Tampa, FL Places to eat

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Looking for something nice on the water. Wife wants some frozen alcholic drinks. What's a good place?

4th trip to the Outback Bowl, but we've always hung around Ybor and Channelside. Looking for something different.

The frozen alcholic drinks are important

[ColaCock]

Hula Bay, no doubt about that.

On the water, top notch food, casual attire, great crowd, frozen drinks, and an outdoor separate bar (Duke's) adjoined to it overlooking the bay towards St. Petersburg. Awesome music, usually, too.

Here is a photo from the outside bar we took recently looking towards St. Pete:



Only downside, if you are pushing for one, is that it a bit isolated? There isn't another bar/restaurant within walking distance...so get a cab.

[LimpCock]

Cola, whats good for New Year's Eve down in tampa?

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by LimpCock

Cola, whats good for New Year's Eve down in tampa?

Ybor City will be a popular place for NYE. During the rest of the year, it's not really my type of place...mainly a lot of punk/emo/hipster and then a good portion of LBGT places. A lot of "clubs" where people wait in line to get in.

Channelside will be another popular place...they have all the fireworks and the ball dropping. That place has been struggling financially and we don't go there much, honestly. They get a lot of the cruise traffic. I'm sure it will be a great place to party on NYE, though.

SoHo/Hyde Park is another area...I would say this is fit more for the college crowd and then you will also have a few upscale places. MacDinton's is probably one of the most popular bars in Tampa and it is on South Howard (SoHo). Every night it appears they are violating the fire code.

Downtown St. Pete, too. Not too sure what they will have going on, but there are a lot of places down there...from dive/hippy/grunge to upscale martini-type places near the Pier.

Then you have all the little beach towns along the Gulf that will be doing their own thing on the beach with fireworks, bands, food, and other entertainment...usually Treasure Island, St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater, etc.

Depends what you are looking for...but there is definitely a lot more to Tampa for NYE than Ybor City (not that I don't recommend it for that occasion).

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Ybor City will be a popular place for NYE. During the rest of the year, it's not really my type of place...mainly a lot of punk/emo/hipster and then a good portion of LBGT places. A lot of "clubs" where people wait in line to get in.

Channelside will be another popular place...they have all the fireworks and the ball dropping. That place has been struggling financially and we don't go there much, honestly. They get a lot of the cruise traffic. I'm sure it will be a great place to party on NYE, though.

SoHo/Hyde Park is another area...I would say this is fit more for the college crowd and then you will also have a few upscale places. MacDinton's is probably one of the most popular bars in Tampa and it is on South Howard (SoHo). Every night it appears they are violating the fire code.

Downtown St. Pete, too. Not too sure what they will have going on, but there are a lot of places down there...from dive/hippy/grunge to upscale martini-type places near the Pier.

Then you have all the little beach towns along the Gulf that will be doing their own thing on the beach with fireworks, bands, food, and other entertainment...usually Treasure Island, St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater, etc.

Depends what you are looking for...but there is definitely a lot more to Tampa for NYE than Ybor City (not that I don't recommend it for that occasion).

Having done Ybor & Channelside I might try a small beach town. Which is the best?

[sandstorm2001]

I mean, don't you have to go to Outback? haha

[LimpCock]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Ybor City will be a popular place for NYE. During the rest of the year, it's not really my type of place...mainly a lot of punk/emo/hipster and then a good portion of LBGT places. A lot of "clubs" where people wait in line to get in.

Channelside will be another popular place...they have all the fireworks and the ball dropping. That place has been struggling financially and we don't go there much, honestly. They get a lot of the cruise traffic. I'm sure it will be a great place to party on NYE, though.

SoHo/Hyde Park is another area...I would say this is fit more for the college crowd and then you will also have a few upscale places. MacDinton's is probably one of the most popular bars in Tampa and it is on South Howard (SoHo). Every night it appears they are violating the fire code.

Downtown St. Pete, too. Not too sure what they will have going on, but there are a lot of places down there...from dive/hippy/grunge to upscale martini-type places near the Pier.

Then you have all the little beach towns along the Gulf that will be doing their own thing on the beach with fireworks, bands, food, and other entertainment...usually Treasure Island, St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater, etc.

Depends what you are looking for...but there is definitely a lot more to Tampa for NYE than Ybor City (not that I don't recommend it for that occasion).

