A Perfect Evening at the University of Florida, Gainesville

The city of Gainesville, Florida is home for the University of Florida, home of the world champion Gators. Being a college town, the nightlife scene is definitely one to experience. There is always something to do and usually you will run into someone that you know.

To start the evening I would recommend dinner at one of the finest sushi restaurants in central Florida. Dragonfly Sushi and Sake Company is located on 201 Se 2nd Ave and they serve an excellent variety of sushi, sashimi, rolls, traditional Japanese food, and sake. The décor is Asian contemporary and the sushi bar and kitchen is wide open for all to see. Be sure to try their famous Dragonfly roll or indulge in their large selection of cold sake. For dessert, the fried ice cream is a treat that you don't want to miss. Get there early. Although they have a large seating area, Dragonfly is one of the most popular restaurants in Gainesville and they are always busy.

From there, go up the road to a local favorite. The Swamp is a bar and grill which has a strong local flavor with gator memorabilia from every generation. Located on 1642 W. University Avenue The Swamp has a huge fenced in patio and outdoor large screen TV, it's a great place to hang out for a couple of beers while watching the Gators win yet another championship. Special include Saturday $6.00 you-keep-the-glass specialty drinks in our one-of-a-kind Swamp hurricane glasses and 8pm - close (late night happy hour) 2-4-1 Bacardi and Bacardi flavors, 3 Olives and 3 Olives Cherry and Raspberry, and Bullet Bourbon. Check out their website at http://swamprestaurant.com for more details. Be sure to try out the gator tail appetizer while you are there. Real bits of actual alligator tail deep fried and served with dipping sauces. Fantastic!

For late night flavor I suggest you visit one of the trendiest lounges in Gainesville. Speak Easy is located at 21 SW 2nd St but keep your eyes out, it's a small location and easy to miss. Inside you will find a small room with various couches and bar stools. The music is contemporary and they usually have a DJ spinning the latest tunes. Although there is no real dance floor, the entrance hall way seems to be the area in which most people "get down". The ambiance is dark and cozy. There are plenty of areas to sit and enjoy a conversation. On weekends, the music tends to get a little loud however there is always a place to talk. One thing though, they only have two single bathrooms and there is always a line for them so be prepared.

If the club scene is what you are after, then I highly recommend The Bank. Located on 18 W University Ave this club is a great combination of a club and a lounge. There are many rooms in The Bank. The main area is the dance floor and bar with a DJ and loud speakers playing the latest dance hits. Further in is a smaller room which serves mostly as a meeting area and a small lounge. The last room contains the VIP area which has plush couches and a private section of the bar. Call early for VIP status though as it is not easy to get. Bottle prices range from $150 and higher and they have a large selection of liquors and wines. Their hours vary as well, for some reason I have never been able to fully pin down an open and close schedule.

Finally, what would a night be without a late night bite? There are many pizza places that are scattered about the downtown area and they there are a couple NY style pizza parlors that are absolutely phenomenal. Walk up and down University Avenue and you will come across a couple which are outdoors, cheap, and good to eat. I tend to eat a light after a long night out so I recommend The Pita Pit (1702 W University Ave) is open until 4AM and offers a variety of healthy late night alternatives for eating. I personally prefer the chicken Caesar pita with double meat and a diet coke however their menu is large and diverse to fit anyone's palate.

Whatever you are interested in, there is always lots to do in Gainesville, Florida. From bar hopping to clubbing to lounging there is something for everyone. Don't forget about their sports venues as well. The Gators are two time NCAA basketball champions and current NCAA football champions as well. GO GATORS!