Marina Jack Lights Spark For New Year On Sarasota Bayfront

If you are looking for a complete New Year’s Eve experience, with dinner, live music, dancing and fireworks over the Sarasota Bay, there is no better place to greet 2013 than at Marina Jack.

Vice-President/General Manager Tom Delong says that New Year’s Eve at Marina Jack will be a unique and entertaining experience.

“We will have three different menus and entertainment packages this year,” he said. “And then we will be the presenting sponsor at the fireworks show at midnight, which will also be carried live by SNN6.”

Actually, if you include the four hour dinner cruise aboard the Marina Jack II, there are four different packages from which to choose. The options are as follows:

The Dining Room

There will be a dinner menu for the first seating (from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.), but on the second seating (starting at 8:45 p.m.), Marina Jack will be offering a special four course dinner menu package which includes party favors and champagne toast at midnight. The Big Z Band, a show band that plays pieces from some of the most memorable eras in music, will be performing from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Reservations are required and the cost for that seating ranges from $85.95 to 99.95, plus tax and gratuities, per person.

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Deep Six Lounge & Piano Bar

The Deep Six Lounge will also be featuring the four course dinner package. Customers in the Palm Room will have access to the Dining Room entertainment. Rock Lee, a pianist/singer who plays a mix of blues, R&B, oldies, country and dance music, will be performing in the evening starting at 6 p.m. Reservations are suggested and the cost range will be from $85.95 to 99.95, plus tax and gratuities, per person.

Portside Patio

Live music will be performed by Chris Otto, guitarist/singer, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and the reggae band Democracy will be performing from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Groups of six people or more may make advance reservations, but the group must arrive to the patio by 7 p.m. All seating will be subject to a cover charge, which will be added to the guest check.

Marina Jack II

If you prefer to spend the evening on the water, a special four hour cruise aboard the luxurious Marina Jack II is a great option. The cruise lasts from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., and will begin boarding at 8 p.m. at Marina Jack. The cruise will be featuring a live band, Serengeti, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and an elaborate buffet featuring Beef Tenderloin, Lump Crab Cakes and special dessert offerings. The price for the cruise is $149.95 plus tax. There is a full bar onboard, but it is not included in the package price. Reservations for the cruise will be subject to a 72-hour cancellation notice.

There is not necessarily a dress code for any of the dining areas, but in the upstairs dining room, resort casual is usually appropriate.

Delong says that when it comes to actually ringing in 2013, Marina Jack will be doing it in style, but spectators who just want to watch the fireworks from Island Park will also be able to enjoy the show.

“The special thing about the New Year’s Eve fireworks is that they are professionally done by Zambelli, who has been doing our July 4th event for six years,” he said. “But O’Leary’s (Tiki Bar and Grill) in the park will also have a reggae band. It’s a great way for people to enjoy the evening.”

The Marina Jack New Year’s Eve Festivities

2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236

Guests can order from the dinner menus or purchase packages from $89.95 to $149.95.

Reservations: 941-365-4232

www.marinajacks.com