Wine/Piano Bar - PUB 88

436 12^th Street SW, Bradenton  941-896-8877

Move over Elton John and your Red Piano!  The “Blue Piano” at Pub 88 has come to B-Town!

Matt Coates, owner, has just recently opened his new establishment in Bradenton on ‘Old Main Street”. 

Upon entering the establishment, the 1^st thing you notice is the colorful blue ‘baby grand’ piano!

In all candor, I probably SHOULD mention that the piano is my favorite instrument!  So often in my musical travels, there is usually a ‘keyboard’ player…………but a “Pianist’ is a rare treat!!!

While the piano itself is a ‘showoff’, Matt (who is also the pianist) is NOT!  With absolutely no fanfare or bravado, he sat down and proceeded to play!  I was INSTANTLY transported to a place of musical tranquility!!  We’ve all heard that phrase ‘tinkling the keys’, and for the 1^st time I experienced what this means!   Matt smoothly & effortlessly moved from song to song without even pausing for applause or recognition.   His 1^st selection was Summer Time followed by Blue Moon and wrapping up with a little Van Morrison!   Sipping on my chilled wine, I was slipping into a euphoric state of almost ‘romantic’ bliss!

Melanie Massell; Leslie Hinsz & Karen Klarich

I was in this state of pure contentment, when my ‘girl’s night out’ companions joined me:  Melanie Massell (singer/entertainer); Karen Klarich (singer/entertainer); and Wendy Joffee (drummer/entertainer). ALL three of these ladies are talented musicians in their own right, so who better to share this experience

with!

Wendy Joffe & Tanya McCormic

Immediately embarking on our enthusiastic ‘girl talk’, we all looked up when we heard this ‘stirring & soulful’ voice start to sing!!  

In a very smooth transition,

Tanya McCormic had joined Matt on stage to lend her vocal stylings to the evening. Like Matt, no fanfare just an effortless and

unassuming enhancement (kind of like the icing on

Tanya McCormic

the cake).  Or, as Melanie Massell said “where melted caramel meets the candied apple’!!    

ALL of a sudden, Melanie’s reference to ‘apple’ put us in mind of ‘Sex in the City’!!  Here we were, four girls out on the town enjoying girl talk in a sophisticated setting but without the expensive wardrobe (you gotta LOVE Florida)!!!

Tanya McCormic has one of those voices that truly does ‘soothe the soul’ and touch ‘the heart’!!  With song selections like:  Dreams; Sentimental Reasons & Midnight on the Oasis, she added an understated ‘sultriness’ to the mood.

If you find that wine contributes to your ‘mood’, you won’t be disappointed!  Pub 88 promotes itself as a ‘wine bar’ and they have an extensive selection.  They did something on their menu that I personally really appreciated!!  When you order a glass of wine, you have two choices:  a 6 or a 9 ounce version!!  I just thought that was such a fabulous idea!!! 

Pressed Reuben

Pub 88 also offers food!  While they do not have their own kitchen, they have formed a relationship with their neighbor "The B'Towne Coffee Co" and you can place an order for anything from a salad to a sandwich. The order is placed and in a timely fashion your server walks next door to retrieve your order and delivers it to your table!  I ordered their pressed Reuben and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Speaking of food, Tanya McCormic told me that they will be offering a small ‘nibble & snack’ menu soon.

While Matt & Tanya are what I consider to be the ‘headliners’, PUB 88 also presents other musical guests & entertainers!   Make sure you check out their FACEBOOK page to find out who is coming up next!!!   

I’ve heard from MORE than one musician friend, that they are just itching to sit behind that BLUE Piano!!!  To date, the Funkmen, Sidney James Wingfield, & Pat Walsh have performed there.  I’ve already made plans to go back on June 29^th to hear two of my

Georgia & Mike

favorite performers “Georgia & Mike”!

With this kind of musical variety, Pub 88 will appeal to a lot of people and evoke many moods!  This charming Pub possesses the sophistication of a Manhattan Night Spot with the laid back charm of historic downtown Bradenton. 

Pub 88 opens their doors at 4 (with happy hour from 4-6) and stays open until 2:00 a.m.  

The entertainment thus far, has been scheduled from 6 until 10 p.m..  In addition to their indoor seating, they also have an outdoor patio where you can still see the “Blue Piano”!!!  Speaking of outdoors, there is parking on 12^th Street/Old Main but most of the parking is limited to 2 hours.  There is a large parking lot within walking distance just North of Pub 88 that is only 25 cents per hour.

A little 'surprise'!!

Sketch by Melanie Massell

LOOK what Melanie Massell sketched

while we were there!!!  She also graciously got up and graced us with a 'song'!

A Note from LeslieSRQ:

Join your fellow SRQ ‘friends’ on Facebook in the Group SRQ APPLAUSE to learn more about living in this city we call “Paradise”!!!
We are close to 4,000 Members who ALL share their recommendations of What to Do; Where to GO: MUSIC to hear; etc.  We INVITE you to make your OWN recommendations!

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