Rooster — Alice in Chains Tribute
$29–$47
An Alice in Chains tribute act plays a ticketed evening show at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery & Brewery.
Planning a night out? Hernando County has everything from candlelit fine dining and waterfront tables to breweries, wine tastings, live music and unbeatable Gulf sunsets. Here are our favorite spots for a memorable date night.
Date Night in Hernando County
100The Broken Hearts — Tom Petty Tribute
See listing
A Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band plays an evening concert, 5–10 PM, at Stage West Playhouse.
Justin Phillips Live at Brian's Place
See listing
Nashville recording artist Justin Phillips plays a live set of originals and covers (7–11 PM) at Brian's Place on the beach.
Special Sunday Open Mic Comedy Show
Free
A special Sunday stand-up open-mic comedy showcase with the Mo'Rockin food truck on site, 5–6:30 PM at Tidal Brewing.
Borderline Live at Lazy Lizard
Free
Rock and country cover band Borderline plays a live waterfront set (6 PM) at the Lazy Lizard in Hernando Beach.
Sparacia Winery: Steely Dan & Peter Frampton Tributes
$30–$47
A double-feature classic-rock tribute bill at the winery.
Justin Phillips Live at Marker 48
Free entry
Live music from Nashville recording artist Justin Phillips at the county's flagship craft brewery, 6:30–10:30 PM.
Borderline Live at Uptown Bar & Grill
Free
High-energy cover band Borderline plays a late live set (8:30 PM) at Uptown Bar & Grill inside Strike City.
Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk
Free
A first-Saturday coastal art walk with 45+ local artists and craft vendors in an Old Florida waterfront setting, 10 AM–2 PM.
The Chitlin' Circuit Documentary — hosted by Rev. Billy C. Wirtz
See listing
A documentary screening on the historic Chitlin' Circuit hosted by musician and storyteller Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, 7–8:15 PM at the winery's intimate Peacock Theater.
Friday Night Live: The Actual Bank Robbers
Free
The free downtown concert series returns for fall.
Books, Bottles & Babes (2nd Annual)
See listing
A laid-back afternoon (11 AM–4 PM) pairing local women authors and vendors with wine at a Hernando County vineyard.
Hernando Beach Bash
Free
A free waterfront community celebration (3:30–7:30 PM) with live music from the Mrs. Red Band on the Hernando Beach Flats.
Sparacia Winery: GNR Reloaded & Skid Row
$30–$47
Guns N' Roses and Skid Row tributes.
Stage West Concert: Them Sweeney Boys
$40
A lively Irish/variety concert at Stage West.
Apple Fall Craft Show
Free entry
A weekend craft and vendor show (10 AM–3 PM) at Masaryk Winery with free live music by Rachel Duffen on Saturday, complimentary kids' train rides, food, and wine tasting.
Smells Like An Unplugged Nirvana Experience
See tickets
A solo acoustic tribute to Nirvana's 'MTV Unplugged in New York,' 6–9:15 PM at the winery's intimate Peacock Theater.
Friday Night Live: John Hindman & The Mustang Mafia
Free
The free downtown concert series returns with a country/rock/blues band, artisan market, food trucks, and a full light show, 6:30–9:30 PM.
Weeki Wachee Winds Fall Concert (Spring Hill UCC)
Free (offering)
A free fall concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Spring Hill United Church of Christ.
The Supply Chain at Marker 48
Free
The Supply Chain plays a free live set at Marker 48 Brewing, 6:30 PM.
Art & Oddities Collective
See listing
A spooky-themed art festival (5–10 PM) with a costume contest, artisan and oddities vendors, and live music at Broad Street Brewing Co.
Weeki Wachee Winds Fall Concert (Nativity Lutheran)
Free (offering)
A free fall concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Nativity Lutheran Church.
Free Music Night with The Blues Generators
Free (camping extra)
A free Thursday-night blues show opening the Camping with the Blues festival weekend at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Camping with the Blues (13th Annual)
Ticketed
Three days of 'Blues Under the Stars' with optional camping.
Candlelight Concerts at WellCome OM
$38–$62
Candlelit tribute concerts (60s soundtrack; Coldplay & Imagine Dragons).
Shot Thru The Heart — Bon Jovi Tribute
See tickets
A professional Bon Jovi tribute band plays the greatest hits at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery, 7 PM.
The American Stones — Rolling Stones Tribute
$29–$47
A Rolling Stones tribute concert at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery & Brewery.
