My BartenderBars can be a great place to let loose and have some fun. If you’re looking for the best bars in Tampa, Florida, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of the top spots in town so you can party the night away. Whether you’re into craft beer or cocktails, we’ve got you covered. So check out our list and raise a glass to an unforgettable night out!
Best Bars in Tampa, FL
- The Sail Plaza
- The Castle
- Lowry Parcade
- Fly Bar and Restaurant
- Bad Monkey Ybor
- Gaspar’s Grotto
- M. Bird
- Bulla Gastrobar
- Rock Brothers Brewing
- Skipper’s Smokehouse
- EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge
- Mermaid Tavern
- Double Decker
- MacDinton’s Soho
- Hotel Bar
The Sail Plaza
333 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-517-1073
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The Sail Plaza provides cool beverages, snacks, and relaxation to strollers, joggers, dog walkers, boaters, bicycle riders, convention-goers, hotel guests, Riverwalk explorers, downtown visitors, and neighbors.
Enjoy craft cocktails like the Tampa Riverwalk Grey Goose Mule with Grey Goose, ginger liqueur, fresh lime, and house-made mint syrup. Other great drink options include the Barrel Aged Old Fashion, Original lime Mojito, and The Original Mai Tai.
The Castle
2004 N 16th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-247-7547
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The Castle opened on Guavaween in 1992 as a small saloon with a determined goal: create a great place that all of our friends would like to visit.
Adding in the idea of strong drinks, from a diverse selection of single malt scotches, small batch bourbon, aged tequila and an eclectic mix of beers from around the world didn’t hurt either.
A killer jukebox supplied the music for a few years, before Dj’s were added to spice up the varied genre’s that the Castle royalty required.
Lowry Parcade
1213 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: 813-915-9180
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Lowry Parcade is Tampa’s first classic arcade and craft beer tavern. Over 30 classic arcade and pinball machines! 25 taps of craft beer, a large bottle and can selection, and wine. Hungry? They have a small pub grub, too. Insert coins for nostalgia!
We dropped by this spot one night and had a blast! If you end up visiting this bar, I would try the Dunkel Kong Lager, Omni Ave Amber Ale, or Glow Pale Ale.
Fly Bar and Restaurant
442 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-803-8550
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Located in Tampa’s historic Lafayette Arcade, on the point of Kennedy Boulevard and Grand Central Avenue, they’re taking exceptional dining experiences back to the basics — flavorful food, creative drinks, and uncompromising attention to detail.
My favorite drink is the Tongue N’ Cheek with Hotel Tango Vodka, Midori, white cacao, Giffard Crème de Pêche, lemon, and citric acid. Or you can try the Bourbon + Branch, Que Beleza, and Saint Satchmo.
Bad Monkey Ybor
1717 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-280-9971
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The Bad Monkey Bar is a military-themed venue in the heart of Ybor – you will know you are at the right place when you see a full-sized P-40 Warhawk crashing through our wall overhead.6 full sized 105 mm howitzer shells sporting boast 16 beers on tap, including locally brewed favorites.
I got the BlackJack Margarita cocktail which has Mango Rock & Roll tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar! Other drinks I would recommend are the JTF Salute, Murphy Manhattan, and Man-O- War.
Gaspar’s Grotto
1805 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-248-5900
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The bar and restaurant boasts an indoor bar and dining area as well as two sun-drenched outdoor patios which feature live entertainment weekly.
Guests can enjoy great food, drinks and take part in our delicious brunch specials-a Sunday event that Gaspar’s has become known for in its many years as a community staple.
This is one of the most popular bars in the area, so you’ll be sure to have a good time. I ordered a few drinks, but my favorite ended up being the Strawberry Lemongrass Sprits.
M. Bird
1903 Market St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-296-2702
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M.Bird is Tampa’s premier rooftop destination perched high above historic Armature Works. This sophisticated, deco-inspired lounge offers unparalleled, waterfront views of Tampa’s ever-growing cityscape. M.Bird is the perfect setting to indulge in tropical curated cocktails, sharable small plates, and breathtaking sunset views.
