I have a nightclub/bar opening that I want to do in the Tampa area. I'm basically deciding between the Channelside area or the SOHO area. I want opinions on where and why. Thanks for the input

What is demograpic you want to target?

There are several of these places around the country. The owner told us the demo he looks for is 21-35 year olds. Young professionals with some money to spend.

where was it moved too?

Young professionals with money to spend, i'd say Channelside, SOHO or even International Plaza's BayStreet.

Need to know more about the specifics of the club.

Depending on the theme, I think that if your looking for a gay atmosphere or gay friendly atmosphere, I would consider SoHo or YBor City. Channelside predominantly has country clubs/ bars. SoHo Is kind of removed from downtown.

If you don't want to bet on a neighborhood's future growth, SoHo is your best bet.

Well I would describe it as a stylish rock & roll bar.

Why not Franklin Street downtown? When does it plan to open?

I have no opposition to anything. Where exactly is that and what's around it. Well we have no exact date to open it but probably about a year to a year and a half away. Let me ask you why Franklin street?

I have no opposition to anything. Where exactly is that and what's around it. Well we have no exact date to open it but probably about a year to a year and a half away. Let me ask you why Franklin street?

Franklin Street would be a great place for this type of bar. Franklin street is in Downtown Tampa and will eventually be the next "night hotspot" lined with restraunts, clubs, retails, etc. I'd guess 3-5years out though. I was walking around downtown today and it seems to have so much potential. Do you need a well respected D.J.? I have a few freinds in the night club industry.

I'm not sure you could establish a club in SoHo -- lounge maybe; club, not so sure. Where would you put it? :dunno:

why not? I mean there's Whiskey Park, Hyde Park cafe and Mangroves

I have no opposition to anything. Where exactly is that and what's around it. Well we have no exact date to open it but probably about a year to a year and a half away. Let me ask you why Franklin street?

Franklin Street is downtown Tampa. There are close to 6000 residential units currently being built or planned in the immediate downtown area over the next few years, some have already opened. Franklin Street in it's heyday(20's-60's) was THE place for everything in Tampa. It is slowly coming back as residents move into downtown, and these residents are mostly young professionals with $$$ to spend. Franklin Street already has Fly Bar, Thai Corner, The Office, The Hub, Kelly's Pub, Hatricks, Fuel. The Historic Tampa Theater sits on Franklin Street, and part of Franklin is only open to pedestrians. Many resturants have lined Franklin Street in the past, and are coming back to the area. There are roughly 60,000 people who are in the downtown CBD Monday through Friday from 7am-6pm. Residential areas such as Harbour Island, Channelside, Davis Islands, Hyde Park/SOHO are within a mile radius of the CBD and Franklin Street. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa Museum of Art, and Tampa Convention Center are all within walking distance(a block or two) from Franklin Street. Hotels like Marriott Waterside, Embassy Suites, Hyatt Regency, The Historic Floridan(to open end of 2007) and several others are all on Franklin Street or within a few blocks. Part of the Street is brick, and pedestrain friendly, it is a two lane road. It runs directly down the middle of the CBD downtown from the Interstate to the North, to the Convention Center/Channelside to the South.

why not? I mean there's Whiskey Park, Hyde Park cafe and Mangroves

Don't get me wrong, ag10s. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I'm sure you're familiar with how difficult it is to establish a new liquor license here in Tampa, not to mention how much they can cost. I just can't think of a location that's available for a nightclub in SoHo. :)

My remarks are based on your initial request where you mentioned opening a nightclub/bar which sort of leaves the impression of a large space with a appreciable dance floor. Bars and lounges are totally different animals, both in size and atmosphere and are more in line with SoHo.

b.t.w., welcome aboard and good luck on your endeavor! :)

Add Hyde Park Cafe to the list of clubs in Hyde Park. Outside of Ybor, it's the only other cluster.

Franklin Street could be hopping in a few years, but that goes back to my if you want to make a bet on a neighborhood thing. There is already a club on FS, "Club 112", but it's scary ghetto and I stay away. The Hub is also on FS and it's a great dive bar.

Actually there is a nice location above the Hub that's available, it's about 7,000 sq feet and would be a nice place for a classy club.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/14/st-a-hub-of-activity/?news

I really appreciate all the info. The place is not really a "club" it's more of a stylish rockbar. The size of the space we would need would be around 5000 square feet. I want to be in an area that is happening now, not somewhere that might be happening in 3-5 years. I'm from Miami so this city is somewhat unfamiliar to me. What I can't figure out about Tampa is where the city wants the nightlife. It seems like they don't want it at Channelside. Ybor is not in a good area. To me that only leaves SOHO. What do you guys think the city wants to do in the future to that area?

