Sawgrass Grove Issues

[BostonRich]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

[Jayhawk]

I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want.

A drawer full? Shoot me your address and I'll stop by later to pick it up.

:jester:

[Michael G.]

My advice would be, stay away from Sawgrass Grove.
Non of these changes will happen.

[asianthree]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

Sawgrass is not a Square. It is an outside venue with music, at 2 different times on some days, with a food court, like Edna’s, but they have food trucks.

[Altavia]

...


But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it.

Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

Interesting observation.

Maybe it will get better as the sun sets later and further south.

[Papa_lecki]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.


Wow, talked about serious first world problems.

Why not go, grab a pizza and a drink, enjoy and smile?

[Rainger99]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM!

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

I agree on the happy hour. At Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter, and Brownwood, the entertainment runs from 5-9 and Happy Hour is from 5-6 - so the first hour of entertainment is Happy Hour. At Sawgrass, the entertainment starts at 6 (5 on Saturday and Sunday) but Happy Hour ends at 5 PM. It would be nice if you had the first hour of music be Happy Hour at all of the venues.

And I agree that designing a stage so that people look almost directly into the sunset is a poor design.

[Dusty_Star]

Sawgrass is not a Square. It is an outside venue with music, at 2 different times on some days, with a food court, like Edna’s, but they have food trucks.

I believe the original poster was talking about the outside entertainment area when he referred to the 'square'. Would you have preferred he called it a rectangle? Calling it 'an outside venue with music' would have been an awkward sentence construction. I think we all understood what he meant the way he wrote it.

[Bilyclub]

I believe the original poster was talking about the outside entertainment area when he referred to the 'square'. Would you have preferred he called it a rectangle? Calling it 'an outside venue with music' would have been an awkward sentence construction. I think we all understood what he meant the way he wrote it.

From the developer.

[Altavia]

I believe the original poster was talking about the outside entertainment area when he referred to the 'square'. Would you have preferred he called it a rectangle? Calling it 'an outside venue with music' would have been an awkward sentence construction. I think we all understood what he meant the way he wrote it.


It also has a restaurant and ProShop like a Villages "Country Club."

Plus regional recreation facilities.

The future appears to be more of these hybrid "Lifestyle" centers.

[kkingston57]

Wow, talked about serious first world problems.

Why not go, grab a pizza and a drink, enjoy and smile?

Has a good point particularly the sun and it's relationship to the stage.

[BostonRich]

From the developer.

They could have easily put the stage where the bar is and put the bar where the stage is. Would have been so much better. Hard to believe they didn't consider this.

[Bill14564]

They could have easily put the stage where the bar is and put the bar where the stage is. Would have been so much better. Hard to believe they didn't consider this.

- Could be oriented that way so the sun is not in the performer's eyes
- Could be oriented that way to give a view of the nice Florida sunsets
- Could be oriented that way so the sound travels into the parking lot rather than towards neighboring homes

[Pairadocs]

A drawer full? Shoot me your address and I'll stop by later to pick it up.

:jester:

Just leave the change on the bar, why even pick it up ? Especially when you really don't want to use drawer space for it. Do NOT mean this to be sarcastic, just seemed strange, don't see many people picking up a few coins from a liquor or coffee bar ! ?

[VApeople]

Why not go, grab a pizza and a drink, enjoy and smile?

Are the pizzas any good? Do they equal Marco's very high standards?
Are the tables and chairs comfortable?

If the answers to any of these questions is No, then I doubt people will "enjoy and smile".

[ohioshooter]

We enjoy Sawgrass happy hour. Where else can you get a Miller Lite for $2? The pizza and the burgers are good.

[Bogie Shooter]

I believe the original poster was talking about the outside entertainment area when he referred to the 'square'. Would you have preferred he called it a rectangle? Calling it 'an outside venue with music' would have been an awkward sentence construction. I think we all understood what he meant the way he wrote it.

Not everyone……

[Bogie Shooter]

I believe the original poster was talking about the outside entertainment area when he referred to the 'square'. Would you have preferred he called it a rectangle? Calling it 'an outside venue with music' would have been an awkward sentence construction. I think we all understood what he meant the way he wrote it.

