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Take your boat to dinner: Tiki Docks planned for Alafia River

 
Rendering of Tiki Docks in Riverview. (Courtesy of 23 Restaurant Services)
Rendering of Tiki Docks in Riverview. (Courtesy of 23 Restaurant Services)
Published April 2, 2018

RIVERVIEW — Drive-thru? Try boat-up.

Florida hospitality company 23 Restaurant Services just announced its latest project: Tiki Docks. It will be built right on the Alafia River in southern Hillsborough County.

The 15,000-square-foot restaurant will have three bars, a large patio and docks, so you can pull up on your boat then grab some ahi tuna.

The restaurant company, which owns Ford's Garage, plans to break ground on Tiki Docks near U.S. 301 and Palmetto Street in about a few weeks, according to spokeswoman Lindsay Kenyon.

The company has a target opening date near the end of 2018.

"You won't be coming just to eat the food," Kenyon said, "but for the experience."

That's because in addition to its tropical-inspired menu, president of the company, Marc Brown, is also planning to offer jet ski, jet boat, kayak and paddle board rentals.

RELATED COVERAGE: New Ford's Garage location to open next week in Westchase

The construction budget for the massive space is about $7.2 million, according to 23 Restaurant Services. It will also have event space that can be rented for private parties.

The large patio, which includes two of the bars, will allow diners to enjoy Florida's beautiful weather while they munch on peel-and-eat shrimp and burgers.

Traveling by boat for dinner isn't new in Tampa Bay.

Tiki bar The Getaway in Tampa is already in the midst of building its second waterfront location at Maximo Arena in St. Petersburg. The newly renovated Armature Works complex in Tampa has boat slips for its patrons, too.

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Already, Brown's company has seen success with boat-up Cape Coral restaurant The Boathouse.

Up next from the 23 Restaurant crew: Tampa's City Market Eats, which will open this spring, and St. Petersburg's planned Ford's Garage and Yeoman's Cask & Lion.

Contact Sara DiNatale at sdinatale@tampabay.com. Follow @sara_dinatale.