Where to Watch Your Sports Team on Game Day

Don't miss your favorite sports teams play or a tournament unfold while you're on vacation, or out on the town for business. Catch all the action at one of these game-watching hotspots in Sarasota County. 

Whether you’re an out-of-state sports fan or a local, there's no reason to miss a can't-miss football game, highly anticipated tennis match or golf tournament. Sarasota County has a plethora of game-ready restaurants and sports bars to post up for an inning, quarter, match or period. Pull up a barstool or reserve a booth with a good view of the HD televisions at one of these hotspots.

Where to Watch Sports in Sarasota

The Big Tiki Lounge

Siesta Key Village's largest tiki bar on Ocean Boulevard is an all-around great spot to end up after a sun-filled day on the beach. With a full liquor bar, specialty cocktails, cornhole and bar games, daily live music entertainment and high-hung 70-inch flat screens, there is arguably no better place to enjoy a game. Pro football fans, make plans to camp out here during the season. Big Tiki offers NFL Sunday Ticket and game-day specials.

Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar

Where can you enjoy a bowl of award-winning clam chowder while cheering on your favorite team? At Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar on Siesta Key! They also serve fresh seafood, meat dishes and kid-friendly meals. Afterward, stick around for some lovely karaoke renditions of songs or join in on the fun yourself! Captain Curt's has been recognized as one of the best family restaurants on Siesta Key.

Evie's

Evie's is one of the best places for the whole family to get together and watch the game—with multiple locations, each offering a little something different. While the Evie's on Main Street in downtown Sarasota encompasses a lively scene of multiple big-screen TVs and a next-door bowling alley, the Evie's on Bee Ridge / Evie's Family Golf Center offers a driving range to swing some clubs before heading inside for pizza and the game on the giant outdoor patio or inside bar. Farther south in Osprey, Evie's on the Bay offers three floors of waterfront dining overlooking beautiful Sarasota Bay. Arguably, its main draw is the ground-floor tiki bar. Grab your bar stool under the "chickee hut" for a Chiki Tiki Chicken Sandwich, $15 rum buckets and front-row seats to the main event! 

Pop’s Sunset Grill

Down in Nokomis Beach, discover a tried-and-true "Old Florida" waterfront institution: Pop's Sunset Grill. This beloved live music and game-watching landmark is revered for its laid-back island atmosphere, fresh local fare and entertainment options. With vast dining areas and seating options, grab a seat at one of the three bars and request your channel to watch your favorite sports team play. During commercial breaks, catch all the action of the Intracoastal Waterway traffic and live bands jamming the day away. The Pop's "in Paradise" Burgers are main course standouts for game day while the Mild to Wild Wings and Coconut Shrimp starters are perfect for sharing with fellow sports fans. 

Gecko's Grill & Pub

Established in 1992, Gecko's (with a total of six locations in the Sarasota area) is well-known for its mouth-watering and affordable food and easy-going atmosphere. Like many of the bars on this list, Gecko's has a slew of beer on tap, a full bar and lots of televisions. Locals will tell you Gecko's is an established local staple and even more notable, perennially voted "Best Sports Bar." Enjoy bar bingo and trivia on select nights in addition to catching glimpses of your match on-screen and chowing down on some classic American bar fare with a seasonal focus. The restaurant partners with Honeyside Farms, a nearby sustainable farm in the area, to serve great farm produce. They even plan their menu around the seasons and in-season crops to offer a healthier option to more traditional Sunday football food. 

Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, often just called SKOB by locals, is a perfect place to walk off the beach and into the bar for the game. Located in Siesta Key Village, the bar broadcasts every game from NFL Sunday Ticket. This open-air dive bar by the sea has plenty of game-time fare, such as burgers, BBQ chicken and beer-battered fish and chips. However, Siesta Key Oyster Bar also has some of the best oysters in town and crab hush puppies for those who would prefer seafood during game day. Enjoy live music every day as your background sound to the playoffs playing on-screen and keep the drinks flowing with pitchers of margaritas or frosty beverages.

Tamiami Tap

Tucked away in the downtown-adjacent neighborhood of Laurel Park, find an undercover gem known as Tamiami Tap. Enjoy open-air dining, a casual coastal environment and comfortable seating facing two hanging TVs against a beautiful brick bar wall. Catch the game while sharing guilty-pleasure apps like nachos, calamari fries, chicken tenders, quesadillas or Betsy's Twisted Pretzel.