🍦My New Favorite Bakery?

Best Things To Do in SRQ

Author

Carson B
April 21, 2026

I think April is the best month to be in Sarasota.

The weather still plays nice, the calendar has a little bit of everything, from outdoor movies and music to museum outings and a solid excuse to make weekend plans early.

As always, feel free to shoot me an email here if you disagree…

—

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

Thanks for reading,

Carson

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📰 Local Headline Roundup

Swift Lounge Is Throwing Its Grand Opening Weekend

Downtown Sarasota has a fresh new nightlife play. Swift Lounge is officially stepping into the spotlight, adding another stylish stop for cocktails and late-night energy in the city core.

Beautiful Storefronts Are Making Sarasota Feel More Like Sarasota Again

Not every good local story is about a giant opening. This one is about the details, the facades, the charm, and the little design choices that make a street feel worth strolling.

Sarasota Police Spring Fest Drew a Big Community Turnout

A neighborhood-style event with good weather and a friendly turnout is about as Sarasota as it gets. Spring Fest looked like one of those easygoing community days that reminds you this town still knows how to show up.

 🔦 Spotlight: L’Opera Bakery

Step inside and the smell hits you first: warm butter, fresh bread, espresso pulling behind the counter.

Everything is homemade and handmade. That is not a marketing line, it is just how they operate. The baguettes and sourdough are baked fresh daily, and yes, they do sell out, so come early if you have your heart set on a loaf. The croissants are the real deal, light and flaky with that proper laminated layer thing going on. The almond croissant gets the most love, but do not sleep on the newer pistachio and hazelnut one.

Come for breakfast and you are looking at croissant sandwiches, quiche that is rich and golden, and coffee that actually tastes like coffee. Lunch brings out the quiches, crepes, salads, and sandwiches stacked on their own fresh bread. There is beer and wine too, because you are essentially in Paris, and a glass of red with your orange salad at the outdoor tables on a breezy afternoon is just correct. They even do dinner to go, including a beef bourguignon that gets rave reviews, plus coq au vin when it is on.

One thing to know: they are open 7:30 to 2:00, Tuesday through Sunday, and closed Mondays. So this is a morning and midday affair. Also worth noting that it is dog friendly, which the outdoor crowd appreciates.

If you have a big moment coming up, birthday, wedding, or any excuse for a proper cake, they do show-stopping custom pastries. Ask about the bûche de Noël around the holidays.

The scoop: L'Opera Bakery Bistro, 2336 Gulf Gate Drive.

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Your contributions go toward keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun and build more community. I appreciate any and all support! — Carson

Thursday, April 23

Good to Be Green Months at The Bay

📍 The Bay
🕦 All Day (through April 30)
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Art on Film: MC Escher

📍 Sarasota Art Museum
🕦 2:00 PM
🔗 Eventbrite

Cinema at The Bay: Best in Show

📍 The Oval at The Bay
🕦 7:00 PM — 8:30 PM
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Friday, April 24

Ride and Paddle at The Bay (Guided Tour)

📍 The Bay
🕦 9:00 AM — 11:00 AM (also Saturday)
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Sarasota Orchestra Pops 3: Bond and Beyond

📍 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
🕦 7:30 PM
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Family Movie Night at The Bay: The Secret Life of Pets 2

📍 The Oval at The Bay
🕦 7:00 PM — 8:30 PM
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Something Old, Something New

📍 Holley Hall at Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
🕦 See details (through April 26)
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Sarasota Music Festival: Rising Stars II

📍 Holley Hall at Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
🕦 See details (through April 26)
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Saturday, April 25

Friendly City Art Festival

📍 Oscura + Kinspoke, Bradenton
🕦 See details
🔗 Bradenton Gulf Islands

Sarasota Orchestra Outdoor Pops: Parrots & Palms

📍 Ed Smith Stadium
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Arts

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre Show

📍 McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre
🕦 See showtimes
🔗 McCurdy's Comedy Theatre

Sunday, April 26

Education Foundation Ringling Bridge Run

📍 The Bay
🕦 7:00 AM — 10:00 AM
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Set the Bar Cocktail & Bar Bite Competition

📍 Ed Smith Stadium
🕦 4:00 PM — 6:30 PM
🔗 Eat Like a Local

Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Soirée 6: Sounds of the Americas

📍 Sarasota Orchestra
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Something Old, Something New

📍 Holley Hall at Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Sarasota Music Festival: Rising Stars II

📍 Holley Hall at Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Sarasota Orchestra Great Escapes 2: Oh, What Fun!

📍 Holley Hall at Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Steel Drums at Sunset

📍 Sunset Deck at The Bay
🕦 6:00 PM — 7:00 PM
🔗 The Bay Sarasota

Opera at The Bay

📍 The Bay
🕦 See details
🔗 Sarasota Opera

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