Sarasota vacation

Headed down to Sarasota for a few days before thanksgiving with the girlfriend -- any local suggestions on where to go/what to do? Grew up in Orlando, so have done St. Armand's and longboat (though it's been a while, so there's probably plenty new there for me to sample) - just wanted to see if there were any hidden local gems that I ought to know about?

thanks guys!

Edit: We're also doing a couple of days in St. Pete at the Renaissance Vinoy -- dont know anything at all about that area, so any suggestions there would be welcome as well.

thanks!

 

Hi. I live "on" St. Armends Circle. I'm 47, albeit I have a good idea what you are looking for. Sarasota does not have your typical nightclub scene. There's really only one place where the 'beautiful' people are found, Ferraris and Lambos lined up outside; the hip music sounds great. It's called Horsefeathers, and it's located near the corner of US 301 and Ringling Blvd. downtown. That's for the young, well-to-do, in-the-groove people. Drinks are drank, deals are made, girls are happy ~ not a meat market at all. Wear the same as you would in downtown Aspen at the Two Four Six.

On Siesta Key there's an area called The Village. It's got one bar after another overflowing with fake boobs, tattoos, young and old who like their buzz. It's incomparable to anywhere else on the planet. It's not South Beach, and it's not tourist dulldrum-overkill. That's why people get so lit up there...somehow the free spirit in everyone just comes out. Wear what you want...you'll wear puke if you get too much into the fun. Yes, you'll probably see a nice Yellow 512TR, a baby blue Gallardo spyder, and a black convertible Murcielago there. Ok, so life isn't measured by sportscars...wait a minute...of course it is...what am I saying....I should wash my mouth out with soap.

St.Pete: the Vinoy is a class act. Nice restaurants in walking distance. Nice boats to see there as well. I only know a little about the downtown there. It's for romantic couples. My wife loves it there.

Tampa: Don't miss the famous nightclub district called Ybor City. Google it for directions. It's a group of old Cuban cigar factories that were converted into a party district. One main street goes down the middle of it. If you like real nightclubs visit Piranha. The Ugly Coyote in a fun place to spill some beer. If nothing else just walk from one end to the other. The people watching does not get better. You'll see a Phantom or two roll trough while you are there. If you want off-the-chain fun go to the bar called "Laugh at the Moon". Get there early though...the line gets a mile long. A whole big club drinks and sings together. Your stomach will hurt in the morning from laughing so much.

That's night stuff. During the day hit the beaches. The best is of course Siesta Key Beach. It's amazing. The best pier to walk out on is in Clearwater. Pier 64 I think is what it's called. Many free acts (fire-eaters and other crazies). Good food in the area.

Gee I hope that will help. There's so much else I could have told you about, but where do I stop. Florida is great. We moved down here 4 years ago from MN. Went from 9 Ferraris down to only 2. Up there was not exactly Ferrari country. Down here it's a must. Garages are smaller here.

Hope you have a great trip!

Tom
Sarasota

 

Great stuff -- thanks Tom!

 

Green Iguana if you must experience the club scene in Ybor, particularly on Saturdays. I play there now and then, but Ybor ain't what it used to be. Lots of trouble there nowadays. Prana is long closed.

Try Hyde Park. I also played there not too long ago. Here's a vid of me spinning at Hyde Park: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42013110

I also spin at Floyds at the Hard Rock on occasion, it's a late nite kinda deal, get there around 3am.

Sarasota has NO nightlife; it's really of very poor quality. No real clubgoers in this city. I would suggest Esca, it's okay, they play tech house with mostly Ringling students. At its core, this is a very backwoods place with regard to nightlife. People around here still ask the DJ for Skynyrd.

PM me when you're here. I'll meet you downtown or something. I always love to meet my FChat friends when out of town. I will be in Port St Lucie for an appearance on the 26th, but will be back on TG and that weekend. I work downtown during the week.

Holla!

RMX