BONNET SPRINGS PARK Named Best City Park by USA Today
by James Coulter
If you haven’t visited Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland yet, here’s a good reason to do so: it was recently named the best city park in America.
Last month, USA Today published its Reader’s Choice list of the top 10 best city parks in the US for 2025. Topping that list was Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland.
“This 168-acre urban oasis and former railyard has been transformed into a stunning park full of natural beauty, complete with winding trails that showcase native plants and a magnificent 200-year-old Grandfather Oak,” the article explained.
Other notable parks featured on the list included the Gathering Place in Tulsa, Okla., Forest Park in St. Louis, Mo., and Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Fla.
To receive such recognition from a nationally acclaimed newspaper like USA Today, especially since the park is little less than three years old, is nothing short of an honor, explained Josh Henderson, CEO of Bonnet Springs Park.
“If you look at the list of parks
that were in the running, for our visitors to select us as the best park in the nation was quite an honor,” he said. “Lakeland is not a huge metropolitan area like Orlando or Tampa...So to have the Central Florida area vote for us in mass and to say we have been to the park and it is awesome, it is kind of a culmination of what you hope to have happen when you build a destination like this, to be recognized as number one.”
THE PAST
Located in the heart of Downtown Lakeland, near the intersection of George Jenkins Boulevard and Kathleen Road, Bonnet Springs Park has many things: a nature park, playgrounds, botanical gardens, an event venue, and even a children’s museum.
At 168 acres, the park is approximately the size of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. And while Bonnet Springs may not have the same rides and attractions as the Happiest Place on Earth, it still has plenty of activities for the whole family to
enjoy.
Bonnet Springs Park currently sits on land that previously served as the Lakeland Railyard. The area had remained abandoned since 1952 and attracted garbage and homeless encampments.
Through the collaboration of a local developer and other individuals, the property and several adjoining properties were acquired, and a master plan was developed in 2016 for a unique one-of-a-kind park.
“This park would not be here without the tremendous donor base that generously gave to make this park possible,” Henderson said. “This is not a government park. It is not a city, county, or state park. It was funded by a very philanthropic community.”
“So, when you look at what Bonnet Spring Park has to offer from an educational standpoint, you couple that with an amazing donor base and an amazing volunteer base, just an amazing group of employees who come in our mission, it just came together,” he continued.
Bonnet Springs took seven years to construct and cost nearly $100
million to complete. The park celebrated its grand opening with a two-day celebration in October 2022, with The Florida Children’s Museum opening the following month.
THE PRESENT
Since opening three years ago, Bonnet Springs Park has attracted thousands of guests from across the county and even the state. And why not? The park is truly one of a kind with its unique blend of play areas, walking trails, and botanical gardens.
The crown jewel of the park is the Florida Children’s Museum, which includes a sprawling event lawn and a cafe serving a diverse menu of food and beverages. Some of the park’s most unique amenities include a 500-squarefoot treehouse with a slide, a 1,500-foot-long walking trail set 24 feet high in the treetops, and an owl-shaped play structure.
“We are as much an attraction as we are a park,” Henderson said. “You go through a traditional public park and they may have some swings or slides. We have
Wawa Summer Fun Days
8 Days of Complimentary Admission
Wawa and Bok Tower Gardens are teaming up again to offer Wawa Summer Fun Days featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through August.
The 2025 Wawa Summer Fun Days will be May 29-30, June 26-27, July 24-25, and August 28-29.
Pre-registration is requested for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at https://boktowergardens.org/wawa-summer-fun-days-2025.
The partnership began in 2021 with the launch of Wawa Summer Fun Days, and the offer was expanded in 2022. Since the program began, nearly 75,000 participants have received complimentary admission.
Committed to the communities they serve, Wawa is keeping Bok Tower Gardens growing with their generous support.
ABOUT WAWA, INC.:
Wawa, Inc., a family and associate owned, privately held company, began
in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 in Pennsylvania as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Washington, D.C., with more than 1,100 locations to date. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, Sizzli hot breakfast
sandwiches, hand-crafted specialty beverages, a dinner menu including burgers and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. Forbes.com Ranks Wawa as #24 of America’s Largest Private Companies.
ABOUT BOK TOWER GARDENS
Voted one of America’s best gardens, Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark located 10 miles from LEGOLAND Florida, 55 miles southwest of Orlando and 60 miles east of Tampa near Lake Wales in Central Florida’s rolling hills of citrus. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Visitor Center, Blue Palmetto Café and The Shop at Bok are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6-17. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. For more information contact Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales FL 33853; 863-676-1408 or visit www.boktowergardens.org.
