The Greyson restaurant brings drinks, eats and sports to growing area near Bradenton

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

The Greyson, which owners Russell Matthes and Tom Halkidis describe as a semi-upscale, casual, family-friendly sports restaurant and bar, opened this month.

The restaurant at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto, brings another amenity to the fast-growing North River-Parrish area. Although the restaurant has a Palmetto address, it’s at the southwest corner of Interstate 75 and Moccasin Wallow Road.

“We have had a huge response. People love the place, the food and the drinks,” Matthes said. “People up here have been starving for something with all the growth. We’re getting families, individuals and sports enthusiasts.”

Adds Halkidis: “We’re very excited to bring a new concept to a community needing a full-service restaurant. We’re excited to be the neighborhood bar.”

The Greyson serves beer, wine and cocktails and has a daily happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m.

Guests can order from a menu that includes a variety of starters, among them meatball sliders, cheddar jalapeño poppers, smoked fish dip and more.

The Greyson sports restaurant, bar opens in Palmetto

A variety of soups and salads are offered, along with chicken sandwiches, handhelds, such as cheesesteaks, Buffalo Caesar wraps, veggie wraps and fish tacos, burgers and flatbreads.

The Greyson’s kids menu includes chicken tenders, cheeseburger sliders, boneless wings, one-half pepperoni flatbread and mac and cheese. Meals come with a drink, side and dessert.

The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.

The Greyson is also a sports bar and as such has 18 TVs with plans to add more. The owners plan to add a covering over the patio that will make it comfortable year-round in all kinds of weather.

There’s seating for 50 outside and 75 inside, plus 20 bar seats.

“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Matthes said.

“Our contemporary industrial look and feel will provide an outstanding sport-viewing experience for all guests,” the owners say.

The Greyson is not a one-off. Mathis and Halkidis are planning to expand with multiple locations, broadening its brand and demographics.

Their short-term goal is to open restaurants at Palmer Ranch by November 2023 and Sarasota’s Fruitville Southwood Village area by September 2024.

The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.

“We are creating a company and brand, not just a single restaurant location,” Matthes said.

Halkidis has been involved in the franchise sports bar concept since 2005. He owned two of 76 sport restaurant concept locations and was voted one of the top franchises in the company.

Matthes has over 30 years of experience managing and owning restaurants throughout Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida, he has been a successful owner opening and running a multi-unit chain of full-service restaurants including five Daiquiri Deck locations.

The Greyson is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Halkidis and Matthes plan to expand the restaurant’s hours in the future.

For more information, call 941-726-5625, visit greysonbar.com or Instagram: @thegreysonbar.

Russell Matthes, who is co-owner with Tom Halkidis of the recently opened The Greyson at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto, stands at the bar 5/7/2023. The Greyson is a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar.
Russell Matthes, who is co-owner with Tom Halkidis of the recently opened The Greyson at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto, stands at the bar 5/7/2023. The Greyson is a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.
The Greyson, a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, shown 5/7/2023, recently opened at 5045 96th St. E., Palmetto. The eatery is at the southwest intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.