One of Manatee County's longest-standing restaurants, Pier 22 opened in 1976 in the historic Memorial Pier Building in downtown Bradenton. The restaurant has long been a local favorite thanks to its diverse menu of scratch-cooked foods and magnificent waterfront views of the Manatee River. Now this local mainstay has a new look and a revamped happy hour menu.

Greg Campbell is the Executive Chef and Director of Operations at Pier 22 and sister restaurant Grove in Lakewood Ranch. He also served as the construction manager on the recent restaurant renovations.

“We renovated the inside bar last year in October and we wanted to renovate the outside bar to match the nice new fresh look that we had inside,” Campbell says. “One of the major drivers for the remodel was to take away the old awning structure that we had over the patio area and put in a structural roof. The restaurant is known for the old Spanish barrel tile roof that we have, so we extended that over the patio which makes it much safer from wind and rain and gives us more ability to provide climate control.”

New touches include transom windows to let in more light and over a dozen fans to generate a breeze on sweltering summer days. In addition, the old bar was fully removed and a new one was built with expanded seating and top-of-the-line bar equipment. While there are three large TVs behind the bar for people who want to catch the latest football game, they don’t interfere with those famous waterfront views.

The outside patio bar isn’t the only thing that’s new at Pier 22. The restaurant has a happy hour daily from 3pm-6pm, and it’s the perfect time to come check out the new look. Campbell has a selection of small plates on the happy hour menu for $6 each, so diners can sample dishes like pimento & bacon deviled eggs made with fresh local eggs. During happy hour, guests can also get discounts on draft beer, house wine, and cocktails, as well as full-sized appetizers and flatbreads. The Shrimp & Street Corn Flatbread is a fresh and flavorful take on elote, while the Seacuterie Board appetizer is an inventive seafood-driven twist on the charcuterie trend.

Pier 22, 1200 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, 941-748-8087, pier22.com. 

Pictured: The Pimento Oyster appetizer at Pier 22 features roasted gulf oysters topped with pimento, bacon and panko.

 Sarasota-Manatee Originals is thrilled to announce ticket information for the  highly anticipated Grand Tasting event of the 2025 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival. Due to the high demand for  tickets each year, Forks & Corks Grand Tasting tickets launch on two different dates. General Admission tickets will be  available on October 15 at 7PM and are expected to sell out quickly. For those who want an exclusive edge, VIP and  Early Access tickets for The Grand Tasting will be available starting Tuesday October 8 at 9AM in a Pre-Sale. All Forks &  Corks Grand Tasting tickets are available online only at this address: https://forks-corks.squadup.com. 