My favorite drink on the menu is their Strawberry Moon with Tanqueray No. Ten, Select Apertivo, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, strawberry, lemon, and seltzer. Other cocktails that looked amazing were the Afterhot, Out of Towner, and Banana Daiquiri.
Bulla Gastrobar
930 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-773-8626
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Bulla is devoted to serving unique Spanish and Catalan dishes created with the finest and freshest ingredients. Unique to the Tampa location is Luna Lounge, a stylish rooftop bar for savoring handcrafted cocktails, a wide assortment of beers and wines, and a special tapas menu.
I highly recommend trying the Lavender Margarita, Moscow Mule, and Spanish Old Fashioned. My favorite cocktail was the Bougie Palmer with Tito’s Handmade vodka, lemon, and peach oolong lavender syrup.
Rock Brothers Brewing
1901 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-241-0098
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Rock Brothers unites craft beer and music to support great artists, great beer, and even greater fans. In the ever changing climate of the music industry, artists are looking for new revenue streams, while fans are looking for new ways to connect with their favorite musicians…
They believe this authentic partnership of music and beer brings that home in a new and innovative way. From recipe inception, brand creation, artwork design and even the name of the product itself, the band is involved every step of the way.
Skipper’s Smokehouse
910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613
Phone: 813-971-0666
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Described as “The club that washed ashore…” by Blues legend Lonnie Mack, this long-standing live music venue, restaurant, oyster bar, caterer and talent agency is located in Tampa, Florida. In 1980, Skipper’s was purchased by three Air Force buddies who met while stationed in Alaska.
Their goal? To escape the frozen tundra as soon as possible. Tampa’s subtropical climate was exactly what they wanted for their business. Since then, their small smokehouse takeout joint has become a full-service restaurant and world-class music venue.
EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge
1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-999-8700
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Crafted cocktails using the freshest fruits, herbs and spices. A concise and delicious wine list. A variety of beer from craft microbreweries and four rotating tap handles. Popular small plates with an Epicurean flourish. A vibrant mood mingling with the night sky.
My friends tried the Garden Gimlet, Montenegroni, and EG 75 and loved them! I had the Epic Mai Tai with Epicurean spiced rum blend, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, Gozio amaretto, lime, aqua faba Angostura, Peychaud’s and it was delicious!
Mermaid Tavern
6719 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: 813-238-5618
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Laid-back, dog-friendly craft beer and wine pub with sustainably sourced farm-to-table type menu, vegan and gluten-free options. Non-GMO, non-corporate offerings such as local grass-fed beef, local wild-caught fish, etc.
When I came to this spot my friends ordered the BrewDog Elvis Juice, Ayinger Celebrator, and Prairie Noir. I went for the Mermaid Tavern Nitro Sake which was absolutely amazing.
MacDinton’s Soho
405 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-251-8999
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They have a great patio where you can relax with a nice cocktail and bring your dog to socialize at one of their many ‘yappy hours.’ Macdinton’s is also Tampa’s Exclusive spot for The Six Nations Rugby,FA Cup, EPL and Champions League Soccer’.
I really loved this place, so I’ll be coming back soon. When I was here I ordered the Moscow Mule. Some other drinks that the bartender recommended were the Blue Hawaiin, Amaretto Sour, or Fuzzy Navel.
Hotel Bar
200 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-999-4080
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Nestled in downtown Tampa, they bring people together with perfectly crafted hotel drinks and genuine hospitality in a modern cocktail bar setting.
If you stop by this place, I would recommend trying the Sidecar; Bache cognac, Cointreau, lemon, and sugar. Other drinks that caught my eye were the Singapore Sling, Clubland, and Moonwalk. I’ll be ordering those next time I pop into this spot!
Final Thoughts
Conclusion paragraph: This list of the best bars in Tampa, Florida is a little different from what you might expect. We included some great cocktail spots and craft beer pubs to give you all the options for your next night out on the town!
From under-the-radar dives to high end restaurants with killer happy hours, we hope that our list helps narrow down your search for a good time. And if you’re looking for other fun places to go out, check out our favorite Ybor bars, right here.
Which one will be your first stop? Let us know in the comments below!
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