With the new year comes a flood of new gay bars opening in Tampa. There are three opening in GaYBOR/Ybor City. The Liquid Lounge is moving in to the former Blue Shark location on 7th Avenue and 15th Street. The former location of Liquid Lounge is becoming a Leather/Mens Bar. The owner is currently looking for a investor partner who would also be manager/bartender. There is also a unannounced LGBT bar set to open this week in Ybor City on 15th Street. Barbarella, which celebrated their Grand Opening on December 31, announced they will be starting a Sunday LGBT T-Dance there soon. Many of us remember the fun T-Dances here when it was called Frankie’s Patio. Club Owner DIVA Chris will soon be opening “Cocktails Club Tampa.” Become a Facebook fan today at Facebook.com/pages/Cocktail-Club-Tampa/263662843688234. A little bird told us about a Mega LGBT Dance club opening soon in North Hyde Park close to the University of Tampa. It’s name is rumored to be “Mary-Go-Round.”
What 80+ Businesses in Ybor City have in common
80+ business are working together and are active members of the GaYBOR District Coalition in Historic Ybor City. The GaYBOR District Coalition has about 300 active members from Key West to Atlanta, Georgia. All the members recognize the economic impact the “Ybor City Experience” of Shopping, Dinning, Entertainment and Historic Ybor City has on the Tampa Bay Area and the State of Florida. Of the 300 members approximately 1/2 of our membership are our straight owned business allies.
Did you know that the LGBTA Community spends $64 Billion a year on tourism?
With the help of The GaYBOR Coalition, St. Pete Pride and Gay Days at Disney, the state of Florida is now #2 in America for gay dollars. Florida is behind California and pushed ahead of New York state. GaYBOR has had many positive articles and TV spots across America. GaYBOR has also been featured (for free) in magazines in Canada, Spain, England, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and more.
GaYBOR District Coalition Membership
It is time to re new your GaYBOR memberships. It is also a great time to join GaYBOR. Simply go to GaYBOR.com and download the membership application. Then bring it with a check, cash, money order to the January GaYBOR Meeting on January 13th at 4 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suite in Ybor City.
Mark & Carrie Nephew of the Week
Stephen Antonelli
Facebook.com/schtevernn
Stephen turns many heads with his fabulous smile! Working as a supervisor at Fresh Mouth in Centro Ybor. His favorite quotations are “Act well your part; there all the honour lies” – Thespis and “Sinner’s have a soul too” – The Color Purple
