31. Splitsville
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 615 Channelside Dr.
Description: You can’t miss the gigantic ten-pin outside Splitsville at Channelside’s Bay Plaza. Walk inside, and you’ll wonder why bowling took so long to up its game a notch. Clusters of lanes with billiards tables and cushy booths in between give this bowling bar a classy look. Upscale cuisine (think sushi, edamame, shrimp quesadillas, steak, and more) four bars, music, and a dance floor make this a one-stop night out. Splitsville opens at 4 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Age 21 and above after 8 p.m.
32. United Skates of America, Inc.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 876-5826
Address: 5121 N. Armenia Ave.
Description: Want to do some roller-skating without dodging little ones? Thursday from 9 p.m. to midnight is Roller Heat Adult Skate (ages 17 and older only) and Sunday from 9 p.m. to midnight is the Adult Soul Roll (ages 18 and older only). The snack bar is basic pizza, but there’s a good-sized arcade game area, the décor is colorful, and they do some neat things with the lighting. Worth looking into when you want to do something a little more casual.
33. ChiQ Bar
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 546-7274
Description: Lesbian bar featuring karaoke, drag king shows, beer pong, dancers, game room, live music and dancing—or head to the patio where there’s a fire pit. ChiQ Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
34. G.Bar
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1401 E. 7th Ave.
Description: Colorful lights, lots of glitz, amateur strip nights, live music, themed events, male revue show, and they claim to host central Florida’s largest lesbian party every Friday. G.Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wednesday is generally reserved for private events.
35. Georgie’s Alibi
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 321-2112
Description: Part sports bar—pool tables and thirty-one flatscreen sets tuned to Rays games, college games, and other sports events. Part dance club—drag contests, strip contests, dancers, music. Food options include salads and appetizers, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, etc. Patio bar outside for smokers. Open every day 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
36. Four Green Fields
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 254-4444
Address: 205 W. Platt St.
Description: Traditional Irish musicians perform each weekend at Four Green Fields, a cottage-like Irish pub boasting an authentic thatched roof and staff who really are Irish. Four Green Fields is also among the top three Irish pubs in the area. Did we mention it’s probably also the most authentically Irish?
37. MacDinton’s
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 251-8999
Address: 405 Howard Ave. S.
Description: MacDinton’s rivalry with the Dubliner and Four Green Fields has made for many a friendly debate. MacDinton’s serves hard liquor in addition to 18 brews on tap and tends to attract a younger crowd. Maybe that’s because of the stage area and dance floor or the five full bars plus a tiki bar (What is it with tiki bars in Irish pubs?).
38. O’Brien’s Irish PubS and Restaurant
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 661-9688
Address: 701 W. Lumsden Rd.
Description: In addition to serving up lunch, dinner, brews, and blarney each day, O’Brien’s sponsors a number of fishing events in the area. Go to their Web site and click on the link “O’Brien’s Fishing Club” to learn about tournaments and fun fishing festivities. But this is the Nightlife chapter, so we should mention they also have live entertainment, trivia contests, karaoke, and other events most nights.
39. Whitey’s Fox & Hounds Irish Pub
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 685-8151
Address: 229 E. Brandon Blvd.
Description: Look for Brandon Area Darts Association events held here throughout the year and a day-long party on St. Patrick’s Day.
40. Flanagan’s Irish Pub
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 736-4994
Address: 465 Main St.
Description: Every day is St. Patrick’s Day at Flanagan’s Irish Pub—according to Flanagan’s, that is. And when March 17 rolls around for real, Flanagan’s really lets loose. The rest of the year, you’ll find traditional Irish entertainment and an “Auld Country Traditions” section on their menu, which includes Bangers and Mash, Irish stew, and other good grub. Flanagan’s is closed on Mondays.
41. O’Keefe’s Family Tavern and Grille
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 442-9034
Address: 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave.
Description: O’Keefe’s claims to be home to Florida’s biggest and best St. Patrick’s Day celebration ($5 cover charge). The rest of the year, you’ll find a St. Patty’O party every first Thursday of the month, live entertainment, and the ubiquitous tiki bar with tropical sunset specials on Fridays and Saturdays. The outside dining area is pet-friendly.
42. Tommy Duff’s Irish Aviation Pub
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 449-1366
Address: 126 Island Way
Description: Tommy Duff’s claims the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade—a costumed pub crawl from Tommy Duff’s to another nearby non-Irish bar and back. The rest of the year, Tommy Duff’s is known for its aviation themed décor—model airplanes dangle from the ceiling and photos from every era of flying history plaster the walls.
43. Regency (Square Mall) 20
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 685-3396
Address: 2496 W. Brandon Blvd.
44. Tri-City Plaza 8
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (727) 531-5796
Address: 5140 East Bay Dr.
Description: The Beach Theatre offers both first-run and classic movies, as well as free kids’ matinees on Saturday mornings.
45. Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (813) 645-1455
Address: 5011 U.S. 41 N.