The local watering hole has long been a source of comfort for what ails you. There's just something about the sight of a neon sign that makes you want to shake it off and leave your worries at the door. You might be finishing off a bad week at work, dealing with a breakup, or just having “one of those days.” Regardless of why you’re there, you quickly feel a sense of welcome relief when you sink into a bar stool that helps you forget the world outside.
Hillsborough County has tons of bars where you can catch a buzz, but there are nuances about certain haunts that make you want to return. We’re talking about the kind of place where you’re likely to skip the museum tour or miss that dinner reservation because you’re just having such a good time. Chances are your bar stool neighbor will introduce themselves and, if you’re lucky, even buy you a round.
These spots have a special type of dynamic that aren’t always for the faint of heart. You may not get served the second you sit down, or the bathroom may not be as clean as you’d like. Quite a few of the bars listed still allow indoor smoking, so you’ll probably have some laundry to do the day after. The rules here are to be patient and tip your bartender so that you can continue coming back.
Here’s a list of dives across Hillsborough where you might just spend more than a few good nights. Insider tip: bring cash, as several of these locations don’t accept credit cards.