Cha-Cha Coconuts plays progressive rock and reggae at its club on St. Armands Circle. If your idea of the perfect nightspot includes New York ambience and jazz notes, try the Downunder Bar on the Quay's first floor. For hot, high-energy tunes in a laser light, video and sound environment, the young crowd gathers at In Extremis. Downtown's Gator Club features top-40; but also jazz and blues on occasion. Its decor reminds many of Palmetto or Rick's Club of Casablanca fame. 

Safe bets for that special dinner include Cafe l'Europe on St. Armands, the Colony Restaurant in Longboat Key's posh Colony Beach and Tennis Resort or Hemingway's, Michael's On East and Carmichael's in town. Sarasota is home to several other memorable eateries, including the Alley Cat Cafe, The Bijou Cafe, David Michael's and Chez Sylvie. A local favorite, Two Senorita's, is located downtown Sarasota on Main Street.

On Longboat Key, don't miss the Haye Loft at the Euphemia Haye Restaurant; it's a good place to hear a keyboard/singer combo or a jazz trio in a cozy upstairs lounge. If you don't mind paying fine-dining prices, stay for dinner. Resort casual attire is appropriate and desserts divine, but meals are pricey, so bring your plastic.