Hungry? Thirsty? Smitty's Has the Cure

Is , 3812 Manatee Ave. W., more restaurant or more bar?

Well, Smitty’s has plenty of drinks on tap, including Guinness, Newcastle, Killians, Strongbow, Blue Moon and the popular domestics. It has wine and liquor, and the bartenders can make your shot tasty and sweet or bold and strong. Smitty’s stays open until 2:30 a.m. seven days a week.

Make no mistake about it, the drinking crowd will find a home at Smitty’s.

But there’s no way to overlook Smitty’s as one of the most popular restaurants in town, with a long tradition of serving food dating back to when Greg “Smitty” Smith sold chicken there for delivery or pick up. It was a quarter of its current size and didn’t have a dining room; that was 22 years ago.

Today, it has a multi-page menu (two of them for appetizers alone) with offerings of various soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, Mexican food and desserts. Smoking inside is prohibited, but there’s a patio with tables and chairs at its front entrance.

And the kitchen is open all night.

Make no mistake about it, diners will find a home at Smitty’s, too.

Smitty’s is known for its specials. Happy Hour specials from 4:30-6:30 p.m. offer discounts on domestic bottles ($2.50), domestic pitchers ($6) and wine ($4) and every Tuesday from 6-10 p.m., dine-in customers scarf down chicken wings for only $9.95 per 20. Check around the spacious interior’s nooks and crannies for signs advertising daily specials on food.

Specials all day/every day include two-for-$5 wells, two-for-$10 Jagerbombs, three-for-$10 Vodkabombs and $6 Natural Light pitchers. But beer prices aren’t unreasonable to begin with. Bottles range from $3-$3.75 and pint drafts from $2.75-$3.75, depending on type.

In its vast interior, dozens of tables and chairs occupy the front portion of the building, including several booths equipped with miniature television sets. The dining room and bar offer 15 TVs altogether, along with a massive projection screen sitting atop two TVs perched in front of a set of aging but comfy couches.

The screen is reserved for the big games, and Smitty’s gets them all with its subscriptions to MLB Extra Innings, Big Ten Network, Nascar Hot Pass, Speed Channel and NFL Sunday Ticket. The L-shaped bar seats another 15-20. And there, too, are plenty of televisions for the sports fans.

The eclectic juke box plays everything from rap, country and blues to good, old fashioned rock and roll. A small game room between the dining room and bar includes video games and a couple pool tables.

For a night out for a few drinks, dinner after work or a basket of chicken wings on a Tuesday night, make no mistake about it, Smitty’s Pub & Grille has it all.

IF YOU GO:

Smitty’s Pub & Grille, 3812 Manatee Ave. W., is open from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. seven days a week. Smoking is prohibited, but there is a patio outside with seating.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• Martini Night Thursday at , 4307 26th St. W., with $3 Smirnoff Martini, $4 Three Olives Martini, $6.50 domestic pitchers and 2-for-1 wine. No cover.
• Drink specials and live music from the Burke Brothers starting at 9 p.m. Friday at , 302 Old Main St. Bud and Bud Light drafts are $2, and shots are two for one. No cover.
• Live music from Kettle of Fish at 9 p.m. Saturday at , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. Cover: $3. This local band plays a bit of everything from blues to bluegrass and Hank to Hendrix, according to its Facebook page.
• , 1200 First Ave. W. (Barcarrota Boulevard), is hosting a Caribbean luau and pig roast from 5-10 p.m. Sunday with a DJ spinning tropical tunes, limbo contest, fire dancers, live music from Lord Saint on the steel drums and more. Visit www.mattisons.com or call (941) 748-8087 to make reservations. The price is $17.95 for adults and $10.95 for children under 12. Tickets include Caribbean-style chicken with fruit chutney, coconut rice and vegetables.
• Try the best soul food buffet in town Sunday night starting around 7 p.m. at , 5131 14th St. W. DJ music all night. Cover: $10.