Blue Martini

Bay Street at International Plaza, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607

(813) 873-2583

http://www.bluemartinilounge.com/

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Cuisine: Tapas/small plates

Features: Live music, Martini, Upscale, tbt* Top Bar

Cost range: 10.01-20.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Full bar

More in this neighborhood: International Plaza District

Blue Martini calls its fare heavy appetizers, but there's not a chicken wing or onion ring in sight. Instead, the short menu features contemporary Asian-Mediterranean fusion: sesame-seared tuna, sliced beef tenderloin, hummus, calamari salad. And don't miss the killer 6-inch-tall chocolate cake. The bar scene: Blue Martini is definitely one of the slicker martini chains out there; so much so that it even has an outpost in Vegas. Ick. But there's no denying this lounge at International Plaza is one of Tampa's most popular meet markets, both at happy hour and late on weekends. You might bump into some pretty big-name athletes there. And if you like jazz or R&B, the Blue is definitely for you.