Live Music at The Blue Rooster Downtown Sarasota

Exterior of the Blue Rooster bar restaurant downtown Sarasota, Florida. — Photo courtesy Blue Rooster

The Blue Rooster is a well-known destination for top local and regional live music, they offer fantastic live music five nights a week, thanks to their state-of-the-art sound system. Visit Tuesdays through Saturdays, and you’ll be entertained and enthralled by music ranging from blues and roots, to jazz, rock, Americana and more. Sing along to old favorites, and learn a few new ones in an amazing atmosphere. Head to Blue Rooster before the show to enjoy Crawfish Mac & Cheese, duck wings, pork sliders, or fried green tomatoes along with cocktail, beer and wine specials from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Live band playing music at Blue Rooster bar and restaurant downtown Sarasota, Florida — Photo courtesy Blue Rooster

Dining at The Blue Rooster

If you’re craving a little Southern hospitality and a plate piled high with comfort food, the Blue Rooster is the place to satiate your appetite. The Blue Rooster features a mouth-watering menu of New American Southern Fare that will have you returning time and again. The Blue Rooster has garnered a selection of awards for its southern fare including winner of the Open Table Diner’s Choice and Best of SRQ 2018. Relax at one of the community tables in the classic juke-box joint atmosphere or take a seat at the bar (it runs for 50 linear feet so there’s plenty of elbow room).

View of the dining room at The Blue Rooster bar and restaurant downtown Sarasota, Florida. — Photo courtesy Blue Rooster

The Blue Rooster is known for serving true blue southern dishes with a down-home vibe. Favorites include an authentic gumbo filled with shrimp, okra and Andouille sausage. Lighter choices include deviled eggs and roasted button mushrooms with a grain mustard dressing. Cajun shrimp, fried green tomatoes with buttermilk lime dressing and smoky Brunswick Stew won’t let your taste buds slumber for a moment.

More traditional menu choices include a Build-a-Burger with add-ons, Pulled Pork sandwiches, Mahi sandwiches with creole tartar sauce and hand-cut sweet potato fries. There’s catfish, meat loaf, snapper, salmon, and short ribs to die for, and better leave room for the Pecan Pie.

Sunday Gospel Brunch at The Blue Rooster in Sarasota

Sunday’s Gospel Brunch is something else! Head to the Blue Rooster on Sunday mornings and the Gospel Brunch band, Truality, will provide Sunday inspiration along with hearty soul food. Doors open at 11:15 a.m.

Gospel Brunch Buffet every Sunday at The Blue Rooster in Sarasota, Florida. — Photo courtesy Blue Rooster

Owner of The Blue Rooster, Ellen Cornelius, was inspired to provide a true Sunday Gospel Brunch after visiting a similar eatery while driving through Atlanta back in 1996. She loved the idea but it was only when she opened The Blue Rooster and sourced Truality that the concept finally took shape.

Under music director and keyboard player Dennis Clove, the gospel ensemble includes Darrel Johnson on drums and singers Shemeeka and Kimla offering a harmony of soprano, alto and tenor voices. As well as classics “Oh Happy Day” and popular hits, they blend some original gospel songs and share their testimonies in a celebration of informal praise.

Relax, sway, clap, dance and sing along with the gospel band while enjoying your mouth-watering Sunday brunch buffet. There is warm buttermilk biscuits, catfish fingers, collard greens, fried chicken and grits. The laidback atmosphere and aroma of familiar comfort food favorites draw young and old, locals and visitors. What better way to start the week (or end the day) in Sarasota, Florida than at the Blue Rooster.