NIGHTLIFE

HILLSBOROUGH

BAHAMA BREEZE, 3045 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa; (813) 289-7922

The locale here is meant to induce the feeling of being on an island hideaway. Situated near the water on the Courtney Campbell Parkway, the Breeze is an escape of sorts from the typical Tampa club scene.

BANANA JOE'S/VELVET ROOM, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 228-7300

This Channelside staple can have a theme park feel. Reggae and dance music play on weekends. The Velvet Room next door is more upscale, with house and techno mixes more common.

BARNACLES, 926 Providence Road, Brandon; (813) 653-0959

By day, it's a massive sports bar with pool tables, hundreds of TV screens and pretty good grub. On weekend nights, it morphs into a nightclub with DJs and a dance floor.

BLUE MARTINI, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 873-2583

If spending your nights at the mall doesn't sound like your idea of fun, this might not be your place. Then again, after a few minutes sipping fancy cocktails to the live music, you might be liable to forget you're tucked away inside the International Plaza, and not smack dab in the middle of Channelside farther west.

BLUE SHARK, 1620 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-3499

This is Ybor's most frequented blues club, featuring live music most nights. It's as close to authentic blues as you're likely to find in the city.

THE CASTLE, 2004 N. 16th St., Tampa; (813) 247-7547

Once the iconic hangout for Tampa's Goth scene, the Castle is still Ybor's best underground alternative club, regularly packed with the counterculture crowd - either dancing upstairs or cavorting at the first-floor bar.

CLUB SKYE, 1509 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-6606

Club Skye's main dance floor offers a scintillating mix of Latin salsa with hip hop and top 40 music. Themes like Latin Carnival and Naughty School Girl Night bring in big crowds every weekend.

COYOTE UGLY SALOON, 1722 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 242-8856

The national chain that Hollywood made famous, based on the simple equation: beautiful women + booze = money. Cheers.

CROWBAR, 1812 N. 17th Street, Tampa; (813) 241-8600

One of Tampa's top live music venues for indie and alternative acts, Crowbar is also a fun hangout on non-concert nights with two bars inside and a beer garden out back.

CZAR, 1420 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-2664

Dark and moody, Czar has built up a reputation as one of the city's hippest hangouts. It features three rooms, including a laid-back lounge, a thumping dance floor and a spacious ballroom/concert venue.

DALLAS BULL, 3322 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa; (813) 987-2855

Tampa's premiere country bar since 1979, the Bull - and, yes, they do have a mechanical bull - offers a little bit of everything: bars, lounges, pool tables, a concert stage and even a Western wear store. It's a country-music mecca for the boot-wearing, line-dancing set.

DUBLINER IRISH PUB, 2307 W. Azeele St., Tampa; (813) 258-2257

Less trendy than MacDinton's across the way, this laid-back pub offers live music - usually acoustic - on weekends, along with a comfy outdoor deck.

ELMER'S SPORTS CAFE, 2003 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-5855

A typical sports-bar atmosphere awaits at this Seventh Avenue pub, where big-screen televisions offer football on weekends. Live music, of the open-mic and cover variety, can be heard most weekend nights.

EMPIRE, 1902 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-2582

Empire is known to have one of the louder sound systems in Ybor, which is either a reason to love it or avoid it completely, depending on who you are. The dance floor pumps with Top 40 and hip-hop during the week, while live acts occasionally rock out on the weekends.

FLOYD'S, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa; (813) 627-7625

Located in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Floyd's is an upscale Mediterranean-style restaurant that transforms into a thumping nightclub after dark. The cocktails run a little pricey, and DJs spin hip hop, techno and top 40 for a fashionably dressed crowd.

FOUR GREEN FIELDS, 205 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 254-4444

If you want to visit a truly "authentic" Irish pub, there's only one place to go: Four Green Fields. Complete with a thatched roof and a staff that comes direct from the emerald isle, the Pub serves up Harp and Guinness from the tap while Irish-flavored folk music fills the room.

THE FOX, 5401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; (813) 289-8446

Just west of the airport, the Fox is an out-of-the way oasis for jazz aficionados. Every night, live jazz bops and throbs its way into the small room until the wee small hours of the morning.

FULL MOON SALOON, 1613 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-3309

Lively crowds pack this spacious party palace for unbeatable drink specials and DJs spinning hip-hop and dance tunes.

FUMA BELLA, 1318 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-6130

The smallest bar in the city may also be its most beloved. The regulars tend to talk of Fuma as a shrine, where the absence of any distractions like loud music or food is relished as much as the stiff drinks.

