Work starts on Office Bar SRQ

While the opening of Evie’s Tavern and Grill on Main Street has been plagued with delays from city permitting issues, owner Mike Evanoff is turning around a $35,000 renovation of another concept on the other side of downtown in less than a week.

Evie’s Tavern on Ringling Boulevard closed Sunday, and will reopen following a facelift as Office Bar SRQ by this Friday, said General Manager Ryan Leline. The newly-branded bar will feature more than 70 beers and a list of craft cocktails, with hours starting from 2 p.m. on weekdays and noon on the weekends to 2 a.m. throughout the week.

“It’s going to have less of a sports bar feel and more of a lounge feel,” Leline said, with an emphasis on luring professionals from downtown with its happy hour offerings.

Evanoff in a previous interview with the Sarasota Observer said he had more elaborate plans for the site, which included outdoor seating an a no-smoking indoor area, but would have been forced to spend more than $15,000 on permitting.

“We really have been handcuffed at this location,” Evanoff said.

Despite difficulties with the timeline for the new downtown Evie’s, a tentative opening date has been set for Sept. 2.

“I’m excited to be in a location where it's active and where there’s a lot happening,” Evanoff said about the Main Street spot. "There are other restaurants, there’s high traffic and it’s a place to be.”