Dad’s day: How to celebrate Father’s Day in Sarasota

Eddie Kirsch

Flowers and brunch might work just fine for Mother’s Day, but they aren’t exactly the two favorite things for most fathers. Check out our list of suggestions.

Sorry Pops, but Father’s Day is a holiday that can be a little looked over. It isn’t that most don’t love our Fathers (we do,) but for many, there’s Mother’s Day then the end of school celebrations and then family vacation — which may very well be during Father’s Day. There may even be a birthday or two and that typically leaves us a little exhausted. If this situation rings all too true for you, don’t let Dad Appreciation Day (DAD — get it? No father’s day is complete without bad puns!) slip away this year. Check out some of our favorite things to do which may just be perfect for the father in your life:

Charter a boat and go fishing. If your dad loves to fish, book a charter through CB’s Saltwater Outfitters or Siesta Kation charters. It’s right in the middle of tarpon season, so what better gift could there be then to hook up on the prized silver king? Or if you prefer to stock up the cooler, Gag Grouper season opened June 1. CB’s Saltwater Outfitters also has special Father’s Day Gift Certificates available.
Ice cold beer here! How about a couple cold beers and a juicy burger, one of the tried and true ways to just about any Father’s heart. Mandeville Beer Garden has all kinds of beer for all kinds of tastes including pilsners, ciders, wheat beers, IPAs, red and brown ales, stouts and more.
There’s a reason why Sarasota is sometimes referred to as the “cradle of golf,” and if your dad enjoys spending time on the links, there’s a course or two that may just make his holiday. Bobby Jones is the public golf course, but there are many others to consider, such as Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood, Sara Bay Country Club (designed by famed architect Donald Ross), University Park Country Club, TPC Prestancia, Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice, Florida and Tatum Ridge Golf Links just to name a few. Or if your Dad would prefer to just hit a few balls, try Evie’s Golf Center, which has a driving range, tiki bar and restaurant with several televisions, ice cream shop and mini golf center.
Make him laugh until it hurts at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute. John Carfi is performing at 7 p.m. on Father’s Day. Carfi earned his chops at the famous Comedy Store in California and has appeared on numerous television shows.
Take him to church. Well, at least Gospel Brunch at Blue Rooster. Featuring a buffet of comfort food including biscuits and gravy, buttermilk waffles, cheesy grits, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and more. Enjoy bacon bloody marys, fantastic mimosas and some dynamite music that will rock your dad to his soul!
Grill out at the beach. What better way to enjoy the day that with burgers, brats and a cooler full of soft drinks. Make things easy and get a spot at Lido Key, Siesta Key, Venice, Nokomis or Manasota Key beaches to “grill and chill.”
“Doin’ 15 in a 30, I ain’t in no hurry …” Let dad have his day and his chance to get away from it all at White Buffalo Saloon. If your dad is the kind that likes country music and an ice cold beer, this is his happy place, and it’s taco Sunday at the saloon with great deals on tacos, house margaritas and corona. Add to that some deluxe nachos and “Mike’s Three Ring Circus” (enormous onion rings with bbq pulled pork,) and your dad might just be in heaven.
Gear head dads can enjoy a stroll through the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. Recognized as the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the nation, roll back time with antique, exotic, and European classics that include John and Mable Ringling’s collection of Rolls Royce autos, John Lennon’s 1965 Mercedes Benz and Don Garlits dragster number two.
Meat. Slow-cooked, hickory-smoked, fall off the bone meat drenched in spicy sweet sauce. Wash that down with a beer or maybe a cold iced-tea and a slice of cornbread drenched in sticky-good honey. If that sounds like your dad’s favorite meal, head down to Brick’s Smoked Meats or Nancy’s Bar-B-Q.
Many fathers might be starting to look at retirement or thinking about the next chapter in their lives. Consider a gift of encouragement to study and pursue other passions with a gift certificate for your dad with a gift certificate to a workshop or class for ACE (Adult & Community Enrichment) at Suncoast Technical College. Explore arts, life & leisure, languages and healthy-life activities.