One-on-one business meetings can often be intimidating, but finding a remarkable off-the-grid speakeasy could help set a calm, cool, collected tone. We are sharing with you some of the most highly regarded underground spots for elite Tampanians. When it comes to finding the coolest hideout spots in Tampa, take your business drinks to the next level by exploring these hidden treasures:
1. CW’s Gin Joint
633 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL
CW’s Gin Joint (named after the proprietor Carolyn Wilson) offers more than just gin drinks with their wide array of whiskey drinks, showcasing their exclusive, “fancy ass grenadine” rounds off the drink menu.
But… it does have “gin joint” in the name, so maybe check out the Saturn which puts a passion fruit-citrus twist on an exclusive gin cocktail, or any of their other decadent gin cocktails. CW’s prides themselves on their rare, fine spirits and that spirit transfers to the elaborate chandeliers as well as the wall sconces with David Bowie’s hands holding crystal balls à la Jim Henson’s The Labyrinth.
Check out CW’s Gin Joint in downtown Tampa for a hip spot to connect with your business peers.
2. Hotel Bar
200 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL
What says business drinks like a bar entrance that looks like the ground floor to an office building?
Hotel, located in downtown Tampa, is a sleek setting which offers cocktails collected from various international hotels with a decor to match. This remarkably above average, “hotel bar” offers elevated drinks from around the globe such as the Queen’s Park Swizzle, a Matusalem rum, lime, mint and Angostura bitters cocktail hailing from Long Bar in the Queen’s Park Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
That’s a mouthful which amounts to a drink fit for a queen… of England? I want to say a drink fit for a queen of Spain, but it’s complicated, clearly. Satisfy vastly eclectic tastes with these brilliant drinks while connecting with colleagues, and don’t be afraid if one drink leads to another, Hotel Bar is open until 2:00 AM!
3. Bulla Gastrobar
930 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL
This gastrobar is set in a simplistically, minimalist-chic setting, but the rooftop bar really shines with its beautiful views of South Tampa.
Bulla Gastrobar is well known for their brunch, but also offer a wide array of tapas. Although their specialty dinner is a Spanish dish, paella, which offers some of the best (mostly) surf & turf: shrimp, mussels, calamari and chicken with just a pinch of saffron making for a complex, rich rice dish.
Pair your tapas or paella with a classic Spanish cocktail, or a fine wine/sangria for a perfect meal to discuss small talk over an intimate business meeting.
4. TASTE
513 South Florida Avenue Tampa, FL
Hotel bars may get a bum rap for their physical attachment to a hotel, but that’s not the case with TASTE being attached to the Hilton.
TASTE exclusively focuses on Tampa sourced ingredients and drinks, taking the term “locally sourced” very literally. Additionally, check out their beer list for a (nearly) Tampa exclusive lineup!
Connecting with the Tampa community is an exceptional launching off point for any meeting. Cheers!
5. Casa de Montecristo by Tampa Humidor
510 S Howard Ave., Tampa FL
Casa de Montecristo may very well be the creme de la creme of hideout speakeasies for business meet-ups.
With a full bar, featuring an expansive whiskey and scotch collection, and premier cigar selection, including walk-in humidor and lounge, elements culminate to create a premier experience. It may be hinging on cliche, but there is something undoubtedly elevated about cigars and cocktails over business consultation.
A cool hideaway like a speakeasy can really set the tone for a business drink with companions, and these laid-back lounges are exactly that spot for your next colleague’s cheers. Take your next casual business drink meet-up to the next level by visiting one of these tucked away Tampa treasures.
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