Special to T&T Magazine
The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (AGB) is excited to announce the return of the 53rd annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake Art Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm along the scenic shores of Lake Morton. A beloved Mother’s Day weekend tradition, this free festival brings together over 150 artists from across the country, offering a weekend filled with exceptional fine art, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and community celebration.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s premier outdoor art festivals, Mayfaire by-theLake features a diverse array of artwork, including painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and more. Whether attendees are serious collectors or simply looking to enjoy a weekend immersed in creativity, Mayfaire offers something for everyone.
“Mayfaire is a family-friendly weekend where we bring artists of all media together from across the United States to showcase fine artwork,” said Joy Williams, Mayfaire coordinator. “Holding Mayfaire during Mother’s Day weekend provides a special opportunity for families to celebrate their mothers while enjoying beautiful weather, inspiring artwork, and entertainment for children of all ages.”
Each year, a distinguished artist is also selected to design a poster image that represents the vibrancy and spirit of Mayfaire, offering festival-goers the chance to own a piece of the festival's history on merchandise sold at the Museum tent. In March, The AGB unveiled the Mayfaire 2025 official poster and featured artist, Emma Holland, whose original work entitled “Swan’s Special Garden” encapsulates the event's creative energy.
As Mayfaire continues to evolve, the
2025 festival promises an exciting array of events and experiences for attendees. Year after year, this beloved tradition continues to grow, offering new ways to engage with the arts.
2025 JUDGE
Every Mayfaire, an out-of-state art expert is handpicked and invited by the Museum’s Executive Director to serve as the festival judge. Artist Charles Edward Williams will take on the honor of festival judge this spring.
Williams is a contemporary visual artist from South Carolina. He holds a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia and an MFA from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). Williams has attended summer artist residencies at Otis College of Art and Design (CA), SOMA (Mexico City, Mexico), the Gibbes Museum (SC), and the McColl Center for Art + Innovation (NC). Edwards’ traveling exhibitions include “Sun + Light,” “Warm Water,” and “Swim.” “Sun + Light” has been on view at The AGB, Gibbes Museum of Art (SC), and Residency Art Gallery (LA). “Warm Water” has been on view at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (MI), SECCA (NC), and Weber State University (UT). “Swim” was displayed at Morton Fine Art (DC). His work was also recently exhibited at Aqua and Scope Art Fair / Art Basel (FL) and Texas Contemporary Art Fair (TX). His work is in the permanent collections of the Gibbes, Georgia Museum of Art, Knoxville Museum of Art, Delaware Art Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art,
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art. Williams is also the recipient of the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Award from the State of South Carolina for developing enriching art programs within local communities.
“Charles is one of the art world’s fastest rising stars, and we are thrilled that, after giving us the privilege of exhibiting his work back in 2018 at the Museum, he is returning to Lakeland to judge Mayfaire,” said Dr. H. Alexander Rich, chief curator and executive director. “Charles and his expertise for judging this year’s festival are guided not merely by his adept eye but also by his own talents and successes working across creative media, much like the wide array of artists who will showcase their work at Mayfaire.”
EVENTS DETAILS
In addition to hosting a judge to select award winners during the festival itself, the determination of which artists show each year at Mayfaire is made earlier in
Artist Charles Edward Williams
Carried Away by Annie Reif
• Worldwide, blue is the most common favorite color.
• Medieval knights were given letters of protection that essentially provided them with a license to kill, as they granted the possessor full immunity from legal proceedings resulting from battles or necessary fatalities.
• The “Mona Lisa” has her own mailbox in the Louvre for all the flowers, poems and love letters she receives.
• Deipnophobia is the fear of dining with other people
• People have used dishwashers to clean hats, toothbrushes, sneakers and more. There are even tutorials on how to cook certain foods with a dishwasher.
• New Order’s classic song “Blue Monday” is the best-selling 12-inch single in history. Unfortunately, the band lost money on it since the cost of producing its unique cover was higher than its sale price.
• In 95% of cases, the first word
1. U.S. STATES: Which state is last, alphabetically?
2. MOVIES: What does the acronym S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for in movies about Marvel characters?
3. LITERATURE: Who wrote the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”?
4. GAMES: How many cards are in a standard deck?
5. TELEVISION: On which sitcom did the character Harry the Hat appear?
6. BUSINESS: When did the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise open?
someone writes with a new pen is their own name.
