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For their own good Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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Barfly on the Wall
The Hub
By NICK MARGIASSO
Published February 4, 2005
Autumn Cruz/tbt*
A bright spot — literally and figuratively — at The Hub is the fairly decent jukebox.
Vitals: This singularly functional watering hole is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., and opens a bit later on Sunday (1 p.m.) while still closing at 3, the magic number. For those keeping score at home, that's a possible 17 hours of uninterrupted chances to pound 'em like a heavyweight, which you better be to hang with this crowd. Park at your own risk on the downtown streets. There's never a cover at 719 N Franklin St., and you can reach the bar at (813) 229-1553.
Writing on the wall: When the most entertaining thing your bar has going for it is scribbling words on a wall while relieving yourself, good times are not abounding. The Hub's bathrooms, which might be cleaner than the rest of the joint, have some real philosophical zingers -- "Love is more strong than you think" and a pre-revolution diss "Your momma was a white colonialist" -- that make unburdening yourself of that Pabst sixer even more revelatory.
Hipster hangover: The Hub has mysteriously garnered a reputation as the Mecca of bars amongst Tampa's "cool kids" -- that is to say the group of late 20s, early 30-something hardcore hangers-on and post-punks that make this the hub (pun intended) of their slipping scene. Needless to say, if you've ever ironed creases in your khakis or think chain smoking is "stinky," you may have a better time drinking at the DMV.
Beer bore: For being attached to a liquor store there certainly isn't an array of sultry suds to indulge in at the Hub. The beers on draft are similar to any Valrico hole-in-the-wall, and any ideas of a nice selection of Irish and English ales should be checked at the neon-lit bar.
Food for thought: This place should be commended for resisting the temptation to serve food. Call me crazy, but dirty-checkered floors and a haze of stale smoke doesn't scream spinach wrap.
Pinball wizard: Aside from the oddly busy pinball machine, one video game and a fairly decent jukebox, the Hub is just ashy tabletops and partially padded chairs. So, here's to drinkin' out the bottle, then.
Go or no?: Unless you fall into the aforementioned category of "scenesters," you probably ask for something from your bar other than smelling like Joe Camel's personal hamper or shying from things like light and sociability.
Nick, great hate mail. Awesome review, but the Hub completely wins the award for getting you shitfaced fastest.
by Hambone
02/11/05 06:04 PM
My bad, you already ripped on The Hub. At least you are consistent. Consistently clueless. Not really sure the point of your articles. Are you married to that lady who does the "Dirty Dining" spots on the news?
by Mike
02/10/05 03:32 PM
You suck.
by Adam
02/09/05 07:36 PM
Nick Margiasso's reviews represnet some of the worst writing I have ever seen, even by St Pete Times standards. His column should be retired so he has more time to hang out at Applebee's and Bennigans. Establishments he obviously enjoys going to.
by david
02/09/05 11:10 AM
This guy a first-class idiot. I thought tbt was supposed to be some cool alternative paper? Seems this guy should just stick to Whisky Park and every other cheesy meat market du jour. Lame. This made me not want to pick up this paper again. He didn'...
by johnny cass
02/08/05 08:57 PM
i tell you what, i've had some good times at the hub. hey paully!
by Rick G.
02/08/05 08:09 PM
I actually write for this paper (well, the Times, that is, not tbt* per se) and I have to agree 100 percent that this writer has no understanding of what makes something like the The Hub not only important but vital in today's world. I have to agree ...
by Carlos
02/08/05 09:32 AM
This wad obviously didn't experience the hospitality and genialty Skooter serves up on a daily basis.
by Trevor
02/07/05 09:41 PM
BEST BAR IN TAMPA, ask anyone!
bar, not to be confused with club or grill or even pub. just a bar. but the best drinks (4 fingers) for cheap. good jukebox too. not exactly a date spot, but a true tampa treasure, not to be disrepected by a chump wr...
by Melanie
02/07/05 03:04 PM
The Hub rocks. It's charm and character and is not pretentious like other bars - it's just a great place to hang out with friends.
by tommy
02/07/05 12:19 PM
criteria for a bar: Serve Alcohol.
For 25 years in Tampa, I have never seen a negative review for The Hub. Wall writing, strong drinks, no ales, no food, no ferns, a great jukebox, chairs that still work, and an amazing variety of people to chat...
by Patrick
02/07/05 10:41 AM
I hope this guy doesn't do a write-up on the Tiny Tap or any other place where people can get together and not place judgement on each other. He needs to stick to places like Kahunaville.
by SS
02/07/05 09:59 AM
Yes, the only â??coolâ?? bars are in S. Tampa - the ones full of fake purses, fake tans & fake... well, everything else. For those of us who don't feel an overwhelming need to impress others while downing a weak $6 drink, there's the Hub. Thank God.
by Adam
02/07/05 09:21 AM
The Hub is the way it is to keep people like this writer from wanting to go there. His kind is not welcome. He probably asked for more oj for his screwdriver. Stick with Bahassa and the Hyde Park Cafe, Nick.
by buttahfly
02/05/05 10:29 PM
Definitely not for the clean freak, but if you want a really stiff drink and a quick & easy buzz, this is the place. And yes, the bum on the corner IS drinking Aqua Velva, God Bles America!
by Ronndi
02/05/05 09:47 AM
Thanks for the crummy review. It's good that we won't be seeing the upscale type at the Hub and it will remain a great place to go!!
by marcus
02/04/05 11:29 PM
the hub was alot cooler before they moved. but they still have the best drinks in town. a salty salute to pauly, the best bartender in town.
by Chazz
02/04/05 10:16 PM
Another Great Review!!
Thanks again for the memories. This is another place I've tipped a few years ago. One of Tampa's finer dumps for sure, yet now with a new twist, some bums in training.
by Huey
02/04/05 06:43 PM
The author is an idiot.
Everyone knows that the Hub is Tampa's drinking man's bar, and has been since its inception. Liquor - and nothin else. The place pours the best drinks - guaranteed - and it doesn't discriminate. It has served that unique n...
by christen
02/04/05 05:19 PM
I don't think this guy actually went to the Hub. There are NO beers on draft, and he forgot to mention the fabulous bartenders who not only remember you, but will bandage your skinned knee when you fall down.
by Christina
02/04/05 03:48 PM
Ahh The Hub, my old friend. How you serve me well.
by Davon
02/04/05 01:07 PM
Challenge: I think we need a Bar Fly from someone who likes The Hub. I know there are many of you out there...
by Rich
02/04/05 12:59 PM
Do you like any local bars, or are you just too cool?
by trish
02/04/05 07:49 AM
This paper might want to send someone that actually likes bars to review them. Is there any place that this guy likes? Seems like he just enjoys trashing them all. Send this guy to Ruby Tuesdays.
by Radico
02/04/05 05:12 AM
That is where the bums hang out. THe kids described in the atricle are bums in the making. Can I get a cigarette from you? Got a light?
by bob
02/03/05 04:34 PM
I'M FROM ST.PETE, ISN'T THIS NEWSPAPER? THERE MUST BE SOME GREAT BARS IN THIS CITY.
PARTICULARLY ON THE BEACHES.
by Carey
02/03/05 04:20 PM
I trust we won't be seeing you there again anytime soon.
Thank God!
Last mission to repair the Hubble telescope
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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