My friends and I decided we wanted to try a low key bar outside of our usual go to locations. I'd…read moreonly heard the name Velvet Gypsy before but I didn't have any clue of any of it's details. It's pretty small and I feel like it's easy to not notice from the street. There's only like 2 parking spots for the bar. But when you step inside, it feels so quaint and welcoming. The decor is so cutesy but still a place men wouldn't feel out of place at. Our bartender, i believe her name was Missy, was the sweetest and very easy to engage in conversation. At some point, her and my friend were experimenting with random ingredients to come up with a new tequila cocktail together. They have a board with the daily specials and I was kind of surprised to learn they happy happy hour dang near everyday from 2-8 and they close at 3am. If I wasn't worried about my liver, I could see myself becoming a regular there. All they're missing is food.

I love coming here! Whenever they have a DJ it gets really packed and the ambience is really fun…read more The Bartenders make the best drinks and they're always so personable!

Always good mixologist prepared drinks and good vibe and music and service! Outside area has fans…read moreso even if hot it felt comfortable...

Mandarin Heights is such a vibe. The bartenders are accommodating and quick. The cocktails are well…read morecrafted and perfect for sipping while enjoying the scene. Came in a Friday night with some girlfriends and the vibes were vibing. The DJ keeps the energy up, and the whole place has that trendy yet laid-back feel. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, but keep in mind it's first come, first serve, so plan ahead if you want a good spot. The decor and setup make it a great place for photos, so don't be shy about snapping a few. Overall, it's the perfect spot for a night out when you want good drinks, good music, and good vibes. Definitely a go-to to hangout.

Went to dinner solo and called the restaurant ahead of time as the app wouldn't let be book a…read morereservation for 1. They were super accommodating and told me just to come in. The hostess was pleasant when arriving and presented herself with exceptional sleek style. Someone brought me a palate cleanser drink which was rhubarb and lemongrass water. It was smooth and refreshing. The server guided me through the cocktail menu which was an exploration all its very own. I choose the cocktail called Opposite Day- Japanese whiskey, sweet Sauvignon Blanc, salted wine and roasted beets- twist on a whiskey sour but flipped! Oysters were light and fresh and the juice in the shell was precision clean. It really pops the flavors of the oyster. Yellowtail jalapeño handroll- it is designed to be eaten similar to a taco. The yellowtail was superbly fresh, the jalapeno was a mild touch to accompany the dish and didn't try to be the star. and the homemade soy sauce didn't over power the fish. Duck leg finished with a Szechuan spice and finished a pear au jus. The duck fell off the bone and was bursting with a complex blend of elegant flavors. As you check is presented they served you the tea of the day which was Hibiscus citrus Japanese tea in the most sophisticated teapot sitting on Japanese bamboo, which was a nice touch in the meal Upbeat modern music vibe Helpful, friendly weight staff that explains every item in detail as you order it, and when it brought to the table.

Brought my husband to Tanto for his birthday and we were really excited to try it. We've been to…read morethe kaiseki experience at Kosen two years ago and been dying to try their cocktail bar concept. The entire dining area and booth is now Tanto and they have themed cocktail menus that changes seasonally. They have a small bites menu which includes handrolls! Service was good, attentive and we got a nice view of the bar where the bartenders were amazing! They were shaving down ice for the cocktails. Very cool. The seasonal menu has already changed, so I am not sure of the drinks we got lol both were fun and just okay.. mine came in a cone shape ceramic and very tart? The food was pretty good - some hits and misses. The caviar service was good but came with thin chips that break. I would recommend small pancakes. The sea bream hand rolls were good and the chirashi was very good. The karaage was good but the chive aioli was incredible. Overall cool concept but would love a bigger entree options on their menu. This would open up more patrons to visit who don't want to drop $500 for sushi

Went there last weekend with some friends, great vibe and food looked amazing. Has a play area for…read morekids and live music, will definitely be coming back

Downsides: parking is very limited and all seating is outdoors, so weather permitting (most is…read morecovered), no liquor served. Upsides: cool environment, all outdoors with variety of seating available. Pet friendly. No kids after 7pm on weekends, but otherwise very family friendly. Full food menu available, typical bar food. Great craft beer selection and lots of TVs to catch your favorite game!

A nice change of pace in Ybor where there isn't loud club music blasting so loud it hurts your…read moreears. Here you can walk in, sit at the bar and get yourself a real cocktail. That is what I was looking for, and that is what I got. Up first, I tried a $15 Grapefruit Moon. The bartender warned me if I don't like grapefruit, I won't like this drink. Holy smokes he wasn't joking. I was hoping the mezcal would cancel out some of the grapefruit, but it really didn't. Super duper strong grapefruit taste. Then, I tried a $15 Martini. It's a pretty standard dirty martini. I liked it, and it was fine. Good to see there is a place in Ybor with real cocktails, and not cheap awful cocktails served in a plastic cup. I didn't try any food or any other items. I'd just be a little worried that on a Saturday night during primetime there were like 10 people in here. Although, that's also why I walked in here because it was quiet and not crowded.

Lara is such a fun and unique spot in Florida! The vibe is eclectic with small plates that are…read moreperfect for sharing, and the cocktail menu feels like it was designed by an apothecary creative, balanced, and so much fun to explore. Plenty of easy street parking, which made getting here a breeze. My wife and I split the tuna tostada (she dove right in as soon as it hit the table!) and the Maduros Negras caramelized plantains with cilantro, aioli, and pickled onions. Both were packed with flavor and beautifully done. This is one of those places that feels like a little discovery you come for the food, stay for the cocktails, and leave already planning your next visit. Highly recommend for a date night or a casual night out with friends! We sat at the bar and had great service! Bartenders know the drinks well and had some great suggestions to get us started and what paired with each dish. Ps - the drink here is the fruit cup!

