Cork’s Opens In Its New Location

It boasts the most gorgeous bar counter on Old Main Street.

So says Cork Miller, who is the “Cork” behind the new bar Cork’s, 424 Old Main St. It was known as just a few weeks ago when it was located on the east side of Old Main Street. After much anticipation and hard work, the popular, quirky watering hole has reopened on the west side of the street.

Known simply as Cork’s, for now, Miller said, the new place features a more upscale environment with a polished, smooth bar top, colored lighting and wine bottles on display in the cubbies embedded in the 1920s-era brick walls. The cigars are on their way. The humidor was still under construction as of press time but should be installed this weekend, Miller said.

The downstairs took five months to complete but there’s more work ahead. Miller and his staff plan to renovate the upstairs into a private cigar lounge, meeting space and offices.

“We built our own bar,” he said. “We built it with the help of family, good friends, Desoto (Hernando Desoto Historical Society crewe) and bar tabs.”

There isn’t an official grand opening planned just yet, but plenty of entertainment this weekend. Live music is scheduled for Friday night, DJ music Saturday, an open blues jam on Sunday and more live music from the Muphin Men on Monday.

Does Cork’s have the best bar counter on Old Main Street? You tell us.

Also around Bradenton this weekend:

• Downtown Bradenton’s monthly street party, Get Down Downtown, will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight. The featured band will be "Come Back Alice" (formerly known as the Tony Tyler Band, a local favorite). Bar hopping is allowed on Old Main Street during the Get Downs because the street closes from 2:30 p.m. until around 11 p.m., just keep glass bottles and all glasses indoors. Dozens of food vendors, arts and crafts and more will line both sides of Old Main, so bring your wallet. The live music and the party on the street ends at 10 p.m., but Old Main Street’s bars are open until 2:30 a.m.

• JJ Smith is bringing his acoustic guitar back to , 302 Old Main St., Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Scotsman is a member of the band Druid Roots but he’s alone Friday with a playlist of old Irish and Scottish folk songs that get the crowd engaged and singing along. If you can get there early, it’s happy hour from noon to 7 p.m.

• , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., has back-to-back concerts this weekend. At 9 p.m. Friday it’s Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, a funk-rock band that regularly plays the New Orleans live music scene. They’re known as an energetic band influenced by the swamp music of the deep south and New Orleans blues. Tickets are $10 in advance or $13 at the door. Buy Tickets Online here. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Ben Prestage takes the stage. Ben's dad was a Mississippi sharecropper, so he was born with the Mississippi blues in his blood. But he actually grew up in rural Florida near the Everglades. His background has given him a unique approach to music – he incorporates such instruments as a harmonica, fiddle, finger-style guitar and harmonica – and earned him The Most Unique Performer award at The Songwriters' Showcase of America.

• Get your NFL on at , 313 Old Main St. Every game televised and more than enough television sets for all of them. Buckets of domestic beers are $10 buckets, domestic pitchers are $5 bomb specials are $3.50. Ask about the Bloody Mary specials on Sundays, too. Old Main Pub is renowned for its liquor – there are 100+ vodkas to choose from. The pub is open from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. seven days a week.