Evie's owner discusses Main Street move

Mike Evanoff says the newest Evie’s Tavern location, a key cog in a downtown project focused on nightlife options, is largely going to be in line with his other bars and restaurants throughout the area. It has, however, garnered attention for at least one unique feature: a two-lane bowling alley.

The bowling alley will be the first of its kind on Main Street, a new wrinkle that Evanoff stumbled upon while traveling.

“We got the concept when we went out to Park City, Utah,” Evanoff said. “It’s common there to have new bowling centers — updated, lounge-y, up to date with bigger TVs and soundsystems and all of that stuff.”

Along with a 24-hour Taco Bus and another bar, Paddy Wagon Irish Pub, Evie’s is one of several nightlife options slated to open in properties along the 1500 block of Main Street this year. Those properties are all owned by entrepreneur Jesse Biter, who said the businesses will fill a niche that Main Street is currently lacking.

Evanoff agreed with that assessment. He believes that, once the businesses are opened, the uptick in activity will lead to other projects in the area.

“I think that's going to revitalize that entire area of Main Street,” Evanoff said. “It's ready to explode.”

The plans for the bar and restaurant are complete, and Evanoff hopes the city permitting process will be completed before the end of the month. At the same time, the existing Evie’s location will be rebranded as the Office Bar SRQ. A focus on the after-work crowd means the bar will no longer allow smoking, and will feature martinis and daiquiris on its new menu.

The new businesses in the 1500 block of Main hope to be open by this summer. For Evanoff, the Main Street location represented a chance to establish his business in a booming segment of Sarasota.

“It's a hot area,” Evanoff said. “I think it was time for Evie's to go to a place where the attraction is — you try to make yourself a destination point.”

Contact David Conway at [email protected].