CL’s Yborhood Guide: Dance Clubs & Live Music

DANCE CLUBS & LIVE MUSIC

1. The Bricks 1327 E. 7th Ave.,thebricksybor.com. Skatepark of Tampa's new bar/restaurant/coffee shop/storefront/eventual live music venue is scheduled to open in early April.

2. Blue Shark 1502 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-3499,myspace.com/bluesharkybor. A small watering hole with live blues and rock by local acts, a spoken word open mic on Monday nights, and an all-female "Soaking Wet" review on Sundays. Past performers have included Shawn Brown Band, Johnny G. Lyon Band and City Groove.

3. Blues Ship/Good Luck Cafe 1910 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-6097, myspace.com/bluesship.This venue hosts live music by locals (the Gary Brown Blues band performs every Thursday) as well as a weekly spoken word open mic by Black on Black Rhyme on Tuesdays, and Latin International Night on Saturdays.

4. The Castle 2004 N. 16th St., 813-247-7547,castleybor.com. Going strong since 1992, the two-story, multi-room gothic dance club is open five nights a week with variations in the music and types of crowds. The popular "80's and Beyond" on Monday nights attracts the largest and most diverse crowd with New Wave and alt rock hits and music videos on four screens as played and projected by DJ Rob. Coming in at a close second is Communion Fridays, a night of old and new school goth and industrial favorites, Dark Wave, mid-'90s EBM and synthpop. The Castle also hosts live performances on occasion.

5. Club Skye 1509 E. 8th Ave., 813-247-6606,skye1509.com. This urban chic "dress to impress" nightclub draws healthy crowds; Thursday to Saturday nights, you'll usually find lines stretching out from both entrances, one into the smaller Star Lounge, the other into the large main room. Lots of specials for the ladies, Latin music Thursdays, and top 40 urban and dance music all other nights, with Wild 98.7's Orlando and the Freak Show hosting on Fridays.

6. Club Tantra 1609 E. 7th Ave.,myspace.com/tantraybor. Open weekends only in the home of the late, lamented Amphitheatre, this newish club is one of a crowd of velvet-roped venues seeking the dollars of the see-and-be-seen crowds on the 1600 block of 7th.

7. Crowbar 1812 N. 17th St., 813-241-8600,crowbarlive.com. This 300-capacity live music bar has become a regular tour stop for hip indie acts of all genres, and the odd bigger-name talents. A quality PA, two corner bars on the inside, an outdoor patio with a small corner bar and plenty of tables and chairs, and an overall welcoming atmosphere. Soft Rock Renegades spin indie hits on Tuesdays and Da Cypher's hip-hop open mic is held Wednesdays. Upcoming shows: The Fresh and Onlys with Tigercity (March 26), Easy Star All Stars (April 10), OK Go with Earl Greyhound (May 14).

8. Coyote Ugly 1722 E. 7th Ave., 813-228-UGLY, coyoteuglysaloon.com/tampa. One of 10 locations across the U.S., this bar (just like the film about it) features bartenders and cocktail waitresses singing, dancing and riling up the drooling frat dudes and various other drinkers with friendly insults and salty attitudes. The Ybor City location is also known for spawning Real World: San Diego cast member and local reality celeb Robin Hibbard. Upcoming event: 7 Year Anniversary Party (April 23).

9. The Cuban Club 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, 813-248-2954, cubanclub.org. The main site for WMNF's most popular annual concert event, Tropical Heatwave, and the setting for various other 'MNF shows (like the Avett Brothers) as well as the odd concert by Bay area promoters like Skatepark of Tampa, which staged its 2008 Pro Am parties there with Kimya Dawson and Band of Horses. CL also hosted Sensory Overload there two years in a row. Upcoming: 29th Annual Tropical Heatwave feat. Bob Schneider, Mark Levine and Latin Tinge, Jason Ricci, and many others (May 15).

