A guide to Ybor inside & out
By BABITA PERSAUD, SUSAN THURSTON, RON MATUS, AMY SCHERZER, DENISE WATSON BATTS, JONATHAN MILTON AND MIKE READLING
Published October 24, 2003
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[Photos by Matt May]
Terri Bazley of Tampa takes the center of the fourth-level dance floor Friday at Club Prana in Ybor City. The Seventh Avenue club has five floors that include a VIP room and rooftop bar.
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Seventh Avenue, in the heart of historic Ybor City, will be the focal point of this weekend's Guavaween celebration, with some 100,000 folks filling the street.
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Coyote Ugly bartender Angela Daymut struts atop the bar Friday, along with other bartenders. The saloon is known for its dancing staff and for the women's undergarments that hang from the ceiling.
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Guitarist Jerry Provost of St. Petersburg performs Friday at the James Joyce Irish Pub, which offers a wide selection of import beers and a mellow retreat from the revelry on Seventh Avenue. |
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Patrons of Centro Ybor drift through the entertainment complex on Friday, as a trolley makes its way down Eighth Avenue.
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Dancers pack the first floor of Club Prana in Ybor City Friday. Each floor of the dance venue has its own DJ and theme.
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Guavaween hits Ybor City on Saturday for its 20th year.
It's Ybor's biggest party. Everyone's invited. Especially if you're in costume.
About 20,000 partygoers, many of them kids, will crawl Tampa's historic Latin quarter during the day to trick-or-treat and visit a haunted house.
As the moon comes up, 100,000 people will make their way to the red-bricked streets for the Mama Guava Stumble Parade and a night of revelry and, of course, drinking.
The action centers on and around Seventh Avenue. Check out the new Freak Alley and five stages of music.
But don't forget what makes Ybor famous: the bars and restaurants.
Don't know where to go? City Times wrote the guide - a list of 69 places from Acropolis to Zion with descriptions and a map. FIND OUT MORE:
1. Acropolis, 1833 E Seventh Ave.; 242-4545. Traditional Greek moussaka, pastistio, dolmades and shish kebab arrive fast and loaded with garlic. Appetizer platter has it all. Belly dancers and music on weekends. Beer and wine. noon to midnight Sun.; 11 a.m. to midnight Mon.-Wed.; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs. and Fri.; noon to 3 a.m. Sat. $$
2. Adobe Gila's, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 241-8588. With Mexican straw hats and maracas hanging from nails, this rustic balcony bar offers a bird's-eye view of Seventh Avenue. Frozen drinks, including the "Gila-rita," churn from machines behind the bar. Use the cool concoctions to wash down nachos and jalapeno poppers. Legend has it, a lizard monster named Adobe Gila (Gee-la) lived in the old Southwest. The only way to thwart the creature's deadly bite: tequila. 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mon.-Sat.; 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sun. $
3. S. Agliano & Sons Fish Co., 1821 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2187. Breathe deep, inhale the sea, immerse yourself in decades of Ybor tradition. The counter is stacked with fresh fish on ice. The sign on the corner desk states, "Parking for Sicilians Only." It's not hard to imagine Santo Trafficante Jr., the late mobster, coming in for a slab of grouper. Trafficante had good taste. 8 a.m. to noon Tues.-Wed.; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.; 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sat.
4. Alyssa Restaurant, 2202 E Seventh Ave.; 247-1992. Clean and bright, like a diner within brick walls. Fill up on fried shrimp dinners or chicken and pasta for under $7. Also burgers, salads, gyros, Buffalo wings. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m to 2 a.m. Mon. and Tues.; 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. Wed.-Sat. $
5. Amphitheater, 1609 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2331. If a state-of-the-art light and sound system gets you in the party mood, Santoro's Amphitheater is the place to be. The dual-leveled dance club features a revolving dance floor and a fleet of professional dancers to entertain. Tired from dancing, the club has plenty of lounge areas. A cryogenic jet system turns the place into a winter wonderland. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs. and Sun.; 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat.