Even though I live in Channelside and would welcome a club that sounds like this (and I'm sure 95% of my neighbors would as well), Franklin Street would probably be your best bet right now, especially around Fly (the most happening place downtown right now). By the time you get up and running, you'll have a lot of new residents surrounding you (mostly young), and Channelside/Ybor/SoHo residents could easily make it over that way (or even walk from some areas).

If you are interested in Channelside, you might want to take a look at the retail spaces at Grand Central (where I live). You could actually purchase (rather than lease) the space, and you'd have a pretty captive and young crowd living atop you ... plus you're across from a streetcar stop where Ybor and downtown residents could take to get to you.

I really appreciate all the info. The place is not really a "club" it's more of a stylish rockbar. The size of the space we would need would be around 5000 square feet. I want to be in an area that is happening now, not somewhere that might be happening in 3-5 years. I'm from Miami so this city is somewhat unfamiliar to me. What I can't figure out about Tampa is where the city wants the nightlife. It seems like they don't want it at Channelside. Ybor is not in a good area. To me that only leaves SOHO. What do you guys think the city wants to do in the future to that area?

WHat is a "stylish" rock bar? Anything open now to compare it to? Will there be live music? Cover charges? Dress Code? Serve Food? I still say Franklin Street should be looked at...Ybor is going through a resurgance, redefining itself once again, Ybor is still the "mini french quarter" that attracts ALL types. You may look to Intl Plaza as well, Blue Martini, Bar Louie, Champps pack them in on BayStreet. There is an open storeffront where a previous club/bar was open a while back(cant remember the name)

Ok let me do my best to describe it to you. The place has an eclectic mix of 60's style designs and a hot all female staff. The designs are based on 60's America. Try to picture 60's signage around route 66, palm springs, and Las Vegas and then add in some great rock & roll anthems, high energy crowds and really cool themed nights. Everything is high in style. It's basically the upscale version of a dive bar. Yes there is some food. There is no cover.

Sounds like it would fit im perfectly for Channelside. Or even BayStreet at Intl Plaza. You really need to get over to Tampa for a few nights or even a week and see where the crowds are that you are looking for:

Ybor City/Centro Ybor
SOHO/Hyde Park
Channelside
Intl Plaza BayStreet

I think Franklin will be a huge draw in 1 1/2 years. Skypoint has 350 +- units - coming online now. Element will have the same amount of units. So over 700 units geared at young people without children within a few steps. Definitely has potential. This is not even counting the few thousand other units within a short walk.

I really appreciate all the input. Let me ask you guys a question. What do you think the future of these 3 areas are as far as the nightlife: SOHO/Hyde park, Channelside, Franklin St.

As far as nightlife/culture in the next 1-2 years, the best I can do is compare to NYC and DC, where I've spent a lot of my adult life. If you know those cities (unfortunately, I've spent little time in Miami):

Hyde Park/SoHo - Preppy, coffeehouse society, walkable, celeb neighborhood when they're in town, Pottery Barn-ish, established
NYC - Upper East Side, Midtown
DC - Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria

Franklin St./Downtown - Grungy but edgy, up-and-coming, still a bit unsafe, artsy, neighbors (office and residential) looking for the next new place, the new area to be but still has some work getting there, H&M/West Elm-ish
NYC - Hells Kitchen, Tribeca
DC - Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill

Channelside - Brand New Neighborhood from industrial zone, artsy but more "sterile", tourist/resident mix, neighbors excited about building a new neighborhood, edgy but safe, Crate and Barrel/IKEA-ish (maybe the reason IKEA is coming close to here)
NYC - Chelsea, Upper West Side
DC - Dupont/Cleveland Park, SE Waterfront

I'm WAAYYY generalizing and stereotyping here, as there are varied people in any neighborhood, but this is what I envision in the next couple of years. Some good, some not so good for each neighborhood, but all three are looking incredibly good right now.

I don't know NYC or DC well. I've been to NYC a couple times but I'm not familiar enough of the areas to understand your comparisons. This place would be probably a year out or so. I know the SOHO/Hyde park areas pretty well and I really like that area. I don't know the Channelside or downtown (Franklin St.) areas very well. The owner of the place that I want to bring here made it clear that he wants to be in a happening area with plenty of foot traffic.

