[VApeople]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

hoping the same things that happened at Katie Bell won’t happen at Sawgrass

OK, now I understand the point you were making.

I have only been here six years and all I know about Katie Bells is what I read in Leisureville.

Personally, I don't care what happens at Sawgrass. If it turns out to be a place that we enjoy, we will go there. If not, then we won't.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by John Mayes

I was there last night for Johnny Wild and the area handled the crowd very well, in my opinion. We ate outdoors at McGrady’s during the first set. The crowd thinned after the second set. Parking is not an issue even though it seems that many people worry about it.

The sound was vastly better last night than the first night with Penta.

As others have mentioned, the area is unique. It was never planned to be a square but can handle the more popular groups without much issue.

I think the charm is that it can be used a multi-functional venue. It was mentioned on TV website update section that it may be used for sports events such as tournaments and such sort of like a large outdoor sports bar.

Even though the delayed opening was frustrating, I think the final product turned out very well.

Of course, the fact that I’m six minutes by cart from there probably slants my opinion. LOL.

Thanks for your input. Good to know the venue handled the crowd well. I'm still leery about the parking though.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Why hire the very popular bands for a venue that is too small to handle the crowds? At least for Edna's, Johnny Wild's Trio plays that venue; not the full band.

Sawgrass is not a regular town square like Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood. Those squares welcome everyone whether they are Villagers or not. Folks in the southern villages will have to wait for Eastport to open to have a real square that is in close proximity to where they live.

Think you are right

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Thanks for your input. Good to know the venue handled the crowd well. I'm still leery about the parking though.

Had zero problems parking at sawgrass last night.. however at Richmond Pitch and Putt all cart spaces were taken, and half of the car parking lot this morning. Wheee that was a long walk from parking, to walk the course

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Why not break it down? How much were the burgers and how much for a Double with coke? $40.00 sounds about right.

$25 for the burgers, $15 for the drink. Big increase compared to the $9.50 at the bar shacks.

[Aacosner]

Originally Posted by Villager-Wannabe

I saw Johnny Wild last night. The venue wasn't as crowded as it was on the opening night with Penta. You could easily snake through the walkways on each side. There was plenty of room to dance in front of the stage. Most of the parking spaces were taken closest to the entrance, but the distant parking areas had plenty of vacant spaces. The lines at the Bar Hut were non-existent to much shorter. The band was entertaining and sounded good and I always enjoyed Johnny's sense of humor.

One other thing I noticed is that the band took a 30 minute break between sets instead of the typical 15 minute breaks.

I also was there last night when Johnny Wild played, and this is an accurate summary on all points. Chairs were placed between tables, in front, on the sides, and in back -- it wasn't jammed up, and the chairs didn't stretch past the bar at the back. Just a very nice overall environment with a seating area that felt similar in size to Brownwood. There was no problem walking anywhere because there were no long continuous lines of chairs. Lots of carts parked on the grass by the cart path -- that option brings huge extra capacity for golf cart parking.

The sound clarity needs improvement. It needs some professional sound people to sort it out and work out changes.

Unfortunately, Johnny Wild always takes long breaks. The breaks at Sawgrass were exactly the same as what he's been doing at the squares recently, but it still was a good show.

Bottom line, it was a quite enjoyable evening. I'll be back.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Aacosner

I also was there last night when Johnny Wild played, and this is an accurate summary on all points. Chairs were placed between tables, in front, on the sides, and in back -- it wasn't jammed up, and the chairs didn't stretch past the bar at the back. Just a very nice overall environment with a seating area that felt similar in size to Brownwood. There was no problem walking anywhere because there were no long continuous lines of chairs. Lots of carts parked on the grass by the cart path -- that option brings huge extra capacity for golf cart parking.

The sound clarity needs improvement. It needs some professional sound people to sort it out and work out changes.

Unfortunately, Johnny Wild always takes long breaks. The breaks at Sawgrass were exactly the same as what he's been doing at the squares recently, but it still was a good show.

Bottom line, it was a quite enjoyable evening. I'll be back.

Andy's whole family is there so it's like a family party and the breaks might be a little longer. There are a few others taking way longer breaks leaving a last set shorter than 30 minutes.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Waited in the parking lot for a golf cart tow after 18 holes, battery issue, my fault, and the music was pretty loud at the beginning, but became better over time. Many, many people parked on the grass along the road. Not sure that will last very long due to the landscaping required to maintain a grass parking lot. If all the carts from the grass along the road parked in the lot, there will be parking issues. However, its the grand opening so its more of a curiosity than a regular destination at the moment. It will be a local place, but there aren't many options for those who like to choose different places to eat each time.

food and restaurant review guy

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

$25 for the burgers, $15 for the drink. Big increase compared to the $9.50 at the bar shacks.

Bar shacks raised the price of a call double to $11.00

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

Bar shacks raised the price of a call double to $11.00

Thanks for that good news. At least the cup is bigger at the bar shacks than at Sawgrass. What's it going for at the joints surrounding the squares ?

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

I did not see any hard liquor prices at the outside bars, nor did I see any bottles behind the bar. Are they selling anything besides beer, wine, and the drink of the day ? I did buy a double jack and coke inside the marketplace and it was way more than what it cost at the real squares. All in all , two burgers and my drink was over $40. I guess they are gearing it for tourists.

Inflation. Went to the huge arts & crafts show in Mt Dora and a tiny little hot dog was selling for $7 that they used to sell for $4... and a banana nut muffin was $7 (from the guy who sells at Sawgrass) and was like eating 3 day old newspaper because it was probably sitting in the sun all day and the relatively close private parking lots that for the last 5 years used to be $10 were $20 and the $5 spots were $10. If people pay the price they will just keep it up.

The show itself was great. Every street was totally packed with vendors.