This version of the Hard Rock Cafe is located in Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Featuring the famous Hard Rock experience, Tampa's edition delivers in spades with its impressive entrance giving way to an expansive view of an elevated stage surrounded by table seating. Opposite the stage is a large bar area with slots, there is also a blackjack pit, and an outdoor patio and bar to catch your breath. The light and sound systems are state-of-the-art with live entertainment featured Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 8:30 pm. Music covers the entire rock spectrum from new original music to golden oldies to Island favorites, and DJs mash it up on Friday's and Saturday's until 4 am. The menu features classic American fare with a burger specialty.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Hard Rock Cafe is an upscale burger joint and live music venue featuring local and touring rock bands located in Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
Skye's expert tip: Experience rock 'n roll history by checking out exhibits highlighting items from their 80,000 piece music memorabilia collection.
The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater is Tampa Bay's largest outdoor concert venue with a capacity of 20,000. The biggest names in the music industry play here as well as up-and-coming acts. The large stage accommodates all the but the biggest shows and most seats provide a good view. Seating is mostly covered and concerts go off rain or shine. More affordable tickets are available for lawn seating at the rear of the venue, however, this area is not protected from the elements so you take your chances. Food and beverage concessions are available including some alcohol sales.
Recommended for Live Music because: The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater is the largest outdoor concert venue in Tampa attracting the music industry's biggest names.
Skye's expert tip: If you'd like to save some money by choosing lawn seating but don't have a chair, rentals are available onsite for $5.
Read more about MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds →
Devoted to nurturing live musical acts, the Orpheum in Ybor City supports both local and national performers. The sound system is first-rate and, on nights when the DJs run things, there's a dance floor for those who feel inclined to move and groove. Drink specials are offered during the week, and there's a nice selection of draft beers as well. If you're curious about what Tampa's music scene can offer, drop in for the evening and check out the talent and the atmosphere. Among the name acts who have performed here are Juliana Hatfield, Make Up, and Michelle Malone.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Orpheum has hosted many of today's well-known and emerging musicians in this small established venue in Ybor City.
Skye's expert tip: The music is good and the price is right, but if you're over 25, you might be in the wrong spot as most of the crowd is much younger.
This poll-topping venue is hailed by many as the premier spot in Tampa, Florida for live music. Originally built in 1917, the Ritz underwent a $2 million renovation that preserved much of the theater's original character while modernizing the space. Now the venue now boasts three magnificent rooms, a grand foyer, multiple full-service bars and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. The venue is large enough to bring in top music industry names like Lady Gaga and Interpol but intimate enough to provide excellent sight-lines and electrifying musician-audience interaction. Ticket prices are reasonable and there is a good drink selection. General admission only and no seating in the concert area. So, get there early and wear comfortable shoes!
Recommended for Live Music because: The Ritz is the premier live music venue in Tampa Bay, intimate but large enough to attract top industry names.
Skye's expert tip: This is a historic venue that was built in 1917 as a theater and maintains much of the vintage ambiance in its venues.
Opened in 1982, this live music venue is known as "Tampa Bay's Music Core." Although it once headlined bands like pre-stardom Green Day and No Doubt, The Mug is now a punk/metal scene popular among locals and University of South Florida students. Located in a strip mall in north Tampa, the facility is a dimly lit hole-in-the-wall, so don't expect frills (but who wants frills at a metal concert, anyway?). The stage is huge so the bands are happy and that's the most important thing about this venue. Make sure to bring earplugs so you can get close enough to feel the stage thumping.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Brass Mug is an established live music venue specializing in punk/metal bands.
Skye's expert tip: Bands play every Friday and Saturday, but there are sometimes performances other days of the week. Check their Facebook page for listings.
