Tampa Bay is home to dozens of hole-in-the-wall watering holes (we’re not kidding, most of these places don’t have their own websites), and since 2020 was probably the worst year for bars since Prohibition, we thought it would be worth highlighting some of the area’s classic local dives. So, here are a few dive bars that absolutely define the Bay area.

Flamingo Sports Bar 1230 9th St. N, St. Petersburg Flamingo Sports Bar originally opened in March 1937 as a drive-in restaurant selling wine, beer, ice cream and sandwiches. In the 1950s, the spot evolved from a stand to an indoor space. The legendary writer, Jack Kerouac, once drank there, and now the bar has a mural, photos and novels inside the bar to commemorate him. The bar is one of the oldest in St. Petersburg. Photo via Flamingo Sports Bar/Google
Drunken Clam 46 46th Ave., St. Pete Beach The Drunken Clam is known for its “naked” unbreaded wings. Even with a small kitchen, the staff cooks fresh wings for about 20 minutes and douses them in a variety of sauces including the award winning cajun parmesan garlic sauce. The Drunken Clam also has fresh steamed clams, shrimp, seared sesame tuna and fresh ground beef burgers. The bar also serves breakfast and features live music. Photo via Drunken Clam/Google
The Beer Shed 11222 Casa Loma Dr., Riverview Float away with some drinks on the deck and boat docking at Beer Shed, then stay for karaoke. The bar’s kitchen serves fresh fish, and plenty of other eats. Family-run and serving snacks from all over the world like Thai, American, Southern fare and seasonal specials. Photo via
Copper Mug 1463 S Belcher Rd., Clearwater The Copper Mug is a classic TB watering hole. Dart and golf games are available, and the store sells lottery tickets. Drink cheaply, and kick back and relax. Photo via
Dead Bob’s 6717 Central Ave S, St. Petersburg Known for its burgers, live music and late hours, Dead Bob’s serves drinks in both St. Petersburg and Tampa. According to the website, the bar is named after a boisterous and lively drinker named Bob. As a very old man, Bob carried around an oxygen tank and drank until he almost fell out of his barstool. Sadly, he eventually passed away, but the man’s legend lives on in the bar. Photo via
Mahuffers 19201 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores Mahuffers is full of salvaged junkyard artifacts: fish traps on the ceiling, cash and profanity on the walls and stickers everywhere. Outside, the sign says “wurst place on the beech, warm beer, lousy food.” Expect a good laugh at this hole-in-the-wall. Photo via
American Legion Post 111 6918 N Florida Ave., Tampa Here you’ll find cheap drinks, great live music, and an Italian restaurant led by Chef Tony Macaroni & Co. inside. The American Legion has about 2.4 million members in 14,000 posts worldwide; with almost 400 in Florida. Photo via American Legion Post 111/Google
The Hub 719 N Franklin St., Tampa The Hub is one of the oldest bars in Tampa, founded in 1949. The classic dive bar is casual and easygoing, with a jukebox and graffiti etched on the walls. The pours are famously heavy, and you really never know who will pop in here on any given night. Photo via Brian Mahar
Wilson’s Sports Lounge 3030 4th St N, St. Petersburg Since “Magic Mike” was filmed outside Wilson’s Sports Lounge, you know it’s an interesting place. It’s always smokey and packed, just as you’d expect from an excellent dive bar. Photo via Google Maps
Abe’s Place 1250 S Missouri Ave., Clearwater At Abe’s Place, you’ll find some of the best wings in town, with or without the bones, top notch beef burgers and a selection of 44 craft and draft beers on tap. Plus, you can rack up wing points and discounts when you register for the Friends of Abe’s program. Photo via Abe’s Place/Google
49th Street Pub 860 49th St. N, St. Petersburg 49th Street Pub is a good ole divey sports bar with pool tables, plenty of jello shots, daily specials and live music. Stop by for a wide liquor selection and a wide variety of peeps. Photo via 49th Street Pub/Google
Blue Parrot 85 Corey Cir, St Pete Beach The Blue Parrot is located right by the water, and serves fresh seafood like baked onion crusted salmon, grouper florentine and shrimp pasta. The Blue Parrot also offers classics like meatloaf and shepherd’s pie. Chill out on the pavilion under the cooling fans, or rock out to some local blues bands. Photo via Blue Parrott/Google
Hole in the Wall 1735 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa If a bar is called Hole in the Wall, you know damn well it is one. In the center of Hole in the Wall, stands a pole for dancing. This true dive bar is open every day from noon until 3 a.m. The happy hour runs from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m and includes two mixed drinks for $5, $6.50 frozen margaritas and five jello shots for $5. Photo via Hole in the Wall/Google
Jungle Prada Tavern 1700 Park St N, St. Petersburg The Jungle Prada Tavern still upholds the original Spanish-style architecture, with arches separating the rooms. The bar serves bar classics like fried pickles and burgers, as well as some unique plates like cajun meatloaf and peaches and cream smothered chicken. Photo via Jungle Prada Tavern/Google
Mick’s Pub 2140 Drew St., Clearwater Previously known as The Quick Red Fox, Mick’s Pub is where Saint Patrick’s Day is every day. The Irish bar offers a karaoke jukebox, pool tables, steel and electronic darts, live sports and outdoor seating. It also has $4 sandwiches and $5 fish and chips. Photo via Mick’s Pub/Google
Old Northeast Tavern 201 7th Ave. N, St. Petersburg Old Northeast is mostly a locals pub, but sometimes, even Tampa Bay Rays players stop by. The food isn’t typical bar food either; it includes plenty of salads, pizza and lots of sandwiches like smoked salmon. Photo via
Reservoir Bar 1518 E 7th Ave., Ybor City Located in Ybor City, the Reservoir Bar is a certified classic Tampa dive, with bar games like dart and pool. It even occasional pool tournament (and once saw late rapper DMX kick everybody’s ass at the table after a concert). The bar calls itself the “finest hole-in-the-wall in town.” Photo via Reservoir/Google
Smugglers Tavern 1120 Pinellas Bayway S., St. Petersburg Stop by Smugglers Tavern for $2 jello shots, a jukebox, a dart board and drinks and cigarettes to-go. The sports bar is located on the island of Tierra Verde, south of St. Pete Beach and on the way to Ft. De Soto Park. Smuggler’s doesn’t serve food. Photo via Smugglers Tavern/Google
Shadracks 114 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach Famous since 1972, Shadracks is a classic St. Pete bar, just a couple of minutes walk from the beach and surrounded by little shops. Biscuit, a bartender, serves up specials like $2 Busch Lights on Mondays and $2 drafts on Tuesdays. Every day, there are specials for cold brews. Photo via Google Maps