I had such a fun time at this arcade bar! I went on a Wednesday night, and they had a deal for $8…read morewhere you can play as many of the games as you want! I got to try a lot of new games as well as classic ones, such as skeeball and air hockey. The beer selection also had quite a good variety, with local brewery offerings too. I definitely want to go again.

Their variety in beer on tap and canned is great, the games and events are fun to play, and the…read morestaff is always super nice! Great old school vibes that I'd recommend to anyone!

What a DOPE, PIRATE THEMED, speakeasy to go to grab some delicious drinks! Totally blown away!…read more Tucked, downtown Tampa you enter through a secret bookcase door and you enter a very low key pirate bar! Lighting is dim, which is part of the concept. (Auto flash is needed for pics) The joint, is VERY CLEAN! The staff is awesome and very attentive! They understand process. The drinks are SOOO WELL MADE! I had a Zombie as my first drink, and it is very well presented and STRONG! I prefer,my first drink at an establishment to be strong cause then I can lighten it up later. Then I had a Rum Barrel, not as strong, but well presented and delicious! Note: Prices for drinks are worth every dime! They have a small food menu, but everything on the menu looked delicious, but I did not eat there. This speakeasy is attached to a British pub which I went for food after. (Review to come) All-in-all great spot to come and have a drink you are well treated, appreciated and just a fun experience! I will DEFINITELY come back here for a delicious drink and DEFINITELY will try something off the food menu. I'll just make sure next time I won't go there after a big breakfast lol! Five stars alllllll day long!!!

These are the coolest places in Fla. Secret cryptic entrances with a speakeasy like ambiance…read more Hidden passages and a clear throwback to the days of prohibition. With all that was going on, it's a wonder we could find the exit after all the drinks. The pirate theme was the caveat. A perfectly dimmed atmosphere and willing performers that can conjure up delicious delights. The red light and point on music only enhanced the experience. Plenty of signature drinks, a dozen different beers and even a few dishes are offered. They stir a nice whiskey sour. It's really what suits your fancy. Fear not. They have mocktails, too! 12/25

A unique, one of a kind cafe/tea house/lounge/bar that is not to be missed in Tampa. As the name…read moresuggests, the decor is incredibly spooky, featuring scary statues, pictures that change on the walls, and furniture that looks like it all belongs in a haunted house...all located in renovated former Baptist church. But other than being one scary venue, Spookeasy has food and drinks that are worth hanging around for while you take in the spookiness of the place. A full coffee bar, they already have my name on it, but they also feature sandwiches, snacks, salads, and other bar food. While I came here for a Death Cafe event, I decided to make myself comfortable by getting myself some food and lattes. Thankfully, the place serves up food that makes a visit here worth more than just a quick look around. I got myself a hot marshmallow flavored latte, and a breakfast sandwich. The latte was delicious, and I loved the marshmallow flavor I got with it to give it a more unique taste perfect for winter. It gave me just the right kick while I waited for my event to start. The breakfast sandwich seems simple enough, bacon, eggs, cheese on toast, but each ingredient was thoughtfully prepared to make one filling meal. I can tell the egg is fresh cracked and the bacon was perfectly crispy, all held together by two slices of thick toast. I also loved the fries that came with it, well seasoned with cheese sauce AND melted cheese, so I was pretty occupied and well fed during my meeting. The staff here is great, laid back, and super-friendly to talk to. They have a good vibe about them that makes me want to come back to haunt--er visit them, haha, Death Cafe meeting or not.

Esrom is an absolute standout at Spookeasy Kava Bar…read more We were initially told by the bouncer that we had to leave because there wasn't a place to store my electric scooter. Esrom caught wind of the situation and immediately went out of his way, came outside, and told us he would personally store my scooter so my girlfriend and I could come in and enjoy drinks. That level of care is rare. He didn't have to do that -- but he chose to. On top of that, once we were seated, he brought us games to play and made sure we were having a great time. It's extremely uncommon to see someone who genuinely cares about their job and the customer experience to this extent. Esrom is a huge asset to this establishment, and that kind of hospitality doesn't go unnoticed or forgotten. Because of him, we'll absolutely be back.

Came here for the first time for the immigrant benefit show! Plenty of fun cocktail options at…read morereasonable prices. The bartender was so friendly and efficient, holding it down himself! Lots of space between inside/outside with good amount of seating. Look forward to attending more events here!

Amazing safe space!! The food was amazing and the drinks were great! But the company and energy was…read moreAMAZING!!! Everyone is so amazing!

Really cool beer hall in Seminole heights with good food. I got the Estrella to drink and my…read morefiancée got a sparkling rosé. Nice outdoor seating although it's on a big road so some noise from the cars. I got the roast beef sandwich with horseeradish and bacon and cheese added and it was delicious! Although the bun got a bit soggy from the horseradish. But overall the flavor was great and for being mainly a beer hall not a restaurant it was surprisingly good! Glad I finally got to try it out.

Independent Bar and Cafe caught my attention for it's German cuisine. They don't have much but,…read moresome, and that's more than most. German food is my favorite food but it's few and far between. My wife and I were in the area selling some records when we decided to stop in for lunch. A refreshing Gaffel Kolsch beer with a Bavarian Brat platter. My wife also got the same thing. The food was up quick. A hot German brat, side of sauerkraut and a Bavarian soft pretzel. Mustard to dip. $13.45. It was all good stuff. The brat was perfectly cooked, slightly crispy. The sauerkraut warm and tart. The soft pretzel decent. We'd come back here.