Ybor City will soon have another adult playground with Cheezy's Bistro and Speakeasy opening soon. Part old-school Italian restaurant and part grown-up Chuck E. Cheese, this exciting new venue will offer guests a tasty menu, artisanal drinks, and tons of fun and games.
Owner Jaime DeCrisci's family hails from the Tuscany region of Italy - an area known for gorgeous locations, elegant living, and some of the best food on the planet. Cheezy's will feature several specialty dishes honoring his family's heritage, such as house made pasta with shrimp, a lasagne calzone, freshly baked focaccia, and an expansive soup and salad bar. Cheezy's will also serve up a variety of fusion menu items, like a mouth-watering lobster chimichanga and homemade zuppa from a secret family recipe.
There's so much more to Cheezy's than tasty cuisine, however. Getting into the speakeasy will require some cloak and dagger style adventuring, honoring the rich and varied history of the building, located at 1909 N 15th Street. This stunning architectural delight in the heart of the Ybor City historic district has been home to several popular nightclubs serving the Tampa LBGTQ community since the turn of the century.
DeCrisci and his team have been lovingly restoring the interior with exacting detail, including smoking the individual planks of wood for the walls and side bars to get that "certain look and smell," reminiscent of bootleg booze and wild nights. The venue will also offer three curtained private cabanas and a secret VIP room, hidden away behind artfully placed two-way mirrors. In the main room, guests can lounge in booths, at high-top cabaret tables, or my personal favorite - front and center at the main bar.
No speakeasy is complete without signature cocktails, and Cheezy's is sure to be a standout in Tampa's emerging upscale bar scene. Handsome mixologists will be serving up tasty libations featuring local ingredients from the area's up and coming brewery and distillery industry. The artisanal vodka purveyors, The Florida Cane Distillery, has their Ybor tasting room just a few steps down the block. Cheezy's will also feature a selection of locally brewed lagers, porters, IPAs, and wheat beers that are sure to delight.
Cheezy's Bistro and Speakeasy looks to offer its patrons a variety of entertainment featuring nostalgic bar game favorites like pinball and Ms. PacMan, and the bro staple golf game, Golden Tee. This exciting new bistro speakeasy is sure to be a hit, so don't miss out - call 813-284-0250 to make your reservations for the opening now!
Find more great restaurants in Tampa and things to do in our Guide to Events in Tampa. Bookmark the site and check back often, or register to be notified of all the cool new places opening restaurants in Tampa. Looking for Nightlife in Tampa, click the link to see more great places to explore in and outside of Ybor City Nightlife. (All photos Chee Cheezy's Bistro and Speakeasy Facebook Page.)