Steve’s Tavern

933 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-894-1004
The perfect retreat for when you get sick of the crowds on Central Avenue sidewalks or need an air-conditioned spot to cool off with a cold draft. The regulars vary from industry professionals finishing (or about to begin) a shift to seasoned drinkers that have been guzzling the same draft or one-mixer cocktail here for years. It’s a cash-only bar that recently banned smoking and boasts a pool table and two electronic dart boards.
Photo via Steve’s Tavern/Yelp
Tapper Pub 3832 Britton Plz., Tampa At South Tampa’s Tapper Pub, you can find cheap beer, solid sandwiches and nice stool to rip a cig. Photo via Tapper Pub/Google
The Shipwreck 647 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater As the name entails, The Shipwreck bar is a nautical space, full of pirates, or at least pirate-like folk. Not really, but the bartenders may call you one. Pool tables, darts, free jukebox and happy hour; this 45-year-old bar is open till 3 a.m. Photo via The Shipwreck/Google
Tiny Tap Tavern 2105 W Morrison Ave., Tampa The Tiny Tap Tavern originally opened as a gas station office in 1934, and then started selling beer and wine in 1951. It’s got 8-ball, beer and burgers, the perfect trifecta. Photo via
Stroker’s Sports Bar & Grill 30901 U.S. Hwy 19 N., Palm Harbor Every year, the Stroker’s Pool Hall hosts the US Amateur Championships. Sip on a drink while you play pool on one of the 14 tables, or play table tennis, throw some darts or munch on some fried food, wraps or salads. If you ask for “Freddy Style,” they splatter garlic sauce on your food. Photo via Strokers/Google