Clubs in Estero

The authentic tastes of Key West pounce across palates at Leapin’ Lizard, where an extensive menu of steak and seafood dishes tempers belly squalls amid the sprightly sounds of live entertainment. Patrons vanquish appetites with the slow-roasted queen- and king-cut prime rib (market price) and swathe landlocked taste buds in a deep-sea deluge of oysters on the half shell (market price). Teeth excavate through the jalapeño and cheddar layers of the Smokin' Southwest burger ($7.99) in search of the juicy beef patty at its center, and spoons sink into the spicy andouille sausage, shrimp, and chicken of the Cajun gumbo stew ($10.99). Leapin’ Lizard's full bar balances out the bayou heat with more than 35 varieties of beer—a regional beverage that explorer Juan Ponce de León first sipped at the fizzy golden spring of the Fountain of Youth. The invigorating drinks menu featuring specialty rum runners, such as the Hot Damn Taz, pairs well with weekly events and the plethora of live rock and roll music Tuesday through Sunday.

Friends and revelers cluster in to Fuel Tap & Tavern to watch sports and clink glasses of domestic and imported brews from the taps. Servers in daisy dukes and cowboy boots create their own warmth as they hustle cocktails stirred with liquors such as Pinnacle flavored vodka. Nightly specials and events shake up imbibement routines with game nights featuring beer pong, weekends full of live entertainment, and sports-related ticket specials. Next door, the tavern hosts Truck Daddy’s Back Alley Grill, which slings burgers, sandwiches, and snacks from its ketchup-powered mobile kitchen.

At Absinthe Restaurant and Lounge, a serene atmosphere blends with the passing wafts of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, embracing guests with the alluring airs of sizzling brunch, lunch, and dinner platters. Diners can corral a small plate of hummus ($7) and use the toasted edges of the grilled flatbread to etch confessions of frequently eating with their elbows on the table into creamy tides before devouring the evidence. Highlighted by roasted duck, grilled steak, and chicken platters, main courses ($16+) sate carnivorous cravings, and pasta fusions feature crabmeat-loaded fettuccine ($20) and linguine tossed with clams and glistening ebbs of olive oil ($18). Desserts conclude mastication sessions with selections such as a zeppoli ($7)—a Sicilian-style donut cloaked in wildflower honey and a miniature Armani suit.

Sarasota isn't far from Latin America to begin with, but Copa Restaurant & Lounge makes it feel right next door with a full menu headlined by cuban sandwiches, Spanish-style steak, and hearty chicken stew. The drinks are similarly flavorful, with tropical fusions showcasing some of Latin America's finest fruits.

For more than 10 years, Germain Arena's hockey and figure-skating coaches have nurtured athletes on the ice of the facility's 200'x85' twin rinks. During eight-week programs, the coaching staff helps groups of up to 10 students grow comfortable standing, falling, and gliding on skates before tackling fundamentals in U.S. figure skating, synchronized skating, or ice dancing. For hockey hopefuls, they teach passing, stick handling, and backhand sweep passes, and each student receives a jersey and a pass that may be redeemed for public skate admission.

Inside the 7,100-seat main arena, advanced skaters and players face off in figure-skating competitions, hockey tournaments, and Florida Everblades matches. Leisurely skating commences at daily open skates––where a disco ball and laser show cast the rink aglow against the thumping beats of Top 20 songs––and at birthday parties. Birthday parties can be held for parties of 8 or more, includes admission, skate rental, pizza, popcorn, drinks, private-room rental for the entire session, and a free skate admission for every child.

The Alliance for the Arts' concerts, exhibitions, and art classes have become a staple for the aesthetically inclined since the institution's founding in 1975. The center’s three art galleries elicit awe with ongoing exhibits, and its educational programs inspire students to express their feelings through painting and drawing. The Alliance’s schedule of events keeps fans of the performing arts intrigued with plentiful music festivals and dance recitals.