Downtown Tampa - Bachelor Party Recs

[dweitz]

Hi All,

I am going to Tampa for a bachelor party and helping to plan the restaurant for the night that we are doing a group dinner.

We are a group of 10 guys and are going to be staying downtown. We would like someplace where we can walk or take a cab.

I have looked into a few places, particularly Berns which has been suggested to me by a few people. Unfortunately, this is out of our price range.

We are looking to spend ~$75 pp all in including drinking (not heavily but probably 2 drinks each).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[askdrtodd]

This is easy. Change your hotel reservations, skip downtown (no nightlife), skip Ybor (it's just... dirty), and stay somewhere in/near South Tampa. Go to Bern's, sit at the bar, have a couple beers or glasses of wine and a small steak or their steak sammich (or the amazing burger!), bill will be about $60/each. Then right up Howard (walking distance, albeit not a short walk) are about a dozen bars in all price ranges and genres.

[sarge]

The only problem with that is I don't know of any hotel near Bern's. Downtown is not really very far at all. Maybe $2.00 difference for the cab ride from the hotels on Cypress or off Dale Mabry

[Miss E]

The Westin Harbour Island is a hair closer to Bern's than anything downtown, and it has the advantage of being just a stumble--ahem, just steps-- from Jackson's :-)

[askdrtodd]

True. There is a Best Western and the Tahitian Inn on South Dale Mabry, both are about a mile from Berns, from the bars in SoHo, and from the other place they're probably going, and both are probably under 100/night. Downtown is pretty dead, and ybor sucks. Some would/will argue with me, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Someone talked me into going to Ybor for a bachelor party about 5 or 6 months ago, and I protested at first, then kept my mouth shut. We stayed at the Embassy Suites downtown (not a bad joint, but overpriced) and went to Ybor. I don't think anyone had a memorable time.

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Tahitian Inn Cafe
601 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609

[Little T.]

Embassy Suites across from Marriott waterside or on westshore? The one by the water is pretty nice and, like I mentioned above, they have free drinks every night.

[askdrtodd]

Yeah I do remember that we partook of said free drinks. ended up being a bad idea, they only do it from 5-7 I believe? so we bachelor'd down a substantial amount of cheap booze, really paid for it in the morning.

[benkodi]

I live in South Tampa and have hosted/been a part of numerous bach parties. Stay downtown, Marriot Waterside or Westin Harbour Island (cabbing to Bern's or SoHo is less than $10). Make early dinner reservations at Bern's (no chance you'll get a spot in the bar for 4, let alone 10), you can get out of there for sub $75 no problem. If Bern's is definitely not an option, make a reservation at 717 South in their private room. There is no res fee and it has above average food. From there, you are within walking distance to all of the bars you could want: MacDinton's, Cheap, Dubliner, World of Beer, Yard of Ale, Drynk, The Rack etc....then head to Mons. Cab home from there for another $10. Stay out of Ybor, as others mentioned, it's a dump. You can even have a nightcap at Jackson's, which is located right next to the Westin.

Cheers.

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MacDintons
405 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

[andy huse]

don't be so snobby, Todd. we're talking about a bachelor party, not the christening of a child! Soho makes my skin crawl.

[Clarendon]

Amen to that, Andy! As the expert on all things Tampa, I'd like to know if you think Fly Bar is an option. Dead Downtown or not, the food is great and, in good weather at least, the deck is heaven. I totally love that place.

[andy huse]

FLY is great--- cocktails are awesome. But if Bern's will break the bank, a few small plates and cocktails would wash those guys out at $12 a plate and a glass. $50 sneaks up on you fast that way. FLY may be the best single destination i've heard. I'm determined to get drunk there when i come into some money.

[rhnault]

well we posted some witty remarks to you earlier and Chow pulled them for some reason. I continued teasing Todd. Todd teased himself, and I talked about places I hung out in Soho back in the day. I guess that was improper...

[sunshine842]

There was a discussion going on, under the ribbing, about the personality of a couple of different areas...pretty relevant to the conversation, by the way.

[rhnault]

I thought so lol
It was good natured ribbing too. We all know eachother IRL

[askdrtodd]

I agree, Andy had some good points. I know he was just breaking my balls, he's a good dude, if you guys don't break my balls then who will? I need you all to keep me in check!! :)

[CFishman]

I really don't understand Chow's policies. Someone called me "fishbreath" on another thread and said I like Twinkies. I asked them to remove it twice and they didn't. It wasn't my honor that I was concerned about but the temptation of flaming the dude. Todd, if it makes you feel better, I hate Ybor and Soho.

[rhnault]

well C , they knew those things were true ;-)
no way they could pull that post!

[CFishman]

The fishbreath is pretty accurate as I spend most of my day in ketosis so that I can pig out at night. Twinkies though? Alright, I'll admit to that too.

[floridaeater]

Go to Fly on a Tuesday night. All of the specialty cocktails are offered for $5.00. First time there this Tuesday and we had a grand time!

[andy huse]

Great to know. Toozday at FLY it is!

I do think Ybor is unfairly maligned. It was so promising 20-25 years ago. Then came bar chains, Centro, baby thugs and high rent...

[sunshine842]

It was so much fun 20 years ago...we were dating when there was nothing more than the Irish Pub, the Blues Ship and the Silver Ring cafe. Frankie's Patio really got things rolling, because the food and drink was good, and the bands were usually very good. God, I'm old.

[GatorDave]

You’re going to spend as much at Ocean Prime, Charley’s, etc. as you would at Bern’s. Jackson’s on Harbor Island has good food and a great view, but it gets pretty clubby on weekend evenings. There’s really nowhere good to eat at Channelside.

