All Fun and Games

Friendly competition never goes out of style, and Sarasotans are embracing new ways to channel their playful impulses with the help of three local establishments. At Gecko’s Grill & Pub, classic trivia has reigned supreme for 21 years. While the restaurant group runs a trivia tournament every summer, casual trivia continues throughout the year for drop-in participants at every location except for the one on Fruitville Road. Guests need not have any experience to play but many groups form committed teams, like a group of boat captains who dubbed themselves “Old Salty.” Amidst the boisterous sports bar atmosphere, they play to win a variety of prizes or bragging rights. “We’re an upscale sports bar, so friendly competition is the name of the game,” says Anne Rollings, Gecko’s public relations manager. “People nudge their buddies to join in while they share a meal or a beer. Trivia is a great way to get friends together in an atmosphere of camaraderie.” 

The team at Hamlet’s Eatery encourages similar fun on the second Friday of every month with music bingo, which puts a twist on the time-honored game. On music bingo night, guests receive bingo cards which each have a distinctive theme, such as food. “Instead of numbers, the cards have the song title or artist name,” says Kim Livengood, the owner of Hamlet’s Eatery. “So if the host played ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ and you had it on your card, then you could mark it off.” With music playing during the entire evening, the gameplay remains upbeat, adding an appealing auditory component to the game. For a tactile gaming experience, locals turn to The Dark Side Comics & Games, a shop that hosts various game nights and events. The store carries board games, tabletop roleplaying games—think Dungeons & Dragons—as well as miniatures games, in which participants build their own armies and battle with them. They also sell model Gundam Japanese robots used to fight one another and card games, such as the iconic Pokémon. Many game nights and events have a specific theme, including nights dedicated to Star Wars games or the Pokémon school event for children. According to Owner Brian Polizzi, the shop’s mission is to foster a strong and supportive community. “We promote an inclusive and friendly environment based on good sportsmanship,” he says. “If you’re looking to make friends and have a good time, then we are the place to go.”