Two new bar/restaurants try for a naughty-but-nice ambience

Owl fans around Tampa Bay are getting uneasy now that the Hooters founders are selling their 22 restaurants to a Charlotte firm. But don't get your orange hot pants in a twist just yet. After all, not one, but two Celtic-inspired jiggle joints have recently started serving wings and winks in the Clearwater area: the Irish O'Boobigan's and the Scottish Tilted Kilt. Can you say Gaels! Gaels! Gaels! Using a highly scientific review system (but trying not to stare), we set out to discover which place was breast, er, best.

Tilted kilt: Putting the "tart" back in tartan, this sassy number is a Scottish schoolgirl fantasy complete with knee socks, push-up bras in Victoria's Secret clan colors and a whole lotta midriff. Don't ask what they're wearing under there (we already did): going commando 'neath the kilt is verboten as per the health department. Besides, the male workers wear 'em, too (shudder).

O'Boobigan's: Erin go braghless? No, but close. Imagine the Hooters uni as designed by the Lucky Charms leprechaun on a bender. You get wedgie-riffic green shorties plus the O'Boobigan's logo on white baby-T. Bullet-proof suntan pantyhose appear to be optional.

T.K: Like Bennigan's with decolletage, the Kilt is all dark woods and polished brass. There's live music on the back deck and an open-air bar. If you feel guilty in the morning, it won't be because of this place.

O'B.: We're fairly certain Burt Reynolds filmed the bar fight from Hooper there. But hey, at least there's a pool table and games. Plus the floors are clean enough to pass out on.

O'B.: Think Guns & Ammo. Here you'll find a curvy fleet of lovelies who know how to pour a draught and quip, "My Irish eyes are up here, buddy!"

T.K: The menu doesn't go overboard with the Scot shtick, so alas, there's no haggis quesadilla to split with your mates. But there is great joy in ordering "drunken clams" (steamers cooked in Guinness). The bar food is better than it has to be.

O'B.: It's a very long way from Tipperary, with "Irish nachos'' (waffle fries heaped with stuff) and "blarney stones'' (jalapeno poppers, tasty ones at that).

Laura: A different kind of Highland games, the nod goes to the girls dressed to kilt.

Sean: I'm all about the underdog, the Everyman, the democratic cleavage. O'Boobigan's? O'yeah.

Comments on this article

by KatAustin	Jun 25, 2008 7:46 PM
Some of you people sound like feminist. And feminist, they are the reason this country is going down the tubes. I hope these place make millions.

by P	Jun 25, 2008 10:45 AM
If you wives would pay more attention to your husband and keep yourself looking good then these kinds of places would not be so popular.

by Pat	Jun 24, 2008 12:59 PM
Wow! There seems to be a drastic separation of opinions along gender lines! Who'd a thunk it!

by Tom	Jun 24, 2008 10:23 AM
Hooter's wings were my favorite; I wonder if these two measure up to their wings. Also, it always nice to talk to an attractive woman, even if it is only her job. If wives looked like these waitresses, the place would be empty no matter how good the wings are!

by Tara	Jun 23, 2008 4:11 PM
Another place for lonely old guys, err.. I mean "regulars", to delude themselves into thinking that one of these young plasticene bimbos really does like him. At Hooters, the same obsessed guys have been sitting on the same bar stools for 20 yrs. Sad

by Mark	Jun 23, 2008 3:12 PM
Jay from 654p yesterday wins the absurd post of the day: "These places are not good for the community.... I been to both." HILARIOUS!!! Who FORCED you to go in there Jay?

by Barbie	Jun 23, 2008 3:12 PM
Don't fret, everyone. These places won't last unless they have good food to offer. Remember Melons? Just a ploy.

by jimmy	Jun 23, 2008 3:12 PM
grrreat article, no bashing and helping two local businesses out. good job. I love O'boobigans and their food is awesome. Have not tried Tilted Kilt yet, on my way soon

by Dr.Boob	Jun 23, 2008 3:12 PM
I love big fake boobs and cold beer! Yum Yum. Sounds like a good night out with the boys! Come home drunk and take care of the wife! woohoo!

by ANGELIQUE	Jun 23, 2008 3:12 PM
The servers at the Tited kilt make the Hooter's girls look covered up.

by SinSin	Jun 23, 2008 3:11 PM
Using a highly scientific review system (but trying not to stare), we set out to discover which place was breast, er, best. Tacky, tasteless and vulgar. Just taking the white trash whores off the streets and giving them shelter from the rain...

