MyTampaLife » Venue Reviews

Blue Shark Bar: Dive and Jive, Performed Live

Denis Baldwin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:45:00 +0000

While waiting for State of the Art to open at the Roosevelt, I walked over to the “Blue Shark” dive bar (1502 E 7th Ave Tampa FL 33605), a small club environment for locals and regulars with cheap beer, live bands and a chill attitude.

When I got there, it was still early at about 8PM. As I was the only patron in the bar, I chatted up the bartender. This was a friendly little place, even if the barstools are not fat-guy-compliant. I forced my butt into the seat and swilled down some cheap canned Iron City Beer, a similar draw to Steel Reserve. It wasn’t bad, but it was definitely a “get what you pay for” kind of drink.

While sitting at the bar, the band decided to run some equipment checks. The drummer went on for a few minutes, drowning out the radio which was playing a combination of disco and classic rock songs.

The Blue Shark had all the classic divebar sentiment that makes these kinds of places fun. Pool tables near the front give people something to do if they are not interested in the band. A center stage has room for five, which wouldn’t be uncommon considering this bar is known for both blues and rock shows. Everything is served in plastic cups, including shots. This no-frills approach keeps the atmosphere light and open. No strings. No worries. Everyone is just here for a good time.

The bar is well stocked with standards both in liquor and in beer, though the bartender admits that most of her customers come for the beer. They offer both draft and bottle, though bottles seem to be the favorites. Again, this goes hand and hand with the dive bar mentality. People come in and out, grab and drink and go. Few linger, but most are just here for a moment.

An upstairs area provides a bit of shelter from the loud band, but it’s not secluded either. People wandering back and forth remind me that this is still very much Ybor city even if it’s on the far end of 7th Avenue.

Club Prana: Irrational Exclusivity disguised as class

Denis Baldwin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:27:00 +0000

On Saturday night, I had a VIP pass to go to Club Prana (1619 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605, (813) 241-4139) for a party. It was invitation only, and as a member of the media I was going to do a story about the club and the party. It was never mentioned that they had a dress code and I’ve been to every place in Ybor without any restrictions, so I left the house the way I do all nights out, in a black t-shirt and shorts. My clothes were clean, without holes or stains and tidy. I simply was not “dressed up”.

I get to the club around 9:30 with pass in hand. I show the my ID and my pass and immediately the doorman gets on the radio talking to another doorman. After a few minutes of back and forth, they tell me I can’t come in. “No shorts allowed”. Somehow, I bet if my shorts were made from Sean Jean instead of Walmart, this would never be a problem.

I look around at the other people in line. Ripped jeans. T-shirts with stains. Some girls wearing next to nothing. These people are all getting in. Is it really just about my shorts or is there something more to it? I leave, begrudgingly.

I come back a few times throughout the night, noticing they are dejecting people from line for a number of offenses. One guy didn’t have a collared shirt, so they made him leave. Nevermind the other 6 people behind him, men and women, who weren’t wearing collared shirts. Then I saw a g-thug gangster in black shorts get in. Then I saw an older guy (probably in his 40s) who was rejected. He was well dressed. He looked quiet. What’s with the selective allocation?

In my mind, I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that I’m not an underwear model or I’m a freak and don’t fit their exclusive image. Keep in mind that their dress code is not posted. When you ask what is and isn’t allowed, they’ll point out specific things about each situation, but there’s no “THIS IS ALLOWED/THIS ISN’T ALLOWED” list to go by. So, is this irrational exclusivity or simply Class by Omission?

What Club Prana really missed out on was an opportunity. I could have gone in, covered the bar and the made a post about a good experience. They could have gotten good press from this. I could have spent the $200 I spent in drinks that night at Prana, instead of at the Boneyard, the Social Club and throughout the rest of Ybor. Instead, they’ve made it onto my ever-expanding shit-list.

So, Club Prana, be watching yourself. Every person I meet is going to hear about your seemingly baseless segregate policy.

Venue Review: The Crowbar

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:14:00 +0000

When it comes to small venues that cater to a wide range of music, you can’t get much better than Ybor City’s Crowbar (1812 17th Street North, Tampa FL 33605, 813-241-8600). Long known as a Mecca for metal bands both local and touring, they’re really diversified in the last few years to include acts that appeal to a wider audience. The outdoor seating area and bar give open atmosphere to a previous dive bar, all while keeping the grit and cred you’d expect from a long standing venue like this.

I recently went there on April 4th for a ska show. 10 bands over the course of 8 hours pumped round after round of horn and guitar to an ever increasing crowd. As night broke, the place was really starting to fill up. I haven’t seen a small venue like this in a long time, but I’m glad I did.

The thing about the Crowbar that rocks is their commitment to great music. While Ska was the tune of the day while I was there, you can see by the continually updated calendar on their site that the scene changes daily. One day, you’ll find karaoke. Another day, you’ll find a cover band doing 90s alt tunes. Another day will bring hard rock or metal, the sound the venue is known for.

Here is a list of the upcoming show schedule:
Apr 10 REVIVAL III

Apr 11 WESZT, MR. BELLA, & UNCROWNED

Apr 12 CLOSED FOR EASTER

Apr 13 KARAOKE W/ STORMIN NORMIE

Apr 14 $5 LITERS OF BEER W/ SOFT ROCK RENEGADES

Apr 15 DA CYPHER

Apr 16 Josh Kelley, Ryan Cabrera, Tim Brantley & Brandon Whyde

Apr 17 SKULL & BONE BAND, HER NAME IS VICTORY, EMILY ROFF

To see more, check out their Crowbar Events page, updated regularly:
http://crowbarlive.com/events

Here’s some photos I took while I was there, both before and during the Ska show.