Not everyone……
Most were waiting for the whining to end.

[Bogie Shooter]

Are the pizzas any good? Do they equal Marco's very high standards?
Are the tables and chairs comfortable?

If the answers to any of these questions is No, then I doubt people will "enjoy and smile".

stay at home in that lazy boy to be comfort@ble

[fdpaq0580]

Just leave the change on the bar, why even pick it up ? Especially when you really don't want to use drawer space for it. Do NOT mean this to be sarcastic, just seemed strange, don't see many people picking up a few coins from a liquor or coffee bar ! ?

Hey! You know what would be nice? Leave the change on the bar for the bartender. You could call it a gratuity or a "tip". A small "thank you" for simply being nice for performing his/her/it's job.

[coffeebean]

It also has a restaurant and ProShop like a Villages "Country Club."

Plus regional recreation facilities.

The future appears to be more of these hybrid "Lifestyle" centers.

I'm not fond of the Sawgrass venue. I won't be going back. Much prefer the old fashioned squares.

[wisbad1]

Please stop quoting the op’s post, waste of scrolling. We know you want to complain

[mickey100]

I agree on the happy hour. At Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter, and Brownwood, the entertainment runs from 5-9 and Happy Hour is from 5-6 - so the first hour of entertainment is Happy Hour. At Sawgrass, the entertainment starts at 6 (5 on Saturday and Sunday) but Happy Hour ends at 5 PM. It would be nice if you had the first hour of music be Happy Hour at all of the venues.

And I agree that designing a stage so that people look almost directly into the sunset is a poor design.

Agree. Seems like common sense.

[Papa_lecki]

I'm not fond of the Sawgrass venue. I won't be going back. Much prefer the old fashioned squares.

Another example of nobody goes to Sawgrass, it’s too crowded.

Wife and I love Sawgrass much more than the squares

[mickey100]

- Could be oriented that way so the sun is not in the performer's eyes
- Could be oriented that way to give a view of the nice Florida sunsets
- Could be oriented that way so the sound travels into the parking lot rather than towards neighboring homes

If they did those things, one would think a good designer would have come up with a sunscreen that keeps the sun out of the eyes of the Audience. Perhaps a slight change in orientation one way or another could have made a big difference.

For the record, it IS okay to critique some things in The Villages. Everything is not perfect - people are making suggestions that hopefully would improve things for us all if the ideas were ever considered/implemented.

[Bogie Shooter]

I'm not fond of the Sawgrass venue. I won't be going back. Much prefer the old fashioned squares.

Added open seating…….

[dewilson58]

It also has a restaurant and ProShop like a Villages "Country Club."

Plus regional recreation facilities.

The future appears to be more of these hybrid "Lifestyle" centers.

Continuous change..........new generation of retirees......some old people don't like change.

[Garywt]

If you would rather them keep your money vs giving it back then just tell them or leave it with your tip, or better yet pay with your card. The sails supply great shat over the seats and chairs that are set up. Makes for a great place to sit and enjoy lunch or a snack during the day. We never sit anywhere that we can see the bands, the important thing is to be able to hear the music.

[bowlingal]

Bostonrich.....I save my change. That is money no matter how you look at it and you would be surprised at how much it can add up. I have a separate savings account just for my change.....present balance $ 439 ( yes it took a while ). I will gladly take your change off your hands since it's a drawer full and you don't use it. Silly, silly boy

[Topgun 1776]

Simple solution. Don't go there. It's obvious you don't like it. The rest of us that do enjoy it need the extra space!

[TeresaE]

We all have fewer sunsets ahead of us than we do behind us. Let’s enjoy them and appreciate what we have here.

[defrey12]

Has a good point particularly the sun and its relationship to the stage.

The sun will move. Well, the sun doesn’t move, we do. It’s called heliocentric motion. Be patient and enjoy the sunsets. There are more behind us than in front of us…

[coffeebean]

Another example of nobody goes to Sawgrass, it’s too crowded.

Wife and I love Sawgrass much more than the squares

It is wonderful that both types of venues appeals to folks.

[Altavia]

Continuous change..........new generation of retirees......some old people don't like change.

