Drunken Clam

South Pinellas beaches : 46 46th Ave., St. Pete Beach, 33706

No, not the one in Quahog. This is dive across the street from St. Pete Beach is a local watering hole for a middle-aged crowd of beach bums, bikers and the like. NASCAR, Lynyrd Skynyrd, even a cigarette machine -- this is not the sort of place you go just to be seen. It's a place you go to drink.

O'Maddy's

Editor's pick

Gulfport : 5405 Shore Blvd., Gulfport, 33701

This full-liquor bar has tasty sandwiches with a kitschy, nautical interior and large wooden deck that overlooks the water. Karaoke starts at 9:30 every night and that's where you'll find Eckerd, Stetson and USF St. Pete students belting out tunes. During the afternoon, don't be surprised to fin …

Retreat

Editor's pick

South Tampa : 123 S Hyde Park Ave., Tampa, 33606

How can you not love a bar that, when faced with losing its liquor license, produced a photo from 1946 that showed the bar serving the hard stuff, proving its right to sell hooch should be grandfathered in? A favorite among University of Tampa seniors and downtown drones, the 61-year-old bar (wh …

Sea Critters Cafe

South Pinellas beaches : 2007 Pass A Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, 33706

This turquoise and yellow splashed landmark on the corner of the 21st Street bridge stands has a back porch so close to the bridge that it feels like a Chevy might take a nose dive into your quesadillas. Inside, mounted sharks, fish tanks and layers of wooden benches make up the decor. No memora …

Skipper's Smokehouse

Editor's pick

Tampa : 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, 33613

Skipper's is an institution. Generations of music lovers have called themselves regulars at this classic, Old Florida-themed establishment. Not only does it provide a spacious outdoor concert area, communal benches and beachy sand add even more charm, and its restaurant serves some of the best F …

Tavern at Bayboro

St. Petersburg : 121 Seventh Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 33707

The "Tav," a fixture on the University South Florida St. Petersburg campus since 1981, put in a more substantial kitchen a while back and owner Tom Herzhauser decided the time was ripe for menu changes. With friends at Fish Busters in Madeira Beach and Nachman's Native Seafood in Redin …