YOUR BAY AND DOWN TO TAMPA THEN TO THE KEYS.DO YOU KNOW ANY GOOD PUBS ON
THE
WAY DOWN THE FORGOTTEN COAST

Hello,

If you are looking for places for a cruiser to party near Tampa I can offer
some advice.

Northernmost spot would be Shepard's in Clearwater Pass
N27.58.97
W82.46.92

Just before the bridge on the north side. Lots of local people ride their
boats and jetskis there and park off the beach. They have live music
outside, and a fancy disco indoors. It's the hippest place to be seen, too
hip for some of us. Expect lots of silicone and steroid body enhancements.

Next inlet south is John's Pass.

N27.46.97
W82.46.92

A personal favorite of mine, on the southside right after after the draw
bridge. Good docking assistance in the ripping current, and the best local
cover bands at this three story beach bar. It's probably the most likely
place for the lonely sailor to get get laid by a local sea hag. Ask for a
Polish bartender named Nick and tell him Fergy sent ya.

Inside North pass:

N27.41.82
w82.44.12

There's a nice low-key local bar with a decent juke box, and photos on the
wall that show the true history of Pass-a-grill. I forgot the name, but it's
a brown planked building, second business down from a small bridge. On any
night they get as much business by sea as by land. I like to eat here on my
last night before returning home.


Inside Tampa Bay:

St Pete Vinoy basin

N27.46.57
W82.37.75

Anchor here for free and be in the center of downtown. There's shopping, a
new movie theater, and lots of stuff nearby. Some of it is more touristy
than others. I'd suggest a drink at Mastry's Bar on Central ave. The
Mastry family also runs an old school tackle shop, and if the owner is in
You'll find good conversation. Also check if a good band is playing at
Jannus landing or Vinoy park. Styx had a free concert there a couple weeks
ago.

On to Tampa,

N27.54.56
W82.27.12

You'll find that most of the boater-friendly places are closer to the gulf.
But if you have some reason to head all the way up Tampa Bay, the above
waypoint is your beast anchorage. Davis Island is a nice little isolated
community in th heart of Tampa. It even has it's own little downtown strip a
long walk from the basin, with a grocery store, a few bars, and excellent
Mexican food at Estella's resaurant.

South of the Bay:

N27.26.30
W82.40.84

Moore's seafood Restaurant on Longboat Key used to be famous for the dolphin
show that they gave each happy hour. They no longer have Jackie the porpose
caged within their dock, but it's still a nice place to dock and walk around
town, or anchor offshore in a well protected harbor.

Wow that was a longwinded post. Hope it helps though.

Have fun,

John.