Bust out your favorite jersey, smear on some eyeblack and brush up on your smack talk — college football is back. Nothing beats watching the game in person, but taking over a bar and claiming it as your own with a crew of your fellow fans has to be a close second.
With so many retirees and transplants from all over the country, Sarasota is a proverbial melting pot of college football fans; not only are there plenty of universities to pick from within the state, there are also fans from plenty of other states and conferences thrown into the mix to keep things interesting.
Wherever your allegiance lies, there's sure to be a watering hole where you can cheer on your alma mater. See where to belly up below:
- University of Florida — Evie's on the Range / 4725 Bee Ridge Road / 377-0990 / Specials: $6.75 bombs and $13.75 domestic buckets
- Florida State University — Gecko's Grill and Pub, Palmer Crossing / 5585 Palmer Crossing Circle / 923-6061 / Specials: Separate football menu for all college and NFL games.
- University of Central Florida — Harry's Sports Bar and Grille / 6606 S. Tamiami Trail / 922-1110 / Specials: Pizza and a pitcher for $15, or pizza and queso nachos for $10. Beef O'Brady's / 5942 34th St. Bradenton / 755-4046 Sarasota Brewing Company / 6607 Gateway Ave. / 925-2337 / Specials vary.
- University of South Florida — Evie's on University / 5897 Whitfield Ave / 358-9861 / Specials: $6.75 bombs and $13.75 domestic buckets
- University of Miami — Serendipity Racquet Club / 3600 Torrey Pines Blvd. / 922-1591
- Alabama — Daiquiri Deck, St. Armands / 325 John Ringling Blvd. / 388-3325 / Specials: $10 bucket of five Anheuser Busch bottles.
- Auburn — Beef O'Brady's / 4925 Cortez Rd. / 798-6939 / Specials: $11 five-bottle buckets, $1.50 PBR longnecks and 18 wings and a pitcher for $19.99
- University of Kentucky — Evie's on the Range / 4725 Bee Ridge Road / 377-0990 / Specials: $6.75 bombs and $13.75 domestic buckets
- The Ohio State University — Captain Curt's / 1200 Old Stickney Point Road / 349-3885 Evie's Bradenton / 3561 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton / 755-1423
- University of Michigan — PaddyWagon Irish Pub / 4402 E. State Road 64, Bradenton / 251-5946
Want to add your team's bar? Email [email protected]
