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Club More features a funky blend of music, dancing and, on Monday nights, a chance to box.
By EILEEN SCHULTE
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 12, 2001
CLEARWATER -- Go ahead and pick a fight at Club More. Make their day. Never mind that the nightclub is right across the street from the Clearwater Police Department.
But for your own safety, do it on Monday night. And hey, don't forget to sign up first. Put on some gloves. And a mouthpiece.
Instead of a trip to jail, you could win a broken nose and a $25 bar credit at Monday Night Fight Night at Club More, an old furniture warehouse that has been transformed into a funky nightclub.
Fighters 18 and older are welcome to come out and box. "Girls are encouraged, too!!" it says on a Club More flier.
"It's been picking up every single week," said Ivy Faye, Club More promotions director. "It's fantastic. We have six to 10 fights per night."
Club More is a concert venue, a DJ dance hall, recreational boxing arena on Monday nights and watering hole the rest of the time.
But one thing has been missing: munchies.
Right now, patrons order in pizzas right to their tables. But once the new kitchen is finished and inspections are completed in a few weeks, food service will begin.
The Club More complex is broken into three areas: the Gallery, an intimate "groovy living room" atmosphere with a psychedelic projection lava lamp; an outdoor deck dining area; and a dark, cavernlike warehouse, where most of the concerts and boxing take place.
Monday Night Fight Night draws about 300 people who want to see amateur boxers duke it out in a ring splattered with dried blood from previous bouts.
Young men and women wearing protective headgear fight through the pain of bruises for the ultimate prize: a $25 bar credit for those over 21, a month's membership at World Gym Largo for those 18 to 21.
On the weekends, though, it's all music.
Faye and one of the club's owners, Ted Henderson, are looking forward to two acts, Syrup, a Southern rock band from Tallahassee that plays July 28, and Fear, a 1970s punk band slated for Aug. 24.
Save for the band from Tallahassee, July is Local Palooza month at the club, which means, Faye said, "We want to highlight local bands. We really want to encourage people from Clearwater and Tampa to come out and support their local music."
That means bands such as the Saturn 5, Black Honkeys, the Outpatients, Flood, Strobe and Big Mother Thruster.
The Gallery features DJ Neiro from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays, and the acoustic Earl and Arch Band at 10 p.m. Saturdays.
No word on karaoke, which may not be funky enough for Club More.
"But there is always something new on the horizon," said Henderson.
Club More's Gallery is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays. The Warehouse, featuring local and national artists, is open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Cover charges vary. Monday Night Fight Night starts at 9. Club More is at 703 Franklin St., Clearwater. Call (727) 466-6673.
Some other venues for amateur boxing. Call for fight schedules:
BOURBON STREET NIGHT CLUB: 4331 U.S. 19, New Port Richey; (727) 843-0686.
DADDY WIGGLERS: 2015 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; (813) 248-2214.
GOLDSTAR BAR: 242 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg: (727) 550-0419.
JO BOB'S: 5347 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. (813) 788-1801.