Florida 2024

Page history last edited by peterga 2 years, 1 month ago

Miles Driven: 4,400

Bars Visited (83)

Mar 13

The Watering Hole, Shady Spring, WV
Sprinkle, Charlotte, NC
The Goodyear House, Charlotte
Haberdish, Charlotte
Billy Jack’s Shack, Charlotte
Thirsty Beaver Saloon, Charlotte
RiRa Irish Pub, Charlotte
The Cellar at Duckworth’s, Charlotte

Mar 14

The Griffon, Charleston, SC
The Blind Tiger Pub, Charleston
The Old Pirates House, Savannah, GA
Abe’s on Lincoln, Savannah
The Olde Pink House, Savannah
The Little Crown, Savannah
The Bamboo Room, Savannah
Alley Cat Lounge, Savannah

Mar 15

Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach, FL
The Crab Trap, Fernandina Beach
Pete’s Bar, Neptune Beach, FL
Secret Tiki Temple, Jacksonville
Knock Knock, Daytona Beach
Danny’s Lounge and Package, Daytona Beach
Froggy’s Saloon, Daytona Beach

Mar 16

Whiskey Joe’s Barefoot Bar, Tampa
Dead Bob’s Too, Tampa
Caddy’s, Madeira Beach

Mar 17

Bula on the Beach, Madeira Beach
The Saint, St. Petersburg
Matteo, St. Petersburg
Dirty Laundry, St. Petersburg

Mar 18

Don the Beachcombers, Madeira Beach
Dockside Dave’s, Madeira Beach

Mar 19

Sunsets Tequila Bar at Loews Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach

Mar 20

Drift-In AMI, Anna Maria Island - Opie, best dive on the island
Gulf Drive Cafe & The Kokonut Hut, Anna Maria Island
Bridge Tender Inn, Anna Maria Island

Mar 21

Tomahawk Tiki Bar, North Port
7th + Grove, Tampa (Ybor neighborhood)
Columbia Restaurant, Tampa
Spookeasy Lounge, The Catacombs, Tampa

Mar 22

Salty Island Bar, Clearwater
Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe, Clearwater

Mar 23

Bar Tiki Clearwater Beach
Shephard’s Tiki Bar, Clearwater

Mar 24

Bahi Hut, Sarasota
Island Way Grill, Clearwater

Mar 25

Tiki Bar Behind Low Key Hideaway, Cedar Key
Bar 1903, Tallahassee
Poor Paul’s Pourhouse
Bullwinkle’s
Liberty Bar

Mar 26

Owl Cafe, Apalachicola, FL
The Red Door Saloon, Destin
Wisteria Tavern, Pensacola
Flora-Bama, Perdido Key, FL

Mar 27

T.P. Crockmiers, Mobile
LoDa Bier Garten, Mobile
Mahogany Bar, Hattiesburg, MS
The Blue Front Cafe, Bentonia, MS
The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs, Jackson, MS
The Pearl
The Pig & Pint

Mar 28

Weidmann’s, Meridian, MS
Dreamland BBQ, Tuscaloosa
Harry’s Bar, Tuscaloosa
The Garage, Birmingham
House of Found Objects, Birmingham
The Essential, Birmingham

Mar 29

Peerless Saloon, Anniston, AL
Springwater Supper Club, Nashville, TN
Dive Bar, Nashville
The Conservatory Bar, Louisville
Hell or High Water, Louisville
Bar Expo, Louisville
O’Shea’s, Louisville

Mar 30

Proof on Main, Louisville
Herb and Thelma’s Tavern, Covington, KY
The Hitching Post, Milford Township (Darrtown)
Bearded Saddle Saloon, Collinsville, OH
Century Bar, Dayton, OH
Antiques on High, Columbus
Char Bar, Columbus
Mikey’s Late Night Slice, Columbus

Places I'd Like To See More Of

Savannah, GA
Cedar Key (Low Key Hideaway), also Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee, Yankeetown
Apalachicola, FL
Charleston, SC
Ybor neighborhood, Tampa, FL
Anna Maria Island, FL
Louisville, KY - Whiskey Row (stay in 21c Museum Hotel Louisville)
Downtown St. Petersburg
Columbus - Bars on High St.
Fairfield, FL