by Duane	Jun 23, 2008 3:11 PM
Who cares about either place but I really enjoyed reading the review. "We just saw your parole officer there." Great line.

by Amused	Jun 23, 2008 9:30 AM
It looks like both "Confused" and "Outraged" need a night out and a drink or two. The outfits are just an angle to get folks in the door. Don't like it? Then you are free to choose to not give these places your business (and your money).

by aldo	Jun 23, 2008 9:30 AM
its show and go time ,try to remember it ,,you setter you,its like gasparilla all the time,

by barbara	Jun 23, 2008 9:30 AM
I GUESS I WILL GO BACK TO PACKING MY HUSBAND'S LUNCH FOR WORK NOW......

by Tom	Jun 23, 2008 9:30 AM
Sean - Lift a frosty mug to double standards and O'Boobigan's, an establishment I'll treasure for their subtlety. What can you say about dan almonte?

by SUE	Jun 23, 2008 9:29 AM
LETS OPEN A GAY BAR!! THEY REALLY KNOW HOW TO PARTY THE 'CLEAN' WAY! WHO CARES BOUT BOOBS!!! LETS HAVE FUN 'GABBING' AND TALKING POLITICS!! THE BOOBS ARE FAKE ANYWAY!! LETS ALSO GET THE MALES, NOT FROM THE 'REVIEW' THEY ARE LIKE HOOTERS,..FAKE!!

by John	Jun 23, 2008 9:29 AM
I used to live in Phoenix and there was a tilted kilt there. Love to see one here - food is great, and the atmosphere is nice too.

by andrew	Jun 23, 2008 9:27 AM
Why didn't you send Robin Blumner and Bill Maxwell to review these restaurants? At least you would be consistent...

by me	Jun 23, 2008 9:27 AM
Went to Tilted Kilt months ago with friend for lunch not realizing it was basically Hooters in plaid. Oy...just walked in the door and the sparkling powder on the exposed boobs were like airport landing lights. Being female and sharing same awkward.

by KEN	Jun 23, 2008 9:27 AM
BOOBS AN BEER YA GOTTA LUV THAT

by Greg	Jun 22, 2008 6:57 PM
I have no use for fake boobs. The real ones are for feeding babies. What is the big deal?

by Lin	Jun 22, 2008 6:56 PM
Mercy.From the photo, the outfit the waitress at the Tilted Kilt is wearing makes the waitresses at both Hooters and O'Boobigan's look demure.If there is a male equivalent to this kind of sexist, overtly exploitative work uniform don't show it, pls.

by Jay	Jun 22, 2008 6:54 PM
These places are not good for the community. All they do is flaunt a bunch a boobs in front of guys who actually think they are into them, just so they can get their dough. I been to both, the food is sub-par, and the drinks are overpriced.

by Confused	Jun 22, 2008 6:50 PM
ok give me a beer and I will shut up! no a non-alcoholic beer please, there is a church way down the street around the corner through the 4way stop. there's a hair in my beer.

by Jen	Jun 22, 2008 6:48 PM
Edward, Florida is not "the South." Florida is mostly a mix of Northern transplants and some others. Don't insult "the South."

by Mike	Jun 22, 2008 3:33 PM
What say I, confused? I say you are lame.

by Jen	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
These bars hardly deserve the amount of thought this article put into them. Put your writing skills to better use, guys. This stuff is just cheesy.

by Dave	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
Hey, Confused! Apply for Sean's job and you won't have to worry about double standards. Sounds/looks like a couple of nice watering holes. Get over it!

by frank	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
oh boy, girls with big boobs serve drinks. let's put this update in the newspaper.

by Bill	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
Yes, you are confused. It's humor and reporting, maybe not in the best taste, but really..it is Florida after all.

by Collin	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
Go to a "Real Pub" Flanagan's in Dunedin...These places are a Joke

by Ken	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
Shameful.

by Kim	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
Confused, I don't see inappropriate language or sexual harassment in this article. These are legitimate area businesses that are following in the footsteps on one of our most successful local companies; Hooters. Big surprise, men seem to like breasts

by carol	Jun 22, 2008 3:32 PM
places like this promote porn. can't people go to a place and just enjoy the food and music without some sleazy looking girl sticking her cleavage in your face. save that for the strip joints. so much for being able to go to a decent british pub.