According to Jimmy Buffet and Alan Jackson, “It’s five o’clock somewhere” and nowhere celebrates that end-of-day attitude better than the Five O’Clock Club in Sarasota, Florida. Tucked away in Southside Village on Hillview Street, this neighbourhood bar features live bands and a daily Happy Hour.
Established in the 1950s as a liquor store it quickly became a premier venue for live music. The Five O’Clock Club has picked up several awards including being voted “Best Place to hear Local Bands” by Sarasota Magazinein 2016. In 2017 after more than two decades owner George Generoso sold the business to new owners who are no strangers to the Sarasota entertainment scene. Father and son, Steve and Mike Evanoff, bought and revamped the premises. New additions included 55-inch flatscreen TVs for watching sports when bands are not onstage. They also added a juke box, pool table and arcade games so there’s even more to enjoy.
The Evanoffs own and manage several Evie’s bar and restaurants and the White Buffalo Saloon in Sarasota with more live music and local entertainment.
Live Music at the Five O’Clock Club in Sarasota
The main attractions of the Five-O, as it is known locally, are the live music and bar. It offers upgraded bar snacks but has no kitchen.
From rock to reggae and funk to blues, the bar has live music several nights per week. Sit back and enjoy the Happy Hour Band on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. They also have Open Jam Nights, R&B Ladies Night on Wednesdays and mid-week concerts. Check out the calendar for more information on up-coming acts, to see what’s happening and when. There are both local and national live music acts every week.
Happy Hour at The 5 O’Clock Club
Opening hours at The Five O’Clock Club are from 7 a.m. until late. Happy Hour includes 2-4-1 specials, low prices on domestic bottles of beer and attractively priced cocktails from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Fridays, it promises a new live artist featured every week – a great chance to hear up-coming talent and covers of your favorite jazz, pop, and rock originals.
Established recording artists also take a turn at The Five-O. Joel Rodney Siemion recently played his new single “On the Line” which was currently being aired on Heart Radio. No wonder the bar is known as the “Best damn Happy Hour in town!”.
Special nights are celebrated including a St Paddy’s Bash for St Patrick’s Day. Regular fun nights include the Five O’pen Jam with Sandi Grecco. Bring your guitar, your voice, and your talent and step onstage at this Open Jam night – it’s legendary! DJs also take a turn spinning all kinds of music. Look out for DJ Nat Keza on Ladies Night.
Great live music and drinks at fair prices served by friendly staff are what makes the Five O’Clock Club buzz.
