I'm that odd Floridian who doesn't really dig the beach. Sunbathing sounds about as appealing to me as placing my face in a frying pan. Sand always manages to worm its way into crevices I didn't even know I had. Once in the water, I immediately start waiting to be maimed by a shark. Plus, all the beautiful, slender people who congregate at the beach only make me painfully aware of my sizeable alabaster beer belly.
Despite my dislike for the place my favorite comedian, Bill Hicks, hilariously describes as where "dirt meets water," I love beach bars. Not all beach bars, mind you, but the old funky ones that are still patronized by fishermen and fun-loving old-timers who want a decent meal and a couple of cold ones for under $10. For this experience, my friend, may I highly recommend Woody's Waterfront, on the Blind Pass inlet of St. Pete Beach. Built in 1945 as a bait house that served fishermen hot dogs, hamburgers and ice-cold beer, Woody's is a true Tampa Bay icon.
My parents turned me on to the Old Florida gem a year or so ago, and I've been a fan ever since. When my dad and I visited last Sunday around 2 p.m., the place was packed: The outdoor deck, inside restaurant and horseshoe bar were all bustling. We grabbed two of the last remaining stools. A friendly bartender quickly took our order.
"Any drink specials? I asked.
"We have half-price margaritas —"
"Sounds good," I said, interrupting our bartender, Neil.
"How do you want it?"
"On the rocks, no salt."
My dad went with the best beer deal on the beach: A towering, 22-ounce glass of Miller Lite for $2.50. Cheap, tasty margaritas and fresh, inexpensive draft beer are two of the chief reasons the same baby boomers — and occasional younger patrons — return to Woody's week after week, and in some cases, day after day. Scan the bar and you'll notice that Miller Lite reigns supreme, big time. My reporter instincts kicked in and I called a friend to find out just how much Miller Lite Woody's moves.
"Woody's Waterfront is one of our top five Miller Lite accounts among independent bars in all of Tampa Bay," said Jay Robinson, MillerCoors' on-premise channel manager.
In addition to being a Miller Lite and margarita mecca, Woody's serves some of the most delectable and distinctive wings — drums only, lots of crispness but not too greasy — on St. Pete Beach. As for live entertainment, Tom Davis plays popular hits every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. The latter is Motown night, my dad's favorite. "The band sets up inside right there," he said, pointing to a corner. "It gets so packed in here it takes five minutes to get from the restroom to outside. But it's a fun crowd — Mom likes it."
We had a nice view of the water — and television. My dad chewed a chicken wing to the bone, took a sip of beer and smiled contentedly. "A nice breeze is blowing off the water, the Rays are winning and I'm washing down some good chicken wings with ice-cold beer," he said. "It's a good day to be in Tampa Bay."
What's your favorite drinking destination? Contact Barfly columnist Wade Tatangelo at wtatangelo@ hotmail.com.
>> if you go
Find it
Woody's Waterfront is at 7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach. (727) 360-9165 or woodyswaterfront.com.
News
