News
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Ultimate Guide
Ultimate Local Music Venue
By Julie Garisto
Published June 28, 2007
|
When the live acts start rocking at Skipper's, it's touch to find a seat, so we shot this photo during the day.
|
 |
|
[Luis Santana | Times]
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
- The full winner's list
Every week for six months, tbt* asked its loyal readers to vote on their favorite bars, restaurants, personalities and attractions in Tampa Bay. And now we've compiled the winners into this collection of 25 ultimate choices.
|
|
Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa
Once upon a time, in 1980, Air Force buddies Vince McGilvra, Tom White and Anders Bastman (who's since been bought out) operated a takeout smokehouse in North Tampa that had a popular open jam on Sundays. Now local, national and international acts headline the joint's outdoor area lovingly known as the "Skipperdome" - a loose construction of stars, clouds and oak branches over a concert room of sand, wooden benches and holiday lights. Yes, it's as charming as it sounds, and the food's good, too. You can eat fried alligator there - it doesn't get much more Florida than that. Talk to anyone who's grown up in the bohemian-arts-music subculture of Tampa and they will relate childhood memories of dancing barefoot at Skipper's. Eclectic acts as far ranging as Sun Ra and Jonathan Richman have played there. In 2001, the Blues Foundation honored Skipper's with the Keeping the Blues Alive Award, naming it the best blues club in America. The show setups offer a powerful sound system, great vantage points and very few blind spots. One of the most often sought-out venues by WMNF FM-88.5 Community Radio for benefit concerts, Skipper's has played host to the station's tribute shows, which have featured headliners all genres coming together to salute the Beatles, Elvis Costello, Who, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. Skipper's Smokehouse: 910 Skipper Road, Tampa; (813) 971-0666, www.skipperssmokehouse.com.
How you voted
Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa: 54%
Crowbar, Ybor City: 23%
New World Brewery, Ybor City: 11%
Other: 8%
Dave's Aqua Lounge, St. Petersburg: 2%
Transitions Art Gallery, Skatepark of Tampa: 1%
[Last modified June 28, 2007, 14:37:45]
Share your thoughts on this story
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
News
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.
Print
Email story
Comment
Letter to the editor