• Human fetuses have gills, fur and even a tail during development. The tail becomes the coccyx and the “gills,” which are temporary slits in the neck, develop into jaw and ear bones, while the fur disappears before birth or within a few weeks afterward.
• Despite more than 150 years worth of study and experimentation, no one really knows why ice is slippery.
• Sixty-eight percent of American adults buy shoes with foot pain in mind.
• The oldest known toilet, in the ancient city of Knossos on the island of Crete, has remained functional for approximately 4,000 years since its construction and was built with a seat and sophisticated drainage system.
• Eyelashes are considered the thickest and toughest of all hairs on the human body, with a lifespan of about three months.
Autism is Not an Epidemic
I was diagnosed with Autism at age 11. I lived my whole late childhood and adulthood with the diagnosis. I graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism with my Autism diagnosis.
Since then, I have enjoyed a decade-long career as a freelance journalist. I have paid taxes. I have written poetry. I have been on a few dates. As a child, I played baseball in my backyard. And last time I checked, I was perfectly capable of using the bathroom unassisted.
Why do I say all of this? Because somehow our current Secretary of Health and Human Services seems to believe that people with Autism like me are incapable of doing any of that.
During a press conference on Apr. 16, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussed the findings of a recent study that revealed that autism rates have exponentially increased within recent years. The study showed that these rates have increased from 1 in 36 children in 2020 to 1 in 31 in 2022.
all of those things, some people with low-functioning Autism most likely cannot.
Even then, so what? Whether or not a person can play baseball or write poetry or even use the bathroom without assistance does not determine their worth as human beings. Even the less fortunate among us are worthy of dignity and respect.
RFK Jr.’s remarks about Autism are especially alarming since they reflect similar sentiments held by people in authoritarian regimes. In Nazi Germany, people with developmental disabilities were considered “inferior” and “burdens on society.” And because they were so dehumanized, they became the first victims of the Holocaust.
Of course, this is not to accuse RFK Jr. of being a Nazi, but his rhetoric about people with Autism is dangerously close to that of the Nazis. Even worse, he even proposed creating a registry that would amass the private medical records of people with Autism.
7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many Nobel prizes are awarded every year?
8. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the shortest at 5 foot 4 inches tall?
9. ASTRONOMY: Who was the first woman to travel into space?
10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby platypus called?
RFK Jr. referred to this increase in autism rates as an “epidemic.” He claimed, “Autism destroys families, but more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which are our children.”
“These are kids who will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go on a date. [And] many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”
His remarks provoked backlash from people with Autism and others within the Autism community. And for good reason. What he said was unabashedly stupid and wrong.
Autism is not an epidemic. It does not destroy lives or children. And people with Autism are perfectly capable of doing everything RFK Jr. claims they cannot, from paying taxes to writing poetry and playing baseball.
Granted, while plenty of people with high-functioning Autism can do
Thankfully, the backlash against his remarks and his proposal for an “Autism registry” forced his agency to walk back his decision and state that no such registry would be created.
However, RFK Jr. still holds dangerous and wrongheaded beliefs about Autism. He has purported the conspiracy theory that vaccines cause Autism, a theory that has been thoroughly debunked. Nevertheless, he still wants to conduct a study about the causes of Autism.
RFK Jr.’s remarks about Autism should offend anyone, regardless of whether they have Autism. No one who espouses such ignorance about basic medical science should oversee important decisions about our healthcare, let alone a hot dog stand.
The views and opinions expressed in columns are not necessarily the views and opinions of Today & Tonight Magazine or Today & Tonight, Inc.
1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Six.
James Madison.
Valentina Tereshkova.
A platypup or puggle.
BARS&PUBS
*Please check Facebook pages to confirm business schedules, events, and promos.