I love the continued innovation. Went with a family member to look at home's at Middleton. People are going to be flabbergasted when they see in person the schools, parks and town center.

[Villages Kahuna]

Enough other complaints about Sawgrsss Grove have been posted here to lead one to the conclusion — just don’t go there. I know we don’t.

[retiredguy123]

The sun will move. Well, the sun doesn’t move, we do. It’s called heliocentric motion. Be patient and enjoy the sunsets. There are more behind us than in front of us…
Movement is relative to your frame of reference. The sun is not fixed in space.

[rsmurano]

Happy hour at Brownwood stops at 4 at multiple places whereas it ends later at other establishments. Prima stops at 4, City Fire ends much later for example.
How much sun cover does Spanish springs and Sumter offer? Sawgrass is preferable over than those 2 squares. We were affected by the gap over the boxcar the day sawgrass opened.
All I would say is, if you don’t like sawgrass, then don’t go, I don’t think sawgrass vendors will go under if 1 couple stops attending

[VApeople]

I love the continued innovation. Went with a family member to look at home's at Middleton. People are going to be flabbergasted when they see in person the schools, parks and town center.

That is very good to hear.

[SeaCros]

not really issues and more like an opinion/observation. The place is packed each day/night so seems some like it. So many folks try to compare Sawgrass to the other "Squares" when Sawgrass is NOT a square. Apples and Oranges are both fruit but are different. A solution to all your statements is to stay away as some others mentioned.
Thats my $0.02 (maybe it can be added to your change... lol)

"Try to smile each day as it can provide some sunshine to someone's cloudy day"

[Surf Daddy]

- Could be oriented that way so the sun is not in the performer's eyes
- Could be oriented that way to give a view of the nice Florida sunsets
- Could be oriented that way so the sound travels into the parking lot rather than towards neighboring homes
1. Yes, as a touring musician
2. Yes, as a Villager
3. Possibly, as an acoustics engineer

[Jcicales]

Sawgrass is a great venue- love the seating ( although) could use a few more large tables. Have opportunity to sit with many strangers- got to have conversations, instead of the stadium seating. It’s a new and different concept- and I tjink most enjoy it!!! Some things can change in TV and be GREAT. Enjoy it all

[Warcats]

[QUOTE=BostonRich;2201798]Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.[/QUOTE
The developers should have changed the orientation of the Earths spin.Or even better moved the Star we call the sun. You would think the amenity fees would cover this. And the druids were actually far more intelligent than we villagers. Harumph

[teamd]

If you’re interested in happy hour, why don’t you just go to Cody‘s they have happy hour 2 for 1 till 7 PM

[Beyond The Wall]

Sawgrass is not a Square. It is an outside venue with music, at 2 different times on some days, with a food court, like Edna’s, but they have food trucks.

It should have been a full blown square. It is published in the entertainment schedule and shows up as a square. Poor planning and not taking any pressure off of Brownwood.

It a shame. Has the biggest stage and it is under used.

[Bogie Shooter]

It should have been a full blown square. It is published in the entertainment schedule and shows up as a square. Poor planning and not taking any pressure off of Brownwood.

It a shame. Has the biggest stage and it is under used.

Do you look at the videos posted on here…..full explanation disputing your “shame “.

[Barborv]

BostonRich,
Problem 1- leave the change for the bartender. problem solved. As for your drawer full of change-- Before moving down here Itook all my change to my back and used the coin machine. It came to several hundred dollars. If you deposit into your account with the voucher, I believe you're not charged the 3 or 5 %. Or was it the voucher for certain stores. Can't remember.
Problem 2- Agree, all town squares happy hour and times should be the same.
Problem 3-- Don't know much about the sun because I never stayed long enough or even sat there to watch the entertainment. In my opinion, a poor design. The parking area is not big enough to accommodate all the cars and carts. The venue area is also not large enough either to accommodate all the people and forget about making your way up front to dance! Maybe it's not like that at all times, but the few times I went that was the deal! I understand they wanted to try something new, but by far, the other "town squares" are MUCH nicer. If they wanted some change, how about designing some of the recreation centers differently. They are ALL the same footprint! (Fenny might be slightly different) But best pool!!

