The Gator Club in Sarasota

ICONIC HISTORIC BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN SARASOTA!!! GREAT VIBES GREAT STAFF!! BINGO ON TUESDAYS TO WIN ADULT PRIZES .. WEDNESDAYS ARE FOR KAREOKE... LIVE REGGAE MUSIC WITH JAH MOVEMENT EVERY THURSDAY WITH DJ UPSTAIRS!!! ALSO LIVE MUSIC DOWNSTAIRS WITH DJ UPSTAIRS FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS!! SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS THERES A VERY WELCOMING OLDER GENTLEMAN SEAN WHO IS AMAZING!!!!

Stupid lickspittles here think they own the street, sidewalk, and half the utilities on the road. Maybe they should be more concerned about the 17 year old girls in bikinis on their stage every weekend.

They don’t know the law and think they own the sidewalk, disrespectful employees.

They harass and curse out photojournalists filming on the public sidewalk. They are dirty bugs!

This place likes to tell people on the public sidewalk what to do. But Jay set them straight about freedom.

The employees at this establishment are very rude and recently attempted to bully individuals lawfully exercising their 1st amendment right on the public side walk in front of the establishment. The employees even tried to get a police officer to remove these law abiding men..based on feelings and emotions. The officer swiftly educated the ignorant karens and Darrens and informed them that what these men were doing was completelylawful. Even after the education..willfull ignorance prevailed and the name calling started by the employees realizing they had no other means.. to try and remove these men. Super sad. Desperation is a stinky cologne...andCan management ...manage to get the doorman some fresh shirts ??

Owner & staff hate freedom, & peoples rights. The owner & staff will try to suppress your rights for their benefit, if they dont like what youre doing. They hate transparency, & accountability. Id suggest finding another Bar.

First time in Florida on vacation with family. The atmosphere was great and service was excellent as well!!! Great drinks, Great Music and Great people!!

Pop the rock put on a great show on Saturday night they really laid it down and bar tenders were great and security was on there game no buckets 5 dollars a beer. But that’s for a great time and the gator club

Was at Gator Club recently. Had to leave as it was full of racist drunks! Horrible experience. I would give zero stars if it was an option.

Love stopping in for a drink, And Tessa is always a blast to hang with over a drink and have a good conversation!

The reverend dj LaL really really sucks. It was a vibe until he started mixing:

The club used to be a fun and relaxing place, but they have recently really disappointed me. I had purchased a VIP card years ago, but the last time I went, one of the security members took my card to explain to another security member that I had the right to enter the side entrance with a guest. I didnt realize at the time that he never gave my card back, and when I went to collect it from him later that night he claimed he didnt have it.

Big Thank you to the Gator Club for supporting Live Local Music in Sarasota, Florida! Thorson Moore Music and The Dirty Byrd Band in SRQ have some of the best musical players in the area. ~ We appreciate you and support all our talented musicians here in Sarasota FL.

This Club has awesome Reggae on Thursday nights starting at 10 PM.

If you want something different to do, visit The Gator. You have two floors to choose from; we had a great time.

Kicked out for no reason just because I looked drunk , literally just paid to get in also barley drunk

1st floor is almost better than second floor, horrible remixes on the 2nd floor. You definitely need a better DJ on a Saturday. The band is better than the 2nd floor…

I absolutely love this venue for live music and dancing. Johnny Diamond rocked the house last night!!

Had so much fun here with my friends there was live band downstairs and club dance music upstairs

Theres no way that upstairs floor isnt collapsing one day. I dont want to be up there when it does and I sure dont want to be underneath either. When its busy and crowded everyone is condensed into a group right in front of the DJ booth. Changed my review to 2 stars because I thought Id give it another shot but the vibes are soooo off. Just stank people and stank looks. Music is trash, I could hear the songs they play on the throwback radio station all day every day.

