Gator Lounge: Another Historic Watering Hole In Bradenton

Ask most anyone from Bradenton where to spend an evening bar hopping in the downtown area, and they’ll probably direct you to Old Main Street.

After all, this historic downtown street with brick sidewalks, 1920s-era lampposts and quaint, little coffee shops and restaurants also boasts five bars and a sixth on the way in the four-block area between Manatee and Third avenues west.

But ask an old timer where he prefers to hunker down on a barstool in the downtown area, and chances are he won’t mention one of the Old Main Street pubs. He’s likely to say , 512 Manatee Ave. W., established in 1946 and recognized as Bradenton’s , or , 2608 9^th St. W., which obtained the first liquor license ever issued in Manatee County in 1956.

Another oldie is , 1814 14^th St. W. Built in the mid to late 1940s, it is located in one of the oldest commercial corridors in town, an area beleaguered by a reputation of drug dealings, prostitution and vagrancy. In reality, 14^th Street West has seen better days during the past decade, although progress has been slowed somewhat by the recession.

Throughout the tough times and despite its own reputed disorderliness at times, some deserved, Gator Lounge remains a constant when others haven’t. A few regulars acknowledged that some evenings are rowdier than others, but the crowd was friendly and festive during a visit on a recent Saturday afternoon.

Inside the Gator was a welcome relief from the sun and exhaust fumes after a hike down 14^th Street. The air conditioning and fans kept the bar cool while poster-sized schedules of the Tampa Bay Rays, Lightning and NASCAR covered the giant windows on the bar’s south wall. The layout was a typical bar setting, with a bar that snakes down the middle of the small interior, a few tables and chairs on one side and a healthy liquor supply, wine and domestics beers on the other.

Beers on tap are Budweiser, Bud Light, AmberBock and Natural Light. They can be had for $1.25 except for Natty Light. That’s only a dollar. Domestic bottles are $2.25. The behind-the-bar selection has a convenience store feel with scratch-off lottery tickets, headache medicine, Slim Jims and potato chips for sale next to bottles of Jameson, Jose Cuervo, Patron, Jim Beam and Chrystal Head Vodka.

The bar has five televisions, four electronic dart boards and several video games. It offers karaoke on most Friday and Saturday nights.

Need a drink but can’t stay? No problem. Gator Lounge also has an attached liquor store with a separate entrance on 14^th Street West.

IF YOU GO:

The Gator Lounge, 512 Manatee Ave. W., is open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. until midnight Sunday. The lounge is cash only, but there is an ATM inside.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• Downtown Bradenton’s monthly street party, , returns to Old Main Street with live music from Rye Road. Get Down’s hours are 6-10 p.m. Thursday, and there is never a cover to enjoy the music, sights and sounds of this popular event. At 10 p.m. the live music stops and the street vendors close up, but the bars and one bar/grill — , , , , and — remain open until around 2 a.m. 
• Country music stars Jerrod Niemann and Lee Brice bring their “Higher Education Tour” to , 5520 14^th St. W., this Friday. The concert starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are selling fast, so book now! Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Get tickets at Honda Cars Of Bradenton, 5515 14^th St. W., Joyland or click here to order online. Niemann’s remake of Sonia Dada's "You Don't Treat Me No Good No More" shot to the top of the country charts last summer. His single “What do You Want” is also a top 10 hit. Brice’s hit single “Love Like Crazy” was nominated for Academy of Country Music Single of the Year and Song of the Year. The two are co-headlining this six-state tour, which kicked off in March in Columbia, Mo., and wraps up this month in Florida.
• Have Gun, Will Travel, a band that originated in the Tampa Bay area in 2006, is playing live at , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., at 9 p.m. Friday. This “alternative-country” band plays a mix of Americana, folk, indie and rock. The band released its debut full-length album, Casting Shadows Tall As Giants, in 2008. Their visit to Ace’s is part of an 18-site tour that will conclude in downtown Bradenton on May 21. Cover: $5.
• , 436 Old Main St., is preparing to leave Old Main Street after nearly two decades with a Customer Appreciation Celebration from 5-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Stop by and say farewell.
• Dig out your leisure suits, bell bottoms, mini skirts and platform shoes for 70’s Disco Night at , 2709 Cortez Rd., from 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Get there early for bar poker from 6-8 p.m. Dance the night away to 70’s music and stick around for the costume and dance contests at 9 p.m.