Pink Hearts, Yellow Moons, Green Clovers. . . and other Tampa, FL Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: The Dubliner

Okay, so, normally I don't really go for the "Irish-themed" pub. I think it's kind of hokey. The Dubliner is a little different, though, as they tend not to take the Irish thing too terribly far. It's more of a backdrop.
Located in a renovated South Tampa house, the Dubliner is (thankfully) less polished and snotty that most South Tampa bars. They serve food, people are fairly nice to one and other, and since it's beer and wine only, you won't hear anyone asking in an annoyingly hip tone for a "Kettle / Red Bull." Besides, they serve Smithwick's (pronounced like Smith-icks . . . you don't say the "w" . . . I dunno why), so they can't be all bad. Also, there's a nice patio to sit on.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: There is no dress code.
Address: 2307 West Azeele Street, Tampa, Florida
Website: http://www.thedublineririshpub.com

Nightlife Spot: The Irish Fox and Hound's

The Fox and Hound's is a great place to just go and decompress. There's nothing at all fancy about this place, and the waitresses are really, really nice. There's a full bar and they serve pub food. For some reason, you can still smoke inside . . . I dunno how they work that out. There is live music every weekend night and they host dart competitions and a Tuesday Trivia night. The owners are actually from Ireland - - it's the closest thing to the real thing.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Come as you are.
Address: 229 East Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511-5220
Directions: Located right off of Highway 60, about three miles from the interstate.
Website: http://www.irishfoxandhounds.com/

Nightlife Spot: The Brass Mug

The Brass Mug is a little neighborhood place that hosts some pretty cool shows for not much money. Also, they used to have Metal Karaoke every Tuesday, but I'm not sure if they still do.
It's worth a go round if you're in the neighborhood.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: There is no dress code, but I wouldn't wear anything too nice.
Phone: (813) 972-8152
Address: 1441 E Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Florida, 33612

Nightlife Spot: Ybor City

I love Ybor City. I've kind of just been hanging out there my whole life, and now I live there.
Ybor City has changed a lot over the years. Back in my grandmother's day, it was a pretty booming neighborhood, then it became somewhat of a ghost town, then artists and other cultural types did all the hard work to revive it, then they were bought out by bars and nudie places. Now it's kind of on the mend again - with a good mix of drinking, venues, and culture. The city has put some pretty rediculous mickey-mouse-esque efforts at "reviving" the historial past of Ybor (Tampa's Historical Latin Quater, according to the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce), such as Centro Ybor - trendy shops and a themed movie theatre located off of 8th Avenue. The real past still peaks through, though, and it's definitely worth a stop-by.
My Ybor City page: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/90e84/bae8d/

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: It really depends on where you are going in Ybor, but most places are come as you are.
Directions: Take I-4 to the 22nd Street exit. Most of the bars and whatnot are off of 7th Avenue.

Nightlife Spot: Hattrick's

Okay, Tampa is the only city in the NHL that doesn't have any natural ice. So, how do we make up for it? Hattrick's!
Hattrick's is a hockey bar with as much devotion to the sport (even in this horrible, horrible lock-out) as any in those other hockey towns. Once the Lightning started winning and I couldn't get tickets anymore, this was an excellent place to go watch the game. Also, players have been known to show up here . . .

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: You can wear whatever you like - but I suggest Lightning gear during the season. It's just polite.
Phone: (813) 225-4288
Address: 107 S Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida
Directions: Downtown Tampa, near the St. Petersburg Times Sports Forum

Nightlife Spot: The Hub

What I hate about a lot of bars is how meat-markety they can be. That's not a problem at The Hub. This is a place for people who want to drink and talk. It's not a dive bar by any means - the bathrooms are fairly clean and all that. It's just a good place to hang out.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: Wear whatever you want.
Phone: (813) 229-1553
Address: 719 N Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida
Directions: Downtown Tampa

Nightlife Spot: Rick's on the River

The best thing about this place is that you can sit outside by . . . the river (makes their name all the more clever, doesn't it?). My principal (I'm a teacher, not an under-aged bar-visitor) had her retirement party here. I can't say I was all the impressed by their catering / large group efforts, but I've been there other times with just my friends and enjoyed myself.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: Don't dress too nice - your pantyhose will snag on the wooden deck.
Phone: 813-251-0369
Address: 2305 N. Willow Ave. Tampa, Florida
Website: http://www.ricksontheriver.com/