Sarasota is getting another new dining option, and sports fans will soon have a new place to gather, grab a meal and catch the big game. Ed’s Tavern, a growing sports bar and restaurant brand with several locations in Manatee County, is expanding into Sarasota County with plans to open at the former Chili’s location at 4131 S. Tamiami Trail.
A sign posted outside the building confirms that Ed’s Tavern has leased the property, with the new Sarasota restaurant expected to open in 2027. The location sits along South Tamiami Trail, one of Sarasota’s major commercial corridors, giving the restaurant a highly visible location with convenient access for residents and visitors.
The freestanding restaurant building is more than 6,000 square feet and previously housed Chili’s before that restaurant closed its doors in 2025. Rather than remaining vacant, the property is now set for a new chapter as Ed’s Tavern continues its expansion throughout the region.
For Sarasota residents who enjoy watching sports while dining out, Ed’s Tavern’s concept should be a natural fit. The restaurant is known for having numerous television screens throughout its dining areas, allowing customers to keep up with games while enjoying food and drinks with friends and family.
The menu offers a wide variety of options, making the restaurant more than just a place to watch sports. Guests can choose from appetizers such as fried pickles and potstickers, along with salads, wings, flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches and other handheld options. The menu also includes larger entrees, sides and desserts, providing plenty of choices for both casual meals and longer gatherings.
The full service bar is another major part of the Ed’s Tavern experience. The restaurant offers a daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., giving customers another reason to stop in after work or before an evening game.
The Sarasota restaurant will be Ed’s Tavern’s first location in Sarasota County. The company has already established a presence in the region with two restaurants in Lakewood Ranch and another location in Parrish. The company is also expanding into West Bradenton, where a fourth location is planned at 7433 Manatee Avenue West.
That continued expansion reflects the growing demand for casual dining and entertainment options throughout the Sarasota Manatee region. As more residential communities, businesses and commercial developments continue to arrive throughout the area, restaurants and entertainment concepts are following the population growth and looking for opportunities to establish themselves in high traffic locations.
The former Chili’s property is particularly well positioned for a restaurant concept because of its location along South Tamiami Trail. The corridor connects several established Sarasota neighborhoods and commercial areas and provides access to major roads leading toward downtown Sarasota, Gulf Gate, Osprey and other parts of the region.
The property is owned by C Plaza of Sarasota Ltd., according to Sarasota County property records. Milford Inganamort is listed as the registered agent for the company with the Florida Division of Corporations.
While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the Sarasota Ed’s Tavern is currently expected to open sometime in 2027. Once completed, it will add another casual dining and sports entertainment option to an already expanding restaurant scene along the South Tamiami Trail corridor.
For Sarasota residents, the arrival of Ed’s Tavern is another example of how the area continues to attract new businesses and restaurant concepts. For the surrounding neighborhoods, the redevelopment of an existing restaurant property also means a long vacant space will once again become an active part of the local community.
As Sarasota and the surrounding communities continue to grow, new restaurants, retail businesses and entertainment venues are becoming an increasingly important part of the region’s development. Ed’s Tavern’s upcoming Sarasota location will give residents another option for meeting friends, enjoying a meal, watching sports and spending time in one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