6. Barley Hopper's, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 242-6680. International food accompany international beers. Fish and chips, Mongolian hot pot and chicken vindaloo. Watch out. It's hot! Good place to watch football games. Also shown: soccer, cricket, rugby and motor sports. 11:30 a.m. to midnight Mon.-Sat.; 11:30 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. Sun. $$
7. Bernini, 1702 E Seventh Ave.; 248-0099. Ooh, the serpentine copper bar and the big plates of pasta and wood-fired pizza. Cozy upstairs cigar and martini bar. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.; 4 to 11 p.m. Sat.; 5 to 9 p.m. Sun. $$
8. Big City Tavern, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 247-3000. New American cuisine served in one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Tampa. Heaven knows why this place isn't doing better. Housed in the nearly century-old Centro Espanol building, Big City has brick walls, a shiny tin ceiling and cushy booths that make you feel like you're in an episode of Sex and the City. Old-fashioned bar, topped with a large mirror, runs the length of restaurant. Jazz Wed. and Fri. nights. 5 to 10 p.m. Sun.-Tues.; 5 to 11 p.m. Wed. and Thurs.; 5 p.m. to midnight Fri. and Sat. $$$.
9. Blue Shark, 1620 E Seventh Ave.; 248-3499. Sing away the blues at Ybor's main spot for blues and oldies. Don't be surprised to hear Papa was a Rolling Stone by the Temptations spilling out the front door. Plain, brown bar tables and a wall collage of party pics create a low-key atmosphere for the mostly older crowd. Live music nightly and a full liquor bar. Seldom a cover charge. 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wed.-Sat.
10. Boneyard, 1823 E Seventh Ave.; 248-6224. Think junkyard of cool, unusual stuff. A sign over the door says, "So what if we're a mess." Sit on an antique clawfoot tub turned into a sofa or play pool on tables with black Jack Daniels logos. To find the speakers, look in an old refrigerator. The bar touts its chicken wings as the "best damn wings anywhere." Free popcorn for the asking. 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Mon., Wed.-Sat.; noon to midnight Sun. $
11. Born to Ride Saloon, 2015 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2800. A banner promises an arm wrestling contest. A skull with fiery wings hangs behind the bar. On a nail by the front door: a black lace bra. You get the picture, right? The lair of the easy rider. The more you drink, the harder it will be to tell the attorneys from the outlaws. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fri.-Sat.
12. Carmine's Restaurant, 1802 E Seventh Ave.; 248-3834. Dark and sparse in decor, loaded in menu and tradition. It's been around for years and known for its Italian, Spanish and American specialties, such as the homemade deviled crab. Have a seat at its bar, dining area or saddle up to the sidewalk takeout window. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tues. and Wed., 11 a.m. to midnight Thurs.-Sat. $
13. The Castle, 2004 N 16th St.; 247-7547. The place proves Goth is not a fad, but a lifestyle. Iron candelabras, bare brick walls, stone topped bar. Dance as faint light streams through blue-stained glass windows. Lounge in the blood-red room. Goth night Fri. and Sat.; '80s dance Thurs. and Mon. Yes, Castle is not for Goths only. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. and Mon.
14. Cherry's, 1512 E Seventh Ave.; 247-4541. They've got the old-school-diner thing down. The counter is stainless steel; the floor, black-and-white checkerboard; the walls, an excuse to hang Marilyn Monroe smiles. Cherry's famous burgers are best washed down with - what else? - cherry coke. If it's late, drop a few cherry bombs (cherries soaked in grain alcohol) at 50 cents a pop. 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon to midnight Sun. $
15. Chills, 1910 E Seventh Ave.; 766-5796. Chill out at Chills, a club for 18 and older. Forget your inhibitions in the dance cages or lounge in the VIP room upstairs. DJs spin R&B, pop and dance music. Look for three for one drink specials most nights. Get there before midnight to avoid a cover charge. 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily.
16. Club Hedo, 1510 E Seventh Ave.; 248-4336. This tropical themed bar feels like a cross between Hooters and the set of Joe Versus the Volcano. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wed.-Sat.
17. Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave.; 248-4961. Ybor's gracious landmark since 1905, a palace of Spanish tile and old-world ambience. Find the Red Room for discreet dining or sit by the fountain with the tourists. Flamenco show in the Siboney dining room nightly, except Sundays ($6 cover fee). Jazz in the cafe Thursday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.- Sat.; noon to 9 p.m. Sun. $$
18. Coyote Ugly Saloon, 1722 E Seventh Ave.; 228-UGLY. A sign near the door heeds this warning: "You may get whipped. You may have your bra taken off. You will get drunk. You will get ugly." Made famous from the movie of the same name, this bar seeks to delight guys and disgust girls, or at least baffle them. Bras hang from the ceiling and female bartenders in tight T-shirts and cowboy hats dance on the bar. There's never a cover charge for women. Expect $5 for men after 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Mon.-Sat.
