Skipper’s Smokehouse reopens in Tampa

Skipper’s Smokehouse, a live music institution in Tampa, has announced that it will reopen after closing last year.

This is a good day in Tampa. Residents were heartbroken when the hub for good beer and live music closed its doors. Tampa’s premier venue for live music since 1980 is ready to come back. The owners made an announcement on Facebook:

“The moment you’ve been waiting for (we hope!) has arrived. We are ready to make old memories new again with Y O U! Skipper’s Smokehouse is coming back version 2.0.”

The limited capacity soft opening is set to begin on Thursday, July 8. Skipper’s is limiting their food service to 200 guests per day. You need reservations in advance.

Skipper’s oyster bar will be open for seated diners only. No seat, no service. If you’re not ordering food, you’re welcome to enjoy cocktails in the designated area in the Skipperdome.

For those who just want to hang out and have a cocktail, then you can head to the upper deck outside under cover. They will have a server/bartender stationed there.

During the soft opening stage there will be no live music. $5 from every check will be donated to NIVA.

Skipper’s Smokehouse is ready to bring music back to Tampa

Here are the listed hours for the soft opening weekend:

Thursday, July 8th – 3pm to 9pm
Friday, July 9th – 3pm to 9pm
Saturday, July 10th – 3pm to 9pm
Sunday, July 11th – 3pm to 9pm(Each day, the last reservation slot will be 8pm)

For the Skipper’s team, this is all a labor of love. They listened to their diehard fanbase in Tampa who missed them dearly.

“We have made the decision to reopen the iconic music venue, restaurant, and oyster bar. It will be better than ever! The community has spoken, screamed, begged, and pleaded – we heard you. We love you. We have spent the last couple of months working feverishly to create the next chapter of Skipper’s Smokehouse, Skipper’s 2.0 as we are affectionately referring to it. Shows are being booked. New colors are on the walls everywhere you look. There will be so many improvements to our facilities and the way we operate – we hope that the community will come out and support this endeavor that they have cried out to have back in their lives.”

Protocols once Skipper’s reopens

The Skipper’s team hopes to have everyone trained and ready to roll after this soft opening stage:

“This will allow us a chance to make sure we are ready to bring live music crowds back in droves and keep everyone served and happy. This is an extended training exercise for our staff, so please be patient with us while we might encounter kinks that will need to be addressed.”

Skipper’s Smokehouse is located at 910 Skipper Road.

Do you remember the last concert you saw at Skipper’s?

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