Beers, Burgers and the Famous Ribeye Cheese Steak Sandwich

Those who like to tie one on at a bar during the weekend appreciate one with a kitchen that stays open late, especially when those inevitable hunger pains strike late.

The Bradenton area has its share of such places, as we’ve reported: , , , , and to name a few. Here’s another one for the list: , 5600 Manatee Ave. W.

Make no mistake, Boiler Room is a bar. It slings out cold ones from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. every day but Sunday. Draft beers — Bud, Bud Light, Coors, AmberBock, Miller Lite and Michelob Ultra — are a steal at $1.25. Domestic bottles are a mere $2, and happy hour from 4-7 p.m. on weekdays is even sweeter, with a quarter off drafts and bottles along with $5.50 pitchers. It serves wine but not liquor.

But it’s the food that puts Boiler Room on the map. And night owls prone to a growling stomach as the evening progresses will be pleased to learn that Boiler Room’s kitchen remains open until 11 p.m. on weeknights and, depending on the crowd, 1 a.m. on weekends.  

Boiler Room is renowned for its ribeye cheese steak sandwich, which patrons can watch cooks prepare on a sizzling grill behind the bar counter. But Boiler Room’s 6-ounce burgers, chicken wings (sauce options: BBQ, garlic, medium, hot or nitro) and chicken sandwiches are worth a taste, too.

The bar’s layout is simple and spacious, or at least it seems that way without the usual Friday night crowd. A long bar counter with about 15 cushioned stools sits opposite nine booths lined against the north wall. In between are a couple pool tables and, toward the back, a foosball table and jukebox.

One quirk about The Boiler Room interior is its large, commercial grill located in plain sight behind the bar counter. Patrons can watch a ribeye cheese steak being born, from the moment the veggies and meat are dropped and dragged along the grill up until the time the steaming goodies are piled onto a roll.

Another Boiler Room quirk: It has a drive thru. It’s not a fast food drive thru, although manager Lorie Swartz said quite often a motorist drives up and places an order. But if you’re ordering from the menu, it’s best to call ahead. The food isn’t pre-cooked and awaiting purchase.

Drive thru customers can buy a six-pack, too. The selection includes the aforementioned domestics along with Icehouse, Moosehead, Red Stripe, Killians Red, Yuengling, Rolling Rock and more.

The Boiler Room also caters parties, with food trays and kegs to go.

IF YOU GO:

The , 5600 Manatee Ave. W., is open 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. every day except Sunday. Dine in, carry out or pick up at the drive thru. Best to call first if you intend to visit the drive thru. It eliminates the wait. Phone: 941-792-7176. Smoking is not allowed inside.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• It’s at , 1611 9th St. W. Small draft Bud/Bud Lights are $1 and the other sized Buds, including margaritas, are two-for-one. The hometown Marauders take on the Palm Beach Cardinals at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (60 and older) and $5 for children (12 and younger), military and students with identification. Get your tickets at the box office or click here.
• Drinks are cheap at , 5108 15^th St. E. #402, but they’re a quarter cheaper during its two, daily happy hours from 8-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. seven days a week.
• , 420 301 Blvd. E., hosts its monthly party Saturday with homemade spaghetti courtesy of owner Susie Dorics. There will be plenty of side dishes and desserts, too, and of course, beer for purchase. The food comes out around 5 p.m., so stop by for a free meal, live music and good times with a friendly bunch.
• Live music from the acoustic duo of Acoustically Speaking starting at 5 p.m. Sunday at 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. No cover, but you’ll want to bring a few bucks for Chef Ron’s Italian buffet. Cost: $5.95. NasCrab races start at 7:30 p.m.
• The Old Main Street Merchants Association is hosting a special from 5-9 p.m. Monday, July 4. Live music from Big Daddy. No cost to enjoy the festivities on Old Main Street, but you must be 21 or older to get into downtown’s bars. The annual fireworks display over the Manatee River is expected to begin around 9:30 p.m., so pound your drink and walk a couple blocks north to the Manatee River.