G BAR, 1401 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-1016

This spacious gay and lesbian nightclub has become one of the city's most popular hangouts with its huge dance floor, video screens, light shows and a thumping sound system.

GASPAR'S GROTTO, 1805 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-5900

This indoor-outdoor pirate-themed club features an expansive patio with a tiki bar and regular live music on stage. It's a popular spot for billiards and beer pong.

GREEN IGUANA BAR AND GRILL, 1708 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-9555

Green Iguana caters to both older and younger clubgoers with a faux-island vibe and cover bands playing the hits of the '70s and '80s. They also have locations in the West Shore area, northwest Tampa, St. Petersburg and Brandon.

HONEY POT, 1507 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-4663

Multiple bars, a VIP area and a balcony overlooking a large dance floor make this one of Ybor's most popular spots among serious clubbers.

HOWL AT THE MOON/STUMP'S SUPPER CLUB, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 226-2261

The twenty- and thirty-something patrons of Channelside come to Stumps for the Southern food and live-band karaoke, and to Howl at the Moon to get their singing on with dueling pianos.

THE HUB, 719 N. Franklin St., Tampa; (813) 229-1553

Downtown's longest standing and most venerated nightspot is best place to get what you pay for in a drink: alcohol. This unpretentious bar also boasts one of the best jukeboxes in the city.

HYDE PARK CAFE, 1806 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 254-2233

"Beautiful" is a word many use to describe the layout of Hyde Park Cafe, as well as its regulars. The bar, popular with twentysomethings and VIPs, is one of the area's trendiest spots, but its off-the-beaten-path location keeps it from getting overcrowded most nights.

MacDINTON'S, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 251-8999

On weekend nights - which, these days, apparently includes Thursday - the singles crowd fills every available space to rub elbows and drink it up. This is a place for pick-up artists and people-watchers more than anything else.

MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN, 4115 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa; (813) 832-3037

While Irish-themed bars may be a dime a dozen in Florida, an attempt at an authentic English pub is something unique. That said, Mad Dogs isn't really authentically English - too many palm fronds and tables with umbrellas wait to greet you. But inside there's a good selection of brews waiting, along with a cheerful crowd of regulars.

IMPROV COMEDY THEATER, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., C-112, Tampa; (813) 864-4000

Tampa's best comedy club has become a Centro Ybor staple, drawing big name comics from across the country. There's no drink minimum, and food is brought to your table, at reasonable prices.

IRISH FOX & HOUNDS, 229 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; (813) 865-8151

The Celtic watering hole is a true jewel in Brandon. On weekends after the sun goes down, live Irish-flavored music goes until very late. Weeknights are a more subdued affair, when the regulars quietly drink Guinness or Harp by the pint.

THE JAMES JOYCE IRISH PUB, 17041/2 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-1896

Situated up a flight of stairs and overlooking the bustle of Seventh Avenue below, the Joyce is the only Irish pub in Ybor not to have closed down or changed its stripes over the years. The crowd runs a tad older and more staid than those found in the average Seventh Avenue bar.

THE KENNEDY, 2408 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; (813) 259-9669

This fairly new place aims at being an upscale VIP-style lounge for the sophisticated clubgoer and probably comes as close as any other spot in the downtown area.

KING CORONA CIGARS, 1523 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 241-9109

It was about time Ybor City had a cigar bar that could stand up to any in the country in terms of selection. Patrons love to smoke out while sitting in the outdoor patio as the throng passes them by. Some great beers on tap, too, including St. Bernardus.

NEW WORLD BREWERY, 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-4969

If you want to know where the Bay area's best indie musicians can be found, the answer is New World Brewery. Along with Crowbar down the street, New World is the city's center of great underground live music. And did we mention the great beer selection and the city's best jukebox?

ORPHEUM, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa; (813) 248-9500

A hot spot for serious dancing and serious drinking, as DJs spin the best in underground indie rock, alternative and hip hop while the bartenders pour 'em strong. The Orpheum hosts occasional live music acts, too.

PRANA, 1619 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 241-4139

The standard-bearer for trendy Ybor nightclubs, Prana beckons buttoned-up and high-heeled patrons through its red curtains on Friday and Saturday nights, offering spacious lounge, bar and dance-floor space inside.

REHAB LOUNGE, 1909 N. 15th Street, Tampa; (813) 242-8681

This relatively laid-back spot caters to a somewhat more mature GLBT crowd, offering a friendly place for cocktails, karaoke or the occasional drag show. Downstairs, Club Addiction is more of a bear/leather scene.