10$ cover charge is crazy for a Friday night and no band..(well apparently there was but since I didnt have cash to enter I didnt get to hear it from even outside!Never been before... never will to again Sat outside since I didnt want to pay and watched the bouncers and other workers instigate drunks trying to enter by shoving them almost knocking into me... looks like a lot of drama and the community seems to agree. I would be embarrassed if this was my establishment or my families!

What a fantastic treat. We got there kind of early after a long day out. The bartender Sean was fantastic. He even recommended an upgrade for my partner in crime from 1942 tequila which ended up becoming his new favorite tequila and its hard to impress him. Well done Sean ❤.

What to say that hasnt already been said about this iconic Sarasota watering hole. 5 stars in every conceivable category. Family owned and operated with class and professionalism. Excellence in hospitality, steeped in tradition and a rite of passage for generations of Sarasotans and tourists alike. As sure as the sun dips quitely into the Gulf, so too will the stress of a long day fade to laughter and friendship under the capable tutelage of any one of their legendary bar keeps. Their roster of first ballot hall of fame mixologists includes such infamous names as Johnny Hernandez, Sean Dargin and Mike Big Worm Brown, just to name a few. A little something for everyone can be found within these storied brick walls...2 floors, 4 bars and multiple stages have played host to many a character from all walks of life, and soothed the woes of weary travelers from every corner of the globe. Sarasotas favorite darling, a true Southwest Florida Treasure, The Gator Club.

The Gator Club on main street, Sarasota has a great atmosphere, and super cool visitors. Wednesday is karaoke night for the ones who like to sing a tune. Gator Club has a bingo night as well, you can win sexy adult prizes. Music is good, DJ s and bands playing (ask them what night they play. This hidden gem is located in a beautiful aria with restaurants and places to have a great timeI met a cool security guy while sitting outside. Thank you Caesar! Hope to visit soon again!

This place was pretty fun. There was a cover for the live music when we went, but nbd. The bouncers were friendly and the girls working the bar downstairs and upstairs were all super nice and really helpful.

Sean Dargin is a Sarasota staple. Only other bartenders wish they were as good as him Top notch with great humor! Him and Mark Miller are the only reason I keep coming back. Dont change a thing guys!

Checked out Johnny Diamond at Gators last month and had to stay for their whole show. Loved their retro selection and personal spin. It was busy and happening but not packed. No wait for cocktails, room to hang out, and plenty of dancing. $5 cover was a bargain. Nice to have music that rocks and plays past 11 pm. The Gator Club certainly provides a rare and needed service to the Sarasota community and I thank them. Running a 2 AM dance club with live music (and DJ upstairscan’t be easy. It gives service industry folk a chance to enjoy weekends as well. Almost every other place is empty and closed before midnight.

Even a great casual place for we, middle aged, people to go to dance. I was visiting Sarasota and my sister and I had a great time dancing there on a Tuesday night. Stopped in another night there too. Great bands and lots of fun, friendly, nice people. Highly recommend checking it out!

Really cool place until me and the shot girl bumped into each other and she dropped her whole shot tray. Then i was forced to pay 100 dollars for a complete accident in a crowded bar. Definitely not what I was expecting while on vacation.

Should have believed and listened to the other bad reviews. Our experience was not any different.Horrific service, terrible management, and bouncers always on some sort of power trip. Bouncers/ security doormen were beyond rude. We couldn’t even ask them questions without them threatening to kick us out. We were a group of 5 ladies and were sitting outside and had ordered some drinks. There was a $10 cover to go inside, however we were told to be in the clear as we were sitting outside. We asked our server if we could use the restrooms and she said yes, just to talk to security. A few of us went to ask how we could use the restroom, and bouncers began to yell at us saying we were harassing them and gave zero solutions to how we could use restrooms. Side door bouncers told us to ask the front door bouncers, but once we walked to the front, the side door bouncers had ran to the front and told the front door bouncers not to let us in. Front door bouncers spoke to us as if we were children who did not know how to speak English. At one point they suggested we went to a different restaurant to simply use their bathrooms. We saw several people leave their ID’s with the bouncers to use the restroom inside but for some reason that was not acceptable for our party. Bouncers, managers, and other employees were all staring and talking about us, pointing fingers, etc. An extremely unpleasant experience and will never go back. We will be sure to let everyone else know to never go to this club.