A legendary local hangout, Skipper's Smokehouse is wonderfully Old Florida and attracts a faithful crowd of regulars. The decor is perfectly done in Florida-shack style, appearing as those made of corrugated tin and brightly painted plywood held together with a few nails. Although it started as a smokehouse, Skipper's is now renowned as much for booking top musical acts as it is for the award-winning 'gator ribs. Known as the "Skipperdome," the outdoor venue welcomes performers of all musical genres who play to appreciative crowds beneath moss-draped oaks. On any given night you can enjoy rock, soul, jazz, zydeco, blues, ska and reggae under the stars.
Recommended for Live Music because: Skipper's Smokehouse is a well-respected music venue providing an eclectic mix of genres performed by national and local acts. Great old-Florida atmosphere.
Skye's expert tip: You're here for the music, but this might also be your best chance to try traditional Florida delicacies like 'gator ribs and smoked mullet.
The Straz Center is Tampa's world-class center for the performing arts and hosts most of the area's major cultural performances. Here you can enjoy performances from the Florida Orchestra and Opera Tampa, as well as popular music greats, dance troupes, and comedy acts. The Straz also hosts a full calendar of Broadway musicals and local theater productions. The facility features five individual theaters and several on-site dining options including Maestro's Restaurant, Café, and On the River that are open before most events. The largest and most impressive theater is the 2,610 seat Carol Morsani Hall with state-of-the-art acoustics and a 120 foot stage. In addition, most weekends the Straz center hosts free concerts featuring local music acts on their outdoor stage.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Straz Center is Tampa's world-class performing arts center that features musical performances from popular greats as well as symphony and opera groups.
Skye's expert tip: Before the performance enjoy a light dinner or drinks at the outdoor cafe, Maestro's, featuring views of the Hillsborough River.
Read more about David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts →
Red Star Rock Bar is located in Tampa's trendy Seminole Heights neighborhood. Occupying a small narrow storefront on Florida Avenue, what it lacks in size inside, it makes up for with an outdoor patio and stage area outside. The decor is distinctly rock and roll with plenty of red and black accented with leopard print and images of rock legends on the wall. Their calendar is packed with events every day of the week and live local bands play almost every Friday and Saturday beginning at 8 pm. While there is no kitchen, Red Star offers a rotating schedule of some of Tampa's best food trucks.
Recommended for Live Music because: Located in trendy Seminole Heights, Red Star is a favorite local hangout with live bands every Friday & Saturday at 8 pm.
Skye's expert tip: This is a hole-in-the-wall bar with basic beverages, not the spot for a craft cocktail.
Downstairs, Rock Brothers in Tampa's historic Ybor City is a craft brewery, full-service bar and tasting room with house-made beers on tap and a full menu of craft cocktails. Upstairs is the Attic, a live music venue that has quickly gained popularity for the quality of the music and the comfortable intimacy of the space.Built on the unique combination of music and craft beer, Rock Brothers was formed to work with bands to create beer recipes and brands reflective of their music.Their first brand was created in partnership with local band "Have Gun Will Travel" and won a National Championship at the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC). Following a successful incubation period at Tampa's famous Cigar City Brewing, Rock Brothers moved into their new space and haven't looked back.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Attic is a cozy, intimate venue and a great place to get plugged into the local music scene while sampling house-made brews.
Skye's expert tip: While cocktails are unavailable upstairs in the Attic, patrons can order online and have them delivered from the downstairs tasting room.
Featuring rock, jazz, ska, dubstep, hip-hop, indie, metal, and reggae, Tampa's live music scene doesn't get more varied than this. The Crowbar, a local fave strung with Christmas lights, offers a clean, intimate space in which concertgoers can feel completely absorbed by the music. Bar service is consistently stellar, and if your eardrums need a break, you can pamper them on the quiet outdoor patio. Open mic nights and karaoke are also well-loved here. Cover varies from free to $10, so it's a very reasonable price to pay for enjoying live, original music.
Recommended for Live Music because: The Crowbar in Tampa is popular with locals for its clean, intimate atmosphere, original bands, and affordable prices.
Skye's expert tip: Check out the popular Ol' Dirty Sundays party for a laid back afternoon of good music and free food.