I would go to Hattrick’s on Franklin just south of Whiting for a pre-dinner drink. It’s a great sports bar with better scenery. Across the street from Hattrick’s is a trolley station—head to Ybor City after your drink (or two). There are a bunch of great places to eat in Ybor. Bernini (Italian), the Columbia (Spanish, and a local gem), Acropolis (Greek) come to mind. Have dinner there and hang out/people watch for a while. There are more bars than you can hit in a night in Ybor (definitely hit the James Joyce on 7th above the Green Iguana).

Either stay in Ybor until you are done or hop on the trolley and stop at Channelside on the way back into downtown. Stump’s and Howl at the Moon are fun.

You can do all of that for $75 per head and it will be a lot more fun that a dinner and done evening.

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Ocean Prime
7339 W Sand Lake Rd # 400, Orlando, FL

Hattricks
107 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

[sarge]

Bernini is half price if you order before 7:00

[Little T.]

I really like the idea of staying at either Marriott waterside or the Embassy suites across the street and taking a trolley to Ybor for dinner and then drinks. Trolley stops running at 2:00 am so make your way to Channelside by then (or earlier). Finish the night at Stumps or Howl at the moon. The walk from Channelside to the hotel area isn't bad if it's late.

[Miss E]

Charley's is a longish cab ride from downtown, but the food is good, and they have a nice private room that doesn't feel stuffy--it's lined with wine storage cases, quite nice. Have you checked Malio's downtown? I don't imagine it's cheaper than Bern's, but if it is that w/b a fine choice. Timpano in Hyde Park Village is another idea. Ocean Prime and Capital Grille, at International Plaza, are good, too, and tend to be on the loud side anyway; yes, they're chains, but upscale ones and you won't be disappointed. They're a long cab ride from downtown, too--look into a limo, for 10 guys it may well turn out to be a better deal than cabs.

[sunshine842]

shoot. I'm having a blonde moment, apparently. What's the place that's in the upper floor of the Spanish Club at the front corner of Centro Ybor? (Hoping it's still there)

Not a steakhouse, but very good food (including manly-man steaks if you so desire) and pretty easy on the wallet, in a great supper-club type setup.

There's the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, too -- not upscale, but very good food and great beer brewed on-premises.

[rhnault]

I think TBBC is a great choice for 10 guys who want to have fun, drink, and enjoy good food for 75 bucks a head.

[Little T.]

Teatro? Big City Tavern? Both closed . .

[sunshine842]

Big City Tavern...another one too good to be true, apparently.

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Big City
4046 Wedgewood Ln, Lady Lake, FL 32162

[deet13]

You should check out the Tampa Marriott Waterside. From just down the road you can catch the trolley to Ybor City, if you want to do a bar crawl at night.

Plus there are plenty of solid restaurants around the downtown area, which can be hit via cab from there.

[Little T.]

Also, across the street is the Embassy suites - 513 S. Florida Avenue - NOT THE location on Westshore. IMO, it is a very nice hotel and a bit cheaper than the Marriott (I think). I guess the bonus is that they have free drinks every night in the lounge at the Embassy suites.

[YosemiteSam]

Bern's - Mons FTW

/thread :)

[dweitz]

Bern's was the original plan, but people do not want to spend that much money and would rather go somewhere not as expensive and drink with dinner.

Looking to spend ~75 all in

Thanks

[YosemiteSam]

I understand, but if you would allow me an aside:

YOUR BUDDY IS GETTING MARRIED! Tell the group to put on their big girl panties and pony up for what is hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime thing for the groom-to-be. Otherwise you might as well go to Hooters and kill two birds with one stone.

Trying to be helpful though - IMO you need a steakhouse for a bachelor party, so how about Charley's?

The other option is to go to Ybor and make it a night there - lots of OK dining there with a party scene to follow - Samarai Blue might fit your needs, but I'll let the Tampa experts weight in there.

But again if you want to be a hero ; Bern's

[nerditry]

I second Charley's. We went there for my friend's bachelor party and had a great time.

[redfish62]

I think Charley's is a good idea too, that's where I would want to go.

[dweitz]

yea i understand and I am in the group that wants to spend the money and go to Berns. We are flying in from NYC for 3 nights hence the unwillingness to want to spend a ton one night. Appreciate the recs from everyone.

[sarge]

One thing about Charley's is that you can get a hotel next door, so that eliminates transportation costs from your budget, at least for dinner. I can't be certain, but I expect you are looking to finish off your evening just up Dale Mabry, so that's pretty close by cab

[rhnault]

DH and PH are right around the corner from Charleys too...

[Little T.]

So, 40 bucks on a filet or delmonico @ berns and you have enough left for your 2 drinks and tip. Skip the desert room. Remember, all entrées are served w/ salad, soup, baked potato/onion rings and a veggie. No need for apps. They do have cheaper things on the menu as well: poultry, seafood, pork chop etc.

This is a hard one . . . When is the deadline to decide?

[Little T.]

Why limit yourself to the downtown area if you can take a cab a few more miles?

Where else have you looked? What type of atmosphere are you going for? Type of food?

[sunshine842]

how about any of a fairly long list of places in Ybor?

Channelside?

[dweitz]

I am not that familiar with Tampa and just know that we are staying downtown and will not have a car.

Any place that is close enough to take a cab would be fine - good suggestion to not limit ourselves to downtown.

I have seen suggestions for restaurants in some other threads on here, but wasn't sure about hotel proximity and how good they were for a bachelor party.

As far as types of food we would do Steak, bbq, italian, mexican - pretty much anything that would fit the budget.

For atmosphere, nothing too stuffy and no place where we would not fit in if we were a little loud (it is not a crazy group, but still 10 guys).

Thanks in advance!