New Name, Same Attitude

It’s called the New Attitude Sports Lounge.

A fine bar, and a historic one, located at 3601 14^th Street West. Regulars remember it during its heyday in the 1970s. It went through myriad changes and management. It was most recently known as Cheers, and then last year it abruptly closed then reopened a few months later with new management and a new name.

The name seems a bit off, though.

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a knock on the place. When it was known as Cheers, it had a certain understated charm with its low lights, loyal following, excellent prices and friendly staff.

The attitude really didn’t need changing, and I don’t believe it has changed. That's a good thing.

But with the exception of pool and darts, it doesn’t have much in the way of sports. A sports lounge needs – at the least – football or baseball cable packages for TV watchers. New Attitude doesn’t have the MLB Extra Innings baseball package, nor did it have NFL Sunday Ticket last season.

Granted, this is the Tampa Bay region and the hometown Rays can be seen on a local channel. The Bucs, too, if they’re not blocked out.

There have been improvements to the interior, including a new, black bar top and new tables. A mural depicting a Florida beach scene wraps around the four walls of the pool room: It was in the process of being created by a local artist . But the bar still retains its historic charm.

Maurie Gray, a regular for more than 25 years, said he doesn’t sense that much has changed. In fact, Maurie was at his same seat near the back of the bar where I last saw him. I noticed several other familiar, friendly faces.

No lights during the daytime except for the sunlight bouncing in that would flicker for a brief second through the building’s west window each time a large vehicle passed by on 14^th Street West. It still has an excellent sound system, state-of-the-art digital jukebox and a handy cash machine.

Beers are still a bargain. Drafts are $1.25 always, except Tuesday. Then they’re only a buck. Wells are $2.25 until 7 p.m., then they’re $2.75.

The bar hosts karaoke starting Friday and Saturday nights and local band Flight 19 plays every other Wednesday. The bar is open at 10 a.m. seven days a week. It stays open until 2 a.m. every day except Sunday night when it closes around midnight depending on the crowd.

Around Bradenton this weekend:

• That special day returns to : Thirsty Thursday! Dollar drafts and larger select beers are two-for-one. McKechnie also serves liquor now, but you’ll pay full price for those type of drinks. Thursday night the hometown Marauders take on the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) at 6:30 p.m. This is the second of five consecutive dollar beer nights at the ballpark. Purchase tickets for Marauders games at the McKechnie Field box office, 1611 9^th St. W., or call 747-3031 for information.
• Speaking of special days at the ballpark, don’t miss Friday night’s fireworks display after the game. The Marauders take on the Threshers in the finale of a four-game series. On Saturday, following the game against the St. Lucie Mets, the Marauders will auction off pink, game-worn jerseys with proceeds benefitting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Purchase tickets for Marauders games at the McKechnie Field box office, 1611 9^th St. W., or call 747-3031 for information.
• Rewind to Thursday where it’s “Take Me to Your Liter” at the , 450 Old Main St. Starting at 9 p.m. liters of Bud Light, Miller Lite, Yuengling, and UFO White are only $5.
• Live music at , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. The Rockin' Jake Band takes the stage at 9 p.m. Rockin' Jake is considered one of the best harmonica players in the country. Cover is $5 at the door. 
• Good news and bad news about , 7423 Manatee Ave. W. Bad news: The popular bar and grill has sold and is currently closed for renovations. Good news: There are renovations going on at the current location and something there will open early next month. Stay tuned! Here is the message from one of the owners posted on Tequila Beach’s Facebook page on May 3:

"Thank you to all our wonderful staff and guests from the last 5 1/2 years at Tequila Beach. Lori and I made some great friends and got to work with some great people. You have no idea how hard it was to sell Tequila Beach. Many people put many hours of blood sweat and tears into creating something great and selling it was one of the hardest days in my business career. But with that being said, I am excited about the reopening as the new owners seem to have great energy and ideas. Lori and I look forward to the opening and wish the new owners the best of luck!" - Jeremy Runo