Arts & Entertainment
Night Moves: Where New Tampa Residents Can Catch Some Tunes, Grab Some Grub
No need to head to Ybor City or downtown Tampa to hear live music; New Tampa has plenty of options.
Before muggy days and humid nights arrive en masse, plan a trip to one of several local eateries and make the night more than a dining experience; make it about music, too.
Dial a friend and hire the babysitter if necessary, as New Tampa Patch looks at some of the more popular neighborhood eateries offering live entertainment. This list proves there is no need to head all the way downtown or to Ybor City if you're looking to catch some tunes.
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Open Tuesdays through Sundays, Skipper’s has a large outdoor presence with live music offered every day of operation. The well-known “Skipperdome” may not be an actual dome, but provides a concert-style atmosphere nonetheless.
A variety of acts play at the venue. Call ahead or check the website for a night of blues, reggae, zydeco, rock, bluegrass, jazz, folk or worldbeat. Otherwise, go in blind and surprise yourself.
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Food choices include options for patrons with experienced or inexperienced palates. The casual diner might try the mahi-mahi while others looking for something beyond the norm can try the smoked mullet or gator tail. Hint: Try the award-winning black bean chili.
California-style cuisine crosses to the East Coast at Ciccio’s Lodge. The restaurant features live acts every Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. However, for an extended evening of nightlife, try Ladies’ Night on Thursdays for live tunes from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
The biggest draw is the food itself, including the spicy Thai red chili stir-fry or one of the 17 different sushi dishes. Ciccio’s high protein-low carb option allows diners to replace some of their carbs with more protein for $1.
European beer is a specialty at Dunderbak’s Beirgarten and Marketplace. The German restaurant has 400 different bottled beers and 55 different drafts. Das Boot, the two-liter boot-shaped glass, might be difficult for patrons to lift from the table, let alone finish.
The live music fits the Germanic theme as Friday sets include Akkordeon Joe and his accordion from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by the band Apple Butter Express, a duo backed by nothing but a ukulele, which plays until 1 a.m. If Friday is not convenient, Dunderbak’s also hosts live acts on Thursday and Saturday.
Acropolis Bar and Grill, New Tampa’s paramount option for Greek fare, offers a full-service bar, in-house entertainment and belly dancing. The restaurant has live music playing every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring the bouzouki, a Greek instrument similar to the mandolin. Wednesdays are Ladies’ Nights, featuring music from DJ Knex as the party extends to midnight.
While munching on Mediterranean cuisine, patrons should not be surprised to find napkins scattered across the floor, as they are thrown in the air hourly during dances.
Fans of hookah won’t be disappointed if they venture outside to the hookah bar and partake of any one of more than 20 types of flavored tobacco.
Shoppers interested in punctuating their meals with drinks and music can check out The Brass Tap, located in the Shops at Wiregrass. The upscale bar offers ambience for patrons and passersby alike with its live music performed by local bands every Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m. Check its website for video clips of previous live performances and peruse the menu, which features more than 300 different types of bottled beers, 40 beers on tap, and a separate menu for cigars.
Friendly servers, a casual dining experience and popular food items helped popularize the T.G.I.F. chain. The New Tampa location is not only a pleasing community haunt, but also a landing spot for night owls. Live music plays Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sundays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with an abbreviated session on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For the karaoke experience, drop by on Thursday nights.
To make it dinner and a movie, plan a film for before or after your meal. Starlight Muvico is within walking distance.
Ever-popular among the college crowd, its main attraction, beer, is in the name. World of Beer is true to its title, with more than 500 types of beer available.
Beer might be its claim to fame, but with live music Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, entertainment is also high on the list of reasons to go to WOB. If the food doesn't charm you, WOB, unlike most places, encourages you to bring in outside food.