Okay thanks, yeah I think we are looking for college/young professional type of atmosphere. Definitely not the emo type thing.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

ColaCock: How is Hard Rock Casino for New Years Eve?

Is there any good sports bars close to that area?? Want to watch LSU get dat ass!

[Army Gamecock]

On the water and away from the hordes of people. Good seafood

http://www.thenade.com/

[SwampFox]

I've been down here 13 years. There are more good places to eat than anyone can cover in years, but for a short visit, I recommend the following for good food and to see more of the area than just Tampa.

The Rusty Pelican - This restaurant is just off the Campbell Causeway on the Tampa side. Turn left at the Shriners Headquarters and follow the road to the end. The restaurant is on the left. The food is great, and the prices are much better than the Chart House, which you will see first after you get on the causeway.

http://tampa.therustypelican.com/rustypelicantampa/

The original Hooters - This is across the Campbell Causeway in Clearwater. The food is the same as any Hooters, but this is the original restaurant, and it has exclusive souvenirs if you want that sort of thing.

http://www.originalhooters.com/

If you want to head over to the Gulf, I recommend the Friendly Fisherman at John's Pass on Maderia Beach. There is a parking garage, as well as surface lots now, and so parking is not a much of a pain as it once was. There is also a Bubba Gump there too. While the area is a bit touristy, the food and shops are great. You will even find Gamecock stuff at the Sports Fanattic.

http://www.johnspass.com/

If you have never been to The Pier in St Petersburg, go now, because the pier is slated for demolition and replacement. This may be your last chance. Cha Cha Coconuts on the top level is pretty good.

http://www.stpetepier.com/

[CaptainCrunch]

thanks for the suggestions i think i'm going to try that hula bay place

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

thanks for the suggestions i think i'm going to try that hula bay place

I'm of the type that really gets around an area when I live in it...so in the 2 years I have been here, I have dined/partied at a LOT of places and Hula Bay/Duke's is my favorite for sure. For the price, food, scenery, entertainment, and people...hard to beat. Tampa is odd, to me, in that while it has tons of waterfront property...there aren't a lot of waterfront bars/restaurants. You have to head towards the Gulf to get that experience for the most part. Another one close to the stadium would be Ricks on the River.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by U-Dub Gamecock

ColaCock: How is Hard Rock Casino for New Years Eve?

Is there any good sports bars close to that area?? Want to watch LSU get dat ass!

We actually went to Hard Rock last year for New Years. Wasn't really my thing honestly because I personally don't care for our casino (drinks aren't free and quite high, limited games, and odds seem to be a lot worse than others). There was a lot of live music and people there partying it up, though.

As far as sports bars close to the Casino, I would suggest the Wing House off of I-4/301. It is like Hooters, but better. Tons of TVs.

[USC Paratrooper]

Cola and swamp...better than a travel agent.

[HeadCockFan]

Does Ybor still get scary after 2AM?

[NavyCock16]

Not from Tampa, but the best steak house I've ever been to is Bern's. Incredible steaks and one of the craziest places I've been too!

[LakeMonticelloCock]

Where is the best place to cheer for LSU on New Year's Eve?

[SwampFox]

Where is the best place to cheer for LSU on New Year's Eve?

I recommend the Courtside Grill. It is just over the bay off I-275. Take the 2nd exit after you come off the bridge. The restaurant is less than 3/4 of a mile down Ulmerton Rd on the left. We used to have our Gamecock Bay Area Alumni football game watch parties here.

http://www.courtsidegrille.com/about.html

Does Ybor still get scary after 2AM?

Yes.

[Ole Gregg]

Originally Posted by SwampFox

The original Hooters - This is across the Campbell Causeway in Clearwater. The food is the same as any Hooters, but this is the original restaurant, and it has exclusive souvenirs if you want that sort of thing.

http://www.originalhooters.com/

does that mean you get to take one of the girls home with you???
I'm gonna need more baileys.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

We actually went to Hard Rock last year for New Years. Wasn't really my thing honestly because I personally don't care for our casino (drinks aren't free and quite high, limited games, and odds seem to be a lot worse than others). There was a lot of live music and people there partying it up, though.

As far as sports bars close to the Casino, I would suggest the Wing House off of I-4/301. It is like Hooters, but better. Tons of TVs.

Cool, probably gonna do the Wing House...not really wanna do the Ybor City thing...