10. Czar Bar 1420 E. 7th Ave., 813-247-2664,myspace.com/czarvodkabar. The dance club/music venue has three distinct rooms: the Cyberia Vodka Bar, the the oversized Imperial Theatre, and in between the two, Bela-Rus Ballroom. The venue hosts national touring bands and DJs, roller disco parties, and various other fun events. Filthy Fridays feature resident DJ Monk and the 500 Wolves DJ collective spinning the hottest indie rock and electro throughout the three rooms on Friday nights. Upcoming: Sinden (April 20).

11. The Dirty Shame 1929 E. 7th Ave., 813-247-7930. The self-styled "Pub on the Edge" is a biker-friendly place with free bike parking and Bike Night on Tuesdays. The pub also presents live music by local original and cover bands.

12. Double Decker 1721 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-2099, doubledeckertampa.com. A college-friendly bar with 2-for-1 drink specials every day from 4 to 8 p.m., karaoke on Wednesday and Friday nights, live music by local cover bands on Saturday nights, and an outside bar with large TVs. Upcoming: Capt N' Kirk & Crew (March 27).

13. Empire 1902 E. 7th Ave., 813-247-2582,empirelive.com. The strip's most notorious urban dance venue has made headlines over the years because of shootings that have taken place in the vicinity. Dance, hip-hop, reggae, booty and R&B are played three nights a week, Thursdays through Saturdays, with DJ Kid Money KG spinning downstairs and DJ Royce taking the lead upstairs. Empire also hosts the occasional appearance by rap and hip-hop artists; past guests have included the Yin Yang Twins and LMFAO, among others.

14. Encore 1920 E. 7th Ave., 813-325-1267,myspace.com/encoreon7thave. A new nightclub, lounge and live music venue located in the huge former Frankie's Patio space a few doors down from Empire. Upcoming: God Module (March 25).

15. Full Moon Saloon 1613 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-3309. An enigmatic space with an open-air bar area that would seem to offer a good view of the moon, full or no.

16. Gaspar's Grotto 1805 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-5900, gasparsgrotto.com/. Proprietors Eric and Shere Schiller host a range of events at their pirate-themed restaurant and bar. Local, regional and national touring bands perform on a slightly raised stage on the outdoor patio, and Gaspar's also presents fundraisers, parties and events like "Pets on the Patio" every first Saturday of the month, a blues jam on Wednesday nights, and karaoke on Thursday nights. Upcoming: Band Yadda Yadda Yadda (March 27), Hog Wild Poker Run (March 27), Comedy Tonight WIT Improv Troup (April 1). For more info, see the listings under "Restaurants & Bars."

17. G Bar 1401 E. 7th Ave. 813-247-1016,myspace.com/gbartampabay. The gay-owned and operated 8,000-square-foot bar is open five nights a week with something going on each night — spins by resident DJ Greg Anderson, drag show performances, special appearances by stars like Big Brother 10's Steven Daigle, ladies-only "Girl Butter" Friday night parties, and amateur strip contests every Tuesday.

18. Green Iguana Bar & Grill 1708 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-9746, greeniguana.com. The bar serves food and alcohol every night of the week along with live music, all by the same 30 rotating cover bands that play mainstream rock at the Green Iguana locations all over town.

19. The Honey Pot 1507 E. 7th Ave., 813-247-4663, myspace.com/tampahoneypot. The three-floor gay and lesbian-friendly nightclub features spins by resident DJ Adam Sno along with guest DJ's Kidd Leow, Pedro M., Mike Cruz, Greg Anderson and DJ Explicit, burlesque shows, a "straight" night on Thursdays, and various other events (including last year's Sensory Overload with Michna and Eliot Lipp).

20. James Joyce Irish Pub 1704 1/2 7th Ave., 813-247-1896, jjirishpub.com. Live music by local bands on Friday and Saturday nights. For more info, see listing under "Restaurants & Bars."

21. JJ's Café & Bar 1601 E. 7th Ave., 813-241-2982. A bar that serves food from the former home of the Rare Olive. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays, food and drink specials the rest of the time, with a focus on JJ's tasty martinis.

