![Boat parking at The Crow’s Nest in Venice [Photo: Lauren Jackson]](/sites/default/files/styles/popular_stories_teaser/public/2023-import/The-Crow%2527s-Nest-cropped__OPT.jpg.webp?itok=F_GZSs8A)
Rhythm & Recipes: Sarasota Restaurants for Music Lovers
Looking for the best restaurants with live music in Sarasota? This guide covers jazz lounges, waterfront tiki bars, acoustic beach venues, piano bars and local restaurants.
In Sarasota, dinner doesn’t always end with dessert. Many restaurants turn up the volume with live bands, acoustic sets, jazz nights and waterfront performances that transform an evening meal into a full night out. Whether you’re craving sunset reggae by the water, romantic piano standards over candlelight or lively outdoor concerts with tropical cocktails in hand, these restaurants pair flavor with atmosphere in all the right ways.
Upbeat Tiki & Outdoor Party Vibes
For travelers looking to keep the energy high after the appetizers arrive, these spots deliver lively bands, singalongs and open-air vacation energy that feels quintessentially Florida.
Evie's on the Bay
Waterfront sunsets on Little Sarasota Bay, tropical drinks and live entertainment on the tiki deck Thursday through Sunday make Evie’s on the Bay in Osprey feel like a hidden Gulf Coast party spot. Expect to linger long after your meal is served.
Mattison's City Grille
A downtown staple known for its bustling patio and nearly nightly live music lineup, Mattison’s open-air restaurant-bar blends crowd-pleasing American fare with feel-good tunes. Catch everything from classic rock covers and dance-worthy party bands to soulful vocals and live-looping guitarists—situated in the center of Downtown Sarasota's Main Street.
Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar
This casual seafood hangout keeps the atmosphere lively with cold drinks and oyster happy hour, plus local musicians Friday–Sunday. The laid-back coastal vibe, surrounded by lush palms and high tops on the patio, feels tailor-made for a carefree night.
Stottlemyer's Smokehouse
Come for the barbecue, stay for the live country, blues and Southern rock performances under the oak trees. Stottlemyer’s delivers rustic Florida charm with a boot-stomping soundtrack of local favorites and traveling artists every day of the week.
Pop's Sunset Grill
Dockside dining meets full-on vacation mode at this longtime waterfront favorite in Nokomis. Tropical drinks, seafood baskets and upbeat live bands booked throughout the afternoon and evening at the tiki bar and courtyard keep the party going all week long as boats and dolphins drift by at sunset.
Sophisticated Piano & Jazz Nights
If your ideal dinner soundtrack leans more candlelight cocktail lounge than beach bar, these elegant restaurants set the mood with jazz, piano standards and refined ambiance.
Michael's On East
A Sarasota institution, Michael’s On East elevates dinner with polished fine dining, impeccable service and elegant live piano every Tuesday–Saturday—turning any evening into a special occasion. After dinner, stick around for another glass of wine from the cellar as the music transitions into late-night jazz.
Amore Restaurant
Romantic and intimate, Amore pairs elevated Italian-Portuguese cuisine with live piano performances every night of the week that make date night feel timeless beneath chandelier-lit ceilings.
Crab & Fin
Enjoy fresh seafood, polished service and piano-playing performances on Crab & Fin's European-style sidewalk throughout weekend evenings. This sophisticated St. Armands Circle experience is ideal for date night or a special celebration.
Bevardi's Salute! Restaurant
Under the stars and warm hanging lights, live music plays on Bevardi's breezy sidewalk patio every Friday and Saturday night—transporting diners from Downtown Sarasota to the charm of an Italian piazza.
Cafe Gabbiano
Tucked into Siesta Key Village, Cafe Gabbiano combines candlelit charm, handmade Italian pastas and select live music evenings that perfectly complement its romantic wine-bar atmosphere.
Coastal Acoustic & Tropical Grooves
For those who prefer their soundtrack breezy and beachy, these coastal favorites serve up acoustic sets, island-inspired rhythms and relaxed waterfront ambiance.
Sharky's on the Pier
Beachfront cocktails overlooking the iconic Venice Fishing Pier, seafood towers and a rotating lineup of coastal sets almost every night of the week create the perfect soundtrack for a sunset dinner overlooking the Gulf.
Dockside Waterfront Grill
Fresh-caught favorites, daily happy hour and dock-and-dine seating make Dockside a go-to for sunset dinners with effortless beach-town style. Located in Fisherman's Wharf Marina in Venice, catch easygoing tunes under the large tiki hut on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Cafe on St. Armands
Centered in the heartbeat of St. Armands Circle, this charming café pairs Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, cocktails and acoustic performances that spill into the warm evening air on weekend nights.
Farlow's On The Water
Part Caribbean, part Old Florida fish house, Farlow’s serves tropical flavors and live music beside the water, Wednesday–Sunday evenings—making it one of Englewood’s most beloved dinner spots.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar – North Port
AMOB locations often feature local musicians playing easy-listening sounds and songs while guests enjoy a basket of fried seafood and coastal cocktails. The energy centers around the indoor-outdoor Seminole tiki bar and open-air patio.
Artsy Lounges & Modern Beats
For travelers craving something trendier and more energetic, these stylish spots mix inventive cuisine with DJs, eclectic playlists and contemporary nightlife energy.
Arts & Central
Located in Sarasota’s creative Rosemary District, Arts & Central blends neighborhood cocktail lounge vibes with an airy indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Local artists, DJs and musicians help energize the artsy social scene Thursday through Sunday.
Selva Grill
Selva’s vibrant Latin-inspired menu and moody lounge atmosphere pair perfectly with upbeat music, craft cocktails and Downtown Sarasota nightlife energy. The energetic atmosphere and dramatic décor make it an ideal stop before a concert, theater performance or downtown night out.
Rose & Ivy
Whimsical garden-party aesthetics, high-end sushi and curated cocktails make Rose & Ivy one of Downtown Sarasota’s most photogenic spots for a lively evening out. Catch live music every Wednesday with a rotating lineup of genres and musicians.
Agave Bandido
This high-energy tequila and taco hotspot in Waterside Place keeps the vibe going with a live DJ every Thursday for Ladies' Night (plus free drinks at the bar). Enjoy bold Mexican flavors and a social waterfront atmosphere right on Kingfisher Lake, designed for long nights and group celebrations.
From waterfront jam sessions and tiki-party singalongs to candlelit jazz dinners and stylish cocktail lounges, Sarasota proves that some of the best seats in the house aren’t inside a concert venue—they’re right at the dinner table or bar top.
