New martini lounge in Ybor

By tbt* staff writer
Published January 28, 2005

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This weekend is the grand opening of a new night spot in Ybor City, this one focusing on live music in an intimate setting. On The Rocks, a live lounge and martini bar at 1812 N 17th St. opened last Thursday with the local blues band Damon Fowler Group christening the place. Friday (1/28) Funk D'fino will take the stage, and Saturday is the lounge's big grand opening party. Since it's Gasparilla day, owner Alex Gilmore decided to open early at 5 p.m. and have a DJ crank things up. He's hoping to fill a void with his place. "We are looking for a more upscale clientele than is generally thought of for Ybor," said Gilmore, a manager at Whiskey Park of SoHo before opening the club. "They come for sushi or dinner at Centro Ybor and then head to SoHo because they can't find a place to get a drink." Gilmore aims to lure the lingerers with comfy seating, his own mandarin-infused vodka martinis and a mix of live music from acid jazz to blues to funk.