22. Level 3 1611 E. 7th Ave.,churchillslevel3.com. Velvet couches, multiple levels, a balcony overlooking 7th — all the requisites for a 1600-block party.

23. Market on 7th 1816 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-2356, myspace.com/marketon7th. Located in the former Demmi's Market location, this place hosts live music by local original bands and various events, like last month's Pink It Up! ska music benefit for breast cancer. For more info, see the listing for "Restaurants & Bars."

24. New World Brewery 1313 E. 8th Ave., 813-248-4969, myspace.com/newworldbrewery.The indoor/outdoor bar, with its ground-level/standing room stage and red-brick terrace, attracts smaller-scale national indie acts and is particularly supportive of local original acts. Upcoming: CL's Sensory Overload 5 w/Joe Popp, Have Gun Will Travel, The Beauvilles, Beardsley + others (March 27), Zillionaire, The Sky Drops & Sleepy Vikings (April 3), Charlie Louvin (April 9). For more info, see the listing under "Restaurants & Bars."

25. Orpheum 1902 N. Avenue Republica De Cuba, 813-248-9500, myspace.com/theorpheum.This dark and smoky corner bar and live music venue holds 300 people and draws a younger crowd with its generous offering of all-ages shows. Orpheum pays host to local showcases and concerts, battle of the band contests, and regional and national touring acts of all genres, from singer-songwriter fare to metal. When there's no shows on Saturday, the bar presents sink or swim night (i.e., all you can drink in well booze for one admission price), and on the last Monday of every month, Liquid Jesus and Gregg Schmidt present Soul!, a night of getting down to funk, Northern soul, deep soul, Philly soul, R&B, Motown and more, with 2-for-1 drink specials. Upcoming events: Foxy Shazam (May 26), Soul! (May 29), This Providence (April 6).

26. Prana 1619 E. 7th Ave., 813-241-4139,clubprana.com. Ybor's swanky, dress-to-impress five-story nightclub is open three nights a week, with different music on every level, including the rooftop skybar. Ladies drink for free until 1 a.m. on Thursdays, and get in for free until 11:30 p.m. and drink for free until midnight on Fridays.

27. The Ritz Ybor 1503 E. 7th Ave., 813-247-2555, TheRitzYbor.com. The upscale venue got a $2 million makeover from its Masquerade days. The 1,000-plus capacity space hosts live music by national touring artists on the main stage, and after-show performances, expos, art shows and various other happenings in the pair of side rooms; all three have their own bars, the main room two. Upcoming: EcoExpo (March 25), G. Love and Special Sauce (March 26), Festa Italiana (March 28), Arctic Monkeys (April 2).

28. The Ybor City Social Club/Ybor Eagle1909 N. 15th St., 813-732-1021,myspace.com/thesocialtampa. Converted from an old church, The Social is a two-level two-bar club that's slowly building up a presence in GaYbor with Gay College Night on Thursdays, a Male Revue on Fridays and all kinds of fun stuff in the basement leather bar, The Eagle, including appearances by the likes of porn star Matthew Rush and a well-stocked Leathermen's Den (be sure to pet the pup). The main event is VRSE Wednesdays, the "Sh*t Show & Dance Party" with Top 40 and indie music jams spun by DJs NOI and RIG from sink or swim night at Orpheum.

29. Spurs Country Bar 1701 E. 8th Ave., 813-247-7877, spurscountrybar.com. A gay-owned and operated country western dance club with line dancing lessons and free shots throughout the night on Fridays, and sink-or-swim karaoke on Saturdays.

30. Tre Amici @ the Bunker 1907 19th St. N., 813-247-6964, yborbunker.com. Besides being everyone's favorite coffee shop, Tre Amici serves variously as a de facto Ybor community center, an outside-the-office meeting spot and an acoustic music venue, with shows by local and regional singer-songwriters as well as sets by normally plugged-in acts and open mic nights. For more info, see the listing under "Restaurants & Bars."

This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2010.