Is there any more sophisticated, classier nightlife in Tampa than Ybor?
I'm a transplant from San Diego and am used to lounges that are a little more upscale. Is there anything besides wings and Bud Light in this town? (i love good wings though?) Just missing the classier joints in Southern California. I loved Ceviche in Soho, but I'm needing suggestions for more places. Thanks!!!
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Looking to resurrect this thread. Girls night is coming up...woo hoo! New stuff is popping up all over Tampa/St Pete, thank goodness. Looking for somewhere for cocktails and to be able to hold a conversation with my friends (and hear it!!).
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re: curleegurl
Go to Fly Bar and Restaurant near downtown Tampa. I was hesitant to go because I thought it would be another Tampa "see and be seen" type of place. Turned out I loved the place and is one of the more refined bars in town; a two story, open floor plan design with exposed brick and oil paintings decorating the walls. They have a downstairs bar with pretty decent bartenders and a rooftop bar which will give you a little more space to hang out and talk; though your view is limited to either downtown Tampa or the new condo high-rise being constructed next door. I went last Friday with a group of friends and it was comfortably crowded.
To finish the evening after my friends left, I had an order of the (Kobe beef?) sliders; three miniature burgers "kicked up" a notch, and an order of the frites. The plate of frites was enourmous and was split between regular crispy frites and sweet potato frites, accompanied by two different sauces. The food was great, but it would have been better suited for two people; unfortunately liquor enlarges my eyes to be bigger than my stomach. Fantastic nonetheless.
I went with the "safe" drinks, vodka and beer. The cocktails were strong, but friends who had some of the specialty drinks, like the mojito, weren't raving. I am sure the downstairs bartenders could whip up a good cosmo or martini, but I don't take those kind of chances. The upstairs bartender last week was pathetic and I wouldn't let him make me anything more than a Miller Lite (and that was a challenge for him). Oh, and I did have an eight-dollar glass of mediocre house cabernet with my food.
Check it out - hope this helps (nothing on the website but the address) - http://www.flybarandrestaurant.com/
-Kevin
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re: laurie
Stopped there this past weekend. The deal is this: It is a bar/lounge, not a restaurant. You can order food from the Greek Pizza Restaurant menu, and eat it there. GPR is across the street, so they just bring it over. The barkeep also said thta if you wanted food from somewhere else, they would go get that for you too. The setting is cool, funky hip inside, and sort of laid back scrungy outside. They have a variety of live entertainment. All in all, it looked like a pretty relaxing place, but it is not an eatery.
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The Wife and I went to The Zone when if first opened and knew it had the potential to be a great place. Gotta go back and check it out. As an aside, going to Tarpon Springs does not just mean Greek food on the sponge docks anymore. There are some very quaint, interesting and delicious little places to dine mixed in with the antique shops all along Pinellas Ave., which is the downtown area where The Zone is located. It is all walking within just a block or two. I just with I could remember the names of things!!!!! I hate getting old.
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re: wishbugger
There is a small but growing arts community in Tarpon Springs which is bringing a new breath of innovation to the area. I've heard that there are some new, creative eateries in Tarpon but haven't tried any of them (yes, we typically end up at Hellas for Greek salad, saganaki, gyros and baklava when we're in town). Any suggestions of other Tarpon chowhavens would be most welcome!
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If you're ever up in Tarpon Springs at night, check out The Zone on the main drag downtown. It has a NYC-type urban vibe with exposed brick walls, a classy bar area, 50s-vintage sofas, and a small stage with some great local performers (sometimes jazz, sometimes great covers of classic rock). They have a decent wine list and serve coffee, cappuccino, etc. It's classy and laid back at the same time.
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St. barts is an excellent suggestion although the bar is a little loud for me now. Samarai Blue does have a nice bar.
when we itch for a little class we go to Bern's dessert room and get one of their little booths and dine on luxurious desserts, turkish coffee and fine wines. we giggle at the piano music, so passe but so delightful. of course that's when you've got a little group together (booths will fit no more than 10 and 4-6 is a better size) not for the solo diner.
how about the bar at mise en place? upscale and now newly renovated.
there is a place called foxy's (or fox's) on Westshore just before you ramp onto Interstate-275 to St. Pete. It's been there forever under a different name (Brothers) and it is upscale smooth jazz. no sandals allowed (men).
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Upscale Lounge type places - in Ybor check out Big City Tavern, Samarai Blue, Club Prana, Code, Amphitheater, Rare Olive..
SOHO/Hyde Park-Ceviche, St. Barts, Lime, Seven17, 42nd Street Bistro, Mangroves, Hyde Park Cafe, Whiskey Park, Bahasa, Sangria's, Wine Exchange.
At Channelside/Downtown- check out Grille 29, Stumps's Supper Club, Cafe Dufrain, Jackson's, Fly Bar
Westhore area- the Fox, Blue Martini, Charley's -
St. Bart's Island House has Club Privee, which was always classy when it was open to the public. Now it has been made into a private club, but I believe the public is still admitted whenever it's not full. Live music almost every night.
42nd Street Bistro has great music, not quite on par with St. Bart, but good, and delicious food.
Haven't been to Jackson's on Harbour Island in ages, but you may want to check that out too. Along with Restaurant BT in Hyde Park - supposed to have unusual martinis.
Sidebern's has a happening bar scene, but I wouldn't call it a lounge, because it's first and foremost a fabulous restaurant.
What about International Plaza? Haven't gone at night, but have you tried it?
