The minds behind U.S. 19’s Lucky Dill Deli opened the nearby LBC, short for Local Brewing Company, earlier this year. Though the 99-tap gastropub-meets-playground has some neat additions in store for the region, and its brand, the plan for now is to keep shaking up suburbia in Palm Harbor.
Nestled inside a corner space at the Twin Lakes Plaza shopping center, shielded by a LongHorn Steakhouse from the road, the 175-seat “tap, tavern and kitchen” seems a tad out of place. However, LBC hasn’t had trouble attracting families or the late-night crowd, who often mingle together throughout the 6,500-square-foot concept. The intention is to “create a fun gathering place for all people,” according to Gary Namm, LBC’s director of special projects.
To the right of the entrance, two lifted garage doors give front-patio-drinking patrons access to the main bar inside, which carries cocktails, 33 wines on tap and a humungo draft list with a rotating mix of macro and micro offerings, many of them local; the staff’s “Got 99 problems but a beer ain’t one” shirts say it all. Eighty-four brews are offered at this counter, while a second bar on the side patio, or playground, as it’s known, carries 15. A beer du jour is regularly showcased, too.
Beyond the outdoor chill-out area’s tree trunk-style tables and yellow umbrellas, folks discover the popular LBC playground — surrounded by a perimeter of plants and filled with entertainment like a live music stage, cornhole, ping-pong and a four-hole mini-golf course — when they turn a corner from the front patio. The “No drama in the LBC” mantra is incorporated here and throughout the interior, alongside other carefree quotes from well-known figures like Jack Nicholson and Guns N’ Roses.
Another stage, more custom Edison bulb light fixtures, exposed pipes, multiple TVs and wood accents everywhere greet patrons once they’re inside the colorful, industrial-rustic dining room. And don’t worry, there’s still stuff to do, including darts at the “barcade” and space to shoot pool.
LBC cooks up a wide assortment of jazzed-up bar food when it’s time to call break and refuel; the “tappetizer” section alone lists off 20-plus inventive items. Buffalo cauliflower (beer-battered florets covered in buffalo sauce) is a favored starter, and its description offers advice for those unsure: “Trust me… try these!”
Featuring daily specials, the menu, available in full until close at 3 a.m., ranges from “phatbreads” and burgers to entrees and “handhelds,” tacos and pretzel croissants among them. More than 10 “coming soon” dishes are also on display.
So, where does a well-received, everybody’s-welcome concept go from here?
Within the next year, CL’s told that LBC will begin brewing its own craft beer, and a planned expansion is also in the works. One, if not two, new LBC locations will be introduced to the Tampa region within 18 months.
If you’re a little rusty, start working on your mad bar-game skills.
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2015.