featuring an impressive deck built around a sprawling oak tree, the beer garden includes a three-hole putting green, two bocce ball courts, and more than a dozen corn hole sets, plus a live music stage and a giant projection screen. The entire complex is maybe a five-minute walk from the field.
Motorworks Brewing
Darwin Brewing Co.
803 17th Ave. W.; 343-2165; darwinbrewingco.com
A brewery and tasting room, Darwin Brewing Co. is across the street from the first base side of the field, serving delicious Andean-influenced beers. The tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating also recently added a food truck from partner restaurant Darwin's on 4th. The truck serves Peruvian-inspired street food similar to the acclaimed dishes at Darwin's in Sarasota.
Ortygia
1418 13th St. W.,
Bradenton; 741-8646; ortygiarestaurant.com
The Village of the Arts is just to the west of McKechnie Field and home to a pair of the city’s best restaurants, both housed in historic cottages. Ortygia is where chef and owner Gaetano “Guy” Cannata has served “Monzu,” a Sicilian-French hybrid, since 2007.
Arts & Eats Restaurant and Gallery
1114 12th St W, Bradenton; 201-6647; artsandeatsfl.com
The other culinary hotspot in the Village, Arts & Eats serves exciting dinners created by chef Jim Copening in addition to light bites on Friday and Saturday nights outside in the Jazz Café.
Ferraro's Pizza & Restaurant
817 Tamiami Trail, Bradenton; 747-9900; ferrarospizzeria.com
Looking for a slice of Jersey-style pizza and a cold beer? Here’s your spot, just less than a mile west of McKechnie. Ferraro's is also a smart spot to take the entire family before the game, especially if you want to save about 50 bucks on food costs.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Charlotte Sports Park
2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, 206-4487, tampabayrays.com
Ms. Rascal’s Loony Bin
1182 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 255-5999, msrascalsloonybin.com
“Always biker friendly,” the Loony Bin is a casual bar where you can smoke, play pool or foosball and generally just relax with a community of pleasant folks after a game.
JD’s Bistro and Grille
1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 255-0994, jdsbistroandgrille.com
If you’re in the mood for an elegant meal after an afternoon of beer and dogs, try out JD’s. You’ll probably have to do a quick change in order to match the decor, but you’ll be rewarded with high-end classics like duck confit, bouillabaisse, and grilled steak and fish. There’s also a lounge with specialty cocktails and regular live jazz.
Myakka River Oyster Bar
121 Playmore Dr., Port Charlotte, 423-9616, myakkariveroysterbar.com
With a spot overlooking the placid Myakka River, MROB is a great place to decompress after a game, margarita in hand, at an outdoor table. There’s also plenty of seafood, a raw bar, and daily happy hour before 5 p.m.
Celtic Ray
Celtic Ray
145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, 916-9115, celticray.net
Celtic Ray is a bit of a drive from the stadium, but well worth it for the Irish pub food, great beer and live entertainment that ranges from comedy to traditional Irish music, depending on the night.
River City Grill
131 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, 639-9080, rivercitygrillpg.com
Pay tribute to departed Ray’s manager Joe Maddon with a visit to River City Grill, a steakhouse that was one of his spring training favorites and has played host to many players in recent years. It’s an upscale place – so be prepared to pay for your protein – justified by numerous awards and a devotion to sourcing local produce when possible.
