Downtown Tampa continued its growth with two grand openings on Wednesday. The Paddywagon Irish Pub and the Anise Global Gastropub each celebrated with separate ribbon cuttings by Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
The Paddywagon describes itself as an "upscale twist on the neighborhood bar experience." During the ribbon cutting, part-owner Jeff Barnes credited the downtown community for organically fueling the bar's growth through word of mouth since its soft opening in May.
Anise Global Gastropub blends Asian cuisine with a range of tapas, and also offers specialty made cocktails and wines. Behind its sophisticated interior, is a concept that grew from a food truck operated by Kevin and Xuan Hurt. The mayor prided himself on his efforts to develop the food truck scene from a legal perspective, and at one point even got behind the bar and mixed some drinks.
The two new businesses join a solid selection of other restaurants, cafes and eateries that all opened in downtown during the past year, including Le Mouton Noir Bakehouse, Tunduree, Sapphire Room, Crystal Dining Room, CENA, Oxford Exchange, Bay Bistro, and the Bamboozle Tea Lounge.
This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2013.