There is a cover charge but if you are military, you get in for free! Thank you for honoring our service members. Im assuming there was a cover charge bc of the band & DJ.We loved the Reggae Band! Absolutely wonderful! Looking forward to seeing them again. Upstairs, the DJ was on point! Sully did amazing! As long as these two are there, I will definitely return.Reason a 5 was not given, the female bartender upstairs where the DJ was located was rude & unprofessional. If you come to work with a negative attitude then dont come!

Always a fun night out. Good music.Update 1 year later: Discovered they have reggae night on Thursday’s with an amazing live band. Usually I’ll go on weekends and they have two floors to choose from with different music. But Thursday was really fun too!Plus, someone accidentally bumped into me and spilled my beer....not even 5 minutes later the security brought me a new one. You can’t bear the service here and the people that come are always nice too. (A more mature crowdDefinitely recommend.

Security is rude. Kicked us out IMMEDIATELY after we arrived because someone from our party was "too drunk" but had not even had a drink before we arrived. Dragged my friend down the stairs for no reason. If you want to have a good time, do not come here. Period.

How great we feel every time we are here at The Gator Club! If you visit our town and want to be part of Sarasota nightlife you cant miss this club. The atmosphere is a lot of fun. Not just the live bands downstairs always play great music but also upstairs the DJ. Great drinks! Always a good vibe and everyone is very welcoming.

Had an amazing night here celebrating NYE. The staff are accommodating and will spark a conversation with you (when they’re not so busy. After reading all the bad reviews about security, I would like to point out that the security are NOT there to be your buddy. They are there to keep people safe and I think they do a fantastic job. In the world of bars, you have to except trouble when you’re surrounding by drunk people and some, that clearly drink too much and can’t handle it. This is not the bars fault and after being a randomly attacked by a very drunk man, for no reason... it was a pleasure to see them act immediately, professionally and calm. If it wasn’t for you guys being so responsive, it could have gone a very different way and for that I am forever grateful. Everyone makes mistakes, we’re only human and if you get penalised for something, even if you are not in the wrong there is always a reason and I believe that it’s how you behave towards the staff, will reflect on their behaviour to you.Bartenders Fantasia and friendly, lovely venue with comfy seats and a smoking are up stairs (inside). Drinks are averagely priced, great music and a great vibe. Don’t be out off by the bad reviews, you can’t please everyone and I can only imagine how hard their job must be. Keep it guys, we will back! Thank you!

Great place for dancing, cocktails and live music. The only problem is they allow smoking inside. You leave smelling like smoke and are exposed to 2nd hand cigarette smoke. I want to have fun not die of lung cancer. Send the smokers outside !!!!!

What a fun bar to visit while in Sarasota! We went with a group of friends on a Saturday night and they had a live band playing 90s/early 2000s sing alongs. It was a blast. The drinks were very reasonable and service was quick enough for a packed bar!

Have never been to the Gator Club as a customer, however have been planning to go for a while now. Two nights ago my girlfriend and I were playing Pokémon Go downtown and were asked by a man for money. When we said no he began following us. As I’ve lived in a city before, I know how important it is to be able to read your surroundings and react accordingly. I pulled my girlfriend into the Gator Club and watched as the strange man rounded the corner and stayed there. I informed the bouncer of what was going on and he went above and beyond to walk us out of the establishment and stand guard until the man saw him and walked back the way that he came. I made sure to wish he bouncer a good night and we took a short walk to our car. Had it not been for the bouncer I’m certain that we would’ve been mugged. This was on Tuesday night. I can say that the Gator Club just gained two customers and I feel incredibly safe there. Thank you for looking out for the ladies downtown and we will DEFINITELY be back soon!

