Coming down from North MS this weekend. Will be staying at The Hard Rock friday and Saturday night. We are not big gamblers, so looking for some cool things to do and nice places to eat. We will spend some time at the casinos and try to find some good music and drinks, but open to suggestions for other things or something we may not know about. My trips to the coast are usually fishing related and don't know much about the night life or nice restaurants. Any suggestions?

Restaurants in striking (walking) distance from the Hard Rock: Mary Mahoneys (old school, expensive, excellent); The Half Shell (newer, very good, LOUD at night); Patio 44 (brand new, very good so far).  Most locals like Capt. Al's for that "fried old school gulf coast" experience.  Shaggy's on the beach is pretty good for open-air touristy, as is Bacchus.  Shuckers baseball is right there, too.  My office is a block north of the Hard Rock, so I don't spend much time looking for the other "night life."  I clear out and go home! ;)

The Half Shell.  The one close to Hard Rock,  not the other one.  Try the Royal Reds if you're not allergic to shellfish.  Beach Blvd Steamers is east on the blvd and has decent steamed and boiled seafood.