Going to be in Tampa Wednesday and Thursday nights and staying near the Amalie Arena. Wondering if anyone has a recommendation about where to drink good beer and watch the game in a good sports atmosphere? May try to go to the game if ticket prices drop but need a solid back up plan. Thanks in advance!
The Pour House is right around the corner from Amalie and will have the best selection of beers in that area, about 40 taps I believe. They have quite a few tvs in there and I'm sure will be showing the game. Hattricks will have the best game atmosphere but get there early because it will be slammed. On a side note, hattricks has the best wings in town, get them shake and bake, lightning style...you'll thank me later
@Divo93 and @usfice6 got in before I could hit "Post." Hattricks and Ferg's are both within a half-dozen blocks of the arena. Not sure of the beer selection in either but most places are trying to carry something or two local on tap. I can vouch for Hattricks' wings ... and how crowded the place gets. The Pour House at Grand Central will be your very best bet for a really good tap list and they have TVs so I'd fall over backward if they didn't show the game. The description of it being "right around the corner" from the arena is a stretch. It's also in the broad Channelside District and it is definitely walkable (about 0.8 mile). However, I'm not sure I'd wanna be walking around that area late at night, especially if I were from out of town and may have had a beer or two too many. The stuff between Pour House and the arena generally is OK but you're on the wrong side of the tracks (literally and figuratively) if you get yourself turned around up there.
Thanks for all the info. Especially the wings which were not on my mind but now are all I am thinking about.
Thanks for starting this thread @belotj Going to be in Tampa Wed May 6th-11th and plan on basing a lot of what I do around watching the 2nd round of the Blackhawks series at a good sports/beer bar. I also would love to attend a 2nd round Lightning game IF they advance and the tickets aren't too expensive. Thanks for all the info in this thread so far.
Don't mean to thread jack but I posted in the trade forums as well. Was looking to do an IP trade in the Tampa/St. Pete area when I'm in town 5/6-5/11. Looking to do 1:1 or 2:2 FT: Dark Lord '14/'15 ISO: Huna '15/MBCP '15
@Divo93 @usfice6 @MHorridge @JakeT469 .......just thought I'd share my experience and say thanks again. Spent Wednesday afternoon at Green Bench first and had some samples and a pint. Really cool atmosphere there and pretty good beers. Thought most of the pale ales / IPA's had a similar off taste and mouthfeel at the end but not terrible. After that I stopped at Mercado to get a burrito (right next to Green Bench) and brought it with me to Cycle. The burrito and a Crank were just what the doctor ordered. After that I hit up Hattrick's for the TBL game. Was definitely slammed prior to game time but once puck drop approached I got a seat at the bar and had a Labatt, Hockey and those AMAZING wings. As a matter of reference I was just in Buffalo for a Rangers game before the end of the season and these wings are up there in the Duff's range. Top 3 that I have ever had. Shake and Bake Lightning style as prescribed. Deep fried and then broiled to give a beautiful char and taste. I was also informed while there that you can get the wings re-tossed in a garlic sauce as well. Finally, Thursday night I hung out at Champions inside the Marriott Tampa Waterside to watch the Rangers game with some of the folks that were at the conference I attended. The crowd and food was just okay but they had a great IPA selection and mostly all local beers on tap including CCB, TBBC and Green Bench. Service was excellent. But the biggest success of this place is the televisions. Must be 120" and playoff hockey takes precedent, at least it did on this night while competing with the NBA playoffs and NFL draft. They have 3 tv's like this and they are in different zone with their own sound. Was very enjoyable place to watch the Rangers. Outcome of the game.......different story.
@belotj Thanks for sharing your experience. Definitely some helpful info. We scored tickets to the Lighting/Habs game this Wednesday night so we'll be stopping at Hattrick's for pre game and for the Blackhawks game Thursday night. I Plan on stopping at Cylce and Green Bench as well.
Cool, definitely enjoy! FYI, Green Bench had the following bottles available for sale at the brewery: Russian Mail Order (All Versions), Saison De Banc Noir, Saison de Banc Vert, Sauvage Blanc, Farmhouse Blends #1 and #3, Your Silent Captain. The Green Bench 1903 Berliner on tap was delightful. Green Bench has a very cool outdoor drinking area vs. Cycle which is very dark inside and the surrounding stores are kind of sketchy which makes sitting out front just ok. Wished I could have Cycle IPA's at Green Bench's facility. Personally I think you could do better for a place to watch the Hawks game but definitely great for pre- and post-Lightning game. Get there early (like 5) and get those wings!
@JakeT469 I'd recommend checking out Ferg's Live on Lightning game night. Across the street from the arena, live music, pretty good beer selection, place is packed on game nights. Also, CCB will likely have the Lightning game on, if you're most interested in beer selection while watching the game. Lastly, I have a '15 Huna if you're interested.