Places I Have No Need to Revisit

Daytona Beach, FL
Gulf Shores, FL
Orange Beach, FL

Ball Games

Sun 3/17 1:05pm - ATL at BAL - Mike, Pete & Andy - Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (1h+ drive)

$112/3 = $37 each - Tix in MLB Ballpark app - via mlb.com - Section 203 Row 11

Mon 3/18 1:05pm - PIT at PHI - Pete, Mike, Andy, Julie, Janet, Trista - Baycare Ballpark, Clearwater (30 min drive)

$228/6 = $38 each - includes GA Parking - Section 105, Row 19 - MLB Ballpark App

Tue 3/19 1:07pm BAL at TOR - Pete, Mike - TD Ballpark, Dunedin (30 min drive)

$69/2 = $34 each SEC 208, Row 8 , Seat 17-18 tix in TicketMaster App (ready after 11:52pm on Fri, Feb 2, 2024)

Wed 3/20 6:35pm - PIT at NYY - Pete, Mike - George Steinbrenner Field, Tampa (40 min drive)

$133.38/2 = $66 each, includes Raymond James Stadium Parking Lots 1, 2, And 4 - TicketMaster App - Sec 211, Row M, Seats 13 - 14

Thu 3/21 1:05pm - NYM at ATL - Pete, Mike, Janet, Trista - CoolToday Park, North Port (1.5 hour drive)

Grass berm (only tix <$60) $146.10/4 = $36 each - tix in TicketMaster app

Fri 3/22 1:05pm - MIN at TB - Mike & Pete - Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte (1.5 hour drive) - Canceled Due to Rain

2 tix via tickets-center.com - grass berm $160/2 = $80 each - will be available electronically by 3/17

Sat 3/23 1:05 - NYY at DET - Pete, Mike - Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland (1:15 drive)

$87.60/2 = $44 each (includes GA parking) - MLB Ballpark App - Section 204 Row E

Sun 3/24 - NYY at PIT- Pete, Mike, Janet, Trista - LECOM Park, Bradenton (1h drive)

$136/4 = $34 each - MLB Ballpark app - Left Field Bleacher - via pirates.com

Pre-Planning

TripIt Itin (Janet) Temp Print Version

Ballpark Map Grapefruit League Schedule 2024 Another Version Pirates Spring Training

Basic Plan

Sat March 16 - Mon March 25 in Tampa/St. Pete area
Mike & Pete to catch a ball game in a different ballpark each day (3/17-3/24) (8 games)
Janet & Trista to join every 3rd day
Andy to join Saturday Mar 16 through Monday Mar 18
Julie to join game within then with Janet & Trista
Much art, music and theatre in Tampa Bay. The art museums have extended hours during the spring. Largest collection of Salvador Dali works in St. Pete. Andy will monitor the concerts and plays, and we can make decisions as we get closer
Pete will be driving the Hyundai down so we will have one car people can use (holds 4 comfortably)
Do we want another rental for the gals while the guys are at games? May be better to just Uber if/when needed?

Rooms

Sat March 16 (>4pm) - Fri March 22 (<11am): 14401 Gulf Blvd, 103. Madeira Beach, FL 33708

Unit Number: 103 - Door Access Code: 2007
To unlock enter code, and turn bolt clockwise. To lock press SCHLAGE and turn bolt counter clockwise.
Parking Space: R
WIFI LaCoquina103 Password: quickwhale103
Entire condo hosted by Charles & Liz (STP), La Coquina building - On map - AirBNB Details - Pete Reservation Info (Message Hosts)
Reserved by Pete via AirBNB - Total = $2,274.11 - Full refund before March 11
AirBNB Conf# HMFAKR9F9J iTrip Reservation Code = 3890788;
"Madeira Beach, FL - This barrier island community is what you get when you cross an Old Florida fishing village with a lively (but not rowdy) beach town. In fact, Madeira Beach was named the No. 9 Beach in the U.S. by Tripadvisor for 2021."
Notes: Not Clearwater and not quite as many shops, bars, and restaurants, but it does look like some cool ones, and a cool little town. Pool, very close to a nice beach. (A lot of AirBNBs had single beds in one of the bedrooms -- this has a King in one and two Queens in the other.) Easy drive up the peninsula to Clearwater and other towns.
Nearby Madeira Beach condo to check out: Mahuffers, Saltwater Hippie

