Make it the Whiskey

Whiskey Park SoHo

720 Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 259-9669; www.whiskeysoho.com

Multifaceted Whiskey lays out different worlds throughout its massive property; from chic garden patio to fancy billiard parlor to dry martini bar to romantic cabin to chichi disco. The colors are soothing: deep maroon walls, orange light fixtures and purple complements.

There’s a complimentary valet, and there are some parking spaces, but it’s challenging to find a space on your own. You basically wind up going with the valet and spending the cash in valet tips that you would save by not paying a cover charge.

We spoke to Whiskey Park SoHo bartender Joe about what’s most appealing about the club. He says that it’s the eclectic nature, how the bar-restaurant has different nights that appeal to different people, and no club in the area strives to appeal to more than one scene. There’s Sunday’s popular hospitality night, DJ nights, local bands and community fund-raising events.

On Sunday, a horde of service workers along Tampa’s restaurant row come out to party in full force. Many consider this to be the club’s best night because the most down-to-earth crowd hangs at hospitality night. The bartenders love it because the customers know how to be customers because they deal with them all week. The night includes free pool, half-off appetizers and all beverages and bottles all night (except wine and Champagne).

During the week, a wide array of DJ theme nights and local bands play. On Friday and Saturday, Whiskey becomes a hopping club that plays crowd-pleasing Top 40 hits. The square dining tables are cleared away for a dance floor around midnight, and the scene looks straight outta the O.C.; the extras being impeccably clean-cut professional types. You get the impression that people who wait until the weekend to do it up come to Whiskey Park to shake off the work week.

You can smoke inside even though food is served. Because of restrictions in smoking laws, Whiskey Park adjusted its menu to be in compliance and allow patrons the option to smoke. You can order food from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. seven days a week. Table service is available on request.

- Julie Garisto jgaristo@tampabay.com

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717 South

717 S Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 250-1661, www. 717South.com

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