As far as nightlife/culture in the next 1-2 years, the best I can do is compare to NYC and DC, where I've spent a lot of my adult life. If you know those cities (unfortunately, I've spent little time in Miami):

Hyde Park/SoHo - Preppy, coffeehouse society, walkable, celeb neighborhood when they're in town, Pottery Barn-ish, established
NYC - Upper East Side, Midtown
DC - Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria

Franklin St./Downtown - Grungy but edgy, up-and-coming, still a bit unsafe, artsy, neighbors (office and residential) looking for the next new place, the new area to be but still has some work getting there, H&M/West Elm-ish
NYC - Hells Kitchen, Tribeca
DC - Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill

Channelside - Brand New Neighborhood from industrial zone, artsy but more "sterile", tourist/resident mix, neighbors excited about building a new neighborhood, edgy but safe, Crate and Barrel/IKEA-ish (maybe the reason IKEA is coming close to here)
NYC - Chelsea, Upper West Side
DC - Dupont/Cleveland Park, SE Waterfront

I'm WAAYYY generalizing and stereotyping here, as there are varied people in any neighborhood, but this is what I envision in the next couple of years. Some good, some not so good for each neighborhood, but all three are looking incredibly good right now.


Kentski, those are some decent generalizations, what can you say about Ybor City? It was THE place in the 90's..will it come back to where it was? That would be the place for foot traffic and happening, especially the weekends, but not sure if it's the right crowd right now like it weas in the mid to late 90's, early 2000's.

I don't know NYC or DC well. I've been to NYC a couple times but I'm not familiar enough of the areas to understand your comparisons. This place would be probably a year out or so. I know the SOHO/Hyde park areas pretty well and I really like that area. I don't know the Channelside or downtown (Franklin St.) areas very well. The owner of the place that I want to bring here made it clear that he wants to be in a happening area with plenty of foot traffic.


SoHo is more restaurants with bars attached. Not really night clubs. Definitely not an area with LOUD music. 5,000 sqft will be very hard to come by there.

Ybor has been where the clubs are for many, many years. DT/Franklin had clubs back in the late 80's before Ybor took off. Both have plenty of large buildings for clubs.

The Channelside Complex I believe is full right now and all leases have to be approved by the Port Authority. There are a bunch of new buildings going up with space.

It is a short drive. Head up to Tampa this weekend and check the different spots out.

Club Chambers (1701 N. Franklin) is the largest nightclub in the DT/Franklin area (two stories / 16,000 s.f.).

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Anthony and Robbie Morito change the format offering both gay and straight venues (in a few years) once the residential properties fill up around the downtown area. They'll probably bring the restaurant and happy hour back, as well. b.t.w., the food was incredible! :)

The best spot for this type of clubs right NOW is International Plaza (Bay Street) where the former club Headliners and Kahunaville was. I think it's exactly what you're looking for. You'll definitely get that demographic there.
You most likely wouldn't be able to get into SOHO now with that type of establishment.
Channelside is a good option but I don't know what type of space they have there. (maybe where the FYE was?)
Ybor is a possibility. Plenty of space there and you'll get the younger crowd.
But if it's an upscale rock bar then Intl Plaza is your spot. hands down.

The best spot for this type of clubs right NOW is International Plaza (Bay Street) where the former club Headliners and Kahunaville was. I think it's exactly what you're looking for. You'll definitely get that demographic there.
You most likely wouldn't be able to get into SOHO now with that type of establishment.
Channelside is a good option but I don't know what type of space they have there. (maybe where the FYE was?)
Ybor is a possibility. Plenty of space there and you'll get the younger crowd.
But if it's an upscale rock bar then Intl Plaza is your spot. hands down.

I second that opinion about BayStreet at Intl Plaza(couldnt remember the name of those two places...Kahnuaville was always packed, what happened to that place? Kind of like a mini Rainforest Cafe, but had a great lively bar)

I appreciate the info guys. So why do you think I wouldn't be able to get into SOHO with this type of establishment?

I don't think they'd allow another bar,especially of that size, in SOHO because it's mainly residential and they don't want that area to become another bar district. I think there would be too much red tape. the in crowd favors Bay Street at Intl Plaza now. you'll get more traffic there since most of the happy hour crowd goes there (since it's in the business district), you'll get mall traffic and traveler traffic (since it's near the airport).

(Kahunaville was a good restaurant. I think it was too dark in there which made it seem like it was closed. so that probably turned off alot of customers)