Fri March 22 - Mon March 25: Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 South Gulfview Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL

727-442-5107 - Email: info@shephards.com
2 Rooms booked by Janet directly - $386/room/night + 13% tax per night and $25 resort fee per night, $461.18 deposits paid by Janet
fully refundable if canceled 72 hours prior to date of arrival
Check-in time after 4PM and Check-out time 11AM

Arrivals/Departures

Sat Mar 16 12:01pm - Trista arrives at Tampa International - Spirit Flight 2371
Sat, Mar 16 05:34pm - Mike & Janet arrive Tampa International - Alaska 326
Mon Mar 25 4:06pm - Trista departs Tampa International - Spirit Flight 2374
Mon, Mar 25 07:00am - Mike & Janet depart Tampa International - Alaska Flight 1018
Pete depart Pittsburgh by car Wed Mar 13, arrive St. Pete early Mar 16 - Route and Stops

Ball Games

Sun 3/17 1:05pm - ATL at BAL - Mike, Pete & Andy - Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (1h+ drive)

$112/3 = $37 each - Tix in MLB Ballpark app - via mlb.com - Section 203 Row 11

Mon 3/18 1:05pm - PIT at PHI - Pete, Mike, Andy, Julie, Janet, Trista - Baycare Ballpark, Clearwater (30 min drive)

$228/6 = $38 each - includes GA Parking - Section 105, Row 19 - MLB Ballpark App

Tue 3/19 1:07pm BAL at TOR - Pete, Mike - TD Ballpark, Dunedin (30 min drive)

$69/2 = $34 each SEC 208, Row 8 , Seat 17-18 tix in TicketMaster App (ready after 11:52pm on Fri, Feb 2, 2024)

Wed 3/20 6:35pm - PIT at NYY - Pete, Mike - George Steinbrenner Field, Tampa (40 min drive)

$133.38/2 = $66 each, includes Raymond James Stadium Parking Lots 1, 2, And 4 - TicketMaster App - Sec 211, Row M, Seats 13 - 14

Thu 3/21 1:05pm - NYM at ATL - Pete, Mike, Janet, Trista - CoolToday Park, North Port (1.5 hour drive)

Grass berm (only tix <$60) $146.10/4 = $36 each - tix in TicketMaster app

Fri 3/22 1:05pm - MIN at TB - Mike & Pete - Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte (1.5 hour drive) - Canceled Due to Rain

2 tix via tickets-center.com - grass berm $160/2 = $80 each - will be available electronically by 3/17

Sat 3/23 1:05 - NYY at DET - Pete, Mike - Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland (1:15 drive)

$87.60/2 = $44 each (includes GA parking) - MLB Ballpark App - Section 204 Row E

Sun 3/24 - NYY at PIT- Pete, Mike, Janet, Trista - LECOM Park, Bradenton (1h drive)

$136/4 = $34 each - MLB Ballpark app - Left Field Bleacher - via pirates.com

Other Plans

Sunday Evening downtown St. Pete -

The Saint for cocktails- Reservation for 6 at 7:30
Dirty Laundry for cocktails (7 blocks apart, doesn't appear to take reservations) - Dress code

Also near: Saigon Blonde (tiki), Webb's City Cellar (James Beard SF), Emerald Bar (est. 1945), Mastry's Bar & Grill, est. 1936/1988, Pink Flamingo (est. 1935)

Monday Evening - Don the Beachcomber dinner for 6? - They do not take reservations, but you can call in to get on the waitlist if there is a waitlist
Wed or later: Tampa - Columbia, Madame Fortune, Spookeasy Lounge, The Retreat

Bars

Must Stops

Columbia Restaurant 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa - 11am-9/10 - Est. 1903, features beautiful antique back bar similar to Brunswick Mont Oro (identical to model in Petoskey, MI) - "Oldest restaurant in Florida" - Spanish/Cuban cuisine
Don the Beachcomber, Clearwater (0.6mile from room) - Sun-Wed 11-11, Th-Sa 11-1 - In the Cambia Hotel - Opens 2/23/2024

The seminal tiki bar is reopening and expanding. If they're really open by then, I have to go.

