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| Ybor City |
Tampa Bay Nightlife
This isn't New York City or Los Angeles, but the Bay area has a decent offering of bars and clubs for those travelers who like cruising around after dark. Some places, such as Beach Nutts and Yucatan Liquor Stand, don't even charge a cover. The nightlife in the area is also marked by high-quality theatrical productions and occasional big-name performers at places like the Sun Dome or Tampa Stadium. If you want the hottest action, you'll find it in Ybor (E-bore) City, Tampa own Latin Quarter.
TAMPA
Blues Ship- features live bands playing jazz, reggae, and blues in a laid-back, informal atmosphere. Most shows start a 8:30 pm Tues.-Sun. Cover charge $2-5. 1910 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa. 813-248-6097.
Brass Mug Pub- is a pub presenting heavy metal and other rock n' roll music nightly. Located near the University of South Florida, the pub also has darts, pool, and video games. A jam session is held every Monday. Cover $3. 1441 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. 813-972-8152.
Brothers Lounge playing pure jazz, has made it on the Tampa music scene for two decades. Tuesday through Saturday, it's open until 2:30am. Cover $1-3. 501 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-286-8882.
Jazz Cellar- houses the Jazz Cellar Underground Orchestra. Jazz fans from all over flock to this Ybor City club in the heart of Tampa's Latin Quarter. Performances given Thurs-Sat. 9pm-2am. Cover $2-3. 1916 N. 14th St., Ybor City, Tampa. (813(248-1862.
Skipper's Smokehouse Restaurant and Oyster Bar- serves live reggae, blues, and zydeco in addition to dinner. A very popular hotspot, Skipper's is almost constantly filled. Open Tues, We, Sat-Sun. 6:30pm-11pm, Friday 8-11pm. Cover $3-8, but may be more for special events. 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. 813-971-0666 or 813-977-6474.
Yucatan Liquor Stand- features music from pop to reggae, country, and alternative in a beach-bar atmosphere. No cover. Drinks cost $1 and up. Open nightly until 3am. 4811 W. Cypress St., Tampa. 813-289-8454.
The Comedy Works- has a dynamic program of live comedy Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday at 8pm. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 and 10:15pm. $5-10 cover. 3447 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-875-9129.
Side Splitters Comedy Club- showcases professional stand-up routines on most nights. Northwest of downtown, Side Splitters charges a $6-8 cover. Shows are at 8:30pm Tues-Thurs. and at 8 and 10:30pm Friday and Saturday. 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-960-1197.
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center a huge, four-theater complex, is a great place to go for Broadway plays, concerts, operas, and special events. 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-STAR or 1-800-955-1045.
The Tampa Stadium with its 74,296 seats, frequently plays host to today's biggest acts. 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-872-7977.
The USF Sun Dome- is another place to go to catch some of today's most popular touring artists. Located on the University of South Florida campus at 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-3111.
The Mystery Cafe- presents a murder-mystery dinner show on Friday and Saturday at the Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel. Audience participation is encouraged. $29.95 covers the show and dinner. 725 S. Harbor Island Blvd., Harbour Island. 813-935-0846.
The Off-Center Theater housed in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, is dedicated to a range of area artists presenting music, dance, comedy, poetry, and film. Tickets $3-$12. 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-221-1001.
The Tampa Theater- is regarded as the crown jewel of the Franklin Street Mall. Built in 1926, this restored theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a diverse film program in addition to special events and concerts. Tickets are $5.25 adult, $4 seniors, $2.25 children 2-12; $3.25 adults and seniors on Tues. and at weekend matinees; upwards of $15 for special events. 711 Franklin Street, Tampa. 813-223-8981.
The Warehouse Theater- in Ybor City, features a variety of shows by contemporary playwrights and other performing artists. Tickets run anywhere from $10.50 to $12.50. 112 S. 12th St., Ybor City, Tampa. 813-223-3076.
ST. PETERSBURG
Big Catch- is a casual downtown establishment playing live rock and Top 40 hits. Big Catch also has darts, pool, and hoops. Open Thurs-Sat, until 2am. Cover $3. 9 1st St. N.E., St. Petersburg. 813-821-6444.