AUBURNDALE
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
102 W Polk Street (863) 968-0010
Full Liquor Sports Bar
TVs for the Games
Brew Hounds Sports Lounge
318 Havendale Blvd (863) 967-2739
Wed, Trivia 6p
Fri, Poker 7p
Pool, Darts, Full Liquor
Sunday Ticket/SEC/ACC
Smoke-Free/Outside Patio
May 11, Mother's Day Specials
BABSON PARK
Crooked Bass Grill/Tavern 1010 N Scenic Hwy (863) 589-5887
Full Liquor
Seafood, Steaks & Burgers
Live Music Fri & Sat
Pool Table & Darts
BARTOW
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
120 E Van Fleet Dr (863) 534-3111
Full Liquor Sports Bar
Front Page Brewing Co
190 S FL Ave (863) 537-7249
Hrs: Open Wed-Fri 4p, Sat & Sun 12p
Taproom, Full Bar Self-pour Wines
Wed, Trivia Thu, Bingo Weekends, Live Music
Fun Bar
3379 US Hwy 17N (863) 800-3400
Karaoke
Pool Table & Darts
Mulligan’s Sports Bar
Bartow Golf Club
150 N Idlewood (863) 533-1668 Fri, Karaoke 7-10p
The Wine Library Bartow
165 S Central Ave (813) 796-0477
Wine, Sangria, Beer
Charcuterie
Wed & Thu, Hpy Hr 4-7p Sat, 25% off Wine Btls
The Wine Stable
150 S Broadway (863) 533-9463
Full Bar
Live Music
Karaoke
DAVENPORT
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 45653 US Hwy 27 (863) 420-3350
Full Liquor
Great Wings, Sandwiches, Burgers, Wraps
Fireside Lounge & Billiards 43356 US Hwy 27 (863) 420-0100
Pool Hall; 7 Pro Tables
Full Liquor/Hpy Hr 2-7p
Live Music
The Wheelhouse Bar 42637 US Hwy 27 (863) 353-6880 TVs, Pool Table Darts, Jukebox Wed & Sat, Karaoke 9p
The Wheelhouse/19th Hole 102 Polo Park East (863) 424-4560
Tue & Fri, Karaoke 9p Thu, Trivia 8-10p
DUNDEE
Out-n-About Bar (1/4 m north of Dundee Rd) 28390 US Hwy 27 (863) 439-1537
Tue, Fri, Sat & Sun, Live Music Sun, Karaoke Thu, Ladies Night Mon & Wed, Closed
FROSTPROOF
P & J Recreation 33 S Scenic Hwy (863) 635-9825 Home of Famous Slaw Burger!
Full Liquor
FT. MEADE
Pit Stop Package & Lounge
800 N Charleston Ave (863) 285-8732
Food Avail.
HAINES CITY
Amos Tavern
200 US Hwy 17 92 N (863) 422-1459
Balmoral Bar & Grill
124 Kenny Blvd (863) 588-3097
Patio Dining & Full Bar
Tue, Trivia 6-8p Wed, Karaoke 6-9p Thu, Bingo 6-8p Fri & Sat, Live Music 6-8p
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 902 Polk City Rd (863) 419-4848
Full Liquor Sports Bar Big Screen TVs
Ducky’s Dockside Bar & Grill
1090 Shady Cove Rd E (863) 353-5295 Thu, Acoustic Jam 6p Fri, Karaoke 6p Sat & Sun, Live Music
Rudy’s Liquorup Lounge 600 Ingraham Ave (863) 422-8585
Karaoke, Darts, Billiards Live Bands
Happy Hour 12-7p
Shady Cove Bar & Grill
7140 State Road 544 E (863) 421-6800
Full Liquor/Hpy Hr 4-7p Open Daily 12p Daily Food/Drink Specials
LAKE ALFRED
LA’s Midway Saloon (Across from WH Airport) 3900 Lynchburg Rd (863) 875-7966 Hpy Hr 11-3p; Specials M-F
LAKELAND
1916 Irish Pub Cleveland Heights Golf Course 2900 Buckingham Ave (863) 834-2384 Daily, 11a-10p Thu, Ladies Night 5-9p Sat/Sun, Brunch 10-3p Food, Full Bar
Ax-Caliber 204 E Orange St, Ste 102 (863) 592-3500 Tue-Wed 11a-10p/Thu-Fri 11a-11p Sat 10a-11p, Sun 10a-7p Axe Throwing/Virtual Gun Range Coffee House/Restaurant Beer & Wine
The Back Nine 124 S Tennessee Ave (863) 510-5723 Open Daily Golf Simulators Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Full Bar Thu, Trivia 7:30p
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s North 1070 Wedgewood Estates Blvd (863) 853-9464
