It has been a long, hot summer in Sarasota — especially for the local restaurant and bar scene — but things are about to pick up with the return of football season.

The 2025 NFL season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 4 , with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys. Then, on opening Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on division rival Atlanta Falcons. From there, it’s wall-to-wall gridiron action, and the question becomes: where’s the best place to watch?

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