19. D'Italia, 1811 N 15th St.; 248-2929. Stand at the counter or find a curb at this take-out joint where pizza, subs, calzones, gyros and burgers come good and cheap. Nothing tops 10 bucks. 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Wed. and Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fri. and Sat.; 2 to 11 p.m. Sun. $
20. Deli-Plus, 1605 E Seventh Ave.; 241-9526. A straight-ahead sub shop with hot pressed or cold sandwiches, hot dogs and salads which can - and should - be capped off with large malt shake or banana split. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. and Tues.; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wed.; 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. $
21. Demmi's Market on 7th, 1816 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2356. Stop in this market turned bar and pizza place for a cheap slice, a cold beer and a few turns on the jukebox. Surfboards and snowboards mounted on the dark walls create a laid-back, casual feel. Music by John Maher, Dave Matthews Band and Bob Marley satisfies both college kids and older professionals. 5 p.m. to midnight Mon.; 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tues.; 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wed.-Sat. $
22. Dish, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 241-8300. A restaurant where you go shopping. Pick your veggies: snow peas, onions, broccoli. Pick your meat: sirloin, chicken and shrimp. Pick your sauce: Spanish artichoke, creamy parmesan and curry. A chatty cook "stir-fries" your mix on a 10-foot circular grill. Fun for parties and leisurely meals. 11:30 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon to 9 or 10 p.m. Sun. $$
23. Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn, 1915 Avenida Republica de Cuba; 241-4545. Its quaint dining room is encased in glossy wood paneling, the hardwood floors are massaged to a mirror finish and lush emerald drapes adorn the windows. Need we say more? Entertainment during dinner hours. Business casual for dinner. Come as you like for lunch. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tues.-Fri. Dinner: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thurs. and Fri. Bar open during lunch and dinner, usually at 6 p.m. for dinner. Always available for guests. $$-$$$
24. Earthquake Nightclub, 1812 N 17th St. So close to Ybor's Scientology office, no wonder this club trembles. Late night crowd.
25. Elmer's Sports Cafe, 2003 E Seventh Ave.; 248-5855. Ybor's "original" sports cafe, this bar and restaurant has views of TVs from every seat, dart boards and pool tables. The extensive menu has every bar grub goodie imaginable. Daily lunch specials, such as meatloaf and mashed taters, cater to the hungry, not the calorie conscious. Elmer's claim to fame: rows of empty Jagermeister bottles downed in the past decade. 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. $
26. El Molino Espresso Bar and Gift Shop, 2012 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2521. Connected to the Naviera Coffee Mill, where the smell of roasted coffee is the real deal. Choose from 40 flavors sold by the pound or sip a hot espresso in the coffee shop. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. $
27. Empire, 1902 E Seventh Ave.; 247-2582. If the regulation mix of house-techno-hip-hop-and-booty gets you in touch with your repressed tribal yearnings, if you need a dark, noisy, gritty place to behave in a way you'd rather not during the day, this is the club for you. Upstairs at Club Climax, DJ 38 mixes R&B. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
28. Epic, 1401 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2696. Former Bar Tampa. Was college. Now, upscale. A cheetah-print wall leads to art deco surroundings, a stainless steel bar. The 8,000-square-foot Epic is divided into a club with a huge dance floor and a lounge with couches galore. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
29. Fresh Mouth, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 241-8845. Burgers - veggie, too - served with all the trimmings. For dessert, slurp down a shake. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. $
30. Fuel, 1910 E Seventh Ave.; 265-2463. Two large industrial fans keep guests cool on the dance floor. Enjoy a DJ and choice of bars. Go upstairs to the balcony for a broad view of bustling Seventh Avenue. Late night crowd.
31. Full Moon Saloon, 1613 E Seventh Ave.; 248-3309. With T-shirts that read: "The More I Drink the Better I Look," no wonder this place pegs itself as the "most insane party you will ever attend." Hip hop on the tile floor. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
32. Fuma Bella, 1318 E Eighth Ave.; No phone number. It means "beautiful smoke." This tiny bar is serious about two things: cigars (modest selection), and single malt scotches. Popular with Ybor locals. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tues.-Sun.