Minisaris Music Festival
See listing
A multi-day live-music and camping festival at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Huey Go Again — Huey Lewis Tribute
$30–$47
A Huey Lewis and the News tribute act plays a ticketed evening show at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery & Brewery.
Phantasy Floyd at the Peacock Theater
See tickets
A Pink Floyd tribute concert at the winery's intimate Peacock Theater.
Sparacia Winery: Human Clay & Collective Shine
$30–$47
Creed and Collective Soul tributes.
Moonshine Abby at Marker 48
Free
Classic rock 'n' roll cover band Moonshine Abby plays a free live set at Marker 48 Brewing.
Halloween with Grant Peeples
See listing
A Halloween-night concert (7–10 PM) by Florida singer-songwriter Grant Peeples at the winery's intimate Peacock Theater.
Oktoberfest at Marker 48 Brewing
Free entry
A German-style beer festival at the flagship brewery.
Phantasmagoria (Fox Fam Jam)
Ticketed
A multi-day jam-band music and camping festival presented by Fox Fam Jam at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Rich Sheldon Live at Broad Street Brewing
Free
Singer-guitarist Rich Sheldon returns for a free solo acoustic set (6 PM) at Broad Street Brewing Co. in downtown Brooksville.
Borderline Live at Marker 48
Free
Rock and country cover band Borderline plays a free live set at Marker 48 Brewing.
Florida Winter Music Festival
Ticketed
A multi-day music festival.
Friday Night Live: The Gaturz
Free
The free downtown concert series returns with The Gaturz, plus an artisan market, food trucks, and a full bar, 6:30–9:30 PM.
Cornucopia Music Festival
See listing
A multi-day live-music and camping festival at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Candlelight: Bad Bunny & Fleetwood Mac Tributes
From $36
Two candlelit tribute concerts in one evening at a new Spring Hill venue — Bad Bunny on strings (6:30 PM) and Fleetwood Mac (8:45 PM), performed by a live string ensemble.
Sparacia Winery: The Pure Zeppelin Experience
$30–$47
A Led Zeppelin tribute on Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival
Ticketed
A Thanksgiving-weekend bluegrass festival at the ranch.
Weeki Wachee Winds Holiday Concert (Spring Hill UCC)
Free (offering)
A free holiday concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Spring Hill United Church of Christ.
Weeki Wachee Winds Holiday Concert (Nativity Lutheran)
Free (offering)
A free holiday concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Nativity Lutheran Church.
Christkindlmarket at Tidal Brewing
Free entry
A European-style holiday market at the brewery.
Masaryk Wine Run 5K
$25
A 5K run/walk at the winery.
Stage West Concert: Dueling Pianos
$40
An interactive, request-driven dueling-pianos show.
Florida Americana Music Fest
Ticketed
An Americana roots-music festival weekend.
Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival
See site
A family- and dog-friendly five-day camping festival of funk, jam and live electronic music at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Will McLean Music Festival
Tickets & camping (see site)
The beloved Florida folk festival honoring the 'Father of Florida Folk' — three days of songwriters and campground picking.
Friday Night Live (March)
Free
The free downtown concert series in spring swing.
Blues Bash Free Thursday Night
Free (camping extra)
A free Thursday-night kickoff concert ahead of the 8th annual Blues Bash at the Ranch.
Blues Bash at the Ranch
Ticketed
A multi-day blues festival with camping at the music ranch.
Friday Night Live (April)
Free
Free downtown concert with a market, food trucks, and full bar.
R&R Reunion Pre-Festival Night
Free (camping extra)
A free pre-festival reunion night of live music ahead of the 9th annual Rock & Roll Revival.
Rock & Roll Revival (9th Annual)
Multi & single-day
A camping-optional festival celebrating 1960s–70s rock on 80+ acres.
Gone Country at the Ranch (2nd Annual)
See site
A country music and camping festival returning for its second year at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Sunshine Get Down Festival
Ticketed
A multi-day jam-band music and camping festival.
Stage West Concert: The Orlando Rat Pack
$40
A Sinatra / Rat Pack tribute concert.
Stage West Concert: Nearly Diamond (Neil Diamond Tribute)
$40
A Neil Diamond tribute concert at Stage West, doors 6 PM.
Stage West Concert: Liverpool Live (Beatles Tribute)
$40
A Beatles tribute concert at Stage West, doors 6 PM.
Weekend live music and Sunday karaoke at the market's Center Stage tiki bar.
