Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern Brings Food, Sports and a Neighborhood Feel to Cortez

A new locally owned and operated sports tavern has opened in Cortez, bringing another casual dining and gathering spot to one of Manatee County’s most distinctive communities.

I stopped by the other day and met one of the family members, Adison who was tending bar. We talked about her family, how they got the opportunity for the new business and so much more. She is a sweetheart.

Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern, located at 12012 Cortez Road W., officially opened on August 22, 2026. The new restaurant and bar is owned by husband-and-wife team Tonya and Doug Lutz, who are hoping to create the kind of neighborhood establishment where customers quickly become regulars.

The location may already be familiar to longtime area diners. The building was most recently home to Izzy’s Place and, before that, Slicker’s Eatery.

A Family-Run Business With Restaurant Experience

Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern is very much a family operation.

Tonya Lutz has spent much of her life in the restaurant industry. She and Doug previously owned a restaurant in Ada, Ohio, before eventually relocating to the Bradenton area. Tonya then spent more than a decade working at local bars and restaurants before the couple decided to open a place of their own in Cortez.

Doug is overseeing the kitchen, while several members of the couple’s extended family have also been helping with the new business.

That family involvement fits directly with the atmosphere the owners say they want to establish — a comfortable, familiar neighborhood tavern where staff members get to know their customers.

Sports Fans Will Find Plenty of Screens

As the Tailgatin’ name suggests, sports are a major part of the concept.

The tavern opened with 11 televisions inside, giving customers plenty of opportunities to follow football, baseball, basketball, hockey and other major sporting events. Plans also called for additional televisions on the outdoor patio.

For customers who prefer participating rather than watching, the tavern also has two league-ready dartboards in a separate back room. The owners have indicated that organized dart leagues could eventually become part of the entertainment lineup. They also will be having some live music.

That combination of televisions, food, drinks and darts gives Tailgatin’ the potential to become a gathering place for everything from NFL Sundays and college football Saturdays to casual lunches and evenings with friends.

What’s on the Menu?

Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern began operations with a limited menu while the owners worked toward finalizing a larger selection.

Early offerings included:

• Chicken wings
• Grilled and Buffalo chicken sandwiches
• Burgers
• Fried fish
• Grilled salmon
• Pork loin
• Chicken entrees
• Shrimp
• Garden salads

The original opening menu also reflected relatively approachable sports-bar pricing, with several sandwiches and burgers in the low-to-mid teens and dinner entrees generally priced below $20.

Because the restaurant is still relatively new, menu items, prices and specials may change as the owners continue developing the concept.

Another Dining Option Near Anna Maria Island

Tailgatin’ arrives in an area already known for locally owned restaurants, bars and seafood destinations.

Tailgatin’ adds a different option to that mix — one focused heavily on televised sports, casual tavern food and a neighborhood-bar atmosphere.

Owners Are Asking Customers What They Want

One interesting part of the new restaurant’s approach is its willingness to let customers help shape what comes next.

The owners have said they plan to gather suggestions from patrons about menu items, activities and other features they would like to see added.

That could be particularly valuable for a new business in Cortez, where locally owned restaurants often succeed by developing a strong base of year-round customers in addition to seasonal visitors.

Future possibilities already discussed include organized dart leagues, an expanded menu and additional outdoor televisions.

Hours and Location

Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern
12012 Cortez Road W.
Cortez/Bradenton, Florida
Phone: 786-907-0356

At the time of its opening, the tavern announced hours of 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., with food served until approximately 11 p.m. The business was scheduled to be closed on Tuesdays.

Because hours and menu offerings can change during the first few months of a new restaurant’s operation, customers may want to confirm current information before making a special trip.

A New Neighborhood Gathering Place for Cortez

Opening a restaurant is never easy, particularly in a competitive hospitality market where food costs, staffing and seasonal traffic can all affect a new business.

Tailgatin’ Sports Tavern is betting that a simple formula — good food, plenty of sports, friendly service and a neighborhood atmosphere — will resonate with Cortez and West Bradenton customers.

With family members working side by side, a growing menu and an emphasis on listening to its customers, the new tavern is positioning itself as more than simply another place to watch a game.

The goal appears to be creating the kind of neighborhood spot where customers walk through the door and someone behind the bar already knows their name.

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