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By
Matt Mathrani
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Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our December 2008 Florida travel feature!
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Midpoint on Florida's Gulf Coast, the majestic expanse of Tampa Bay stretches for miles from the pristine white sand beaches of St. Petersburg to Tampa, the urban commercial hub. Tampa is known for cigars, Buccaneers, and now, strip clubs. Each city along the way has a bustling gay scene. Fort DeSoto Park (St. Pete) and Bedrocks Beach (at Sunset Beach, at the southern tip of Treasure Island) are local gay sunning spots. The Tampa Bay Business Guild has directions to the above beaches and other information for gay visitors.
Look for copies of 411 and Watermark for updates on the local scene. Clip, Tampa's gay film festival, takes place in October.
Bars and clubs
If you like to go where getting some is a good bet, then 2606 Club
(2606 North Armenia) is your kind of place. Tampa's favorite Levi-leather bar has two floors (dimly lit), with the upstairs the more cruisy. There's Hog House leather shop on-premises, and the 2606 is home to the Tampa Leather Club. Mondays get very touchy-feely for Underwear Night, and participants get special drink prices. Tuesdays feature $1 well drinks. On Fridays and Saturdays pay just $3 for well drinks till 11 pm.
A longtime favorite local bar, City Side Lounge
(3703 Henderson Boulevard) continues to thrive as Tampa's friendliest place, with a video bar, outdoor patio bar, sports lounge, dance floor and lots of drinks deals and special events. The weekly lineup includes Thursday karaoke with Bob R, Martini Madness Wednesdays, and Saturday afternoons dominated by sports events with free pizza or hot dogs. Bucs games, barbecues on the patio with dollar drafts, Kevin on the piano, t-dances, special parties and free wi-fi access are some of the other attractions here.
Other bars include Chelsea
(1502 North Florida Avenue), with seven nights of dancing, strippers and drag shows; Connections
(9002 North Florida); Baxter's
(1519 South Dale Mabry Highway); Keith's Bar
(14905 North Nebraska Avenue); Metro Station
(900 North Dale Mabry); and Valentine's Nightclub
(7522 North Armenia Avenue).
In Ybor City (known here as GaYbor!) G Bar
(1401 East 7th Avenue) has amateur strip contests, CD release parties, all-gay male revues on Sundays and other special theme events throughout their seven-night-a-week schedule. Also here are Spurs
(1701 East 8th Avenue) the area's only country-western bar; Czar Ybor
(1420 East 7th Avenue), a mixed, energetic dance club; and Flirt
(1909 North 15th Street), a dance club and show bar. Streetcar Charlie's
(1811 North 15th Street) restaurant has a small dance area and friendly staff who welcome all. Tapas, fresh food and daily-made sauces with Latin, Thai and Jamaican influences are lovingly prepared here, and they feature a dozen different gourmet hamburgers.
It's a half-hour drive (on I-275) from Tampa to downtown St. Petersburg, home of the Dali Museum. In the historic Kenwood section you'll find Georgie's Alibi
(3100 3rd Avenue North), the local outpost of a string of clubs from Palm Springs to Wilton Manors / Fort Lauderdale. This video/sports bar and cafe has happy hour from 11 am till 9 pm, and food is served daily. Ongoing weekly specials include drag bingo Mondays, two-for-one Tuesday dinners, Thursday night Long Island iced teas and Sunday brunch followed by an evening beer bust. A video system upgrade has brought HD satellite and 60 HD flat screens, including 29 in their sports bar alone; viewing major league and college sporting events is a treat. Their patio has seen improvements, too, with new chairs, gliders and misters for increased comfort. See their website for upcoming events and make sure to stop in to see why they moniker themselves "The right place, at the right time."
While in town, also check out Sporters
(187 Martin Luther King Street and 2nd Avenue), a bear bar; and Detour
(2612 Central) with live music and shows, dancing and free wi-fi.
Lucky Star Lounge
(2760 Central Avenue) in the heart of St. Pete's Grand Central District, is the newest gay club in town, offering a full line up of weekly specials and events. It's an intimate, stylish place with inexpensive drinks and friendly service. Owners Dale and Leslie also run a liquor store next door that's open daily 10 am to Midnight and Sundays 11 am to 9 pm. The club is open from 2 pm to 2 am with a sociable happy hour from 2 pm 9 pm.
Partners Sports Cafe
(2924 5th Avenue North) is an alternative spot with take-out. Created by former Velvet Underground group members Alain ("Who the hell is straight after midnight?") and Emerson, they have great fish and chips, Friday karaoke and Saturday drag shows.
Accommodations
St. Pete Gay Guesthouse
(2440 Central Avenue) has inexpensive but full-service facilities with a large, lavish pool and a hot tub that's a fun late-night hangout for getting to know the other guests better. Poolside rooms include private entrances, bath, DVD players, refrigerators and microwave.
In the vicinity
In Clearwater, on the coast to the west of Tampa, there's the Pro Shop
(840 Cleveland). In Largo, the Christopher Street Bar
(13344 66th North) has dancing, drag shows, male strippers and amateur strippers Fridays and Saturdays.
On the way to Orlando from Tampa on I-4, passing through Lakeland, check out Pulse
(1030 East Main Street), or Twisters
(404 Eaker Street), a new club in Auburndale.
Just off I-75, an hour north of Tampa, Sawmill Camping Resort
(21710 US Highway 98 in Dade City) has clothing-optional camping and swimming in tranquil and spacious grounds for tents, cabins or your RV. They also have a nightclub and dining onsite.
Shopping -- steamy
and otherwise
MC Film
(1901 North 15th Street) is Mark and Kerry's great gift and gay video store, with both adult and general titles. A wealth of other stock fills the place -- from calendars, t-shirts, jewelry and sexual accessories to pet supplies.
Urban Body
(715 South Howard Avenue) is the area's premier clothing and accessory boutique.
For warmer, wetter entertainment and relaxation, Club Tampa
(215 North 11th Street) offers sauna, whirlpool and sun court, with daily $5 locker specials.
Rainbow Cabaret
(4421 North Hubert Avenue) offers a sauna, jacuzzi, TV lounges, internet access and a patio with an outdoor maze.
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