33. GameWorks, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 241-9675. A miniature theme park. Games include Hollywood Bowling, Indy 500 and, of course, Dance, Dance Revolution Extreme. Game cards go fast, so come prepared. Two bars: the Arena Sports Bar and Hopscotch Lounge. Jax Grill restaurant serves lunch and dinner. 11 a.m. to midnight Sun.-Wed.; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. $$
34. Gaspar's Grotto, 1805 E Seventh Ave.; 248-5900. Only a few weeks old, this pirate-themed bar would make Jose Gaspar proud. Huge fish tanks, lantern chandeliers and dark wood dominate the elaborate decor. Bartenders dress as pirates eager to serve you at the bar or the Crow's Nest, an adjacent outdoor patio. Stop by the restrooms for a look at the parrot tiles. 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
35. Green Iguana Bar & Grill, 1708 E Seventh Ave.; 248-9555; An open air bazaar of food, music and a rockin' good time. Live entertainment. Sidewalk seating if you don't mind baby strollers and pedestrians swishing by your lunch. Vegetarian friendly (Mother Earth Veggie Burger, Magical Mushroom Wrap) but kind to meat lovers as well (grouper, sirloin, chicken fajitas). Of course, fake iguanas dominate. Ask about the legend of the Green Iguana and the dollar bills lining the bar. 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. $
36. Harpo's, 1805 E Seventh Ave. Across 18th Street from the Italian Club, Harpo's has shrunk to the outdoor patio. There's still loud music, cold beer and plenty of room to dance. And no cover charge. 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat.
37. Hoo Doo Room, 1929 E Seventh Ave., 247-6838. A reincarnation of the Fly Trap, the Hoo Doo Room is a dark, two-story music venue for local and national acts. The big purple voodoo doll in the front window and "black magick" attract the gothic crowd and anyone looking to cast a spell. Call for hours.
38. Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 864-4000. Local outpost for the national chain. Housed in the old Grand Spanish Theater, where 1930s Cuban and Argentine movie stars appeared. Some of the comedians: Bobby Slayton of The Mind of the Married Man; Maryellen Hooper, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; and Pablo Francisco of HBO's Loco Slam. Improv also serves burgers, tacos, chicken wings and quick eats. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Wed. and Thurs.; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 7 and 9 p.m. Sun. $$
39. Inferno, 1915 E Seventh Ave. Upscale lounge encased in thick, heavy orange curtains that block windows and doors. Leaves it up to your imagination what goes on inside. Late night crowd.
40. The Irish Pub, 1721 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2099. The kitchen has been closed, but Guinness is considered the main fare at this homey pub. That should be enough to sustain anyone who doesn't wish to partake in the dart boards upstairs or live music. 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tues.-Sat.; 1 to 9 p.m. Sun.
41. James Joyce Pub, 1704 1/2 E Seventh Ave. (upstairs); 247-1896. Perhaps one of the hardest bars to find (Hint: You have to go through a gated door and up the steep stairs), James Joyce is certainly worth the search. Besides plenty of Irish beer and live music, this quaint Irish spot offers a second-story view of Seventh Avenue. Just watch your step on the way out. 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily.
42. King Corona Cigars & More, 1523 E Seventh Ave.; 241-9109. Part cafe, part shop, King Corona's is as thick with family tradition as it is with the cigar plumes of buyers trying out the store's wares. Pick up pizza and turkey reubens on one side and the finest cigars around on the other. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tues.; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wed.; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.; noon to 8 p.m. Sun. $
43. Ladies of the Sea, 1817 E Seventh Ave.; 241-4938. Hip with its black tables and purple lamps. Even hipper with its stewed beef, smoked turkey wings and collards. 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. and Tues.; 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wed.; 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thurs.; 11:30 to 3:30 a.m. Fri.; 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sat. $
44. La Terrazza Ristorante Italiano, 1727 E Seventh Ave.; 248-1326. Intimate Northern Italian dining amid the hustle of Ybor. Casual yet stylish bistro takes you away from it all. Can't go wrong with the lobster ravioli. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tue.-Fri. Dinner 6 p.m. to closing, which manager Luigi says is about 10 p.m. on weekdays and up to 11 on weekends. $$
45. La Tropicana Cafe, 1822 E Seventh Ave.; 247-4040. Feel Ybor's original spirit. The place pulses, fueled by heart-racing Cuban coffee and bilingual chatter. The TV in the corner is tuned to Univision. The guava pastry oozes sweet jelly. For breakfast, dip that butter-smothered Cuban toast deep into your cafe con leche. Then go forth, work hard and be proud of your roots. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon.-Sat. $
46. Laughing Cat, 1820 N 15th St.; 241-2998. More than 100 mostly Italian dishes range from funky to Florentine. All-you-can-eat buffet lunch, $7.95, offers whatever the chef feels like making that day, from glazed duck to macaroni and cheese. Wine bargains abound. Reservations suggested. Lunch from 11 a.m to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Dinner 2:30 to 9 p.m. Tues. and Wed.; 2:30 to 11 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2:30 to 9 p.m. Sun. $$-$$$
47. Little Sicily, 1724 E Eighth Ave.; 248-2940. A family owned business with a lot of pride, it calls itself "Ybor City's Deli." It has an endless selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and desserts. It offers indoor bar-style seating or outdoor patio eating for its breakfast line and $3.99 lunch specials. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sun. $
