Gen X Tavern honors all things '80s and '90s from aesthetic to classic bites that will transport you to a time when hair was crimped and the food pyramid was a carb overload.
The new eatery is located at 103 East Jackson St. in downtown Tampa and will be opening to the public next Tuesday, April 30.
Fair warning: Next week Gen X will be hosting soft-opening hours, running from 4-11 p.m., prior to opening full hours beginning May 4 from 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Now let's talk about food. The tavern will be serving up Party Starter appetizers, salads, bowls, burgers, tacos and desserts. Each bite is an ode to the lovable decades, like the Big Mick Onion Rings made up of onion rings stuffed with ground beef, Velveeta and relish served with a Big Mick (Big Mac) dipping sauce. Fried Twinkies and Dunkaroos with animal crackers and house-made sweet confetti dip are also up for grabs.
"All of our dips and sauces are made in-house, and we're pretty proud of that," Director of Operations Larissa Pepe says.
"We also have an adult CapriSun on our cocktail menu," Pepe adds.
The full-liquor bar, designed to look like the game Kerplunk, also serves up cocktails named after classic '80s and '90s cult classics like the Breakfast Club Martini, Pretty in Pink and a Bangin' Tang-a-'rita made of Milagro tequila, agave, lime, and Tang with a Tang powder rim.
It's safe to say Gen X went all out with every aspect over the last few years of conception.
The aesthetic includes murals by locals artists including Tampa Murals, which constructed a locker mural covered with over 200 classic references from the OG MTV logo to Care Bears.
Pep Rally installed an interactive television wall which is hooked up to an old-school Nintendo and VHS player, an infinity mirror and a Last Supper mural including dead celebrities and icons like the Karate Kid and Big Bird.
After May 4, the hours for Gen X will be Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Legends never die!
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
