1. 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 …

2. 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 …

3. Avanzare

   Downtown Tampa : 2 Tampa City Ctr, Tampa, 33602

   Located in the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa, Avanzare offers a bistro type setting for breakfast and lunch, plus fine dining for dinner. It's located on the lobby level of a five-story atrium and waterfall.

4. Bit Bar

   Downtown Tampa : 514 N Franklin St., #104, Tampa, 33602

   The vibe: A modern, relaxed beer and wine bar with compueter-based games.Food (appetizers, sides and pizza slices) provided by nearby eateries.Hours: daily 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m.Read more here.

5. Champions Sports Bar at Marriott-Tampa Waterside

   Downtown Tampa : 700 S Florida Ave., Tampa, 33602

   Located off the lobby of the Marriott Waterside, this place can get jumping when big events are going on. With that name, you'd expect plenty of TVs and a sports theme. It doesn't disappoint, and actually can be a fun place with its faux tennis courts, "stadium seating" in front of hug …

6. Club Underground

   Downtown Tampa : 802 E Whiting St. , Tampa, 33602

   One of the area’s top hip-hop clubs is located in downtown Tampa. Young Jeezy, Plies, Tiesto, Ginuwine and Juvenile are among the artists who’ve appeared here since 2007.

7. Columbia Cafe

   Downtown Tampa : 801 Old Water St., Tampa, 33602

   The Tampa Bay History Center has hired the right restaurateur. Richard Gonzmart, great-grandson of Casimiro Hernandez Sr., founder of Columbia Restaurant in Tampa's Historic Ybor City, is passionate about Ybor City, about local food history and about Cuban sandwiches (not necessarily in that ord …

8. Fly Bar & Restaurant

   Editor's pick

   Downtown Tampa : 1202 N Franklin St., Tampa, 33602

   The brainchild of Tampa native Leslie Shirah, this bastion of hip has since gained a devoted following among Tampa foodies and revelers. Shirah honed the concept during a 15-year stint in San Francisco. And the concept is this: an all-day menu until late, late; a share-it-with-friends approach t …

9. Gilligan's Hideaway

   Downtown Tampa : 202 N Morgan St, Tampa, 33602

   Located a few blocks from the Tampa Bay Times Forum and next to Shalimar Indian Restaurant, Gilligan's is the kind of place where TV's goofy first mate would duck out from the Skipper. It's a fun and friendly hangout, tucked away in a part of downtown Tampa that isn't too close to the action, ex …

10. Hattricks Tavern

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Tampa : 107 S Franklin St, Tampa, 33602

    It's not the closest hockey bar to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, but it's the best. The staff knows everything about the game, and TV analyst Bobby "The Chief" Taylor has been known to stop by. With a nice menu, tons of Lightning memorabilia on the walls, tasteful brick decor and a shuffl …

11. Kenny's Sports Bar & Eatery

    Downtown Tampa : 206 N Morgan St, Tampa, 33602

    Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.

12. Loading Dock Sandwich Pub

    Downtown Tampa : 100 E Madison St, Tampa, 33602

13. Martini Republic

    Downtown Tampa : 912 N Franklin St., Tampa, 33602

    Seasonal cocktails and other specialty drinks, wines and craft beers in a polished, but casual martini lounge. Happy Hour is until 8 p.m.Hours: 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. Sat., closed Sun.

14. Metro Restaurant and Lounge

    Downtown Tampa : 511 N Franklin St, Tampa, 33602

    LGBT restaurant and bar, with Happy Hour and late night dining.Hours 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Wed, Thur and Sun4:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Fri and Sat.

15. Royale Ultra Lounge

    Downtown Tampa : 204 N Morgan St, Tampa, 33602

16. Sail Pavilion on the Riverwalk

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Tampa : 333 S Franklin St., Tampa, 33602

    However you arrive at the Sail Pavilion — by foot, boat, bike or car — just get there by sunset.What? Never heard of it? The Tampa Convention Center's circular bar opened on the Riverwalk in 2009. In-the-know cyclists and boaters find it, conventioneers and hotel guests wander over.  …

17. Sapphire Room at the Floridan Palace Hotel

    Downtown Tampa : 905 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 33602

    The Vibe: The reimagining of a historic downtown Tampa hotel bar and lounge, with appetizers, salads and sandwiches and desserts. Specialty cocktail, Between the Sheets with rum and brandy, large wine list, beers on tap.Hours: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Thur.-Sat., closed Sun.-Wed. Closing hours may vary, ca …

18. Spain Restaurant & Tapas Bar

    Downtown Tampa : 513 N Tampa St, Tampa, 33602

    In a downtown that has tumbleweeds and buzzards (we're kidding about the first item but the second is oddly true) it's encouraging to know that there's a hot spot for swank mingling, great sangria and tasty tapas. Renovated in 2003 by Abell Garcia, the space features a dominant use of white, plu …

19. Spice Bistro Lounge

    Downtown Tampa : 204 N Morgan St, Tampa, 33602

20. Taps Restaurant Bar and Lounge

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Tampa : 777 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, 33602

    It's posh. It's urban. It's got pleasant food. It's got a massive wall of beers, at least a hundred bottles and dozens of drafts arranged by categories like lambics, India pale ales and pilsners. In short, it's everything the owners of SkyPoint want from a bar at its base. The wine selection's n …

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