Ive been going here for a few months now and every time i walk in its always so pleasant to be greeted by the staff. Its nice to decide whether you want to hear a live band play downstairs or if you go upstairs you can see a DJ playing. Drinks are always good and tasty.

Place is ok, but we encountered extremely poor customer service here. Bartender mixed up cards and got tabs wrong. On top of openly refusing to help (sayd she was sure its not her fault), her cursing at customers seemed to not bother the other staff. She asked security to take us out (and they didwithout even willing to double check her work.We ended up talking to a manager in the morning and resolving the problem. The crowd isnt bad but Id avoid any further head aches with this bar.

My best friends band play here all the time and I just about got thrown put by the bouncer by the stage for saying hi...also the bar tenders are completely rude and morons. Wont switch the games up on TV and have no idea what a drink is. Fun but not worth the trip

Great place, a lot of fun. I think the bouncers should take a chill pill though and not get violent with people. In three occasions I’ve witnessed them overreact and even hurt people. I’d suggest management to encourage staff to start treating people with more respect. Most people are actually really nice, they should start assuming that everybody is nice, more likely than not, that’s going to be the right move.

Great place. The Staff are very professional. There are 2 floors for music. There is also a great variety of beer & liquor. I highly recommend. Fridays and Saturdays tend to be their busiest nights. Sunday to Saturday, down stairs, there are a variety of bands of varying genres of music that play, although for the most part they are pretty consistent with the line up day. Upstairs, where there is a pool table and bar and kind of reminds you of a 1950s penthouse or gentlemens club, there are sometimes events and on Fri & Sat there is a dj. Most of the djs are good, playing hip hop and EDM. Something for most.

We went there yesterday for happy hour. The drink prices were reasonable and our bartender (German galwas awesome and mixed some pretty good drinks. . We plan to adventure back in the near future.

The music selection is very poor and lacking. I dont enjoy the live bands that perform downstairs and the DJs that perform upstairs really stink. Not a wide variety of females to socialize with here, so if youre into women with different shapes and sizes its slim pickings.The only thing I like about this club are the drink prices, and the great location with plenty of parking spaces. Unless this club figures out a way to broaden its customer base more diversely, I dont recommend coming here.

This place is perfect. Downstairs is a bar and the dance floor with some seating. Upstairs has low lighting with comfortable lounging areas, a tv, a second bar, and an overall quiet atmosphere where you can still hear the live music downstairs. It has something for everyone here, without being too overcrowded.

After having a wonderful sit down discussion today with the owner about the attitude of one of their doormen last night, I got to know him, and Im glad I did. He took almost a whole 2 hours out of his day to make me feel welcome at this establishment. However awful I was treated by an employee clearly did not reflect the amount of respect the ownership/management have for Veterans/the disabled!! Family owned and operated, it used to be an old brothel. The upstairs features a DJ at night in the midst of beautiful woodwork and every kind of whiskey imaginable, they have the largest selection in Sarasota. The downstairs features a stage with a large bar and a smaller one by the door. It is where they have live music, perfect for dancing! All things considered it is a very nice place. The reason I gave it 4 stars was the attitude of that one employee as I said above but, dont let one bad apple spoil the tree.

Ive been here twice. Very interesting place. On the weekends, the night is full of bands on the 1st floor and a DJ on the 2nd floor. Im not one for DJs, but the place was packed and would be perfect for anyone who does! I havent seen the game area, but I hear theres billiards and such. They have music all week, or at least every time Ive gone by. Great place to relax, drink great beer, and meet new people during the week.

I am somewhat of a regular weekender at The Gator Club and I have only good things to say about the place! The staff is very courteous and friendly, the location is easy to access with ample parking to the back of the building and the building itself although old and historic, has a character of its own. They have such a wide variety of music going on their and the age ranges from 21-71! I know that you cant make everyone happy but the place is always packed and people always seem to enjoy themselves there!I highly recommend The Gator Club! See you there!