490 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL
(813) 272-1430
Bar Type: Bar & Grill, Country/Western, Rock, Sports

The Word: During Lightning games, you have the infectious enthusiasm of fans cheering and yelling. During concerts at the Forum, the Grille puts on DVDs featuring performance footage of headliners to ramp up excitement. During non-event hours, the parking is convenient - and free - and the bar serves two-for-one drinks. Live music is featured every Friday and Saturday night and on event nights.

The Spot: Named after Tampa Bay Lightning team captain Dave Andreychuk, the sleek indoor-outdoor establishment opened in the early fall in a twice-jinxed location (previously Rivals and Beef O'Brady's). It's a clean and smartly decorated space that's smaller than neighbor Newk's but well laid-out, boasting impressive Lightning/Andreychuk treasures on display, polished oak furniture that contrasts brownish-plum walls. You can see a TV from every seat, including the gargantuan 10-by-12 big-screen jobber. Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Hours will be subject to events occurring at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The Juice: Around 36 specialty drinks, shots and martinis with hockey buzzword names - like the Slap Shot Red Apple and Chocolate Zamboni martinis - appeal to folks from mild to wild alcohol preferences. The Red Line has a thirst-quenching concoction of Smirnoff Black Cherry Twist Vodka, lemon-lime soda and a splash of cranberry juice. A standard selection of domestic and bottle imports line the fridge, with Anheuser-Busch and Newcastle drafts, and a modest and respectable selection of wine and Champagne.

The Grub: The must-have for nonvegetarians is the simply amazing half-pound burger made of certified Angus beef. Wings with unique sauces like chipotle barbecue underscore a meticulous and inventive approach to food prep. The grilled grouper salad comes with a zingy marinade dressing, but the greens are dominated by iceberg and wilt quickly.

The Selling Point: It's got a lot of personalized touches, not just your garden variety prefab sports celeb joint. On the patio, the manager himself performs classic rock tunes, singing and playing acoustic guitar. (The boss does a mean Boss, as well as Billy Joel and Jim Croce!)