We had the best night! The band Memphis Lightning was Awesome!! Service and Food Great!! Very Well Run Establishment! Kudos to You!! Thank you for such a fun night!
GeneB_guitarist
After reading some interesting reviews of this place we headed there a few days ago. I am a professional musician and teacher and finding a fun and comfortable place with GREAT music - and reasonable prices! - is always on our agenda when we travel. And we feel like we scored, big time, with the Blue Rooster. The night we went the band was a touring 1970s-style funk band (sorry I can't remember their name.....bad on me!!...but they play there from time to time. OUTSTANDING, almost all original material (also played great covers of Rev. Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" but my hats off to any band that can instantly engage an audience with tunes they have not heard before, and these guys did it. Horns, guitar, outstanding rhythm section (superb bass and drummer - of one mind!) and the leader on keys and doing almost all the vocals. Way above average house sound system, not overly loud but just enough volume to thoroughly disperse the groove, so to speak. Our waitress was great, a bit sassy but fun and excellent at her job, as were the hostess and other staff members. The menu is New-Orleans-centric and I thoroughly enjoyed our mahi app (so much so that I went with the grilled mahi sandwich for dinner!) and my wife's gumbo was excellent. Great list of cocktails and beers. Mostly though, it's about the vibe of the place. It was our second time staying for a month in Sarasota and we have already booked for a full two months next year. I foresee the Blue Rooster becoming our go-to spot, can't wait to return!!! Whoever is in charge of the entertainment (which on the calendar looked varied and excellent): thank you, thank you, thank you for hiring and supporting great live music!!!
Vacation14261539655
My wife had the grilled snapper with cauliflower rice which was excellent. I had the tasty grilled chicken. Get the grilled asparagus, too. Lively music from several local performers. And we had a great time dancing.
Kleime
Food was very good for a buffet, wide selections of southern food. Service was great and the band was very enjoyable. We had researched for something unique to do while visiting the Sarasota area and this was a win. Would go back again. We actually visited in 2014 but while reviewing some more recent visits I came across info on this restaurant. We enjoyed it so much I wanted to do a review even though it was awhile ago.
Bill Brockhaus
Absolutely wonderful Gospel brunch. The food, staff, atmosphere, and Choir were fantastic. The ham was the best I have ever had in my life. We were a party of six and were all raving about food. We will be back.
P Lazar
Terrific service and good food I’d love a bit more salt, but it’s Florida, so I do understand the difficulty for restaurants. Definitely will come back for the music too.
Jeff Griot
Totally unacceptable cover charge!The Bloody Mary was excellent and bartender friendly- gospel music was great. The problem was when we went to pay our tab we had $5 per person entertainment charge! If you are going to charge a cover charge it should be at the door, or posted on their many stand up bar advertisements on the bar or at the very least someone working at the establishment should convey that. When we asked the hostess/manager upon leaving she said “sorry that’s what we do” .... We have worked in the hospitality industry and found it stunning that they would not try to rectify the situation! A quick stop in to a restaurant at 2:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon should not include a 10 covere charge in total unless advise. No excuse!
Marion A.
I was very unfriendly greeted at the entrance. The hostess asked me if I would meet friends or if I was on my own. Told her that I was on my own and she told me that I could only be upstairs but not at the rail. As there was no seat downstairs I went upstairs and found a 6 Person table available in the back in the corner. I went back and got my money back. They should know when they are out of capacity as there was another hostess showing guests available seats. I understand that it was just crowded but did not like how unfriendly and unwelcoming they were .
What a unique place. Wish we could have stayed for the live music. The staff was fantastic and really worked as a team. I loved the fried green tomatoes and my partner loved the catfish. Yumm
Chrolin
Staff was amazing and food was great! Samantha was such an attentive server and really made our night with laughs! We're definitely coming back next time we're in Florida!
Marqus R.
Blue Rooster is a very Southern-oriented Country Western, light rock 'n roll, Blues live music, and entertainment place. It's also very popular and packs up quickly. Matter of fact it can become so crowded as to be unbearable depending upon the entertainment being offered. Because of the crowd, service is slow and inattentive. Basically, what staff they have is trying to handle too much. Food-wise they are most well known for their fried chicken but have a really neat fun menu with things like duck wings, thick-cut fried green tomatoes, Brunswick Stew, Crazy Cajun Shrimp, New Orleans Short Ribs Grillades, along with usual burgers, pulled pork, etc. Myself, I went for their deviled eggs that were delicious with a sour cream chipotle filling, artisan greens, bacon, pork belly, and roasted button mushrooms tossed in grain mustard.
Bbj B.
do the Sunday Gospel brunch, well worth it, the food is fabulous
SpaceVoyager
This place lives up to its motto - Comfort Food, Feel Good Music.
