Downtown:

Watching the sunset and sipping away couldn’t be more delightful than at the Sandbar or BeachHouse Restaurants. Both feature a large patio deck with live island music and direct access for a moonlit walk on the beach.

Located in the Island Shopping Center on Holmes Beach discover old Florida charm at D Coy Ducks. This neighborhood favorite has something happening every night, from open mic to Reggae and Rock.

Bradenton Beach’s Banana Cabana features live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. Back in 2009 Denzel Washington spent many an evening enjoying the Caribbean food and vibes while shooting a film in Cortez. Sharky’s Steaks and Seafood and Bridge Tender Inn offer easy listening with a mix of jazz and contemporary.

Bradenton’s downtown has Pier 22, an excellent restaurant with nightly covered patio entertainment. Located on the Manatee River, it’s a place to catch a sunset, eat a great meal and dance the night away.

Longboat Key’s Euphemia Haye has a stellar reputation for fine dining and great jazz entertainment in their upstairs lounge.

Plan to spend at least one evening at St. Armand’s Circle. Catch a bite and head to 15 South’s nightclub "Straight-up" on Avenue of the Presidents where the music rotates between jazz, Latin, reggae and more.

Sarasota is also at your disposal with a short trip across the Ringling Bridge.

Looking to sip a libation on the bay-front? Marina Jacks and O’Leary’s come to mind. Both located along Sarasota’s Bay in Centennial Park;

Marina Jacks features a huge open air bar, covered patio and dance area while jazz and contemporary tunes can be found at the inside piano lounge. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar at the southern end of Centennial Park, shares the same parking as Marina Jack’s. Attracting a crowd at sunset with live Reggae and beach music, this is a great place to bring your four legged bud.

Also at Centennial Park, Le Barge is like a giant houseboat with a bar and dance floor on the top deck and cocktail tables inside. Entertainment is usually a solo guitar player/singer performing island style music and Jimmy Buffett hits. Le Barge sails several times a day around Sarasota Bay and offers a great view of the waterfront homes and spectacular sunsets. Be sure to bring the camera.

Downtown Main:

Featuring soft jazz every Wednesday through Sunday, Divino Restaurant is a local favorite for excellent Italian food. The bar pulsates with vibes every weekend. Mattison’s City Grill is a covered open-air eatery and bar offering, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Pop and Swing. A small dance floor can usually be found in front of the band. Across the street is the Gator Club. Featuring live bands starting around 9:00pm... it’s definitely a bar crowd... smoke included. Horsefeathers is a young meet and greet kind of a place with martini bar and DJ on Saturday nights.

First Street offers two more musical venues. Ceviche’s Flamenco Room has a huge dance floor devoted to the pleasures of salsa Friday and Saturday nights and the Roof Top Bar is great for a breath of fresh air. Then there’s the First Street Chop House with rotating nights of jazz, piano and acoustical guitar.

Cà d'Zan Lounge named for the "House of John" Ringling is located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, (dressy), offering live entertainment and expensive drinks.

Sometimes you need to let loose—whether that means kicking back and sipping on a cool one or tearing up the dance floor. So, come-on out and catch a vibe!