This beautiful, at times beleaguered, historic district is still the best place to get a taste of Old Tampa. It's seen its share of ups and downs, but lately it's been up, having seen an influx of new business following the efforts of the GaYbor District Coalition. With cuisines from Italian to Cuban to "Alaskan" to choose from, plus every kind of bar and dance club, it remains one of the city's signal destinations for fun. (And you can get there via the trolley: Find a streetcar map here.)
1. Columbia Restaurant. It takes up an entire city block, with a garishly beautiful tiled exterior that defines the area and the Spanish-Cuban food that epitomizes one of our only local culinary traditions. Through good times and bad, the Columbia has survived as a legacy of what Ybor was, and what it could be again. It's history, man, and in the end, that's the coinage that makes Ybor a desirable destination. 2117 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-4961, columbiarestaurant.com.
2. Acropolis. Eat stunning Greek food as a bouzouki plays and waiters break plates. Opa! 1833 E. Seventh Ave., 813-242-4545, acropolistaverna.com.
3. La Tropicana. A fine spot for traditional Cuban fare, with a walk-up window where you can fortify yourself with cheese toast and café con leche before a stroll down Seventh. 1822 E. Seventh Ave., 813-247-4040.
4. Market on 7th. There's pizza on every block in Ybor, but this is your best bet for a good pie. (And pizza is the only non-liquid refreshment they serve.) 1816 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-2356.
5. Gaspar's Grotto. Popular bar where the party often flows out to the big outdoor courtyard. 1805 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-5900, gasparsgrotto.com.
6. Carmine's. A beautiful old restaurant/ bar with excellent Cubans and even better mojitos. 1802 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-3834.
7. La Creperia. Over 65 different crepes (or, more accurately, one crepe and over 65 different fillings) that cross international boundaries. 1729 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-9700, lacreperiacafe.com.
8. La Terrazza Ristorante Italiano. Authentic Italian trattoria without the hyper-mark-up often found in some of its brethren. 1727 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-1326, laterrazzayborcity.com.
9. Coyote Ugly. Wild country rock saloon where the girls dance on the bar — just like in the movie. 1722 E. Seventh Ave., 813-228-UGLY, coyoteuglysaloon.com.
10. Mema's Alaskan Tacos. Top choice for an awesome late-night nosh. Alaskan? Yep. 1724 E. Eighth Ave., 813-242-8226.
11. Green Iguana. With five full bars, two dance floors and a kitchen open until midnight, this is the place to not only dance and drink, but to eat, too. 1708 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-9555, greeniguana.com.
12. James Joyce. Long touted as an authentic Irish pub, James Joyce sets itself apart from the typical Ybor bar scene with its hand-carved wooden bar, comfy couches and bartenders who know how to pour a proper pint. 1704 E. Seventh Ave., 813-246-1896.
13. Spurs. The DJs don't limit the line dancing to Kenny Chesney; you can move to hip-hop, R&B and reggae here, too, and learn the steps to go with all of it. 1701 E. Eighth Ave., 813-247-7877, spurscountrybar.com.
14. Bernini. Modern, American-influenced Italian in trendy, upscale environs. 1702 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-0099, berniniofybor.com
15. Crowbar. This intimate venue consistently brings in great rock bands. 1812 17th St. N., 813-241-8600, crowbarlive.com
16. Prana. One of Ybor's most popular hip-hop clubs offers unique atmospheres on each of its five floors, from the packed dancing room on the main floor to the rooftop entertainment on SkyBar. 1619 E. Seventh Ave., 813-241-4139, clubprana.com.
17. Teatro on 7th. The new incarnation of the former Big City Tavern, the room is as gorgeous as ever, and the food's good, too. Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Ave., 813-248-9400, teatroonseventh.com.
18. Tampa Bay Brewing Company. This brewpub and eatery has nine house microbrews on tap, all produced right on the premises-and all delicious. Balance your beer with classic bar fare like fish and chips or try the not-so-standard fare, like conch fritters and duck confit. Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave. #A123, 813-247-1422, tampabaybrewingcompany.com.