48. Marble Slab Creamery, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 247-4406. Ice cream, floats and frozen yogurt served in a sweet smelling, brightly lit store. Or you can sit outside. noon to 10 p.m. Sun.-Wed.; noon to 11 p.m. Thurs.; noon to midnight Fri.; noon to 1 a.m. Sat. $
49. Masquerade, 1503 E Seventh Ave.; 247-3319. Inside the renovated Ritz Theater, it has become the grande dame of Tampa alternative clubs and prime spot for underground bands. Huge dance floor where the theater seats used to be. For a break, check out the adjacent Ybor Pool & Pub. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
50. Moses White & Sons Bar-B-Que, 1815 E Seventh Ave.; 247-7544. Soul food, soul music and it's open til 3 a.m. on weekends. Moses White & Sons is far more than a barbecue joint stuck between a bunch of clubs. It's a history lesson with some of the best ribs in town. Newspaper articles and pictures depicting Tampa as it matured adorn the wall. Try the sweet tea. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat. $
51. Nathan's, 1910-A E Seventh Ave. You know the fare. Hot dogs, cubans, sodas served from a tiny corner store next to Chills nightclub. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. $
52. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave.; 248-4969. A fun place to sip your ales and bottled beers indoors, under the tin roof porch or under the stars on the brick patio. It doesn't brew its own but you can pick from 21 draught beers or more than 100 bottles. Wash it down with thin-crust pizza, salads, chips and salsa. 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. $
53. Orpheum, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba; 248-9500. A lone pool table glows green under a hanging light. Microphones and amps clutter the stage. A bit of garage grunge in Ybor. Live music runs the gamut: Indie, hip-hop, electronic, retro. Spot for local bands. 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wed.-Sun.
54. Platforms, 1625 E Seventh Ave.; 241-6603. Platforms stomps hard on Seventh Avenue and 17th Street. The footprint includes adjacent Sakitinis (Platforms owned) and the Viper Room lounge, with big square ottomans and its own bar. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat.
55. Prana, 1619 E Seventh Ave.; 241-4139. If your style is upscale and exclusive, Prana is the place for you. The club features five levels of rooms that range in music selections from techno to hip-hop. The VIP level features a fish tank with five Nerf sharks. The club also offers roof-top access where guests can take in live reggae music. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thur.-Sat.
56. Rare Olive, 1601 E Seventh Ave.; 248-2333. A premier martini bar where club hoppers can stop by for a drink while local bands entertain. On weekends, the bar opens the patio and upper balcony bar with a DJ and posh lounge area. noon to 3 a.m. Wed.-Sat.
57. Roma Pizza, 1724 E Seventh Ave.; 241-2240. Down meatball specials, chicken fingers and parmigiana - even late at night. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon.-Tues.; 11 a.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. Wed.-Sat. $
58. Saketinis, 1625 E Seventh Ave.; 247-3585. So much sushi, so little time. The difference between Saketinis and Samurai Blue: Saketinis is connected to Platforms. One of the co-owners of Platforms is a co-owner at Saketinis. That means, you get Platforms wristbands - saving $6 on cover charge - when you dine at Saketinis. Restaurant is typical sushi and martini fare. Sea urchin sashimi and Tampa rolls served with jade green apple martinis. Snug booths create romance. 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tues. and Wed.; 4:30 p.m. to midnight Thurs.; 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. $$
59. Samurai Blue, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 242-6688. Here, sake martinis come topped with edible flowers. Volcano rolls, Tampa rolls, eel and smelt served nigiri or sashimi. Hip decor. Red brick interior and booths. Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. Sun.-Tues.; 5 p.m. to midnight Wed. and Thurs.; 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fri. and Sat. $$
60. Sandwich Chef, 1618 E Seventh Ave.; 247-1700. Cure the late-night munchies with a gyro, sandwich or 8-inch "Euro-pan" pizza. Open for lunch and dinner, this Turkish-owned diner has red vinyl booths and a stainless steel counter. Ask for the Ulker brand chocolate bars or apricot nectar from Turkey. No booze. 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Tues-Sun. $
61. 7th Heaven Psychic Cafe, 1725 E Seventh Ave.; 242-0400. They know you're coming. You will order the Dippidy Do Da (artichokes bakes in creamy parmesan), wash it down with herbal tea, relax amid images of moons, stars and cupids. You will watch the woman mysteriously flip cards in front of an anxious stranger, then line up for a psychic reading of your own. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tues.; noon to 11 p.m. Wed.; 11:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thurs.; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fri.; noon to 1:30 a.m. Sat. $
62. Skye and Starlounge, 1509 E Eighth Ave.; 247-6606. Formerly Club 1509. Opened in August. Inside, decor and music revamped. Out with Latin nights. In with high-class hip-hop. The Starlounge patio takes you to Middle Ages with its torches and fabric-covered booths. Skye has a huge dance floor and metal cages. Cityscape murals glow around you. And here's a curve ball: Skye hosts Monday night football viewings. Starlounge open 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. Skye open 10 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.
