Entertainment in Tampa Bay
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A
Empire
Techno, hip-hop and booty tunes draw a diverse crowd here, where DJs spin R&B and reggae to color laser lights on Friday and Saturday. On Thursdays you can drink all night (for free) after paying the cover, which increases as the night goes on.
reviewed
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B
Four Green Fields
This thatch-roof, plaster-sided bit o' blarney looks like a traditional Irish cottage, and the gregarious Irish staff, football shirts, draft Guinness and Irish menu (items $11 to $13) will have you affecting your own Irish brogue.
reviewed
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C
Steinbrenner Field
The New York Yankees play spring-training baseball games in March at Legends Field, the 10,000-seat stadium modeled after the ‘House that Ruth Built’ (ie Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York). The Yankees’ minor-league team, the Tampa Yankees, plays at Legends Field from April to September (tickets $3 to $5).
reviewed
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D
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
This fun brewpub in the heart of Ybor City makes a great start to an evening. Sample a flight of its own delicious beers. There's a full menu of standard pub-grub fare (items $9 to $14).
reviewed
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E
USF Bulls
The USF Bulls, a Division I-AA football team, play at Raymond James Stadium.
reviewed
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F
Channelside
Next to the aquarium, this entertainment complex is an unapologetic tourist trap, with bars and restaurants, outdoor entertainment, an Imax theater, bowling and souvenir shops. Occasional big events draw crowds.
reviewed
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Cinebistro
Cross a trendy South Beach nightclub with a plush arthouse cinema, and you get this: a snazzy, lobby cocktail bar, and upscale munchies to nosh at your seat while you watch. It's moviegoing… with style.
reviewed
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Club Prana
reviewed
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Independent Bar
If you appreciate craft brews, roll in to this converted gas station, now a low-key hip bar in Seminole Heights. You can count on one or more local Cigar City Brews, and they serve some mean pub grub.
reviewed
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UT Falktheater
This 900-seat theater is operated by the University of Tampa.
reviewed
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Tampa Theatre
This historic 1926 theater in downtown is a gorgeous venue to see an independent film, and before most movies they play the mighty Wurlitzer organ. Too bad showtimes are so limited: only one evening screening midweek and three on weekends. Look for special events.
reviewed
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Raymond James Stadium
Watch the Buccaneers play NFL football at Raymond James Stadium.
reviewed
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Improv Comedy Theater
This 21+ comedy club brings the funny five nights a week with local and national acts.
reviewed
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St Pete's Times Forum
Enjoy professional hockey at St Pete Times Forum with Tampa Bay Lightning.
reviewed
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L
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
This fun brew-pub has a good selection of microbrews, $4 liters on Wednesday and weekday happy hours (4pm to 7pm).
reviewed
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Metropolis
This gay dance club with DJs draws more men than women (could that have anything to do with the strippers?), but girls are certainly welcome.
reviewed
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Florida Orchestra
This 90-piece orchestra plays at the Performing Arts Center as well as venues in St Petersburg and Clearwater; look for free park concerts, too.
reviewed
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O
Gameworks
A high-tech play place with virtual-reality free-falling simulators and the like, Gameworks has plenty of decent eateries and bars to keep you entertained.
reviewed
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P
USF School of Music
Home to the USF Theater, this venue stages concerts and recitals open to the entire community. It’s accessible from Fowler Ave exits on the I-275 and the I-75.
reviewed
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Q
New World Brewery
This bar and disco draws a hugely lubricated crowd with its great dance music but it also has a great jukebox. DJs and live music grace the place a few nights weekly.
reviewed
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R
Adobe Gilas
The 2nd-floor balconies at this bar are a fabulous vantage point from which to take in the street scene below (and the bartenders also happen to mix fabulous margaritas).
reviewed
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Outback Bowl
If you’ve never seen a US college football game, definitely don’t miss the Outback Bowl, an NCAA (National College Athletic Association) football game on New Year’s Day.
reviewed
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Sun Dome
On the USF campus, the Sun Dome hosts rock, jazz, pop and other concerts – from Jimmy Buffet to Ludacris, from Luciano Pavarotti to the World Wrestling Federation (now there’s some ‘performing arts’ for you!).
reviewed
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S
Hub
This fun downtown hangout, complete with jukebox and cheap drinks, looks like a hole in the wall, but the bar gets packed on weekends with a Jack Daniels-and-Coke crowd. Be prepared to call a cab after ordering a few too many.
reviewed
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T
Green Iguana Bar & Grill
A cool, laid-back bar and restaurant by day (with Floribbean food, fish sandwiches and good burgers), by night the Green Iguana is actually two clubs in one. Head here for high-energy cover bands or DJ-driven dance music; $1 drinks on Wednesday.
reviewed