One-stop bar-hopping for the fabulous
Suncoast Resort
3000 34th St. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 867-1111, www.suncoastresort.com
Four bars keep this gay resort hopping every day of the week, nearly all night long. The Lunar, Eagle, Tiki and Wedgewood each offer something different: from dancing and leather, to volleyball, swimming and piano music. (And no cover charge to boot.) Had too much fun? You can stay in one of the hotel rooms, but you don't have to stay to play.
Sunday's T Dance at the Tiki Bar is the most popular and raucous event at the resort. Each Sunday at 2 p.m., thousands of folks fill the courtyard, the pool and two volleyball courts.
Who hangs out at Suncoast? The real question should be, who doesn't? Straight and gay, trans and bi - if you're 21 or older, you're welcome here. The ratio of men to women was almost even when we visited over Memorial Day weekend. Early in the day there were mostly men over 50. As the sun went down, the crowd became more mixed and the young people came out in droves. Average age after sunset: an estimated 35.
Suncoast's various bars fit different moods and personalities:
- The Eagle is a leather/denim bar with a dark atmosphere. The bar is sparsely decorated with bondage and dominance equipment. Special events include the "Black Out Underwear Party" Tuesdays, Pool Tournament Wednesdays and Exotic Male Dancers Friday-Sunday.
- The Wedgewood is a relaxed piano bar. Open mike and live music nightly.
- The Lunar is the resort's largest indoor dance club. The decor leans toward industrial with walls paneled with metal and chain link fencing. Silver spray-painted mannequin parts encircle the room. Be sure to catch the drag shows at 11 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 10:30 and 12:30 Saturdays. - Kelly A. Stefani stefani@tampabay.com
Also recommended...
Club Chambers
1701 N Franklin St., Tampa; (813) 223-1300, www.clubchambers.com.
Crowds pack the two floors on the weekend. But given the number of attractive people there, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The crowd skews younger and is mostly men. The music is LOUD in a heartpumping way - and just makes for an easy excuse to lean in a little closer to that cute guy when you want to have a conversation. But who's got time to talk? There's always a drag show going on or some guys and gals wrapped around a stripper pole. It's like a scene out of Queer as Folk, only better written.
Georgie's Alibi
3100 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 321-2112, www.georgiesalibi.com
The cousin of the highly successful Wilton Manors version down in Fort Lauderdale, Georgie's sits in a small shopping center, and inside there's a nice, relaxed, low-attitude atmosphere. Half has a sports bar feel, with darts, pool and multiple TVs; the other half has more of a club atmosphere, with music and a dance floor at night. And bonus: There's even a small patio out front for a quiet conversation. Expect a mixed, crowded space on Friday and Saturday nights, with a range of dress and ages. Georgie's serves food until 1:30 a.m.
Grand Central Station/The Platform
2612 and 2608 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 327-8204
The night and day of bars. Grand Central is set up like a traditional neighborhood bar: well-lit, some cool music, a small stage, a pool table, lots of seating. The Platform is a Levi/leather/uniform bar: black walls, low lighting, leather paraphernalia on the wall, a cage (it caters to a pretty specific scene and makes no apologies for it). If you need to get away from it all, there's a courtyard out back. Expect to see men, and some older ones at that. You'll find plenty of leather among the crowd in the Platform, and the whole place also has a very cruisey vibe, even for a gay bar. Late on a Saturday night, it was palpable.
Flirt Nightclub
1909 N 15th St., Tampa; www.flirtybor.com, phone unlisted
Okay grrls, this one's for you. The club has two floors, but one is open only on Saturdays. The place has a cool/funky atmosphere and plays some great music. Different nights bring different themes. Thursday is drum and beat night, Friday is Latin night (heavily promoted) and on Saturday, Flirt hosts drag shows. On the night I was there, after her performance, our drag mistress of ceremonies enticed some of the partygoers into a raucous dirty dancing contest, using shooters as bait. This is a younger crowd, so down that energy drink before you head out. Dress up or down, but know that you'll be right at home in jeans. The bar also features a drag show Saturday nights at midnight and 1:30 a.m.
City Side
3703 Henderson Blvd., Tampa; (813) 350-0600, www.citysidelounge.com.
City Side has a fairly sleek, yet still welcoming interior. The lighting is low enough to set a nice atmosphere, but not so low that you can't see your hand in front of your face. This is a popular spot for the after-work crowd. You'll also find the standard bar items: TVs, a pool table, darts, a golf video game and, of all things, a Sopranos pinball machine. Go figure. Inside, you can sit at one of the two bars or at one of several small tables. There's even a small dance floor, but it doesn't seem to get used very much. One of the bar's nicest features is an outdoor patio area, where you can get away from some of the cigarette smoke and music. Mostly gay men go to City Side (though you'll hardly be turned away if you aren't one of the guys), and there's a pretty broad spectrum of ages among the patrons. The popular happy hour is a staple at City Side, and goes on every day but Sunday (noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. on Friday).
Azalea Lounge
1502 N Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 228-0139
Like entering a portal into another world, you step inside Azalea and find yourself in a swank hideaway that seems out of place in its moribund surroundings. Outside, it looks like a dive, one of Tampa's many historic little brick buildings just outside downtown Tampa. (Don't worry - A tough-looking and friendly security guard escorts customers from car door to front door and back to ensure safety.) Inside are simple and elegant decor in soothing cream, black and white, vintage photographs, fine art, love seats along the back wall, a long stone-top bar, a karaoke corner, darts game and pool table to while away the time. The specialty is big and strong cocktails, served in tall glasses that will hold you over a while. Karaoke happens every night except Thursday and Sunday, with tons of good cheer, bringing out the diva in everyone. The bartenders, however, are the real draw. Super-friendly and professional, they show a lot of camaraderie and love for their bar. It feels like a neighborhood bar, but one with sophistication.
- Compiled by Mike Kanarek mkanarek@tampabay.com and Julie Garisto jgaristo@tampabay.com