Grab your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready for the most exciting Oktoberfest celebration in town! On Saturday, September 14, from 2-9 PM, Big Top Brewing Co. invites you to an authentic Bavarian-style festival right here in Sarasota – and entry is completely free! Highlights of the Event Include: Bigtoberfest Märzen Launch. Our brand-new, authentic German-style Märzen beer will be tapped and ready for you to enjoy! Plus, we’re offering $2 OFF Crowler deals on our German Beers. German Food from Currywurst - From 3-9 PM, indulge in delicious German cuisine served up by Currywurst (@currywursttrucksrq). Savor bratwurst, pretzels, and more, all while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Oompah and Polka Music. Traditional Oompah tunes and polka will fill the air all day long, bringing the spirit of Oktoberfest to life! Then, at 7 PM, live music from Mike McCormick will keep the party going with high-energy tunes to dance the night away. Kid Zone- This is a family-friendly event! Bring the kids and let them explore the German-style coloring station for some festive fun. Local Vendors- A lineup of local vendors will be on hand to showcase their goods. Stay tuned for the full vendor list! Join us for a day of gemütlichkeit (good vibes), great beer, and a taste of Bavaria! Don’t miss the chance to be part of this Oktoberfest celebration at Big Top Brewing Co.!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will present George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life as the ninth installment of its annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, which examines the work of major artists through the lens of their connection to nature. The exhibition, which will be on view February 9 through June 29, 2025, at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, will explore the deep and meaningful connection between musician George Harrison – best known as the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band The Beatles – and the pastime of gardening, which became his greatest passion. George’s love of gardening was an integral part of his identity. In an interview in Rolling Stone magazine in 1979, the renowned singer-songwriter described himself as “just a gardener.” His strong association with gardening was further illustrated in his 1980 autobiography, I Me Mine, dedicated “to gardeners everywhere.” In 1970, not long after The Beatles disbanded, the then 27-year-old George purchased the estate of Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames, a small town in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Built by an eccentric lawyer named Sir Frank Crisp in 1889, this once grand Victorian mansion with spectacular gardens had fallen into disrepair. With the help of his wife, Olivia Harrison, George was able to revitalize the neglected property, consisting of the mansion, lodges, and 32 acres of grounds. It was in this process that George’s love of gardening began to flower. George’s free approach to gardening combined creativity, spontaneity, whimsy, humor, and joy. This approach has inspired the upcoming exhibition at Selby Gardens, which will combine a dynamic display of objects and ephemera in the Museum of Botany & the Arts with stunning horticultural vignettes in the Tropical Conservatory and throughout the gardens of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus. Featured throughout the exhibition will be a selection of George’s music and lyrics, as well as excerpts from Came the Lightening, a book of poems by Olivia Harrison dedicated to George and reflecting on their time together. The resulting multi-sensory experience will highlight George’s connection to nature and celebrate his life and legacy through the power of plants. Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, stated, “Selby Gardens is thrilled to explore George Harrison’s love of gardening and the inspiration he drew from it. We are honored to present this exhibition to our visitors, demonstrating the many ways Harrison connected with nature.” A selection of special programs will be scheduled throughout the run of the exhibit.  A highlight will be An Evening with Patti Smith Dedicated to George Harrison on February 12 at Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus featuring Selby Gardens' iconic Artist in Residence Patti Smith.  Details to follow. 

The Sundown Get Down event series, a family-friendly street party happening every third Thursday of the month on Historic Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, is celebrating the new school year with a splash. Starting at 5pm, Thursday, September 19, 2024, Historic Bridge Street opens to pedestrians to enjoy a fun and engaging experience for all attendees. The family-friendly event is free to the public; locals and visitors alike are welcome to attend. 

To learn more, visit.

Wellen Park is hosting the inaugural Oktoberfest in Downtown Wellen on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event is free and open to the public. Celebrate the spirit of Oktoberfest with beer brats, schnitzel, pretzels, polka, and time-honored Bavarian traditions and food options. Oktoberfest will also feature dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hosting competition and entertainment on the Solis Hall stage throughout the day. Entertainment begins at noon with DJ Jessie Rodriguez spinning tunes until 4 p.m. German dancers perform 2 to 4 p.m. Then, it’s all-out polka as the DeLeon Oktoberfest Band takes the stage 4 to 8 p.m. The lively family festival-style ensemble includes three generations of accordionists and has performed at Florida’s biggest Oktoberfest events. Table seating on the Great Lawn is limited and is available on a first-come basis. To help make guests more comfortable throughout the day, table seating will include umbrellas or tent coverage to help with sun exposure. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Event attendees can also take advantage of all Downtown Wellen has to offer – paddling and fishing in the Grand Lake, hiking, biking and e-biking Wellen Park’s miles of trails and pathways, cooling off at the splashpad, relaxing or playing in nature-inspired settings, shopping and enjoying an augmented reality experience capturing downtown’s vibrant, playful spirit. For more information about Oktoberfest at Wellen Park, visit wellenpark.com/events/wellen-park-oktoberfest.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, Noon to 4 p.m, Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice. 

This Saturday, Sept 21 from 10-3 the Spotlight is on Limelight Market! This fun, pop up market happens in the courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime with rescue dogs, unique guest vendors, food, and live music. Check out the 40+ local creators and curators inside. Great way to support local! Free, until you buy something amazing!  For more information visit www.BazaaronApricotandlime.com  Located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. 

Florentine classics come to Downtown Bradenton with upscale Italian chophouse Taverna Toscana, September 2024.

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