Full Liquor Sports Bar
2-4-1 All Day, Everyday 40+ HD TVs w/sports pkgs
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s South 4810 S Florida Ave (863) 646-7757
Full Liquor Sports Bar
2-4-1 All Day, Everyday 40+ HD TVs w/sports pkgs
The Brass Tap 1515 Town Center Dr Lakeside Village (863) 680-9994
Daily, Open at 12p
Martini Wed, $5 Craft Beers, Full Bar Food, Live Music
Brewlands Bar & Billiards N. 5161 US Hwy 98 N (863) 940-2038
Smoke-Free Billiards/Sports Bar 20 Pool Tables, Dart Boards Game Room, Full Kitchen Open Daily, Full Liquor
Brewlands Bar & Billiards S. 5733 S Florida Ave (863) 646-2600
Pool & Billiard Sports Hall
Full Liquor Bar Open Daily
Sun & Wed, S.I.N. Night Thu, Ladies Night
Champs Sports Bar & Grill 6645 S Florida Ave (863) 647-5900
Open Daily, 11a-10p Daily Specials 2-10p Tue, Ladies Night 4p-cl Tue/Thu, BOGO Beer Thu, Free Trivia 8p
Cob & Pen
1221 S Florida Ave (863) 937-8126
Craft Beer & Wine
Full Liquor
Bar Food/Light Food
Decisions Grill & Bar
1621 E Edgewood Dr Suite G (863) 686-6441
Dissent Craft Brewing Co
125 S Kentucky Ave (863) 450-4351 Mon-Thu, 3-10p Fri & Sat, 12-10p Sun, 12-8p
Duke’s Brewhouse
4960 S Florida Ave (863) 647-9464
Wings, Sports, Spirits
Live Music
Frescos Bistro
132 S Kentucky Ave (863) 683-5267
Happy Hr 5-7
Monthly Pairings
Great Bistro Fare
Full Bar/Crafted Cocktails
Gator’s Dockside
Highland City
5135 S.R. 98 (863) 619-7627
Food, Full Bar
Open late night
Hookah Palace
122 S Kentucky Ave (863) 688-1818
Hrs: Wed & Thu, 5p-12a
Fri & Sat, 5p-2a
Thu, Latin Nite w/DJ Fri & Sat, DJ
Isle of Capri
541 S Combee Rd (863) 665-6246
Food, Beer/Wine
Hpy Hr 3-6p; $1.50 Drft
Wed, Ladies Night 7p
Pool Tourn, Karaoke
Lakeland Loft
108 S Tennessee Ave (863) 210-5327
Full Liquor
Jazz & Cigar Lounge
Business Casual Sun –Thu Dress to Impress Fri & Sat
Leo’s Live Music & Billiards (A.K.A. Ybor Cigars)
5263 S Florida Ave (863) 619-6799
Happy Hr 4-7p
Darts/Pool Table/TVs Tue-Sat, Live Music
Linksters Tap Room (Dntn)
209 E Main St (863) 683-7195
Daily, 12p
Full Liquor
Smoke Free Sports Bar
Lucky’s Sports, Oyster & Tiki Bar (Orange Bowl)
4318 US Hwy 98 N (863) 858-3878
Daily Specials
Thu, Dart Leagues Fri, Live Music
Lugo’s Craft Distillery
2500 Drane Field Rd, Suite 208 (863) 816-3330
Lounge Hrs:
Thu & Fri, 5p-12a Sat, 3p-12a & Sun, 12-6p Craft Rum/Distillery
Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub 111 S Kentucky Ave (863) 686-6231
Darts, Pool Tables
Live Music, Fri
Paddy Wagon Irish Pub
4204 S Florida Ave
(863) 937-8925
Daily, 12p
Full Bar, TVs Darts, Golden Tee, Pool
The Pink Piano
1015 S Florida Ave (863) 937-8885
Tue-Sat, Live Music
Wine, Beer, Tapas
Rec Room
202 N Massachusetts Ave (863) 213-4073
Open 4p Mon-Fri, 11a Sat & Sun
Open Late Night
Daily Specials, 50+ Games
Wed, Ladies Night Food Trucks Fri & Sat 8p Family During Day/21+ after 9p
Revival Bar 119 S Kentucky Ave (863) 606-6090
Open 12p Daily/Smoke-Free Craft Cocktail Bar
Vintage Cocktails, Beers Relaxed Seating Areas
Southside Package & Lounge
1122 S Florida Ave (863) 683-4703
Happy Hr 10-7p & 12-2a Full Liquor
T A Slammers
1011 S Florida Ave (863) 682-4178
Full Liquor Nightly Specials
T-Bows 33 Lounge 4106 Lakeland Hills Blvd (863) 683-1201
Happy Hr 4-6p; $2.75 Wells, $2.25 20oz Drafts Wed-Sat, Karaoke 9p
Wally’s Pool Hall 1136 E Main St (863) 688-4460
