1. 2001 Odyssey

   Stadium Area : 2309 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33607

   Tampa's well-deserved reputation as a strip club mecca is no doubt helped by the out of this world landmark known as 2001 Odyssey. The adult strip club is recognizable by its spaceship exterior (in reality, an old model house from the kitschy past). Part of an area of strip clubs known as the Be …

2. 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   The large-scale Beach Drive restaurant — 9,000 square feet, 300 seats, private dining room for 32, banquet room for 64 — is a collaboration of a number of savvy restaurant people. Steve Westphal and Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill, general manager Rick Steavpack and dining room manage …

3. 5 Boroughs Sports Bistro

   Spring Hill / West Hernando : 1252 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, 34609

   More than 25 beers on tap.

4. 717 South

   Editor's pick

   South Tampa : 717 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

   Half Italian, half Asian and all South Tampa style, the place feels homey. Burgers, duck salad, Thai beef, bread bowls, lasagne, pizza and espresso-seared steak all get uptown presentation and warm neighborhood vibe. Plus miso, pesto and the whims of chef Robert Masson. The bar scene: Swank is t …

5. 8th Avenue Pub

   Safety Harbor : 103 8th Ave. N, Safety Harbor, 34695

6. A Taste for Wine

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

   Bern's may have the better wine list, but many of us would rather hang out at A Taste for Wine. The wrought-iron balcony offers a great view of Central Avenue in St. Pete. Inside, there's art on the walls from JJ Watts gallery, and live music on weekends: jazz, folk, flamenco, pop, etc. They als …

7. Abbey Road

   Editor's pick

   Tyrone : 974 58th St. N, St. Petersburg, 33710

   There is feisty energy and rock 'n' roll all around you: the memorabilia and personal touches are everywhere. Beatles pictures, Howling Wolf and Janis Joplin concert posters are everywhere, and a wall dedicated to boxing champions. Full liquor bar and clean taps; Bollocks, Guinness, Boddington's …

8. Acropolis Greek Taverna

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 515 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

   This is not a place for quiet conversation, except at lunch. Pretend you're at a Greek wedding and join in the festivities. What's not to like? Fun atmosphere, reasonable prices. And those fancy Dyson Airblades? They've got those, too.There's food too, of course, reasonably priced Greek standard …

9. Ageing Still Bar and Grill

   Largo : 11561 Walsingham Road, Largo, 33778

10. Aja

    Downtown Tampa : 290 S Meridian Ave., Tampa, 33602

    When it opened in January just before the 2009 Super Bowl, it was clear that AJA Channelside, the ultra-chic nightclub in the Towers of Channelside, was swinging for the fences. So far, it's hitting them. During the Super Bowl, guests included Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson an …

11. AJA Wiregrass

    Wesley Chapel : 28330 Paseo Drive, Suite 190, Wesley Chapel, 33543

    A stylish restaurant and bar located in a shopping and entertainment complex, featuring live music, DJs, and other "ultra lounge" amenities like bottle service, valet parking and VIP tables.Read more here.

12. Alan & Michele's Monkey Bar

    Clearwater : 1681 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, 33755

    Dressed up like the Jungle Book set in a dive bar, this monkey hole is a lot of neon and tiki bar decor with bamboo and palm tree action. Southern rock dominates the jukebox, and pool tables get the shark treatment. A fun spot for older singles, 40s and up crowd.

13. Albatross Bar & Grill

    Town 'n' Country : 7551 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 33615

    Beer selection is a step up form the average bar and grill, with weekly specials, pizza nights, pool tables at this beach-themed sports bar.. Read more here.

14. Alfresco

    Editor's pick

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

    This member of the Vinoy resort's restaurants features a fresh Floribbean menu. This small and casual spot is a little hard to find back by the pool, but when you do, you'll appreciate the great service and the opportunity to eat outside on a beautiful day. A favorite is the sweet potato fries t …

15. All Stars Sports Bar

    West Pasco : 4331 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, 34652

16. Anchor Bar

    Davis Islands : 304 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, 33606

17. Angels Show Bar

    Tampa : 10101 E US Highway 92, Tampa, 33610

18. Angry Pepper Taphouse

    Seminole : 9366 Oakhurst Road, Seminole, 33776

19. Anise Global Gastrobar

    Downtown Tampa : 777 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, 33602

    A small posse of seasoned restaurant pros jumped on the gorgeous space at the bottom of SkyPoint, unveiling Anise Global Gastrobar early in 2013. Its focus is Korean-ish, with a southeast Asian palette of flavors that's fairly hard to pin down. With many of the share-friendly plates under $10, f …

20. Aqua Bar & Grille

    Editor's pick

    Rocky Point : 7627 W Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa, 33607

    What was Aquaknox at the Westin Tampa Bay was rechristened Aqua Bar & Grille in recently when parent company E-Brands was sold to Tavistock. Chef Matt Mangone unveiled a new menu with dishes like yellowfin tuna tartare, a lovely plate with daikon and pickled chiles and a swoosh of avocado mo …

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