BEST NEW MUSIC VENUE: Crowbar

Heavy metal. Indie rock. Hardcore rap. You name it. Crowbar has hosted all kinds of shows since opening last November. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night the Ybor City venue features original music, either from national buzz bands such as Silversun Pickups, local favorites or a blend of both, like when Giddy-Up, Helicopter! opened for the Pickups in March. Crowbar is a 300-capacity venue with a large, elevated stage and an ace sound system run by guys who know what they’re doing. There is also a patio out back with its own full-liquor bar that makes for an ideal spot to lounge before, in between and/or after sets. Tom DeGeorge runs Crowbar. He’s the affable live music/nightlife maven who managed Ybor’s Masquerade for five years before it closed in early ’06.

Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N., Tampa (Ybor City). 813-241-8600 or crowbarlive.com.