Brandon Opening Set for Sluggers Neighborhood Bar & Grill

A longtime restaurateur is betting his family sports bar will be a big hit with the community. Scott Lindsey of Riverview plans to open Sluggers Neighborhood Bar & Grill in January.

The restaurant is set to open at 109 West Bloomingdale Ave., off John Moore Road, in Brandon. The space once housed Big Belly Burgers.

Lindsey, with the help of partners Terry and Vicki Franklin, Ray Lees and Jean Alcaide, has spent the past several months renovating the 2,700-square-foot storefront, which has been vacant for a year.

Lindsey, the former owner of Sluggers Sports Saloon in St. Augustine, said he decided to bring his family sports bar concept to Bloomingdale at the urging of friends and former customers.

"Our concept is to open a family sports bar with quality food at a reasonable price," said Lindsey. "Nothing on the menu will be over $10."

The offerings, he said, will be simple. "We'll have burgers, wings, salads and wraps, Philly cheese steaks and tater tots. Once we're open, we'll also offer daily specials," he said.

Sluggers will sell $1.75 pints of beer on tap all day every day and Pabst Blue Ribbon for $1.50. In addition to beer, Sluggers will offer wine.

Trivia night will be held each Wednesday. Thursdays will be burger night, with burgers for $5. Tuesdays will be wing night and there will be cornhole tournaments every Monday.

"We plan to be involved in the community, sponsoring sports teams and hosting other events," said Lindsey. "We want this to be a place for the community to hang out after the big game."

The new restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day and will feature 13 Plasma televisions including a 60-inch screen in the main dining room.

Since beginning renovation on the space, Lindsey says residents drop by on a daily basis to welcome him and ask about the restaurant's opening.

"It's been very heart-warming and encouraging," he said.