25 essential Tampa Bay bars with food as good as their drinks

Social House

6310 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL
This Seminole Heights sports bar serves up some pretty decent wings, but really everything made with chicken at Social House is pretty good. Plus, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, their fried cauliflower bites might be worth a try.

Photo via Social House/Facebook

No Vacancy

937 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL
Located near Tropicana Field (in case you’re one of the 20 people that actually goes to Rays games), No Vacancy features some “poolside sliders” with mojo pork, pineapple mango slaw and pepper jack cheese on their menu. They also have a build-a-bowl option, for those wanting a more customizable experience.

Photo via No Vacancy/Facebook

Tampa Bay Brewing Company

1600 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL
The best Greek salad in town can be found at Tampa Bay Brewing Company, but they also have wings if you’re craving some more basic bar food. Plus, the mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri loved the meatloaf in his 2011 visit.

Photo via Tampa Bay Brewing Company/Facebook

Mermaid Tavern

6719 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL
The Seminole Heights-located Mermaid Tavern is the place for grilled cheese connoisseurs, as they serve what is called on their menu a “drunk grilled cheese.” The sandwich has port wine derby, aged Welsh cheddar and caramelized onion. They also have a non-alcoholic version of the sandwich with goat cheese and roasted asparagus.

Photo via Mermaid Tavern/Instagram

Park & Rec

100 4th St S, St. Petersburg, FL
Located right in the heart of Downtown St. Pete, Park & Rec is known for its outdoor activities and its interesting alcoholic beverages, including a drink called “Ms. Pac-Man.” Their food menu offers some creative grub too, with a mac n cheese pizza and a “Twinkie sundae.”

Photo via Park & Rec/Facebook

Anchor Bar

514 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL
With a Davis Island and a Downtown Tampa location, Anchor Bar has been a part of Tampa’s bar scene since 2009. Their menu features grilled flatbreads, including one called “The Anchor,” with fried chicken tossed in their “signature anchor buffalo sauce” put on mozzarella with scallions and ranch.

Photo via Anchor Bar Tampa/anchorbartampa.com

Lee’s Grocery

2210 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL
If you’re lookin’ for pizza and some craft brews, Lee’s Grocery might be the spot. As you probably could have guessed by the name, they also have a grocery store where you can take home a case of beer that you tried at the bar.

Photo via Lee’s Grocery/Facebook

Five Bucks Drinkery

247 Central Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL
With daily specials like “Tito’s Tuesdays” ($4 Tito’s Vodka every Tuesday) and $1 draft Wednesdays for Coors Light and Miller Lite, Five Bucks will have plenty of alcohol for you to get hammered. In case you want to be healthy and eat something while you’re drunk, they have some pretty solid nachos on their menu.

Photo via Five Bucks Drinkery/fivebucksdrinkery.com

Salt Shack

5415 W Tyson Ave, Tampa, FL
A view of the water meets you at Salt Shack, along with a grouper sandwich and pull and peel shrimps. It’s also located in an area formerly known as “rattlesnake point,” because of the abundance of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, the most venomous snake in the country.

Photo via Salt Shack/Facebook

Dead Bob’s

6717 Central Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL
In case you’re tired of the same old Ferg’s, Dead Bob’s might be a good alternative for a sports bar in St. Pete. Their burgers are their specialty, and it’s even open until 3 a.m. for those looking for a late-night spot.

Photo via Dead Bob’s/Facebook

The Independent Tampa

5016 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL
Ever heard of an indie grilled cheese? Well, they have ‘em at The Independent. The bar also offers live music and movie showings, for those looking for entertainment in addition to food and drink.

Photo via The Independent Tampa/Facebook

The Canopy

340 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL
The Canopy is definitely meant to be saved for when you feel like being your most boujee self. Their menu features some surprisingly basic bar fare, including wings and cheesy tots that are both moderately priced. Their rooftop bar is also worth checking out for a decent view of Downtown St. Pete.

Photo via The Canopy/Facebook

Tryst

240 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL
Described on their website as a “mix of eclectic foods and high-end wine and spirits,” Tryst also offers oysters and Za'atar Spiced Crispy Chickpeas. They also offer a blackened poboy for those adventurous enough to try one from a non-New-Orleanian joint.

Photo via Tryst/Facebook

Old Northeast Tavern

201 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL
Any Bloody Mary enthusiasts should check out Old Northeast Tavern, as they have a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar that’s pretty tight. Their brunch is also worth a shot, and they had a beer fest celebration this past September with all-you-can-drink beers.

Photo via Old Northeast Tavern/Facebook

Three Birds Tavern

1492 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL
Three Birds Tavern (also known as that place that off of 4th street that looks like a barn) offers wings and some mussels and fries that can be dipped in gravy. They also have a brunch menu featuring a “twisted Benedict” and breakfast sliders.

Photo via Three Birds Tavern/Facebook

Sonder Social Club

966 Douglas Ave Unit 101, Dunedin, FL
Dunedin may be filled with loads of breweries, but if you’re lookin’ for some elevated bar bite food, Sonder Social Club is an option. The Feinstein Group, known for other joints such as The Black Pearl and The Living Room on Main, insisted upon not having WiFi in the bar, as they want people to go back to actually talking to each other.

Photo via Sonder Social Club/Facebook

Coppertail Brewing

2601 E 2nd Ave, Tampa, FL
With an entirely new menu and their kitchen being taken over by their own people, Coppertail is an Ybor City spot with plenty of local brews to pound. Their menu features wings and buffalo cauliflower as appetizers with flatbreads and sandwiches rounding out their entree menu.

Photo via Coppertail/Facebook

Zydeco Brew Werks

1902 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL
Described as an “industrial-chic hangout,” Zydeco offers some New Orleans grub, including shrimp and grits and gumbo. They also have a “Creole” flatbread, with crawfish and spicy andouille sausage on it. Only one poboy option though (sad face).

Photo via Zydeco Brew Werks/Facebook

Mr. Dunderbak’s

14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL
Mostly known for German brews, grub, and polka music on the weekends, Mr. Dunderbak’s is popular amongst college kids for the moderately priced brews, and their food is pretty good. Their menu features schnitzel and cold potato salad, plua they load up your table with tons of different mustards.

Photo via Mr. Dunderbak’s/dunderbaks.com

Brew Bus

4101 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL
Brew Bus may be mostly known for their private bus tours, but they offer some grub too for their hungry customers. Their menu features a “jumbo wings” section for those that don’t just want wings, but jumbo ones. They also have a crab cake BLT if you want to find out what the hell that tastes like.

Photo via Brew Bus/Facebook