A hanging sign for “RAW BAR” with ocean-themed graphics, including fish, a shark, and an octopus, outside a building along a city street with palm trees and pedestrians in the background.
Ocean Ink Raw Bar opens in Ybor City Credit: c/o Twenty-First Agency

Two years after announcing plans to open in Ybor City, Ocean Ink Raw Bar has finally done it.

The Seventh Avenue restaurant opened on Sept. 10, according to a press release, which added that its owner Ken Emery—who opened Barterhouse just a block away in the historic district—hopes to bring Charleston seafood tradition to Ybor City while contributing to the growing Tampa culinary culture. 

Located at 1632 E 7th Ave. at a former outdoor hookah lounge, the corner restaurant features a handful of tables, a marble topped bar, and a courtyard that mixes indoor and outdoor dining. Chef Burtis Brown leads the kitchen with a menu that showcases Key West pink shrimp, cold water lobster, signature seafood towers, and oysters from all over the U.S.

“Ocean Ink is about letting incredible seafood speak for itself,” Emery said in the press release. “We’ve spent years building relationships with fishermen so we can source in small, daily lots. It means our guests always get the best of the catch, served in its most pristine state.”

Hours of operation at Ocean Ink Raw Bar in Ybor City are from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Happy hour happens 5 p.m.-7 p.m. daily featuring $1.25 oysters, drink specials and shareables. Lunch is coming soon. 

Follow @oceaninkraw on Instagram and @Ocean-Ink-Raw on Facebook.

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Chef Burtis Brown of Ocean Ink Raw Bar in Ybor City, Florida. Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency
Credit: c/o The Twenty-First Agency

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This article appears in Sept. 25 – Oct. 1, 2025.