THE RACK, 1809 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 250-1595

Rarely does a pool hall become the hip place to be seen, but the Rack has achieved such distinction with its ultra-cool decor and its excellent late-night menu of sushi and more.

RESERVOIR BAR, 1518 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 248-1442

Reservoir Bar's name reflects a rather loose theme - Quentin Tarantino's pulp film "Reservoir Dogs" - which might serve as a clue as to whom to expect frequenting it on any given night. With pool and darts, it's a place for groups to chill.

THE RETREAT, 123 S. Hyde Park Ave., Tampa; (813) 254-2014

Situated near downtown, this upscale but casual beer bar caters to overworked downtown professionals and underworked UT students alike. Billiards, darts and foosball round out the offerings at this stylish spot.

ROCK-N-SPORTS, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; (813) 242-6220

Perched upstairs at Centro Ybor, this spacious bar and grill's schizoid theme is half rock 'n' roll, half sports. Whichever you prefer, you'll find plenty of cold beer, hot wings and big ol' TV screens.

THE ROUNDUP, 13918 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa; (813) 287-8844

Perhaps Tampa's most popular country music bar, the live stage occasionally books national acts, and there are always events to bring in the line-dancing crowd.

SKIPPER'S SMOKEHOUSE, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa; (813) 975-0777

This venerable restaurant-outdoor concert venue has brought in its share of high-profile national acts. The shows range mostly from roots rock and folk to blues. Eclecticism and a fervently independent spirit (along with some fine seafood and barbecue) make this place a top local draw.

SLING SHOTS, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 228-7300

This self-proclaimed "Country Pop Saloon" is an offshoot of Banana Joe's, featuring country-fried karaoke and line dancing. Come for the bucket-o'-beer specials and the big belt buckles.

SPLITSVILLE, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 514-2695

Redefining the bowling alley and billiard hall for the clubgoing crowd, Splitsville boasts a dozen retro-style lanes and pool tables amid a modern bar setting. This is a place to be seen, not a place to work on your 7-10 split.

SPURS, 1701 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-7877

Spurs is a lively country-music dance club with an open-air tiki bar outside. Like most of Ybor, it's very gay-friendly, so if that makes any of you good ol' boys uncomfortable, you might want to mosey on down the road.

TANK'S TAP ROOM, 13150 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 961-2337

In addition to boasting an impressive collection of big-screen TV sets (they show Steelers games on Sunday), Tank's also carries a globe-spanning array of quality brews.

TAPS WINE & BEER MERCHANTS, 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa; (813) 463-1968

New addition to downtown Tampa offers high-end beer and do-it-yourself wine taps on the ground floor of trendy Skypoint tower. The decor is cold modern industrial; the clientele: well-heeled professionals and theater goers.

TINY TAP TAVERN, 2105 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa; (813) 254-4895

Housed in an old gas station off Howard Avenue, this little beer-only dive bars doesn't scream Tampa institution, but it's just that - 40 years and counting. It's the type of watering hole where pretension is an alien notion.

WHISKEY NORTH, 11921 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 968-1515

Regularly packed with twenty- and thirty-something singles, this upscale-casual spot features karaoke, line-dance lessons, happy hour specials and plenty of people-watching.

WORLD OF BEER, 9524 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa; (813) 852-2337

This locally-owned, upscale hangout for beer enthusiasts has mind-boggling selection of bottles and drafts from around the world (hence the name). It's a bit out of the way in Westchase, though.

YEOMAN'S ROAD, 236 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa; (813) 251-2748

Yeoman's is a cozy British-themed pub with a fine selection of domestic and imported beers and a solid food lineup of pub grub. Occasional live music, too.

PINELLAS

A TASTE FOR WINE, 241 Central Ave., St Petersburg; (727) 895-1623

This romantic bar and balcony is a classy spot for great, hard-to-find beers and wines, along with live music on the weekends.

CADDY'S ON THE BEACH, 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Sunset Beach; (727) 360-4993

Caddy's is a waterfront restaurant and bar that offers good barbecue and beach access, but the real draw is sitting on the deck with a tropical drink at sunset.

CIDER HOUSE, 1752 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 822-7400

This cozy spot sits well off the beaten path of the downtown scene, so it draws an eclectic but fun-loving crowd of mostly regulars. Bartenders are more than happy to guide you through the bar's surprisingly varied array of draft ciders from Ace to Blackthorn, but they also serve a number of fine beers on tap and in bottles.

DAVE'S BAR AND GRILL (DAVE'S AQUA LOUNGE), 10820 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 576-1091

Known by either name, Dave's is unmistakable after so many years in business. Its location makes it a destination more than a walk-in establishment, yet there's nothing to the eye or taste buds that can't be found closer to home. Still, its regulars are die-hard.

