DINNER & A SHOW
BY KENDRA GEMMA
Having a romantic meal or a girls’ night out can be wonderful on its own. Sometimes, though, you’re in the mood for a little something extra with your dinner. We’ve rounded up a sampling of Manatee County dining destinations that offer a side of fun – from live music to trivia to murder mysteries.
Live Music
Nothing beats watching a musical performance during a night out. You can
sway to tunes as you eat or hit the dance floor afterward. Several local eateries regularly host live bands or performers. Set a date at one of these restaurants for a concert with your meal.
At Woody’s River Roo in Ellenton, you can indulge in diverse acts who perform anything from country to yacht rock to hard rock while feasting on chicken wings, tacos, nachos, seafood, and more. Performers take the stage most evenings and often in the afternoon.
Sit at one of the waterfront tiki-covered tables to feel like you’re living on island time.
At Bradenton’s 88 Live, watch dueling pianists perform every weekend. Bands play an array of musical styles the rest of the week. If you’re out with a group, order cleverly named appetizers, such as Piano Pizza Rolls and Bluesy Bruschetta, or share a pizza. The menu also includes salads and sandwiches.
88 Live is open Tuesdays through Sundays. Note that there is a low cover charge ($5 to $10 per person) for most acts.
From Wednesday through Sunday, you’ll find live music at Mattison’s Riverwalk. Most acts perform in the evenings, but Sundays switch things up with a “Blues Brunch.” The brunch menu is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Try the stuffed French toast or go savory with the Mediterranean frittata.
Prefer a night out? Make the most of your evening visit by arriving in time for happy hour, from 4-7 p.m. daily. Catch the band’s first set while pre-gaming with the Martini of the Day and wonton salmon tacos.
Fun & Games
If you prefer to be a part of the action, Manatee County restaurants have plenty of opportunities to play games and maybe win prizes.
Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton gives you a few chances a week to earn money while you eat. Every Monday and Wednesday, get ready to yell “bingo!” in the taproom. Just $1 gets you three bingo cards for the first five rounds, and another $5 is your buy-in for the sixth round of cover-all bingo. The winner receives the entire pot. If there’s no winner, the pot rolls over to the next week, so you could go home with a bundle! Bingo starts at 7 p.m. both nights.
If bingo isn’t your game, how about trivia? Every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. for $5 per person, you can answer questions and complete puzzles solo or with a team for the chance to win cash. Most weeks are come-as-you-are, but the first Thursday of the month always has a theme. Dress up to earn extra points for your team. December’s theme is Winter Holidays. Past themes have included Star Wars and Disney.
Mean Deans Local Kitchen challenges teams with thought-provoking questions during trivia on the first and third Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Gather your most intelligent friends and neighbors and compete to win or just to have fun. Reservations are strongly recommended. Mean Deans also has themed contests throughout the year and live music every week.
Do you think you could be a “Jeopardy!” champion? Test your general knowledge on Mondays at 8 p.m. at RJ Gator’s. More of a “Name That Tune” fan? Schedule a recurring event in your calendar for Thursdays at 8 p.m. You can display your music trivia prowess, and you could win pitchers of beer or gift cards. Both trivia games are free to play, so you have nothing to lose! For those of you who prefer letters and numbers to questions, stop in on Wednesdays for Burger and Bingo nights. The game starts at 8:30 p.m., and burgers are $6.99 all day.
Something is happening almost every day at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub. On Mondays,
show off your smarts with trivia or show your cards during Texas Hold ’em. Both start at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Come in at 2 p.m. for bar poker and stay for music bingo at 6 p.m. Wednesdays are bingo nights. Winners earn prizes, from fun giveaways to bar tabs! Kick back on the weekends and let someone else do the hard work. Clancy’s hosts live bands on Fridays and Saturdays.
With a name like Three Keys Brewing & Gastropub, of course there’s a triple play
game night that combines music, trivia, and poker! Wonder what it’s all about? Satisfy your curiosity at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. The restaurant also hosts general knowledge trivia on Sundays at 6 p.m. and Brewery Bingo on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Play for bragging rights and prizes no matter which game you choose! If you’d rather be an audience member, join them for live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Three Keys Brewing also has the occasional comedy night.
What do you get when you mix a meal, costumes, and intrigue? Pineapple Kitchen
Mysteries! The unique concept is the epitome of dinner and a show, except you become one of the players. You’ll partake in a four-course meal while performing as a pre-assigned character and trying to solve a murder. Each mystery has a storyline and a theme, so you can go more than once and never know “whodunit.” Put together a group of 10 or more for a discount.
The next time you go out for a night on the town in Manatee County, make it a full
evening of entertainment at one of these restaurants! Who knows? You might even come home as a winner!