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27 of the best Tampa Bay bars that are off the beaten path

By CL Staff on Fri, Feb 15, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Tampa Bay's downtowns and walkable urban neighborhoods have plenty of hip (and not-so-hip) watering holes. But sometimes you just want to get down in a dive, or away from the crowds for a drink. Check out this list of off-the-beaten-path bars — if your favorite isn't on here, maybe you'll find a new haunt that those folks you don't want to run into won't be willing to Uber to.

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Dead Bob’s

6717 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
A popular place for cheap drinks, music, sports-watching and food.
Photo via Facebook/Dead Bob’s

Old Northeast Tavern

201 Seventh Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
A go-to hangout for fans of specialty beer, as well as damn good bar bites.
Photo via Facebook/Old Northeast Tavern

Corner Club

1502 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa.
The cash-only tavern offers some of the coldest beer in town, occasional DIY original shows and a game room with a claw machine, which is kinda weird. But just go with it.
Photo via Google Earth

Boardwalk Tavern

2600 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Live music on Tuesday and Saturday mingles with karaoke throughout the week.
Photo via Google Earth

Lee’s Grocery

2210 N. Central Ave., Tampa.
This mainstay in Tampa Heights gloriously combines stone-baked pizzas with craft beer. It may also be home to the best wings this side of the Hillsborough River.
Photo via Facebook/LeesGroceryTampaHeights

1933 Pub & Grill

2245 Nursery Road, Clearwater.
An elevated take on traditional drinkin’ eats, plus wine and beer specials and weekend live music.
Photo via Facebook/1933Pub

Abe’s Place Tap & Grill

1250 S. Missouri Ave., Clearwater.
Some peeps might remember this as The Stadium, and if you climb into your wayback machine, it was a buffet-style restaurant during the 1980s glory days of its nearest neighbor, Sunshine Mall (RIP). While the food is tasty enough, don’t think of Abe’s Place as a restaurant; think of it as a fantastic locals bar that happens to have some extra tables.
Photo via Facebook/Abe's Place Tap & Grill

Blue Parrott

85 Corey Circle, St Pete Beach.
Billed as the Cheers of SPB, a quaint bar and grill off the main drag of the Corey Causeway.
Photo via Blue Parrot

Jungle Prada Tavern

1700 Park St. N., St. Petersburg.
Nestled within an historic building, the neighborhood haunt features American classics and nice selection of craft beer.
Photo via Google Earth

Shadracks

114 Eighth Ave., St. Pete Beach.
Beverage deals ($1 Busch and Busch Light!), pool and a mixed crowd add to this awesome landmark’s dive-bar finesse.
Photo via Facebook/ShadracksPAG

Davis Islands Yacht Club

1315 Severn Ave., Tampa.
The food is pretty standard, but do come for a drink at sunset.
Photo via Facebook/Davis Island Yacht Club

49th Street Pub

860 49th St. N., St. Petersburg.
There are pool, darts, karaoke and a limited menu at this amiable neighborhood bar.
Photo via Google Earth

Overtime Sports Bar

1969 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater.
This one has a little something for everyone, whether you stop by to catch the game over a cocktail or take advantage of the free poker.
Photo via Facebook/Overtime Sports Bar

The Quick Red Fox

2140 Drew St., Clearwater.
This legendary-in-certain-circles bar has been ‘round for a long, long time. Called “The Fox” by regulars, it has the distinction of being the only dive bar on this list where A&E Editor Cathy Salustri actually slapped a guy for getting fresh.
Photo via Facebook/quickredfoxlounge

Pepperz

4918 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport.
Its full name is “Pepperz Cabaret,” but that’s kinda fancy for this down-to-earth, LGBTQ bar that out-Gulfports Gulfport at being a gay bar.
Photo via Google Earth

Smugglers Tavern

1120 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde.
South of St. Pete Beach, this friendly sports bar with an on-site liquor store pours daily happy hour deals over seven hours. We believe it’s also affectionately known as Smugs (so cute!).
Photo via Smugglers Tavern & Liquor Store