Your guide to socially distanced New Year’s fun and dining around Bradenton 

Big parties and public fireworks displays may be off the table this New Year’s Eve, but that doesn’t have to stop you from ringing in 2021 in style.

That could certainly mean sipping champagne at home in your pajamas and enjoying the company of your favorite cat as the clock ticks toward midnight.

But if do you feel like venturing out, there are some events around Bradenton and Sarasota this New Year’s holiday will incorporate social distancing and other safety measures.

Here’s a guide to local events and holiday dining on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Events

New Year’s Eve at Motorworks: Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton will help start the new year with some laughter this Thursday. A comedy night hosted by 102.5 The Bone radio host Johhny B. will feature Tampa Bay area comics Farzin Moradi and Michael Murillo. The event will take place in the taproom.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Thursday-:12:15 a.m. Friday. Ages 21 and up. Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

There will be more fun to enjoy in the Motorworks beer garden as local country-bluegrass-rockers Dr. Dave Band take the stage to provide live music into the new year.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Thursday-12:30 a.m. Friday. No cover. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

Outdoor Christmas musical: Described as “a little bit camp,” “a little bit sentimental” and “a whole lot of fun,” Asolo Repertory Theatre’s “We Need a Little Christmas” features popular holiday songs and musical theater numbers backed by a live orchestra.

The show is now playing at Asolo Rep’s brand new outdoor stage in Sarasota.

The Terrace Stage will allow audiences to enjoy shows in an open-air, socially distanced environment, and other safety measures including temperature checks and sanitizing stations will be in place.

Details: Through Sunday. Showings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 7 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Located in front of FSU Center for the Performing Arts at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Grass seating (bring your own blanket): $25. Seated tickets: $40. Online purchase only.

Info: asolorep.org.

Holiday Lights: “Lights in Bloom” transforms Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota into an illuminated winter wonderland.

“More than two million lights will illuminate the gardens, and walkways are transformed into sensory light tunnels,” the event website says.

The event includes some great holiday photo opportunities, and food and drink will also be available for purchase.

Tickets often sell out, so it’s best to purchase them in advance online. Early entry tickets are also available. Masks will be required for entry and social distancing enforced inside of the gardens, organizers say.

Details: Friday and Saturday. Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Adults: $25. Ages 5-17: $7. Children under 5: Free.

Info: selby.org.

Take a plunge for charity: The 13th annual Shamrock Shiver on Anna Maria Island will kick off the new year with a day of fun and give local charities a big boost going into 2021.

At the event, participants dressed in costumes of all sorts line up in the sand to plunge into the chilly Gulf of Mexico waters on behalf of pledge donors. It makes for a truly unique sight on Bradenton Beach. The event also traditionally includes a costume contest. This year, participants will be asked to socially distance.

The plunge and the gathering that follows at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub in Cortez (including raffles, auctions and live music) raise money for local charities that aid disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Last year’s event raised $25,700. This year’s goal: at least $25,000.

To find out how to plunge for pledges, or to donate, call Clancy’s at 941-794-2481 (extension 2).

Details: The plunge happens at noon on New Year’s Day. Find it on Bradenton Beach off of Gulf Drive between Fourth Street South and 12th Street South. Post-plunge party starting at 1 p.m. at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

Info: clancysirishsportspub.com/shamrock-shiver-charity-plunge.

Dining

Mattison’s restaurants: All three Mattison’s locations will be open on New Year’s Eve with festive drinks and dining, live entertainment and giveaways.

Each location has its own music and special menu to offer for the holiday. Menu items include delectable appetizers, soups and salads, seafood, steaks and more gourmet dishes and desserts. All three three restaurants have outdoor seating and COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Catch local blues group Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille in Bradenton.

Details: Reservations recommended. New Year’s Eve hours: 11 a.m.-midnight at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. at Mattison’s City Grille Downtown Sarasota, 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 4:30 p.m.-midnight at Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Info: mattisons.com.

Pier 22/GROVE: Sister restaurants Pier 22 in Bradenton and GROVE in Lakewood Ranch will offer New Year’s Eve dining as well as festive meals to-go.

The restaurants’ special holiday menu on New Year’s Eve features light bites, soups and salads, seafood, steak, pasta, dessert and more.

Both restaurants will also offer a New Year’s Day brunch featuring midday delights from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you’d rather eat at home, the restaurants also offer a holiday prime rib dinner to-go in an individual size ($35) or family size ($180). Orders must be placed by noon Wednesday for pickup on New Year’s Eve.

Details: New Year’s Eve seatings available from 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, and from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. at GROVE, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Reservations recommended.

Info: pier22dining.com. grovelwr.com.

This story was originally published December 29, 2020 at 8:41 AM.