CLEARWATER, Fla. — June will mark three years since The BayCare Sound opened its gates to music lovers. Clearwater City Council members got an update Monday on the visitors the venue brings in and the spending it drives. 

“It’s amazing the attendance of all the venues together and how you showed the visitor origin, how it’s a similar demographic for all the venues – Ruth Eckerd Hall, Capitol Theater,” Mayor Bruce Rector told Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO Susan Crockett after her presentation at the council’s work session. “They’re coming from outside Pinellas County to see shows, and they’re spending money while they’re here.”

What You Need To Know

 Clearwater City Council got an update on economic impact of The BayCare Sound, the Bilheimer Capitol Theater, and Ruth Eckerd Hall

 Data from Johnson Consulting shows all three venues brought in $252 million in total spending, with The Sound making up $110 million of that

 All three stages drew 450,000 visitors in FY25, with The Sound accounting for half of that

Businesses on Cleveland St. say crowds from The Sound and the Capitol provide a major boost to business

According to Crockett’s presentation, data from Johnson Consulting shows The Sound, Bilheimer Capitol Theater, and Ruth Eckerd Hall brought more than 450,000 visitors to Clearwater in fiscal year 2025. The Sound made up nearly half of that, with just under 223,000 visitors.

Half of those visitors came from parts of Florida outside Pinellas County, 27% came from within Pinellas but outside Clearwater, 11% came from Clearwater, and 11% from states other than Florida. Those numbers are very close to the breakdown of visitor origin for all of the venues combined. Total spending generated by all venues was $252.2 million, with the BayCare Sound making up $110.4 million of that. 

“In general, that type of spending, I think, sends a positive message to the businesses that are here,” said Assistant City Manager Alfred G. Battle, Jr.

Businesses on Cleveland St. near The Sound told Spectrum News that venue and the Capitol provide a big boost for business when there are shows. The District Bistro opened near the corner of Cleveland and S. Osceola Ave. about six months ago. Manager Glenn Swan said the location was no accident.

“When they found this place, this location available, they jumped on the opportunity to get it because it is literally, I don’t know – 100 yards away from The Sound,” said Swan.

The BayCare Sound routinely draws thousands of people to rock out at Coachman Park to acts like Foreigner and Cheap Trick. Swan said whether they stop on Cleveland depends on fan demographics, but he said the bistro will typically stay open an extra two hours on Sound event nights, when business can jump by up to 40 percent.

“It’s paid off,” he said of owners’ decision to set up shop there. “Their numbers – what we’ve been able to do in six and a half months has been pretty amazing,” he said.

Battle said The Sound is still a new venue and the city and business community are figuring out how to cultivate an economy driven by those numbers. He said he does see it playing a role in downtown’s future.

“So, as new developments come, of course they’re going to come and call The Sound a great opportunity for people to enjoy themselves around a more comprehensive experience of coming to downtown Clearwater,” said Battle.

Back at The District Bistro, Swan said they’re considering hiring event day help for the upcoming three-day Country Thunder event at The Sound.

“It’s going to be awhile before we get to a point where we’re kind of a destination,” said Swan. “I think all the restaurants and businesses here struggle with that. The Sound definitely does help that.”

Crockett told city council there are two projects in the works at The Sound. One is an effort to improve its electrical system, and the other is the installation of a sun shade that she said represents a quarter of a million dollar investment.