[dhdallas]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

Wow, I didn't know anybody paid in cash anymore; use plastic and solve your spare change problem. Why not ask the waitress about the sales tax? As for the sun, the sun's position in the sky is not fixed nor is the time of sundown.

[Rodneysblue]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.
I’ll take your change off your hands for free. Just tell me where and when. I’ll bring a bucket you can keep the drawer.

[Worldseries27]

the sun will move. Well, the sun doesn’t move, we do. It’s called heliocentric motion. Be patient and enjoy the sunsets. There are more behind us than in front of us…
exactly. Sun is not rising or descending. We on planet earth are changing our position relative to it. So the sun " appears to be rising or falling".

[Escape Artist]

I love the continued innovation. Went with a family member to look at home's at Middleton. People are going to be flabbergasted when they see in person the schools, parks and town center.

Flabbergasted in a good way or…? :confused:

[Lancer]

Interesting observation.

Maybe it will get better as the sun sets later and further south.

Sun moves north in the summer and south in the winter in the northern hemisphere.

[Altavia]

Flabbergasted in a good way or…? :confused:

In a very good way.

Sneak peek of the high school - Middleton (https://mymiddleton.com/2023/03/sneak-peek-of-the-high-school/)

Housing affordability and variety - Middleton (https://mymiddleton.com/2023/03/housing-affordability-and-variety/)

[BostonRich]

As for the sun, the sun's position in the sky is not fixed nor is the time of sundown.

You are absolutely right of course but I bet you it will always set in the west behind the stage between the hours of 5PM and 9PM every night. Just guessing.

[Dichach]

Every restaurant and bar has sales tax. It is the law. Why would you think one bar would change that for your convince? Is this really something to complain about?

[Battlebasset]

Movement is relative to your frame of reference. The sun is not fixed in space.

The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older. Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

Life is too short. Bark less. Wag more.

[BobGraves]

The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older. Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

I see what you did there...
I often enjoy going to Sawgrass, ticking away the moments that make up a dull day.

[VApeople]

Wow, I didn't know anybody paid in cash anymore

We ALWAYS pay in cash at every place we eat or drink.

A couple years ago, some people were at Fenney grill and used a credit card to pay for their meal but gave the server a tip in cash. They later found the manager had added a tip to their credit card and they were NOT happy.

We use our credit card at Publix and Walgreens and Wal-Mart where the card does not leave our hand.

[waltwl]

We enjoy Sawgrass happy hour. Where else can you get a Miller Lite for $2? The pizza and the burgers are good.

Lots of places in the village

[Altavia]

There's a petition circulating related to the sound system.

502 Bad Gateway (https://www.change.org/p/let-er-rip-at-sawgrass-grove)

Another solution ($$$) that would help the sun and sound issue would be to swap locations of the stage and bar.

That way, the golf carts could pull right up to the bar ...

[NatureBoy]

I find the acoustics at Sawgrass to be very poor.

[Sorrento19]

Another example of nobody goes to Sawgrass, it’s too crowded.

Wife and I love Sawgrass much more than the squares

The beauty of TV is that there is something for everyone

[Laker14]

The beauty of TV is that there is something for everyone

Absolutely. If everything new were the same as everything old, I'd have no reason to leave my neighborhood.
I live in Poinciana, just north of 466A. When we were shopping around there was nothing like Edna's, or the Hogeye trail. Now there is. I appreciate that.

[HoosierPa]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

Life is so brutal here isn’t It ?

[PugMom]

Hey! You know what would be nice? Leave the change on the bar for the bartender. You could call it a gratuity or a "tip". A small "thank you" for simply being nice for performing his/her/it's job.

i usually just toss it in the extra change jar/plate, & leave tip with the server. you are correct, good service deserves a good tip.

[Larchap49]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.

That's a different take, someone who would rather have the business steal their change, (a lot of them do that now,) than give it to the customer. I'll take my change thank you. Oh and I bet if you use a card there is a surcharge for that too.

[MrChip72]

I agree on the happy hour. At Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter, and Brownwood, the entertainment runs from 5-9 and Happy Hour is from 5-6 - so the first hour of entertainment is Happy Hour. At Sawgrass, the entertainment starts at 6 (5 on Saturday and Sunday) but Happy Hour ends at 5 PM.

