This is the best dive bar I've ever been to. I went in March 2026 to see the Burning Witches. Will go there again if there is another concert I'm interested in. The service was also great. read more

Phenomenal punk and metal dive bar! I was in town for a few days and visited for the Teenage Bottlerocket show. Apparently this place is legendary and it lived up to the hype. Cheap beer and great loud music! The bartender Pinky did an amazing job and was very welcoming. And guys, be sure to use the middle urinal... if you don't get stage fright! read more

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It's an intimate concert venue located in north Tampa. They have an outdoor area with a bar but the indoor area is where the concerts are held. They actually get some big names. I came to see Tantric on a Tuesday night. I was surprised at how late they held the concert though. There's parking around the strip mall for the concert. read more

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Don't be afraid of this place. Great dive bar with an attentive staff and just an overall decent venue for metal

Dirty, grungy, filthy. That is exactly what I want in a dive music venue. Great vibes, friendly bartenders, and loud music. read more

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Love the venue! It feels like you have literally stepped into the 80s metal or punk scene when you go here. They've got it all--bouncers with handwritten guest lists; a bar with crappy beer; a pool table; sketchy bathrooms; and a stage. Came here with some friends for The Queers and Teenage Bottlerocket concert and had a blast. Beware that parking can be tough when they have a busy or popular show going on. read more

Its been a long time so bare with me, but my band played here in 2005. Fairly decent crowd and I remember the staff being friendly. Drinks were cold and we actually sold some merch. win/win. Always love to see clubs support local music or bands touring (in our case from Pennsylvania) and need to fill a date. read more

So heres the thing, when people are PAYING to see bands. mainly a headliner on your non wed-sun business days. It is SO incredibly rude to allow staff (not all of them) to hang at the end of the bar and amuse other loud drunk patrons while a artist is trying to perform. There were A TON of head turns to indicate that it was distracting enough to annoy fans trying to watch the band (especially during quieter moments) and no one took the hint. If you're not into it the music, step outside or dont work at a "music bar". Just because it has a dive "rock bar" feel does not make this a sports bar or hang bar when the purpose of being open for business on your off night is to host a band set in which some fan bases are not the dive bar drinking types and dont appreciate disruptive people during the performance. If you want to be treated like a music venue then act like it. People paid to be there, they weren't casually walking off the street into a sports bar to get blasted and laugh out loud all night while random bands come and go. The sound alone was a let down, though it is forgivable for what it is. BUT the behavior and lack of management control on people being disruptive was really disappointing and disrespectful to the band(s). If theres one way to make sure they dont come back, thats at the top of the list. This was my first time here and apparently thats the reputation. It was annoying enough that I had to even leave this review lol read more

A classic punk/metal venue in the heart of Tampa with awesome bartenders and owners! Sound is great for concerts and shows!!!!!

What a dive, urinals over flowing I've been to dive bars better than this. If it wasn't for going to see The Aristocrats I would have left! Never again! read more

Was visiting recently and I have to say the female bartender was to busy flirting and whispering things to a very sus gentleman to take my drink order for almost 20 mins then she said something about the bathroom and was gone almost just as long came back disoriented so I just decided to enjoy the show without drinks not a bad place but the staff could definitely be better tis a shame pinky I believe her name was should probably clarify that read more

If you like Live Music, if you like bars in general, then the Bras Mug might be the perfect venue for you. A large floor with sparse tables allow for plenty of room to socialize and even dance f that's your thing, while others may find themselves more comfortable hanging back and slinging back drinks. The accoustics are great, allowing you to hear all the nuances of the music, whether it be death metal or scream-o. In any case, what ever band you hear here is going to be enjoyable to you. They have a nice, outside patio where you can chill and still hear the music and be able to have a conversation, and have your ears stop ringing. (grin) But the main draw back to me is that smoking is allowed inside. Yes, it's ventilated, but that doesn't stop you from going home smelling like stale smoke. read more

