Encore Live represents a long-time dream for owners Kristen Lee, David Lay and Mark Bazan.

After decades of experience in events and the music industry, Lee and Lay wanted to create a space that was centered around music first—where people felt connected and entertained.

“We put it all together and we opened this,” Lee explains, referring to how the idea for a live music and dance venue came from putting together the owners’ different skill sets. In addition to Encore Live, both Lee and Lay own an event company, a production company and they perform as the lead singer and drummer of the party band 22N. “We have a lot of experience when it comes to production and music,” Lee says.

The owners explain that making Encore Live successful has been about building a loyal audience. “If you have a new place like ours, it’s very difficult because you don’t have a group of people that come,” Lay says, “The big thing is to promote your built-in crowd.”

To do this, Encore Live has always carefully chosen its bands. Lay explains that they look for certain characteristics in their performers. “I look for what kind of following they have, what age range, and what they do in other places,” he says. Encore Live’s demographic tends to sit above age 40, so they make sure to book artists that will engage their audience.

They have also tried to bring in big names as well. Since opening, Encore Live has had quite a few celebrities walk through the doors, drawing hundreds of people. “We’ve had Joe Perry from Aerosmith, Dan Donegan from Disturbed, Ed Roland from Collective Soul—these are huge, A-list celebrities,” Lay emphasizes.

However, Lee explains that what is most important to the Encore Live team is what people take away from the venue. “They won’t remember exactly what they did here, but they’ll remember how they feel,” she says.

8341 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 941-373-7976, encoresrq.com