SFG City Guide

Tampa Dive Bar Guide

Florida Made Real

Tampa, St. Petersberg, Indian Shores, Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, every small town and jurisdiction up and down the partially man-made barrier islands, to refer to the area as simply “Tampa” does it a disservice. That kind of multi-city sprawl across a couple of Florida peninsulas connected by all manner of causeway creates a wildly diverse dive bar scene.

The recommended selections in the area range from the classic Florida dive bar / liquor store combo at the southern tip of St. Pete (Smugglers Tavern) to the downtown Tampa dive known for shockingly aggressive liquor pours (The Hub) to maybe the best dive bar in America along a sleepy stretch of barrier island road (Mahuffer’s). The chance to pull from such a wide selection of towns, people and geographies makes for fertile dive bar ground.

Though Florida’s rich history may not be the first thing tourists think of when visiting the state, Tampa’s dive bars wear that history proudly, with places like ex-gas station office Tiny Tap Tavern boasting a near 90-year history. Longevity is a core piece of the best Tampa dive bars reviewed here, each with their own unique story.

And for a state so overrun by transient, touristy sightseers, these dive bars provide a much-needed antidote to some of the gloss and new construction that comes with catering to vacationers with disposable income. That Shipwreck Grill sits just a few blocks from ultra-touristy downtown Clearwater is all the juxtaposition needed to prove the value and necessity of a good dive bar to keep a city sane.

While some of the trappings of being a woven-together collection of beach cities and major sporting events are impossible to avoid, the dive bars that thrive within the cracks ground Tampa and can ground any visit to Tampa and all points west.

Tampa Dive Bar Map

Quick Links

Bars By Neighborhood

Reviewed Dive Bars

Recommended Not Yet Reviewed Dive Bars

Other Dive Bar Recommendations

Tampa Neighborhood Guides

Downtown Tampa

3 Dive Bars

St. Pete Beach

5 Dive Bars

Reviewed Tampa Dive Bars

SFG Rating

10

Mahuffer's

Indian Shores, Florida

So good it breaks the scale. It’s probably a 12, honestly.

SFG Rating

10

Downtown Tampa

Tiny Tap Tavern

Tampa, Florida

Because the linoleum could use another layer worn off.

SFG Rating

9

Downtown Tampa

The Hub

Tampa, Florida

Where 2 for 1 drinks refers to liquor content, not pricing.

SFG Rating

9

St. Pete Beach

Shadracks

St Pete Beach, Florida

If you need a sign, there is literally a red neon sign telling you to come here.

SFG Rating

8

The Shipwreck Grill

Clearwater, Florida

The right kind of nautical beach vibe.

SFG Rating

7

St. Pete Beach

Smugglers Tavern

St. Petersburg, Florida

Get a Bloody Mary and some flavored vodka to go.

SFG Rating

8

Hole In The Wall

Tampa, Florida

Nothing says Saturday night like a stripper pole.

SFG Rating

7

Pro Shop Pub

Clearwater, Florida

Expand those Clearwater stopover horizons.

SFG Rating

7

Barefoot Billy's Friendly Tavern

Tampa, Florida

Why go to the beach if you can get Jell-O shots inside?

SFG Rating

7

Sunset Grille

St. Petersburg, Florida

Nothing like some brick-lined back patio drinking.

SFG Rating

7

St. Pete Beach

Swigwam Beach Bar

St Pete Beach, Florida

Beach shack vibe without sand or tourists.

SFG Rating

7

St. Pete Beach

The Blue Parrot

St Pete Beach, Florida

Under an overpass, but, you know, it’s nice.

SFG Rating

7

St. Pete Beach

The Drunken Clam

St Pete Beach, Florida

Probably the median Florida dive bar experience.

SFG Rating

7

Downtown Tampa

Anchor Bar

Tampa, Florida

Sometimes one room is enough.

SFG Rating

7

Dead Bob's

St. Petersburg, Florida

We should be so lucky to have a bar named after us when we pass.

SFG Rating

6

Boardwalk Tavern

St. Petersburg, Florida

It doesn’t get much more neighborhood than this.

SFG Rating

5

Elmer's Sports Cafe

Tampa, Florida

Where adding to the Jager collection is a goal, maybe a requirement.

We have not had the great pleasure of getting to every possible dive bar (life goals), so inevitably there are great bars that we simply haven't been able to get to yet. The list below includes noteworthy dive bars that by all accounts look amazing but do not have a review associated with them just yet.

Beer Shed

11222 Casa Loma Dr, Riverview, FL 33569

(813) 671-1188

Bigfoot on the River

7201 N 41st St, Tampa, FL 33604

(813) 985-1107

Flamingos Sports Bar

1230 9th St N, St. Petersberg, FL 33705

(727) 823-3000

The Copper Mug

1463 S Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764

(727) 303-3161

Other Divey Drinking Options

The bars listed here are the best of the rest, great local drinking options that may not quite be classified as must-visit dive bar destinations (in our rudimentary estimation). There is no doubt a hidden gem or five in the list below. Happy hunting.

Don's Irish Pub

3007 6th St S #3719, St. Petersberg, FL 33705

(727) 550-2134

Mick's Pub

2140 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 441-1111

Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar

15042 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach, FL 33708

(727) 393-0104

Sporty's

17093 Gulf Blvd N, Redington Beach, FL 33708

(727) 393-5590

Valenty's Lounge

1100 Pasadena Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

(727) 384-9608

Waterhole Sports Bar

3503 Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL 33596

(813) 689-5353

RoadHouse Pub

5944 34th St N #4, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

(727) 321-4404

Contact Us

What did we miss? Where should we go? We'd love to hear your ideas, your favorite spots, your profound disappointments and anything in between.


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