I work in the music industry, so when I was down visiting, I stopped by the legendary venue. I've toured all over the world, and I have to say I was majorly disappointed in my experience. I was expecting a dive bar, the music it's self was great bands, but the atmosphere was appalling. I ordered my first drink and the bar tender with pink hair was basically rubbing her tits in my face, I understand flirting for tips but with the behavior I was receiving I felt I was at a strip club and not a metal venue, I went back for my second drink The bar tender was at the end of the bar socializing, while I waited for over 20 minutes for a drink, I ordered a simple rum and coke which to my surprise getting my drink was not a rum and coke. It was some fruity drink. How you mix that up I will never understand. The bar tender proceeded to argue with me that it was what I had ordered, so I just let it go and walked away, before the last band went on I walked back to the bar, the same bar tender was again socializing and ignoring paying customers, after waiting for what seemed like forever and over hearing the conversation of meeting to do blow in the beer cooler, and the drama with her band and unprofessional about how she wouldn't serve them, I simply gave up on getting a water and left. I've been touring since I was 19 and this is the poorest, unprofessional service from staff that I have ever received. It's a shame, I grew up hearing about the brass mug and all the iconic death metal bands to get there start here, but this place was a huge let down mostly to the bar staff that working. I won't be back, and I'll be sure to let everyone in the industry I work in know not to go here, or book with this venue. read more

Located in a remote area of North Tampa, this bar can be difficult to get to. It would be very easy to drive right past it. The place has a dive bar feel, which personally I like. The drinks are fairly cheap and the bar staff are friendly and attentive. As a musician that has played here I will say the back stage area is awesome. There is plenty of space to prepare your gear so that loading it onstage is a snap. The stage itself is large and well thought out. They really did a good job of accommodating musicians here when it comes to the stage area. Where I would dock them points is on the sound. The on stage acoustics are simply awful. On stage it sounds like an amplified version of someone shitting their pants. Monitors were not properly used. We were never given a sound check and our guitarist wasn't even added into the overall mix. The sound in the audience was equally unbalanced and sounded like a garbled mess. The PA equipment is good. So the sound could easily be fixed by hiring the right staff to run sound. All in all, they are one of the few clubs in the Tampa Bay Area that pays local musicians. So, I can't be too harsh. If they had the right sound guy, this place would be a top notch rock bar. read more

Just recently played the brass mug had a great time the staff is great Sound is great plenty of room in the back stage to set up it would be nice if there was a bathroom for the bands in the back but otherwise a great time great place to play read more

Very much looking forward to seeing everyone at my home away from home. My favorite dive bar actually.my favorite bar and if any of you remember me I know bars. Hopefully Heather and the rest of the family are still there making it through bar I remember! See y'all in July So homesick Chris Couch read more

The legendary Brass Mug, now in it's 3rd (and hopefully, final) location. Originally based off Fletcher, then Florida, the Brass Mug has weathered a few storms when dealing with landlords whom don't like heavy metal and punk music. The Brass Mug has always been a supporter of local heavy music, and is probably one of the only Tampa venues to have consistently done so. On any given weekend, and often during the week, you will find local and national acts playing. The atmosphere is still a work in progress, with most of the "decor" being posters and flyers for whatever band(s) are going to be performing there. They have a nice long L shaped bar, and a large stage, with a decent backstage area (for a bar) and even a "green room". Smoking is allowed indoors, which can be off-putting for nonsmokers (me being one of them) but more and more smokers are starting to use the outdoor patio, so it's getting better. Speaking of the outside patio; it is roomy, with a couple tables and chairs, and even an outdoor bar for those slamming nights. There are a couple of pool tables and a state of the art jukebox. The bartenders are top-notch and gorgeous, and are quite personable and down to earth. Rick and Heather, who own/run the bar are cool as all get out, and Heather, especially, is always quick with a smile and greeting. In case you can't guess, I love this place. It's my second home, haha. I have been a regular since the original location, and just love the music, vibe, and everything that comes with it. If you live heavy music and dive bars, you won't be disappointed. And bands, don't forget to bring a sticker for the bathroom walls. read more

