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.
Dead Bob’s
6717 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
A popular place for cheap drinks, music, sports-watching and food.
Photo via Facebook/Dead Bob’sOld 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 TavernCorner 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 EarthBoardwalk Tavern
2600 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Live music on Tuesday and Saturday mingles with karaoke throughout the week.
Photo via Google EarthLee’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/LeesGroceryTampaHeights1933 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/1933PubAbe’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 & GrillBlue 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 ParrotJungle 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 EarthShadracks
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/ShadracksPAGDavis 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 Club49th 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 EarthOvertime 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 BarThe 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/quickredfoxloungePepperz
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 EarthSmugglers 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 StoreThe Shipwreck
647 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach.
Locals and tourists alike are welcome at the nautical-themed bar, which started in 1976.
Photo via Facebook/TheShipwreckCBTapper Pub
3832 Britton Plaza, Tampa.
Knock out that grocery list at Publix, then hit up the long-running bar next door. No judgment here.
Photo via Facebook/Tapper PubWilson’s Sports Lounge
3030 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg.
A shooting location for stripper movie Magic Mike, this dive bar is stocked with karaoke, lots of regulars and the main draw: booze.
Photo via Google EarthThe Stinger Bar
2222 49th St. S., St. Petersburg.
A couple of pool tables accompany the liquor, beer and wine.
Photo via Google EarthStroker’s
30901 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor.
Nope, this isn’t a strip club. But it is a great place for lovers of pool, cold beer and sports.
Photo via Stroker’s Sports Bar & GrillThe Bridge
1056 N. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs.
Bar Rescue gave this locals-driven watering hole near the historic Sponge Docks a makeover in December 2015.
Photo via Facebook/The Bridge Lounge A Locals BarThe Beer Shed
11222 Casa Loma Drive, Riverview.
You can boat up to this old-timey hangout on the Alafia River.
Photo via Google EarthThe Hole in the Wall
1735 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.
Jello shots and boiled peanuts. Need we say more?
Photo via The Hole In the Wall BarWild Rover Brewing Company
13921 Lynmar Blvd., Tampa.
Westchase’s neighborhood brewery showcases British-style fare like fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, in addition to house pints.
Photo via Facebook/WildRoverBreweryThe Copper Mug
1463 S. Belcher Ave., Clearwater.
Happy hour is 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and no, that isn’t a typo. The joint even lists the nearest bus stop on its Facebook page. That’s… that’s some hardcore bar-ing we can respect. It’s everything The Fox was before The Fox got classy. Well, classy-ish.
Photo via Google Earth
