Venue of the Week

Today I’m happy to profile the iconic The Tooting Otter at Wekiva Island. The Tooting Otter is nestled along the Wekiva River in Longwood, just off Wekiva Springs Road (turn on Miami Springs Rd.). “The Island” offers live music every Friday and Saturday evening at 7 pm. Both solo performers and groups are welcomed at the venue. Almost all Sounds of Wekiva events are totally free, though from time to time there may be a special ticketed event. Management is always open to featuring new artists, who can contact Joseph Martens at Martens Music for more information ([email protected]).

The Tooting Otter features a variety of genres, and music lovers can easily find the upcoming schedule through the following link: https://wekivaisland.com/events/

Located on the beautiful Wekiva River, Wekiva Island offers visitors the chance to experience the real Florida. The natural attraction features more than 2,000 square feet of entertainment along the riverfront, including activities from canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding to volleyball and cornhole. We host live music at The Tooting Otter bar every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., but we offer fun all week long. Our bar offers a selection of craft beer and wine, and Without a Paddle Café serves up a full menu, including for special events. In addition, Wekiva Island features a unique art gallery, Gallery CERO, that showcases pieces from Central Florida and around the world. Corporate meeting space, event venues and private cabana rentals are available at Wekiva Island. Sustainability and a passion for the environment is at the heart of the organization’s mission. Wekiva Island is located at 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood, Florida. For more information, visit wekivaisland.com or call 407-862-1500.  

On a personal note, I have found The Tooting Otter to be one of the coolest possible spots for enjoying live music. The room, located just off the outside bar (which overlooks the beautiful Wekiva River!), is decorated with quirky/funny/beautiful knickknacks, and a variety of guitars hangs on the back wall (which can be purchased….the guitars, not the wall!). Many guests prefer to hang out on couches outside the open room, but I prefer to get inside and become part of the music. I have not found another place that allows the guests to actually feel like they are part of the show, and the energy that is added by the nearby crowd always adds to the performance of the artists. The bartenders are all helpful and fun, and I always manage to have a great time at “The Island.” I feel that the Wekiva Island vibe is a throwback to the “real” Florida of old, and visitors looking for a cool Florida experience (and good live music) are missing out if they don’t head down to the Island!