The Tampa Bay Bucs have had a wild few years in the NFL. Winning a Super Bowl at home at Raymond James Stadium, the Tom Brady boat parade of it all, the hunt for a new QB, and the return of CREAMSICLE Jerseys, just to name a few standout bullet points. The Bucs are enjoying a solid 3-1 record right now, and QB Baker Mayfield (a total DUDE according to his GM) is enjoying some fantastic synergy with the whole squad. In a recent interview with The Season Podcast, Bucs GM Jason Licht said that Mayfield has taken his squad to the Bahamas, and has been spotted with teammates at dive bars.
I decided to gather up three dive bars in Tampa that the Bucs QB should take his teammates to in the future. This isn’t a ranked list or even a best of list. I don’t consider myself the ultimate authority on the best dive bars around, so if you want to cast fire and brimstone my way for these picks, I can accept that. Feel free to let us know your favorite dive bar in a message/email and you might find it added to the list!
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Check out Creative Loafing’s fantastic comprehensive list of Tampa Bay Dive Bars you need to visit for even more inspiration.
With qualifiers out of the way, here are three great dive bars in Tampa:
The Hub Bar
I mean, how could you talk about Tampa dive bars and not include The Hub. It was the original bathroom Instagram page in all of Tampa Bay and remains the ultimate spot to visit before/after a screening at Tampa Theatre. The bar itself is around 75 years old.
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It has an acclaimed jukebox and serves up seriously strong drinks. There’s live music happening all the time at this intimate venue, and it also serves as a package store in case you need to bring a few “groceries” back home.
Fun fact: The Hub first opened as a piano bar back in 1949. It’s grown to become one of the most frequented spots for a good drink and live entertainment.
See upcoming events at The Hub Bar by following it on Facebook. Location: 719 N Franklin Street
Tiny Tap Tavern
A cute, alliterative name; a bar steeped in Tampa history. If you want to play pool and/or foosball with some true Tampa locals, then this is the spot to visit.
This bar was originally a gas station in the 30s and 40s and became a tavern in 1952. If you’re looking for a no frills good time, here’s your new paradise. They have local brews to enjoy, an impressive selection of wines, and the weekend mimosas ain’t too shabby.
Location: 2105 W Morrison Avenue
The Hole in the Wall Bar
The name says it all. Cold beer, signed dollar bills pinned to the walls, a few pool tables to enjoy in a dimly lit space with margs, what more could you ask for?
They’ve served up jumbo boiled peanuts, a selection of Jello Shots, and have a Touch Tunes machine for regulars to enjoy. There’s room enough for about 10 seats at the intimate bar, and a hefty arcade machine you could lose a few hours to.
The Hole in the Wall meets the expectations of its name and then some — their staff also earns rave reviews from visitors and they offer some of the best prices in town.
Location: 1735 W Hillsborough Ave
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