DUNEDIN BREWERY, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin; (727) 736-0606

With a reputation of having the best beer in the Tampa Bay area, Dunedin Brewery demands a visit, even if it's a drive. A wide variety of brews are offered - everything from light ales to rich lagers, and there's even some occasional rockabilly from the house band.

EMERALD BAR, 550 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 898-6054

From the outside and in, Emerald looks like a typical dive bar, but it has a little something extra going for it: attitude. Stalwart drinkers love the cheap drinks, and young kids come to see local indie bands strut their stuff.

FERG'S SPORTS BAR & GRILL, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 822-4562

This quirky sports bar - it's housed in a former gas station - sits right across the street from Tropicana Field, so it's a big hit with Rays fans along with anyone else who loves fried food and buckets of cheap beer.

GASOLINE ALLEY CAFE, 17928 U.S. Highway 19, Clearwater; (727) 532-0265

Gasoline Alley is a rock 'n' roll bar, offering regular live music on a professional stage with a big sound.

GLOBE COFFEE LOUNGE, 532 First Ave. N., St Petersburg; (727) 898-5282

The venerable Globe, housed in a cozy space all alone on First Avenue, offers what amounts to a unique experience these days: independence. Everything about the place reflects the individual tastes of its owner and dedicated staff.

GREEN IGUANA, 8790 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg; (727) 209-1234

A tiki bar atmosphere welcomes patrons to Green Iguana in St. Pete. The venue offers live music of the cover variety or record-spinning DJs seven nights a week, while weekend afternoons offer drink specials and acoustic acts.

THE INDEPENDENT, 29 Third St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 820-9514

This is a great bar to hit if you're looking for obscure European Abbey and Trappist beers, with new offerings on tap regularly. The Independent's best feature may be is its internal architecture: a long, wooden communal table invites strangers to sit down and drink together.

KAHUNA'S BAR & GRILL, 10515 Gandy Blvd., Tampa; (727) 576-7800

Wings and beer, pool tables, darts, foosball, a covered patio and live music ... what more do you want?

KA'TIKI, 8803 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island; (727) 360-2272

Drinks and dancing under a thatched roof. Beach bums welcome.

LIMEY'S PUB, 1492 Fourth St. N., St Petersburg; (727) 895-2049

This traditional English pub features a solid beer selection and live music most nights, plus you can belly up to the bar either indoors or out.

THE LOBBY, 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 896-3800

This small, classic little bar, in what was once the Detroit Hotel, has made itself a fixture in downtown St. Pete recently. The lobby's quiet decor promotes conversation, something sorely missing from the bar scene these days.

MASTRY'S, 233 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 822-3070

An oasis for cheap and strong drinks among its more upscale and watered-down neighbors, Mastry's boasts a small but loyal clientele and a pretty good jukebox.

MICKEY QUINN'S, 19703 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores; (727) 593-2308

This neighborhood pub and eatery draws a regular crowd of locals and beach bums looking for cold beer, friendly conversation and maybe a game or two of pool. It gets lively after dark.

NEW YORK NEW YORK, 18573 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater; (727) 539-7441

This longtime nightspot is still a popular destination for dance floor diehards and karaoke buffs.

PALM PAVILION BAR, 10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater; (727) 446-2642

Palm Pavilion takes the ebbs and flows of the fickle nightlife crowds without so much as a yawn. This always popular joint is a Florida staple, with its great food and drink menus and breezy live music being played on the outdoor deck.

PELICAN PUB, 18 Second St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 896-6329

Situated next door to Jannus Landing, the Pelican Pub is a popular stop for concertgoers looking for cheap, strong drinks.

PUSH ULTRA LOUNGE, 128 Third St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 895-7874

A sophisticated spot catering to an upscale clientele (even Paris Hilton has stopped by), Push offers an indoor bar, stage and dance floor, an outdoor bar with VIP areas and a rooftop deck with a great view of downtown.

THE RARE OLIVE, 300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 822-7273

This sophisticated spot features a cigar bar and every sort of martini in the book. The weekly lineup of live music leans heavily - as it should - on jazz.

UNDERTOW, 3850 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach; (727) 368-9000

Beach bar features a lively singles scene, decent grub and volleyball in the sand out back.

THE VENUE, 2675 Ulmerton Road, St. Petersburg; (727) 571-2222

With two restaurants, a martini bar, a party deck, a VIP lounge and multiple dance floors, The Venue is like one-stop shopping for the upscale club crowd.