63. Spaghetti Warehouse; 1911 N 13th St.; 248-1720. It's what you expect of the chain: an Old World parlor of stained glass chandeliers with seating for two or 20 and offerings from calamari to tiramisu. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.; noon to 11 p.m. Sat.; noon to 10 p.m. Sun. $-$$
64. Starbucks, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; 241-4457. Every mall has one. Centro included. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Wed.; 7 a.m. midnight Thurs.; 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fri.; 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sat.; 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Sun. $
65. Subway, 1632 E Seventh Ave., 247-3060. Tucked between Phat Katz Tattoo and Earthquakes night club. A corporate-chain blight on Ybor individuality? Yeah, well, maybe. But that alcohol-sopping bread is good for what ails you in the wee hours. You'll need something safe and reassuring after the guy next door tattoos "WHITE TRASH SUPERMAN" in Gothic letters across your gullet (what were you thinking?!). 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Wed.; 10 a.m. to midnight Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat.; noon to 10 p.m. Sun. $
66. Tampa Bay Brewing Co., 1812 N 15th St.; 247-1422. You'll find homemade brew in the pizza dough and other dishes, such as the ale gumbo and Tabasco stout salmon. Eight regular brews and 18 seasonals are made in the shiny silver tanks by the front door. A dozen imports are on tap. Join the mug club for $35 and you get happy hour prices all the time. Kitchen hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 1 to 11 p.m. Sun. Bar stays open till 2 a.m. Wed.-Sat. $
67. Twilight, 1507 E Seventh Ave.; 247-4225. Multiple levels. State-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Great acoustics. All these make Twilight one of the most advanced concert stages in Ybor City. Throw in an eclectic assortment of dancers and DJs, not to mention numerous bars throughout, and you can't go wrong. 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily.
68. Westshore Pizza, 1910-B E Seventh Ave. Pizza by the slice out of a phonebooth-sized storefront. Generally 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thurs-Sat. $.
69. Zion, 1802 E Seventh Ave.; 248-3834. Tucked at the east end of Carmine's restaurant, this nook of a bar centrally located on Seventh Avenue offers good people-watching. Draught and bottle beer specials make it an ideal pitstop between bars. And unlike a lot of clubs in Ybor, you can carry on a conversation without busting a vocal chord. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat.
- Compiled by Babita Persaud, Susan Thurston, Ron Matus, Amy Scherzer, Denise Watson Batts, Jonathan Milton and Mike Readling.
Price guide
For businesses serving food, we used the following price guide based on meals for two:
$ Inexpensive, less than $25
$$ Moderate, $25-$50
$$$ Expensive, $50 and up
City Times headlines
A guide to Ybor inside & out
Amy Scherzer's DiaryGlitzy soiree with a cause
City PeopleYour fun is her work
Everybody's businessLofts quietly built amid townhomes
Local hauntsA host of ghostly happenings in Tampa
Neighborhood reportVirginia Park: 'Barren' street may bloom in medians
Downtown: It's just a jump to the left ...
Fair Oaks/Manhattan Manor: Landlady is out, now so is her building
Neighborhood notebook: Do you know how to say 'pass the pasta' in Italian?
ObituaryShe never forgot her Southern heritage
School newsInterbay: Students get reason to linger over books
What's BrewingEdgy poets hit the road
What's in a name?Sicilian helped other immigrants
Your TurnDevelopment should fit in with neighborhood
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