1420 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, 813-247-2664, czarybor.com
One of Ybor City's hottest destinations, Czar is a monster club with three distinct rooms: the Cyberia Vodka Bar in the front; the Bela-Rus Ballroom in the middle; and the large, impressive, newly remodeled Imperial Theatre in the far back, where national touring bands and DJs perform. The venue also uses the high-ceiling, expansive Imperial space for fun stuff like roller disco, with Miller High Lifes and Liquid Cocaines both going for two bucks.
Memories Brooklyn's The Hold Steady whipped a crammed Imperial Theater into a sweaty frenzy in January with Springsteenian songs about hood-rat friends, heavy drinking, hard drugs, Ybor City and killer parties. The band closed its exuberant set by inviting fans on stage. A throng of several dozen gladly joined in.
Capacity: 750 (Imperial Theater)
Grub: None
Booze: Full liquor
This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2008.