Where the Baseball Boys Are

Related Cities & Topics:

View Full Size

The Tampa Bay Rays take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.

Photo Credit: William S. Speer

View Full Size

The crowd enjoys a game at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

Photo Credit: William S. Speer

A guide to the juiciest Grapefruit League haunts and hangouts.

Get ready for it. In February, a flurry of fans, scouts, coaches and players swing into Florida cities, home to 15 Major League Baseball spring training programs. The Grapefruit League delivers a mound of hard-hitting action on the field – and off of it, too.

Part of the fun is rubbing elbows with baseball insiders at their favorite hangouts, where you can banter about the best batters, gossip about players who appear to have spent the winter on the couch wolfing down bonbons and wonder whether that’s really Derek Jeter in that booth. This spring, check out these juicy haunts:

Elegant Bistro 41 in Fort Myers (the springtime home of the Twins and Red Sox) is nestled within the Bell Tower Shops, close to both stadiums. Relish a fab lunch or dinner and sip on martinis or wine at this Red Sox hangout.

JJ Muggs Stadium Grill in Jupiter is just “a foul ball away” from Roger Dean Stadium, where the Cardinals and Marlins play. This casual, family-friendly sports bar boasts a bountiful selection of both wine and beer and is a popular haunt of teams and fans.

Feast at artsy, quirky Kelly’s Restaurant; enjoy a martini at the Chic-A-Boom Room; celebrate at Blur, a nightclub and show bar. All are part of the aptly named Kelly’s for Just About Anything complex in Dunedin, the springtime home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Malio’s Prime Steakhouse in Tampa boasts a waterside patio, an extensive wine list (plus a sommelier on hand to help you choose), succulent steak and seafood so fresh, it can almost still swim. This chic establishment is a favorite of New York Yankees insiders and fans.

Phillies and fans have been flocking to oh-so-casual Lenny’s Restaurant in Clearwater for nearly 30 years, where you can nosh on northern fare like scrapple and Taylor ham amongst memorabilia galore.

Enjoy bountiful breakfasts and lunches at Mom’s Place in Tampa amid Yankees memorabilia. This Greek diner is favored by fans and insiders alike – keep your eyes peeled for players!