Ethos of Aldissi plays The Far Forest on July 9, 2023. Credit: Photo by Ray Roa
It can be hard for a newcomer to get acquainted with their local live music venue, and in the new issue of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay on stands now, we mention must-visit rooms of every size from large to small, and even tiny. And that’s how we got to the Far Forest, located at 4312 N Florida Ave. in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood.

The scene: Comfy couches and lounge chairs rearranged to surround the artist performing on a large tabriz-style rug. The backdrop for a show at this vintage shop is a curated bookshelf, house plants and classic furniture all lit through old windows that let the sunlight dramatically dim as the show goes on. Concert goers (usually no more than 25, if that) come from around the shop’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, include other shop owners and almost always other local musicians and in-the-know scene champs who play in the Bay area’s best new bands.

Sound: Folk and jazz.

Credit: Photo via farforestexchange/Facebook

The Far Forest

4312 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL

website

The scoop: Tiny rooms like Far Forest—which presents music under the Forest Sounds banner—make for concert experiences that can endear natives and newcomers alike to their hometown. They give us a chance to not only see our neighbors play music, but also mingle with them and make friends in between bands in an unpretentious way.

Similar venues: House shows are essential; Whamo Media (@whamo.media) and Bent Cig Booking (@bentcigbookingfl) are great at promoting those gigs, along with DIY spaces like head shop-venue Battle Buds. Other tiny venues include The Bends in St. Pete, which is a good place to get a great cocktail along with your show, local American Legions and VFW halls, Tampa’s Cafe Hey, dives like The Hub and emergent biker bar Born Free, local breweries, and record stores like Microgroove, Mojo Books and Music and Bananas. Tampa Heights sports emporium Shuffle also regularly hosts live music inside and on its backyard stage.

The next show at Far Forest is Rod Alnord Quartet, which plays Thursday, July 27. Doors are at 7 p.m., and donations will be accepted at the door.

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This article appears in Jul 20-26, 2023.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...