Downtown Tampa’s West River has been awfully quiet due to construction on Cass Street and, well, COVID-19, but a pillar of its nightlife scene is coming back to life next week.
Today, bar and music venue Hooch and Hive announced its re-opening set for Thursday, Nov. 19. On March 16, the venue, located at 1001 W. Cass St. near the University of Tampa, was one of the first local haunts to shut its doors to do its part to help fight the spread of coronavirus, a respiratory disease that has infected 870,552 Floridians and killed 17,659 statewide.
A promo video announcing the news invites patrons to grab a bite and bevvie while enjoying an upgraded patio (the outside area was already A+) all while wearing a mask.
Dean Rosenberger—former Spiritual Janitor at New World Brewery, who’s signed on to take on the same role at Hooch and Hive—told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that it was already a tough slog for Hooch and Hive even before COVID-19 arrived, citing the nearly year-long construction and closure of Cass Street.
"The pandemic hit just as construction was easing," Rosenberger wrote in a text message, adding that the city if putting the finishing touches on the stretch of Cass Street in front of Hooch and Hive.
"We really felt a need to reconnect with the community after these long eight months," Rosenberger said.
What’s more is that Brokenmold Entertainment told CL that live music will officially return to Hooch and Hive on Friday, Nov. 27. Rosenberger calls the gigs "safe and sound" shows, but all of them will be seated, socially-distanced and will probably sell out due to limited capacity. Advance tickets are available via brokenmoldentertainment.com, but an artist lineup is still forthcoming.
“Masks are required to be worn unless you are seated at your table,” Joe D’Acunto, owner of Brokenmold, told CL in an email. “We will continue to ask you to stay home should you have a cough or fever, per CDC suggestions.”
Rosenberger says Hooch and Hive will have limited hours Wednesday-Sunday to start, but will offer a full menu of its "elevated bar food and delightful drinks."
"Most of the original staff is returning along with some new faces. As far as what I’m doing over here, I’m operations manager," he said of his new role. "I basically do my best to provide an outlet and space to a whole bunch of people who are all smarter more talented and creative than me."
UPDATED: 11/13/20 4:45 p.m. Updated with comment from Hooch and Hive's new Spiritual Janitor Dean Rosenberger.
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This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2020.