by Kennedy Haugen
Ybor City is a popular place for locals to have fun in the Tampa Bay area. Most people can easily name various clubs or bars that call Ybor home, but here are some different Ybor City experiences to try out.
Tony’s Ybor Restaurant
Tony’s Ybor Restaurant has been open since 1929, remaining a family owned and operated business ever since. Amidst the major food chains that fill up any city, Tony’s Ybor Restaurant keeps things home cooked with a warm Italian hospitable atmosphere. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with meals ranging from boliche to home style grits. Tony’s Ybor Restaurant is located at 2001 N 22nd St.
Ybor City Ghost Tour
The official Ybor City Ghost Tour is a walking tour that takes you through historic Ybor and some of its most infamous haunted buildings. A tour guide will lead you along, telling stories about the history behind the ghosts that make their home in various buildings. The tour lasts about 120 minutes and groups are able to stop in the Cuban Club. While in the Cuban Club, many people who have taken the tour say they’ve seen or felt something unexplainable. Every story the tour guide tells comes from years of research. For more information about tours go to yborghosttour.com.
GameTime Tampa
GameTime Tampa is a new audiovisual experience, having over 60 TVs to watch any sporting event andover 120 games and simulators. GameTime also holds watch parties for groups of people interested in a specific game. It is a great experience for weekends with hours that last until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. GameTime has a similar feel to Dave & Busters but is a little closer to home. GameTime Tampa is located at 1600 E 8th Ave.
Revolve Clothing Exchange
Revolve Clothing Exchange is a place where the customer can directly buy, sell and swap new and used clothing and accessories with the store. Customers can bring in their clean and gently used clothes for either 30% of Revolve’s retail price for store credit or 15% cash. Revolve Clothing Exchange is home to and accepts brands like Forever 21, Free People, Urban Outfitters and even genuine vintage clothing. Thrifting clothes is both a great way to help the Earth and find brand names for less than you’d pay at the mall. Revolve Clothing Exchange is located at 1620 E 7th Ave.
La Creperia Cafe
La Creperia Cafe is another family owned and operated restaurant in Ybor City that brings the taste of France to Florida. It’s menu is dedicated to crepes, espresso and other tastes of France. The head chef prides himself in the 22 years he’s spent perfecting their crepe recipe. The restaurant offers a variety of healthy and even vegetarian options, giving anyone a chance to check what La Creperia Cafe has to offer. The cafe also offers catering opportunities for various events from parties to business meetings. La Creperia Cafe is located at 1729 E 7th Ave.
Ybor Beverage Co.
Ybor Beverage Co., better known as YBC, simply focuses on beverages – coffee in the morning and wine in the evenings, which opened in early October. Upon opening, one of YBC’s goals was to support and sell local coffee and pastries. The menu features items from Tampa’s Zeal Coffee Roasters, La Segunda Bakery, Gulf Coast Sourdough, Made Coffee, and Alessi pastries. YBC’s mission also includes connecting the community, where customers can connect and form new relationships over a drink. YBC is located at 1925 6th Avenue.
Chill Brothers Scoop Shop
With ice cream made from scratch, Chill Bros, sets to throw it back to the traditional way of doing things. The owners of Chill Brothers build each recipe and flavor from the ground up using local cage-free eggs, grass-fed milk and Pure Florida Cane Sugar. Not to mention, the waffle cones are made fresh daily along with other toppings. The shop itself features bright blue walls, vintage seating, and large windows facing 7th avenue–perfect for an Instagram photoshoot. Chill Bros. Scoop Shop is located at 1910 E 7th Ave.
Kennedy Haugen can be reached at kennedy.haugen@theminaretonline.com