New location Friendly door guy Good booking Good sound Saw D.O.A on their farewell tour Saw Jucifer at the previous location Its a dive bar for punk, metal, and hardcore Sure beats Skippers just down the road read more

Perfect venue for live music. The place is very large and accommodates a lot of people. The sound quality here is great for bands and music overall. They allow smoking there, so that part kind of sucks, but the drinks are good and reasonably priced. I have found that most of the smokers have been courteous enough to take their cigs outdoors onto the patio, which is very considerate of them. The staff there is always cool and they will eject anyone who is being a complete drunken fool and starting fights or being overly obnoxious to other patrons. There is a big pool table there, a jukebox and the bathrooms, despite being overrun with graffiti are pretty clean. The decor is mostly promotional posters, but it's a dive bar, so that;s to be expected to some degree. I head there often to see a lot of local bands, my son's band included. The staff is very helpful with the guys, allowing them to play sets until the bar closes which is pretty cool. They don't give these guys a big deal about running over their set times. There is ample parking, a green room for the bands backstage, an enormous stage area where the bands can run around and do their thing. Plenty of room for dancing but also, plenty of room towards the back of the bar if you don't want to get caught up in the crowd. As far as dive bars go, this one is pretty cool. I would give this place 5 stars but for the smoking...because it is truly irritating to go home smelling like cigarettes, but I suppose drinking and smoking go hand in hand for a lot of people. The good thing, however, is they do have a decent ventilation system, however, it doesn't really absorb all the smoke in the place. I have to give this venue at least 4 stars for supporting the local music scene and giving these young, fresh bands a place to really put on a show. I am a big supporter of live music and I feel that this place caters to these kids. They understand the local death metal scene and really appreciate these musicians. Granted, I normally only go when my son's band is playing there (woo hoo - The Iliad, baby!) but when I do go, I really enjoy listening to all the bands who are performing. read more

Not a good place to party. My friends and I go to tons of local venues and this one is by far the worst or the worst. The air conditioning was not working in Florida in the middle of our hottest season. No running water in the restroom (eww, gross) and no water for sale in the bar. It was so hot and stale that we had to keep going outside in order not to pass out. NEVER AGAIN! read more

The Brass Mug is a great place to check out local bands. The staff is really nice, the service is great and the bands are awesome. The only down side is that smoking is allowed, but it's well ventilated. read more

As a musician, this place sounds like the type of venue I would like to explore. I am looking for music venues to hang out and always looking for new musical talent. However, the single element that will keep me away is the smoke. I don't expect to visit anytime soon. Five stars for the music, zero for the smoke. Just sayin'. read more

The Brass Mug is kind of a legendary name in the Florida Metal scene. Lots of big acts played there before they were big. I had been to the original location, on Fletcher, back in my early twenties, and remember having a blast chugging drinks and watching metal bands. A couple weeks ago was my first time to this location since they moved. Hubby and I came to see Swarmfest (a metal festival). This location was pretty much everything I appreciated in my twenties (scantily clad bartenders, stiff drinks, divey atmosphere, tattooed men), but also everything that I don't necessarily love now that I'm in my thirties (smoking indoors, nasty bathrooms, a layer of grim covering every surface). I was happy to find that there was an outdoor back patio to offer some relief from the smokiness. The inside was pretty big, allowing room for a second stage on the other end. I would say the place was pretty packed that night, however all the bartenders were able to remain very nice and attentive. Overall, we had a great night. Despite the smoky atmosphere and icky bathrooms, what's important to me about this place is that they have always supported the metal music scene. If I was local (I about 2 and half hours away) I'm sure I'd be there often to catch live shows. read more

I've only seen one show there and the staff was helpful. Not a large venue but not a small venue and the sound was was really good. Unfortunately because of the smoking allowed inside I can't go back because of health issues. It's a shame because a lot of good bands play there that I would like to see. read more

Good drinks, and friendly staff. It was completely dead the night I went but as far as I can see it wasn't the fault off the staff or bands. The performances where good and passionate despite having an audience of 2 which I appreciated. My only gripe is that my friend and I where charged a high entrance fee despite being two of the four patrons. read more