Hpy Hr, Mon-Sat 11-7p Mon, 9-Ball Tourn Tue & Thu, APA 8 & 9-Ball Thu, Ladies Nite w/free pool
Wild Greg’s Saloon 4951 US Hwy 98 N (863) 940-9133 Thu-Sat, 7p-2a Nightclub/Concert Venue
Winner’s Circle 4215 S Florida Ave (863) 644-9464 Sun, Corn Hole Tues, Poker Wed, Ladies Night 1st Thu, Open Mic, 7-10p
LAKE WALES
Al’s Place 1530 N Scenic Hwy (863) 241-3070
Sat, $2 Day: Draft Beer, Chili Dog, Fries, Beef Slider, Soda Open Thu-Sun
All Star Grill 2019 Hwy 60 E (863) 679-9689
Sports Bar
Open Daily 11a-11p
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 19598 US Hwy 27 (863) 679-1975
Full Liquor Sports Bar Big Screen TVs
Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak 3100 Canal Rd (863) 439-2031
Seafood, Full Liquor Mon-Fri, Hpy Hr 11-4p Thu-Sat, Live Music
Gator Mack’s Sports Bar
Camp Mack River Resort 14143 Camp Mack Rd (863) 696-3863
Open 7 Days Tue-Sat, 4-10p Food Avail.
Full Bar, Music Darts, Pool Tables
Outdoor Patio
Y’all Come Back Saloon
3230 State Rd 60 E (863) 676-5759
Taco Tues, $1 Live Music/Pool
RIVER RANCH
Westgate River Ranch Saloon
3200 River Ranch Blvd
Restaurant/Saloon General/Western Store (863) 692-1321 ext 40013 Fri, DJ 6p-12a Sat, Live Band 6p-1a
WINTER HAVEN
AJ Slammers
508 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 875 5623
Pub, Pool Hall, Karaoke Darts, Full Liquor
Apple Lounge
2803 Recker Hwy (863) 291-0340
Happy Hr, Mon-Fri 11-7p
Food/Daily Specials Mon, Pool Tourn
Poker, Karaoke, Bands
Ave. Bar by Arabellas
328 W Central Ave (863) 229-8142
Open Mon-Sat, 4p Mon-Fri, Hpy Hr 4:30-5:30p
Full Menu/Full Bar Smoke-Free
Barrel239
239 3rd St SW (863) 229-7740
Whiskey Bar
Open Daily
Drink Specials 1-4p Smoke-Free
BARS&PUBS
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
300 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 293-9464
Full Liquor Sports Pub
30 Big HD TVs Mon Burger Special
Central Tavern
273 W Central Ave (863) 229-5027
Open Daily 12p
Full Bar/Smoke-Free Outside Patio
Duke’s Brewhouse 1708 6th Street SE (863) 576-9464
Wings, Sports, Spirits Live Music
Gary’s Grove 2995 Cypress Gardens Rd (863) 325-0001 Mon, Live Music Fri, Karaoke Pizza/Hot Dogs Avail
Grape Expectations 535 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 318-8800 Wine Bar Smoke-Free
Grove Roots Brewing Co.
302 3rd Street SW (863) 291-0700
Food Truck & Live Music Wed-Fri 4p, Sat-Sun 12p 3rd Wed, Night Mrkt 6-9p
Craft Beer & Wine Smoke-Free
Harborside Restaurant 2435 7th Street SW (863) 293-7070 Daily, Hpy Hr 3-6p Mon-Thu, Early Bird 3-5:30p Waterfront Dining
Jensen’s Corner Bar 100 3rd Street SW (863) 298-6755
Outdoor Patio Thu, Live Music Smoke-Free
Jessie’s Lounge 118 3rd Street SW (863) 298-9815
Hpy Hr Mon-Fri, 4-7p Mon, Free Pool Wed, No Name Jam Night Live Music Weekly Smoke-Free
Kimber’s Bar & Grill (formerly High Seas) 6000 State Rd 544 (863) 299-2233 Hpy Hr 4-7p Wed/Sat – Karaoke 7p Thu – Jukebox Bingo Food: Mon-Thu 11-9p, Fri/Sat 11-10p, Sun 12:30-8p
Laugh Out Lounge 19 3rd Street NW Wed, Thu, Sun 5-10p Fri & Sat 5-11p Comedy Club/Bar Beer/Wine winterhavenlol.com
Obscure Wine Company
276 W Central Ave (863) 268-6555
Mon-Thu 12-10p Fri-Sat 12-11p, Sun 12-8p Wed, Wine Down Wed 5-8p
Office Pub & Lounge 1243 1st Street S (863) 293-4767
Happy Hr 12-7 Mon & Thu, Karaoke Tue, Fri, Sat - Poker Pool Tables, Darts & Food Avail.