The Saint, St. Pete - Tue-Sun 5pm-12+ Speakeasy, "perhaps sacrilegious but very stylish cocktail bar. 'The “priest” will be waiting and a “confession” is needed for entry, as well as knowing "The Sin to Get In" so check website - You can also indulge in one of their aptly named savory bites such as The Communion Board (charcuterie), Skewers of Sacrament, Hell of a Hummus and The Holy Bible (almond and Nutella sponge cake).
Mahuffers - M-F 12-2, S-S 11-2 - near Madeira Beach condo
Bahi Hut, Sarasota - 12-12 - Est. 1954, Florida's oldest tiki bar

Maybe

Saltwater Hippie - 11-2 - near Madeira Beach condo
Flamingo Sports Bar - Est. 1937 as drive-in, bar by 1950s, Kerouc drank there - shack vibe
Dirty Laundry, St. Pete - W-F 5-1+, S-S 12pm-1+ To enter, pick up the payphone and an automated voice will greet you and give you a code to type in. Once you get the code right, one of the washing machines turns into a door, giving you access to the speakeasy. Dress Code
Bar Tiki, Clearwater Beach - 0.8 mi from Clearwater Hotel (Tommy's Tiki Bar, right on beach very near to this one)
Madame Fortune Dessert + HiFi Parlour - Tu-Th 5p-10, F 5p-12, S-S 11a-10p+ - Speakeasy located through a secret door at Ybor’s Roast Deli + Bakery, To make your way into the speakeasy, try using the phrase “Find your fortune.”
Saigon Blonde, St. Petersburg - tiki
Spookeasy Lounge, Tampa - 11-1+ (non-alcoholic, gothy) (photos)
Mastry's Bar & Grill, St. Pete - est. 1936 different location (Pink Elephant there in 1935), current location since 1988
The Retreat Tampa, 123 S Hyde Park Ave - Est. 1938 ("Tampa's oldest dive bar") - 3pm-3am
Ciro's, Tampa - Speakeasy (Call (813) 251-0022 for password and reservation)
Repeal 18, Tampa
Bar Chica, St. Pete, - W-Sa 7pm-12+ - Hidden in back of Bodega, 1180 Central Ave.
CW’s Gin Joint, Tampa - 5p-11+ - Good food in addition to cocktails
The Shipwreck - Oldest bar on Clearwater Beach (1976)
Sunset Grille, St. Pete - Est. 1946 (divey)
Jimmy’s Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach - Not my style, but it has won awards for best beach bar
Webb's City Cellar by Green Bench Brewery, St. Petersburg - 2024 James Beard semi-finalist - Bar
Sara St. Pete suggestions: Steve's Tavern on the Avenue, Emerald Bar (est. 1945), Lucky Star Lounge
Red Tiki Bar & Grill - St. Pete
When in Dunedin?

Sonder Social Club M-F 4p-12+, S-S 12p-10+

When in North Port

Ragged Ass Saloon - On the water, thatch roofs, etc.

When in Lakeland?

Revival - M-TH 1p-12+, F-Sa 12-2, Su 3-12
The Parrot (nee Green Parrot) - oldest gay bar in FL - est. 1940

When in Sarasota?

Bahi Hut, Sarasota - 12-12 - Est. 1954, Florida's oldest tiki bar
Pangea Alchemy Lab, 1564 Main St, Sarasota - W-Sun 6p-12+
Shoogie Boogie's

When in Bradenton

"World Famous" Ridehard Saloon - 11am-10+

When in Port Charlotte

Portside Tavern and Tiki Bar
TT's Tiki Bar, Punta Gorda

Probably Not (e.g. too far)

PROBABLY NOT: The Mai-Kai, Ft. Lauderdale - Greatest tiki bar in the world, but under renovation and 4 hours away
PROBABLY NOT: Captain Tony's (Key West) and Palace Saloon (Fernandina Beach) both claim to be the oldest bar in FL (1902), but both 4+ hours away

Links