Club Detroit- features a lounge and outdoor courtyard to go along with its blues, reggae, and progressive DJ dance music. Live rock concerts are often given outdoors. Open daily until 2am. Cover is $2 and up for indoors, $10-18 for outdoor concerts. 16 2nd St. North, St. Petersburg. 813-896-1244.
Coliseum Ballroom- offers big band, country, ballroom, and othe kinds of dancing music in a Moorish-influenced building dating back to 1924. Cover $4-15. 535 4th Ave. North, downtown St. Petersburg. 813-892-5202.
Ringside Cafe- plays jazz, blues, and reggae in a sports-oriented environment (it's housed in a renovated boxing gym). Cover $2 and up. Open Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm until 2am. 2742 4th St. North, St. Petersburg. 813-894-8465.
The St. Petersburg Thunderdome a short drive off I-275 in St. Petersburg, holds 50,000 spectators. Major concerts as well as smaller events are often given. 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg. 813-825-3100.
The Bayfront Center- presents a variety of Broadway plays, ice shows, big bands, and circuses. 400 1st St. South, St. Petersburg. 813-892-5767 or 813-892-5700.
The American Stage Company- shows contemporary dramas and comedies all year round. 211 3rd St. South, St.Petersburg. 813-822-8814.
THE AREA
The Hurricane Lounge- presents a dynamic jazz program and has been long known as one of the area's best spots to go to find jazz. No cover charge. Sun., Wed., Thurs. 9pm-1am, Fri. and Sat. 9:30pm-1:30am. 807 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach.
Coconuts Comedy Club- is one of the most popular and enduring comedy clubs on the beach, with a constantly changing showcase of live stand-up comedy. Performances Wed-Sun at 9:30pm. Cover $7-10. 5300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach.
Gators On The Pass- boasts one of the world's longest waterfront bars and has a no-smoking sports bar as well. In addition, the complex has an observation deck atop a 3-story tower from which patrons can take in the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. Live music runs the gamut from acoustic and blues to rock. Open most nights from 8 or 9pm to 1am. $2 cover for most acts. 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island.
Manhattan's- located on the beach strip, features a wide range of music, from country to classic rock. Open 7 nights a week until 2am. No cover. 11595 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 813-363-1500.
Beach Nutts- a beach bar built on a stilt foundation, plays music running from Top 40 to reggae and rock n'roll. No cover. Open daily until 1am. 9600 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 813-367-7427.
Ruth Eckerd Hall- presents ballet, drama, popular music, jazz, country, symphony, and Broadway shows to an audience of up to 2,200. 111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater. 813-791-7400.
Joyland- showcases live country bands and a variety of well-known performers. The area's only country-western ballroom, Joyland is open Wednesday to Sunday. Cover $3-10. 11225 U.S. 19, Clearwater. 813-573-1919.
Jammin'z Dance Shack- plays Top 40 songs in a beach-flavored environment with state-of-the-art dance floor effects. Open until 2am. Cover $3-5. 470 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach. 813-441-2005 or for recorded info, 813-442-5754.
Bumpers Nightclub- features Djs spinning a varied collection of pop dance music starting at 8:30pm Tuesday to Thursday. Live groups perform on Friday and Saturday at 9pm. Cover charge $3-15. 1927 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. (941)951-0335.
In Extremis- is renowned for the high energy of its DJ-spun Top-40 hits and its dazzling laser sound and light video shows. Open 2am nightly from Jan.-Apr, Tuesday and Saturday the rest of the year. Cover $3-7. 204 Sarasota Quay, Sarasota. (941)954-2008.
- Limerick Junction- is an Irish-themed indoor/outdoor pub with Irish music as well as jazz, blues, rock, and other styles. Open Wed-Sun at varying times (shows usually run 9pm-midnight or later.) Cover $2-3. 1296 1st St., Sarasota. (941)366-6366.
Patio Lounge- offers live, energetic dance music Tues-Sat. from 9:30pm to 2am. Cover $2-3. St. Armand's Circle, St. Armand's Key, Sarasota. (941)388-3987.
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