Old Man Frank’s 1005 S Lake Howard Dr (863) 294-9179
Happy Hour M-F, 11-7p Daily Specials, Oyster Bar Wed, $1.50 Tacos, $3 Margaritas And Karaoke at 7p Sat & Sun, Live Music
Paddy Wagon Irish Pub 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 875-5708 Daily, 12pm Irish Style Sports Bar Pool, Darts, Golden Tee TVs, Full Bar
Past Time Lounge 1605 1st Street S (863) 293-0027 Tue, Ladies Night Darts/Pool Table
Slate 8 Family Billiards 20 4th Street NW (863) 247-8899
Smoke-Free Pool Hall
Open Daily, Outdoor Patio Full Bar, Food Available Wed, Dart Tourn 7p FB@Slate8Pool
The Social Lounge 356 3rd Street NW Sun-Thu, 12p-12a Fri, 12p-2a/Sat, 2p-2a Mon, Martinis $6 Wed-Sat, Live Music Classic/Craft Cocktails
Somewhere Sports Bar 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 324-7524
Mon-Sat, Hpy Hr 3-6p Beer Specials/Sports Pckges Mon-Fri, Lunch Specials
Tanner’s Lakeside 1006 S Lake Howard Dr (863) 662-5948
Happy Hr Wed-Sun, 4-6p Wed, 1/2 Price Wines Thu-Sun, Live Music Sun, Brunch 10:30a-12:30p May 9, Wrestling May 11, Mother’s Day May 26, Memorial Day 1-5p
Union Taproom
245 W Central Ave, ST 102 (863) 268-4921
Open Daily 11:30a
40 Self Pour Taps Wed, Trivia 7p Fri & Sat, Live Music 7-10p 1st Thu, Night Market 6-9p
Food Available
POLK COUNTY’S
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
BEEF ‘O’
BRADY’S SOUTH LAKELAND
HAINES CITY
BALMORAL BAR & GRILL
AT BALMORAL RESORT
Offering a casual dining environment complete with poolside outdoor seating, the Balmoral Bar & Grill serves up poolside lunches, afternoon drinks and evening meals. Popular among resort guests and locals alike, our poolside bar in Haines City offers a full bar with TVs and features a menu of shareable appetizers, fresh salads, delicious sandwiches, and more. Live music also offered on the patio most Saturday nights. Check our Facebook for schedule. Bar & Grill is open to the public and is located within Balmoral Resort Florida in Haines City, minutes from Winter Haven and Davenport.
Must Try: Flatbreads and Club Sandwich.
124 Kenny Blvd, Haines City (off Hwy 27) (863) 588-3097
BalmoralBarandGrill.com
LAKELAND
BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S NORTH LAKELAND
Lakeland’s Best Family Sports Pub. 40+ HD TV’s, NFL Ticket Sundays, NCAA Gameplan Saturdays. Happy Hour 2-4-1
All Day, Everyday. Bingo Mondays from 5-6 pm. Kids Eat Free Wednesday from 4-8 pm. Trivia Night on Thursdays from 8-10 pm.
Must Try: Hot & Fresh Fajitas - Everyday! Chicken wings!
1070 Wedgewood Estates Blvd (863) 853-9464
www.beefobradys.com
Great Food! Great Sports! Great Family Fun! 40+ HD TV’s, NFL Ticket Sundays, NCAA Game Plan Saturdays. 2-4-1 All Day, Everyday. Coldest Beer In Town. Kids Eat Free Tuesdays & Sundays 4-8 pm. Now Featuring A Full Liquor Bar. Must Try: Our Delicious Fajitas and Awesome Burgers 4810 South Florida Ave (863) 646-7757 www.beefobradys.com
CHAMPS SPORTS BAR
Serving Polk County for over 20 years!
