Tampa Bay LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars you should've tried by now

The Cider Press Cafe

601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-7222
Apparently, this place has some star power, recently serving Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista. The Cider Press Cafe takes a health-conscious spin on the fine dining experience with their all-vegan menu. From the cafe’s “Schrimp” & Grits to its Beach Burger, The Cider Press Cafe offers a variety of plant-based, Florida-inspired dishes. Apparently, this place has some star power, recently serving Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista.

Photo via The Cider Press Cafe/Facebook

The Library

600 5th St S, St. Petersburg, (727) 369-9969
The Library is an innovative restaurant inspired by John Hopkins and Gregory Peabody that seeks to provide an intellectually stimulating environment with its leather seating, soft lighting and wall to wall book spines. Popular eats are its dinner burger, lunch BLT and all day coffee. Outdoor seating is abundant and available to guests.

Photo via The Library/Facebook

Stillwaters Tavern

224 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 350-1019
Stillwaters Tavern is a casual and modern restaurant with specialty american dishes like its tavern burger and wood-grilled chicken. Guests have the option of either dining indoors or utilizing Stillwater’s outdoor seating space.

Photo via Stillwaters Tavern Website

Punky’s Bar & Grill

3063 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg, (727) 201-4712
Punky’s is a St. Pete staple that is known for its burgers and sandwiches. The restaurant has abundant patio seating that makes it ideal for summer eats.

Photo via Punky’s Bar & Grill/Facebook

Pro Shop Pub

840 Cleveland St., Clearwater, (727) 447-4259
Pro Shop Pub describes itself as “Florida’s most historic gay bar,” which was founded in the disco-era. Today, patrons can enjoy billiards, drag shows and drinks at this historic Clearwater pub.

Photo via Google Street Screengrab

Oggi Italian

236 E Davis Blvd, Davis Island, (813) 252-7778
Oggi Italian is a rustic styled tavern featuring locally sourced ingredients for its italian cuisine. With indoor and outdoor patio seating, Oggi Italian’s ambiance is upscale. Cuisine ranges from favorites like chicken rigatoni to butternut squash ravioli.

Photo via Google

Quench Lounge

13284 66th St N., Largo, (727) 754-5900
Quench is a festive and trendy lounge known for its drinks, happy hours, drag shows, karaoke, DJs and it’s dance friendly environment. It describes itself as “the sexiest, ‘all welcoming’ gay and lgbtq bar in Pinellas County."

Photo via Google Street Screengrab

Lucky Star Lounge

2760 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 557-8882
Lucky Star Lounge is a local watering hole known for its great service and cheap drinks. Indoor seating provides a diner-like ambiance with low-level music as an essential tone setter.

Photo via Google Street Screengrab

Let It Be Ice Cream

3127 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, (727) 543-4949
Let It Be Ice Cream is owned and operated by Janet Impastato and Tina Grello. The once walk-up window, now is a full-service ice cream shop with too many flavors to name.

Photo via Let It Be Ice Cream/Facebook

Enigma

1110 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg, (727) 235-0867
In the heart of St. Pete’s edge district, Enigma is a lively lounge with a dance floor, several rooms and sidewalk tables. Enigma is known for its events, especially its drag shows.

Photo via Enigma Website

Edison's Swigamajig

615 Channelside Dr, Tampa
This seafood dive bar and fish kitchen is the brainchild of Chef Jeannie Perola. Nestled between Amalie Arena and the Florida Aquarium, this unique dining experience offers cuisine that ranges from fish and chips to jerked covina sandwiches.

Photo via Edison’s Swigamajig/Instagram

Edison Food and Drink Lab

912 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, (813) 254-7111
Edison Food and Drink Lab’s esteemed Chef Jeannie Perola’s goal is to create new interpretations of everyday food using technique and creativity. The restaurant features an outdoor patio and abundant indoor seating space. Cuisine ranges from seafood specialties like avocado leaf-seared yellowfin tuna to Adobo organic chicken and pancakes.

Photo via Google Street Screengrab

Counter Culture

2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd Suite 100, Tampa, (813) 570-8660
Counter Culture is Edison Food and Drink Lab’s sister restaurant, with chef Jeannie Perola’s again at the helm. The modern interior and exterior of the restaurant juxtaposes the restaurant's classic counter dining experience. Guests find extensive indoor seating and abundant patio space, which overlooks the bay.

Photo via Counter Culture/Facebook

City Side Lounge

3703 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, (813) 350-0600
City Side is an LGBTQ-freindly cocktail lounge known for its karaoke and cabaret shows. The lounge has an outdoor area along with billiards available to its guests.

Photo via Google

The Castle

9th Ave & 16th St., Ybor, (813) 247-7547
The castle is a multilevel dance club in the heart of Ybor that is known for its new wave and pop mixes. The dress code ranges from goth to fetish.

Photo via The Castle/Facebook

Bradley’s on 7th

1510 E 7th Ave., Ybor, (813) 241-2723
Bradley’s on 7th describes itself as a festive gay bar with pool tables, happy hours and live entertainment in the heart of Ybor.

Photo via Bradley’s on 7th Website

Blur Nightclub

325 Main St, Dunedin, (727) 736-2587
Blur Nightclub is an energetic and upbeat nightclub in downtown Dunedin. It is known for its DJs, karaoke nights, live bands, dance parties and themed events.

Photo via Blur Nightclub/Facebook

Cider Press Café

601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (727) 914-7222
Cider Press Café is a vegan restaurant that houses dishes like the ghost bean burger and Audacious AvoBLT. The café on Central Avenue features plenty of outside seating along with its indoor space.

Photo via Google

Lucys

2462 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (727) 954-4784
Lucy’s is a vegan St. Petersburg restaurant with a focus on sandwiches, sides and creative specials. According to its website, everything is made from scratch.

Photo via Lucy’s /Facebook