1. 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 …

2. Bahama Breeze

   Rocky Point : 3045 N Rocky Point Drive E, Tampa, 33607

   You can't see the Caribbean from this spot on the causeway, but you can hear the islands and get a taste of them here. Lively music makes waits on the veranda more fun. Drinks are mixed with tropical spirits, and meats and fish are done up with fire and spice. The bar scene: Expect a big variety …

3. Crowbar

   Editor's pick

   Ybor City : 1812 N 17th St., Tampa, 33605

   A top-notch sound system, the best sight lines, comfy patio and mind-boggling variety of bands have established Crowbar as one of the best places to catch a band in Tampa Bay. Ceramic-mosaic columns, red draperies and mirror-backed bar walls contrast against corrugated steel, black polished conc …

4. Cuso's Club and Cantina

   North Pinellas beaches : 2405 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33811

   One side's an open air bar with a bright mural outside and a nifty neon bikini sign on the wall inside. It's perfect for a stop after a day at the beach. The other's a well-chilled, dark, woodsy bar that rocks with live music most weekends. On our visit, we chatted up an iguana named Boogie.

5. Fubar

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 658 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

   Formerly the home of the eclectic Uptown Bar, this incarnation still draws a sizable crowd with its prime location across from the State Theater. They feature live bands, DJs and specialty promotions, including Champagne Birthdays. The bar only serves beer and wine, but any place that has Laguni …

6. Guppy's On the Beach

   North Pinellas beaches : 1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33811

   Fresh finfish, Caribbean fire, Southwestern flair and healthful ingredients make fun fusion in Margaritaville-by-the-Sea. Fresh fish gets uptown treatment with everything from papaya and sugarcane rum salsa and brandy sauces to potato crust. Trimmings are packed with fruits, herbs and grains.

7. Hard Rock Cafe

   Tampa : 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 33610

   Replacing the space occupied by long-time party nightclub Floyd's, the 17,500-square-foot restaurant features American casual dining in a rock 'n' roll setting. It has some notable twists on its brand: It's the first with gambling and the first with a burger butcher shop, with its signature Ybor …

8. J D's Restaurant & Lounge

   North Pinellas beaches : 125 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33811

9. Jimmy B's Beach Bar

   South Pinellas beaches : 6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 33706

   All you really need to know is the signature drink is called a Hot Wet Spot, equally embarrassing to order and to drink: a pina colada with a drizzle of blueberry liqueur, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. But the outdoor deck is gorgeous and features two bars, plus a long boardwalk down to …

10. Jimmy Guana's

    North Pinellas beaches : 401 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach, 33811

    When you see the wahoo and iguana (natch) signs, you'll know you're in the right place. Enjoy a sunset and seafood in this waterfront bar and grill that makes its home at the Holiday Inn.

11. Lana's Red Lion Pub

    North Pinellas beaches : 1407 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33811

    It's an awesomely funky British pub on Gulf Boulevard in Indian Rocks Beach. A red English telephone booth marks the spot. Walk inside the cozy wooden confines and you're immediately transported away from the tacky condo and tourist trap scene — and the merciless heat. The Red Lion Pub has jus …

12. Marker 34 Grill

    North Pinellas beaches : 401 Second St. # A, Indian Rocks Beach, 33785

    Specializing in fried lobster tail, steaks and seafood, this Indian Rocks favorite has indoor and outdoor seating and what it bills as the largest covered waterfront tiki deck in the area.

13. Pegasus Lounge

    Editor's pick

    Tampa : 10008 N 30th St., Tampa, 33612

    Grimy, gritty and an unapologetically fun place to hang out and drink Jager, the Pegasus is famed for three things: Zombie luaus, live punk and rock almost every night, and Pornaoke. Yep, that would be karaoke with hardcore porn playing on the screen behind you. It's every bit as disturbing as y …

14. Pete's Place

    South Tampa : 4145 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 33629

    No-nonsense, down-to-earth folks hang out amid the weathered wood and cast-nets with toy fish caught in them. Jim Beam neon fixtures mix with Christmas lights that illuminate a U.S. flag, and video games include the oddly out-of-place Sega Golden Axe video game. Pool tables for less than a buck  …

15. Porpoise Pub

    Seminole : 8701 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, 33772

    A friendly dive bar with charm and a lot more going for it than meets the eye, the Porpoise Pub is housed at the site of an old-school aquarium, and the bar used to be a dolphin tank. Now folks get tanked on cheap beer, play trivia and watch the game on one of the many TVs.

16. Rock the House

    South Pinellas beaches : 7370 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 33706

    As the name implies, this bar rocks, and rocks hard. Patrons are probably more inclined to hear Buckcherry screaming through the speakers or Led Zeppelin keeping the vibe alive. It's a huge joint with plenty of space to move around, and it offers tasty grub, karaoke and live music, and a strong  …

17. Slyce Pizza Bar

    North Pinellas beaches : 311 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33785

    "Hip" is the word that comes first to mind at Slyce, the down side being that it can be noisy and a little frenetic. As per the pizza, there are some shock-value pies: A Coney Island topped with chili and sliced Sabrett dogs; the super-spicy Sunburn with chilies and hot sausage and a s …

18. Sunset Lounge

    Spring Hill / West Hernando : 5429 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, 34606

    Where Spring Hillians go to get rowdy. It's got 20 televisions, three pool tables, a dart board and always a loud band on Friday and Saturday nights.

19. Tapas Garden and Wine Bar

    North Pinellas beaches : 321 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33785

    Start off by ordering a pan of the paella, because that's the star of the menu and you won't want to leave without trying it. It will be enough to feed a couple of people, but the made-to-order nature of it means it will take a half-hour. No problem, because a couple of choices of the tapas list …

20. The Hub

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Tampa : 719 N Franklin St., Tampa, 33602

    A Tampa icon, this downtown dive bar has a bad reputation for serving the strongest, most affordable cocktails in the city limits — maybe the entire state! And then there's the wildly eclectic crowd. Jobless vagrants, UT students, after-work professionals, well-dressed Tampa Theater concertgoe …

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