Awesome place for live music!
Going to miss this place. Awesome music tonight.
We had the best night! The band Memphis Lightning was Awesome!! Service and Food Great!! Very Well Run Establishment! Kudos to You!! Thank you for such a fun night!
After reading some interesting reviews of this place we headed there a few days ago. I am a professional musician and teacher and finding a fun and comfortable place with GREAT music - and reasonable prices! - is always on our agenda when we travel. And we feel like we scored, big time, with the Blue Rooster. The night we went the band was a touring 1970s-style funk band (sorry I can't remember their name.....bad on me!!...but they play there from time to time. OUTSTANDING, almost all original material (also played great covers of Rev. Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" but my hats off to any band that can instantly engage an audience with tunes they have not heard before, and these guys did it. Horns, guitar, outstanding rhythm section (superb bass and drummer - of one mind!) and the leader on keys and doing almost all the vocals. Way above average house sound system, not overly loud but just enough volume to thoroughly disperse the groove, so to speak. Our waitress was great, a bit sassy but fun and excellent at her job, as were the hostess and other staff members. The menu is New-Orleans-centric and I thoroughly enjoyed our mahi app (so much so that I went with the grilled mahi sandwich for dinner!) and my wife's gumbo was excellent. Great list of cocktails and beers. Mostly though, it's about the vibe of the place. It was our second time staying for a month in Sarasota and we have already booked for a full two months next year. I foresee the Blue Rooster becoming our go-to spot, can't wait to return!!! Whoever is in charge of the entertainment (which on the calendar looked varied and excellent): thank you, thank you, thank you for hiring and supporting great live music!!!
My wife had the grilled snapper with cauliflower rice which was excellent. I had the tasty grilled chicken. Get the grilled asparagus, too. Lively music from several local performers. And we had a great time dancing.
Food was very good for a buffet, wide selections of southern food. Service was great and the band was very enjoyable. We had researched for something unique to do while visiting the Sarasota area and this was a win. Would go back again. We actually visited in 2014 but while reviewing some more recent visits I came across info on this restaurant. We enjoyed it so much I wanted to do a review even though it was awhile ago.
Absolutely wonderful Gospel brunch. The food, staff, atmosphere, and Choir were fantastic. The ham was the best I have ever had in my life. We were a party of six and were all raving about food. We will be back.
Terrific service and good food I’d love a bit more salt, but it’s Florida, so I do understand the difficulty for restaurants. Definitely will come back for the music too.
Totally unacceptable cover charge!The Bloody Mary was excellent and bartender friendly- gospel music was great. The problem was when we went to pay our tab we had $5 per person entertainment charge! If you are going to charge a cover charge it should be at the door, or posted on their many stand up bar advertisements on the bar or at the very least someone working at the establishment should convey that. When we asked the hostess/manager upon leaving she said “sorry that’s what we do” .... We have worked in the hospitality industry and found it stunning that they would not try to rectify the situation! A quick stop in to a restaurant at 2:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon should not include a 10 covere charge in total unless advise. No excuse!
I was very unfriendly greeted at the entrance. The hostess asked me if I would meet friends or if I was on my own. Told her that I was on my own and she told me that I could only be upstairs but not at the rail. As there was no seat downstairs I went upstairs and found a 6 Person table available in the back in the corner. I went back and got my money back. They should know when they are out of capacity as there was another hostess showing guests available seats. I understand that it was just crowded but did not like how unfriendly and unwelcoming they were .
Restaurantji Recommends
What a unique place. Wish we could have stayed for the live music. The staff was fantastic and really worked as a team. I loved the fried green tomatoes and my partner loved the catfish. Yumm
Staff was amazing and food was great! Samantha was such an attentive server and really made our night with laughs! We're definitely coming back next time we're in Florida!
Blue Rooster is a very Southern-oriented Country Western, light rock 'n roll, Blues live music, and entertainment place. It's also very popular and packs up quickly. Matter of fact it can become so crowded as to be unbearable depending upon the entertainment being offered. Because of the crowd, service is slow and inattentive. Basically, what staff they have is trying to handle too much. Food-wise they are most well known for their fried chicken but have a really neat fun menu with things like duck wings, thick-cut fried green tomatoes, Brunswick Stew, Crazy Cajun Shrimp, New Orleans Short Ribs Grillades, along with usual burgers, pulled pork, etc. Myself, I went for their deviled eggs that were delicious with a sour cream chipotle filling, artisan greens, bacon, pork belly, and roasted button mushrooms tossed in grain mustard.
do the Sunday Gospel brunch, well worth it, the food is fabulous
This place lives up to its motto - Comfort Food, Feel Good Music.