Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen to relocate in partnership with Flamingo Bay Brewing Company

BRADENTON — Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen recently announced its upcoming partnership with Flamingo Bay Brewing Company, marking an exciting new chapter for  Bradenton's premier destination for Southern soul food and first-rate live music.

The venture will combine Cottonmouth's celebrated food and live music, featuring national touring acts, with Flamingo Bay Brewing Company's locally crafted beer and better suited-venue at 1910 14th St West. The two businesses say they look forward to creating a gathering place where great food, craft beer, live music, and community come together.

"This move represents an exciting new beginning for Cottonmouth," said Dave Shiplett, owner and operator of Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen. "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years. Our goal has always been simple: to bring people together through great food, great music, and genuine hospitality. I'm excited to continue that tradition at Flamingo Bay Brewing Company as Cottonmouth continues its tradition as a world-class live music destination, while welcoming both longtime customers and new friends to our new home."

Shiplett, who has taken up the mantle of Bradenton's biggest champion of live music since the closing of Ace's Live, said guests can look forward to Cottonmouth's live performances featuring local, regional, and touring musicians, while enjoying Flamingo Bay Brewing Company's stellar locally crafted beer selection, along with community events and festivals all in a welcoming destination where great food, craft beer, and live music come together to build community.

Brandon Santini, an American roots rock and blues harmonica player, performs at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen in the Village of the Arts, Bradenton, Florida, October 2, 2021.

Shiplett has been engaged in ongoing battles with a neighboring business over noise complaints from musical performances, and while he has been victorious in appeals to the city government, he said he'll be glad to finally have the ordeal behind him.

The celebrated local chef behind previous successes including Ezra Cafe, SOMA, and Birdrock Taco Shack said he'll spend the summer building out space at the brewery for a storefront restaurant that will ultimately be open Wednesday to Sunday. During the summer transition, Shiplett says he'll be there providing food for the previously booked events that he's transferred from Cottonmouth to Flamingo Bay.

"This has been in the works for a while," said Shiplett. "And this gives me the slower period of the summer to get over there and get some work done so we can be ready for season."

Shiplett says the venue will have a proper stage with capacity for 200 patrons outside, and 120 inside once the work has been completed. Additional details regarding opening dates, entertainment schedules, special events, and grand opening celebrations will be announced in the coming weeks through Cottonmouth's official social media channels.

"I want to sincerely thank the amazing people and businesses of the Village of the Arts," said Shiplett. "Thank you for welcoming Cottonmouth, supporting us through the years, and helping make this journey so special. The friendships and memories we've made here will always mean the world to me. Although we're excited for this next chapter at Flamingo Bay Brewing Company, the Village will always be part of Cottonmouth's story, and I look forward to seeing many familiar faces at our new home."

Cottonmouth closes out its time in the Village Saturday night (July 11) with a solo performance by Bay Area blues icon Damon Fowler.