Interpretive markers recall the vanished 19th-century Civil War-era shipping port — now just markers, marsh, and the county's best sunsets.
$$–$$$ · entrees $14–30
A relaxed nicer seafood house near the Bayport waterfront — outdoor deck, live music, all-you-can-eat shrimp and prime rib.
Parking $10/day
Waterfront park at the mouth of the Weeki Wachee River — boat ramp, fishing pier, kayak launch.
$$$ · entrees $18–32
Polished-casual wood-grilled seafood with a strong wine & martini bar — home of the famous Bang Bang Shrimp. A reliable date-night option.
$$–$$$ · entrees $18–34
Spanish/Mediterranean-fusion fine dining with creative tapas-influenced plates, live music and an elegant beachside atmosphere.
Free entry
A downtown Brooksville brewery with weekend live music.
$$–$$$ · entrees $18–42
An urban-style steakhouse & grill — steak au poivre, ribeye, lamb chops and mahi mahi in a casual-but-elevated setting.
A beloved historic hot-dog drive-in that hosts live music and community gatherings.
A downtown taproom and bourbon bar with occasional acoustic live music.
Ticketed
A large outdoor concert and camping venue hosting jam-band and country festivals.
Free live music downtown with an artisan market, food trucks, and a full bar.
From $49.50
Guided clear-bottom kayak tours on the Weeki Wachee River; manatee-season and LED sunset paddles too.
$$–$$$ · entrees $16–29
Authentic old-school Italian — veal butchered on premises, handmade pasta, osso buco and veal marsala in an intimate dining room.
Parking $5/day
A 45-ft observation tower, playground, kayak launch, and coastal trails — a birding and sunset favorite.
Free entry
The county's flagship craft brewery with a big beer garden, live music, food, and events.
Free entry
The flagship brewery's beer garden hosts live music and food trucks on select weekends.
Free tastings
A family winery making blueberry, blackberry & hibiscus wines, with a farm-to-table cafe, bakery, and U-pick fruit. Fri–Sun 11 AM–8 PM.
$$$$ · entrees $28–55
The county's most formal room — authentic French/Belgian fine dining. Dover sole meunière, duck confit, chateaubriand for two. A true special-occasion destination.
A causeway with the Gulf on one side and marsh on the other — a locals' sunset pull-off and morning wildlife walk.
$$$ · entrees $15–39
A long-standing white-tablecloth date-night spot — upscale Italian with prime steaks and seafood. Try the Shrimp Joe or Zuppa di Pesce.
$$$$ · entrees $32–68
An independent fine-dining steakhouse with premium hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and lobster tail in an upscale, wine-focused room.
An upscale steakhouse with a recurring patio live-music series (Fred Chandler acoustic every 2nd Saturday, 6:30 PM).
A waterfront spot with a heated patio plus a country store selling fudge, candy, and ice cream.
Price varies (call 352-556-2079)
Axe throwing and escape rooms with beer & wine, rotating food trucks, karaoke and music-bingo nights.
Free–$47
A winery with a heavy tribute-band calendar plus reggae, blues, and food-truck nights.
~$7 tasting
Wine tastings at the hilltop muscadine winery (Wed–Sun); most weekends bring tribute-band concerts and food trucks.
$$–$$$ · entrees $16–39
An eclectic American bistro in historic downtown — wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, swordfish with lobster glace and surf & turf.
Free (Thu)
A rustic music farm with a weekly Thursday jam and singer-songwriter listening-room shows.
Free
The beach's most active live-music spot — a waterfront tiki bar on the canal, most weekends.
Riverside dining on the Withlacoochee River in Nobleton with weekend live music.
Free entry
A local winery with weekend live music, tastings, classes, and clubs.
Free entry
Weekend live music (Fridays & Saturdays, 5:30–8:30 PM) plus tastings and clubs.
Free entry
A craft brewery with a packed weekly calendar — trivia, open mic, vinyl nights, and seasonal festivals.
Win live plants at Plant Bingo, plus charity bingo fundraisers on select dates.
Free (most)
Open-mic nights, trivia, monthly vinyl nights, a book club, plant bingo, and networking socials.
No cover
A full week of entertainment — dance parties, Thursday karaoke, Latin Fridays, and Saturday bands.
Call to confirm
The waterfront post's Sunday game; public welcome, kitchen on site.
Keep exploring
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Hernando County?
I built this guide to help neighbors and newcomers fall in love with the area. When it's time to make a move, I'd be honored to help you or anyone you refer.
Keith Rainville
REALTOR® · Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners
keithrainville.com