19. Samurai Blue Sushi and Sake Bar. Tucked above a comedy club on the second floor of Centro Ybor, Samurai Blue is a popular date destination. Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., 813-242-6688, samuraiblue.com.
20. Castle. This gothic-inspired dance club draws an eclectic mix of people with goth, new wave and '80s nights. 2004 N 16th St., 813-247-754, castleybor.com.
21. The Reservoir Bar. This hole-in-the-wall is popular in Ybor for its lack of flashy style, attracting mostly those who know what real bars are for – drinking. 1518 E. Seventh Ave., 813-248-1442.
22. King Corona Cigar Bar and Cafe. A big selection of stogies, an excellent cup of café con leche, wine and beer, and a barber shop tucked in the back of the store make King Corona an eclectic must-hang. 1523 E. Seventh Ave., 888-248-3812, kingcoronacigars.com.
23. The Copa. Billing itself as a "HI N-R-G Dance and Show Bar," which means drag nights Thursday-Sunday. 1510 E. Seventh Ave., 813-341-6499.
24. Skyye. Come dressed to impress to this two-level, three-room hip-hop club, complete with eight bars and themed events like the Erotic Exotic Ball. 1509 E. Eighth Ave., 813-247-6606, skye1509.com.
25. The Honey Pot. A stellar sound and lighting system create a high-energy atmosphere in this upscale nightclub and dance spot. Popular for its gay nights (boys on Friday, girls on Saturdays). 1507 E. Seventh Ave., 813-247-4663.
26. Streetcar Charlie's. A gay-centric (but not gay-exclusive) restaurant that manages to combine white-tablecloth service and good food with a neighborhood-hangout vibe. Plus, the windows offer a great view of the passing (and/or cruising) throngs. 1811 N. 15th St., 813-248-1444, myspace.com/streetcarcharlies.
27. Laughing Cat. Killer Italian food that its chef calls "new progressive." The lunch buffet demands a two-hour nap afterward. 1820 N. 15th St., 813-241-2998, thelaughingcat.com.
28. New World Brewery. The kind of place where you can get stinking drunk on great beer and see someone like '80s R.E.M. producer Mitch Easter live, all on a patio that looks like you are partying at a cool friend's house. 1313 E. Eighth Ave., 813-248-4969, myspace.com/nwbybor.com.
29. Spaghetti Warehouse. The turn-of-the-century building, with its stained glass windows and vintage charm, sets the mood for a tour de cuisine through Old Italy. House-made pastas, hand-rolled meatballs and traditional sauces made from scratch. 1911 N. 13th St., 813-248-1720.
30. Silver Ring. Great Cubans in a venerable restaurant that's been in business in Ybor for more than 60 years. 1430 E. Seventh Ave., 813-241-212, silverringybor.com.
31. Czar. This club specializes in themed nights and special events. Weekly features include: resident DJs, concerts, Pulp the Party on Fridays and roller skating on Criso Disco Wednesdays. 1420 E. Seventh Ave., 813-247-2664, myspace.com/czarvodkabar.
32. G. Bar. Big stylish space with high ceilings, brick walls, ample dance floor, DJs, VJs and go-go dancers of both genders. A popular destination for women on Fridays, men on Saturdays and everybody on "Fusion Thursdays." 1401 E. Seventh Ave., 813-247-1016, gbartampabay.com.
33. Orpheum. A popular spot for local bands and hipsters, this bar draws a large crowd on the weekends with $10 all-you-can-drink "Sink or Swim" Saturdays. 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, 813-248-9500, statemedia.com.
34. The Ritz Ybor. You never know what will be happening at this versatile, refurbished vintage theater: music, theater, fashion shows, parties … stay tuned. 1503 E. Seventh Ave, 813-247-2555, ritzybor.com.
Return to the Big Game Eating Guide
This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2009.