The Mud Hens won’t be the only ones making their debut on Opening Day.
Martini & Nuzzis, a family-owned restaurant known for martinis and live music at its Maumee location, went through an expansion process in the last couple of months. The grand opening for its new Downtown location, 329 N. Huron St., will coincide with the Mud Hens’ Opening Day doubleheader on April 16.
The Downtown Martini & Nuzzi’s will take over North Huron Street with a football field-sized tent in front of the restaurant. Live music will be featured both in the tent and in the restaurant.
The outside tent will include Jim Lieber as a DJ from noon to 8:30 p.m., with Phillip Fox Band playing 1-3 p.m., Chavar Dontae playing 3:30-4 p.m. and The Websters playing 4:30-8 p.m.
The interior downstairs stage will include performances by Jeff Stewart from 8-11 p.m., while the upstairs stage will feature Breaking Ground from midnight to 2 a.m.
Tickets are $10 and are available at both locations and online at http://bit.ly/1Cik8Os. For more information, visit martiniandnuzzis.com.
Jell-O shots
Sarah Mettler, manager of Ye Olde Cock ’n Bull, said the staff will make 1,000 Jell-O shots for the Mud Hens Opening Day — but if you intend to purchase one for $1, you better be quick.
“They go maybe within two hours,” she said. They will go on sale at noon, an hour after the business opens.
Live music will be provided by Match City, who will make their debut at the venue that day. The band will play from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
“It’s really amazing to see the entire town coming Downtown to support our Toledo Mud Hens,” Mettler said. “That’s the best part of the day — knowing that our local sports have that many dedicated fans.”
Hot dog bar
The Blarney Irish Pub, 601 Monroe St., will serve several kinds of hot dogs to celebrate Opening Day.
The pub’s hot dog bar will feature themed hot dogs from around the country: Chicago, New York, Kansas City, Atlanta, Detroit, North Carolina and Arizona.
The pub will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., with live music from Last Born Sons from noon to 4 p.m. and Distant Cousinz from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Ballpark food
The Opening Day Bash in the Nest Party Deck at Fifth Third Field will offer ballpark food of all sorts: grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, potato chips and cookies. The fun takes place from 3-5 p.m. April 16. Limited tickets are $33 and available online under “Promotions” at mudhens.com.
More than baseball
In total, four major events are taking place in Toledo over what is essentially a four-day weekend: Mud Hens Opening Day (April 16), Toledo Walleye playoff games (April 16 and 18), Artomatic 419! (April 16, 18 and 19) and 419 Day (April 19).
“Each one of these events celebrates the creativity and spirit of our Downtown community,” said Cindy Kerr, executive director of Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID) in a news release. “This will truly be an inspirational few days in our neighborhood.”
DTID created an interactive map of Downtown locations that will be updated in real time as more events are announced for the weekend. Some of the participating businesses include: Table Forty4, PizzaPapalis, Ottawa Tavern, Manhattan’s, The Attic on Adams, Bretz, Wesley’s Bar & Grill, The Bronze Boar, The Toledo Club, M Osteria & Bar, Home Slice Pizza, The Oliver House, Fricker’s, Grumpy’s, Downtown Latte, Michael’s Bar & Grill, Packo’s at the Park, Pita Pit, Spaghetti Warehouse, Ye Olde Durty Bird, ICE Restaurant and Bar, Veritas Cork & Craft and Shineology.
The map displays parking lots as well. View the map at downtowntoledo.org.