I never seem to make it to the main squares before 7. Can someone explain what happy hour entails there? Is it just 2 for 1 drinks at the Villages run bar beside the Square?

[Laker14]

I never seem to make it to the main squares before 7. Can someone explain what happy hour entails there? Is it just 2 for 1 drinks at the Villages run bar beside the Square?

I think it's more like $1 off the regular price per drink. Or I may be confusing it with Havana CC.

[Rainger99]

I never seem to make it to the main squares before 7. Can someone explain what happy hour entails there? Is it just 2 for 1 drinks at the Villages run bar beside the Square?

According to this, it is 2 for 1 on beer and wine from 5-6 at the squares.


Bar Huts - The Villages Entertainment (https://www.thevillagesentertainment.com/bar-huts-2/)

[Bilyclub]

I never seem to make it to the main squares before 7. Can someone explain what happy hour entails there? Is it just 2 for 1 drinks at the Villages run bar beside the Square?

Used to be 2 for 1 on every thing from 5-6 at the bar huts at LSL and BPS. It was 2 hours worth at SS. After the covid pause, happy hour came back as 2 for 1 on beer and wine only between 5-6 at all 3 squares.

[Jayhawk]

Used to be 2 for 1 on every thing from 5-6 at the bar huts at LSL and BPS. It was 2 hours worth at SS. After the covid pause, happy hour came back as 2 for 1 on beer and wine only between 5-6 at all 3 squares.

I used to get gas for under $2. Lots of things changed with COVID and Inflation.

[Bilyclub]

I used to get gas for under $2. Lots of things changed with COVID and Inflation.

Surprisingly, booze by the bottle has remained pretty stable. Anyway, I was an answering the poster's question.

[Djean1981]

Went to Sawgrass Grove last night. There were a few things that were unexpected.

First I got change back at the bar. Do they charge a sales tax on a $3.99 beer? Different county I know but why couldn't they build the sales tax into the cost of the beer to make things easier? I got a drawer full of change that I never use and don't really want. We don't get change back in Spanish Springs. A minor complaint I know.

We went for the Happy Hour and were surprised that the Happy Hour ended not started at 5 PM! Wouldn't it make more sense to standardize the times at all "squares"? Wasn't that the excuse for shortening the two hour Happy Hour at Spanish Springs? The beers are one size only BTW (small). Semi-major complaint.

But biggest surprise of all was the simple orientation of the square. It was impossible to watch the entertainment without having the setting sun burn your eyes out. They built these enormous sun and rain sails to protect the audience but they do not. You pretty much look into the sun during the entire performance. The sails are too far back and there is a huge gap over the boxcar and the stage roof.

So my thoughts are if you have an absolutely blank sheet of paper to build your brand new entertainment venue you should be able to easily orient the structures to take advantage of the physical laws of nature. The Druids did it. Why can't the Villages? Have the stage on the NE side not the SW side. This is March. In the summer it is going to get really miserable.
These are not issues, but preferences. We have been there several times and didn't note any of the concerns. I guess everyone would have their own list of things they would have done differently. It's different and nice.

[Inexes@aol.com]

I find the acoustics at Sawgrass to be very poor.

You made me laugh..... my husband tells the story of this grandmother, many, many years ago... in Kentucky...... she did not fancy change.....

Sitting outside eating one evening, she loudly proclaimed,,,,,,

"well, we have finally come full circle....... we are eating in the yard and $$hhttng in the house"

Story has it she never gave up her "chamber pot", ever.....

I will never forget this.

[Chi-Town]

Used to be 2 for 1 on every thing from 5-6 at the bar huts at LSL and BPS. It was 2 hours worth at SS. After the covid pause, happy hour came back as 2 for 1 on beer and wine only between 5-6 at all 3 squares.

They used to say that 2 for 1 on mixed drinks was coming back but no more.

[wisbad1]

- Could be oriented that way so the sun is not in the performer's eyes
- Could be oriented that way to give a view of the nice Florida sunsets
- Could be oriented that way so the sound travels into the parking lot rather than towards neighboring homes
Could be they could care less.