New Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill on Manatee River in Ellenton sets an opening date
Ever since news broke in late 2017 that a Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill was planned on the Ellenton riverfront, restaurant goers have asked two questions.
Really? And when?
It can now be told that the restaurant is really opening and the date is Monday, March 16.
Tuesday, the restaurant parking lot at 5313 19th St. E., was packed with construction and service vehicles as crews worked feverishly to complete their work and get the new business in shape to pass county inspections.
“We are down to the last phase of putting it all together,” brand manager Marty Duffany said. “We have 140 employees who are dying to get to work. We have a bunch of work to do.”
Whiskey Joe’s touts ‘Floribbean’ inspired dining where guests can enjoy signature dishes, such as Mango Mahi Mahi, Grand Grouper Sandwich, Tampa Bay Shrimp Tacos, and gator bites, along with weekly live entertainment and family friendly activities.
Whiskey Joe’s Manatee River will feature both indoor and outdoor dining options, boat pull-ups, firepits and palapas.
The drink menu will offer tiki-inspired cocktails such as the Tropical Bahama Mama, more than 40 types of margaritas and mojitos, and a large selection of local beer on tap.
Whiskey Joe’s Manatee River will offer a weekday happy hour program 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday that will include $3 domestic draft beers, $5 drinks with Tito’s Vodka, Jack Daniel’s and New Amsterdam Gin, $6 wines on tap and $7 specialty cocktails including margaritas, mojitos, and the Shanghai Rum Runner.
“Whiskey Joe’s Manatee River is excited to bring a new sense of adventure, including family fun, good food and great relaxing vibes to the Ellenton community,” Duffany said.
The 12,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue will be available for private evenst, such as birthday parties, corporate gatherings and social parties starting April 1. For more information on hosting an event, email wjmrcatering@srcmail.com.
“We want our guests to feel like they are on vacation when they are with us, eating delicious island inspired meals and everything else Whiskey Joe’s has to offer. The Manatee River location is the crown jewel of our waterfront dining destinations. With so many possibilities at the indoor-outdoor venue we look forward to Manatee County residents joining us for delicious ‘Floribbean’ fun,” John Tallichet, CEO of Specialty Restaurants Corporation, said in a press release.
Whiskey Joe’s Manatee River has indoor and outdoor seating for more than 450 guests. For more information, visit https://www.thewhiskeyjoes.com/
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In other local restaurant news:
▪ Jeni’s Sarasota scoop shop will is coming to University Town Center this summer. The ice cream store will be located in Unit 4 at 190 N. Cattlemen Road, in the same parcel as Shake Shack. The menu will offer flavors from signature classics like Brown Butter Almond Brittle to a line of dairy-free flavors.
Jeni Britton Bauer founded Jeni’s in 2002, introducing a modern, ingredient-driven style of ice cream making. Pints of Jeni’s have been available at area Publix and Whole Foods locations, but there’s been no way to get scoops locally.
“We make ice cream to bring people together and design our shops as community gathering places,” Bauer said. “We’re excited to be joining a development built on the same ideals and look forward to becoming a destination at University Town Center.”
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 2:30 PM.