Cold Beer • Great Food • Family Fun
• Best Wings in Town Independently delicious! Daily specials from 2-10 pm: Monday 60¢Tacos, Tuesday $5 Buffalo
Shrimp, Wednesday 45¢ Boneless Wings, Tuesday & Thursday BOGO Bud & Bud Light Bottles, Friday, $9 Grouper Sandwich (All Day), Saturday 75¢ Wings (All Day).Hours: Mon.-Thurs, Sat. & Sun. 11 am to 10 pm. Fri. 11 am to midnight. Follow us on Facebook. FB@ChampsGrill 6645 S. Florida Ave. 863-647-5900 www.champstogo.com
MISTER FISH
Family owned and operated since 1968 offering the best fish sandwich around! Seafood, chicken and much more using only the best quality food and excellent service! Easily the best homemade food you’ll try! Hours Monday through Saturday 11am to 7pm and closed Sundays. Must Try: Famous Fish Sandwich 715 E Palmetto St, Lakeland (863) 688-4280
LAKE WALES
CRAZY FISH
Land mark eatery in Lake Wales. Fresh fish never frozen. Fun and casual atmosphere. Lunch and dinner menu with daily specials. Mon. 4pm to 9pm. Tues.Saturday 11:30am to 9pm. Closed Sun.
Must Try: Shrimp or Fresh Grouper
802 Henry St., Lake Wales (863) 676-6361
JAY BEES RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
We take pride in our welcoming environment, friendly service and famous burgers. Come in and check our daily lunch and dinner specials. Weekend specials. Prime rib, frog legs, fried shrimp and catfish.
Must Try: Homemade Pies 8675 Hwy 60 East, Lake Wales 863-696-1901, Find us on Facebook
WINTER HAVEN
326 BISTRO PIZZERIA
Bistro Pizzeria shares the art of perfectly rendered simplicity. Wood burning oven, pizza by the slice, made to order specialty pizzas. Lunch & dinner menu. Warm & casual dining atmosphere.
Must Try: Classic Pizza Napoli
326 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven 863-875-4894 www.arabellas.us/bistro
APPLE LOUNGE & GRILL
#1 Happy Hour Monday-Friday 11am-7pm.
$1 Taco Tuesdays! Wings, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Fried Pickles, Chicken Fingers, Nachos and much more!
Open Mic Night every Tuesday. Winner of the people’s choice Wing Fling 2011 Wing Champs! Come try em’ yourself.
Must Try: Famous Wings 2803 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven 863-291-0340
ARABELLA’S
We offer the best Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, created from the freshest ingredients.
Enjoy a cocktail before or after dinner in our chic Ave Bar. At Arabellas, our dedicated service and inviting ambiance makes us the premier choice for your lunch or dinner destination.
Must Try: Bananas Foster prepared table side
346 W. Central Ave. Winter Haven
863-293-1797 • www.arabellas.us
BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S
Locally owned sports pub with 30 TVs and full bar. Lunch value combos MondaysFridays until 3pm. Award winning jumbo wings with famous sauces and dry rubs. Fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, tacos and dinner entrees available. Weekday Values: Mon. Burgers, Tues. Tacos, Wed. Wings, Thurs. Fajitas, Fri. Surf & Turf. See ya at Beefs!
Must Try: Award Winning Wings and Burgers
300 Cypress Gardens Blvd. (863) 293-9464 • www.beefobradys.com
HARRY’S OLD PLACE
Serving up a large selection of fresh fish for over 27 years! Where the fish is always de-lish! Open for lunch and dinner. Great seafood menu also includes shrimp, scallops, mussels, oysters, crab legs, "fish of the day" board, steaks, chicken, pasta dishes, sandwiches, soups/chowders. Restaurant is located on the shores of Lake Ned in beautiful Winter Haven with a quaint pet friendly outdoor patio. Full bar available. Less than a mile from LEGOLAND. Kid's menu also available.
Must Try: Grouper in a Bag, the Broiled Seafood Combo and award winning Key Lime Pie!
3751 Cypress Gardens Rd., Winter Haven 863-324-0301 www.harrysoldplace.com
SOMEWHERE SPORTS BAR
Enjoy great food, great games and great times in a family-friendly atmosphere. As your sports headquarters, ESPN, NFL & MLB ticket available on 14 flat screen TV’s. Daily lunch specials Mon-Fri from 11-2 pm only $5.99. Open 7 days a week. Appetizers, Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads, Burgers, Pizza & Wings. Full liquor with Happy Hour Mon-Sat from 3-6 pm
Must Try: Jumbo Wings & Pizza
5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd. (863) 324-7524