Spring Break in Tampa is one of the best times of the year, and not just for the students! 80-degree March days, white sand beaches, and some great deals if you look to make our 813area the perfect place to relax, recharge... and party during Spring Break in Tampa! With 33 colleges within 50 miles of Downtown Tampa and a growing population, there’s plenty of nightlife and great things to do every weekend of the year.
There's a Spring Break spot for everybody, with happy hours and nightly specials that will help keep the party up and the expenses down. For spring breakers Tampa can be an ideal and cheap city and can pair perfectly with a getaway on the beaches in the 727area, or anywhere else on the #BestCoast of Florida.
South Tampa
The South Howard (SoHo) area is full of bars that cater to college kids during Spring Break. University of Tampa students fill the bars like sardines on weekends, but with good reason. On Thursday night MacDinton's is packed for $1 Beer Night, with no cover and $1 for every 8-ounce cup of Miller Lite and Bud Light. There are DJ’s spinning and plenty of student bodies dancing, often while spilling beer as they walk from one side of the outdoor deck to the other. On Fridays, the legendary MacD's $10 Happy Hour runs from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. It's all-you-can-drink for two hours but get there early as the line to check ID's can be down the block.
Yard of Ale, MacDinton's and Hyde Park Cafe also all have happy hours from 8-10 p.m. on Fridays. The latest and longest happy hour on Friday nights is at The Dubliner, with $10 all you can drink (low-end beer) from 8:30-11pm. On Sunday’s be sure to stop by Ava or Cask for their bottomless mimosas with brunch to end your weekend right.
Ybor City
Ybor was once the capital of the cigar industry in America and is the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich. But nowadays its nightlife is equally as fascinating. And for any ladies on Spring Break, it's also the home of the movie Magic Mike... which we all know you've seen!
The new Tangra Nightclub on 7th Ave is a really fun club to try out, if you'r looking to dance the night away with you fellow spring breakers!
The Ritz in Ybor is a concert hall that often has DJ’s play shows on Friday and Saturday nights, and tickets are usually under $40. There are also emo bars like CrowBar and The Reservoir with punk music, tattoos and piercings galore. Double Decker and The Bad Monkey have karaoke and games like darts, Jenga, and pool. All of the drinking establishments stay open until 2 or 3 a.m., making it the latest nightlife in Tampa outside of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. With cheap drinks at plenty of places and an atmosphere for each of your friends, Ybor has the consistent nightlife of a Spring Break'ers dreams.
Channelside
Though Downtown Tampa is known as a business district it also has nightlife worth bragging about. Not only are there events at Amalie Arena so many nights, but Lightning games bring thousands to downtown. Whether they’re going to see the Bolts or enjoying wings from Hattrick’s or Ferg’s, there are happy hours that have specials such as $.85 wings and $1 off draft beers.
If you're looking to stop by a bar for a drink during the day, head to Sparkman Wharf for a bite to eat and a cold beer from the Fermented Reality Biergarten. With a vast array of beer choices, it's guaranteed you'll find at least bone that you're a fan of, if not more than one!
Looking for more fun and games? Head to Tampa's premier destination barcade, Park & Rec! With lots of games, drinks and bites to eat, you'll feel like a kid again!
Downtown
Franklin Manor is the new kid on the block but has made quite the reputation for itself in its first year open. They have cocktails like their Lavender Lemonade which is Stoli Vodka, Fresh Lemon Juice and Lavender Infused Syrup which are for a more refined palette and wallet, but definitely worth the $10.
American Social Tampa is another new-comer in the area that has a happy hour on weekdays 3 p.m -7 p.m that offers select beer, wine and liquors for %50 off and $6 shareable plates. If you're looking for a spot that provides the perfect background for your Instagram, American Social has you covered. Yachts and boats line the Hillsborough River which lies right behind the restaurant and provides the picture-perfect background of your Tampa Spring Break dreams.
Westshore
If you and your friends are looking for a more sophisticated and calm night out on the town, visit Bay Street, located at the International Mall. There are Italian restaurants like BRIO and Pelagia Trattoria that serve pasta that’s made in-house. Along with high-end chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and Doc B’s. Each of these restaurants has happy hours from 3-6pm each day. They include specials like 50% off drinks and apps and BOGO cocktails. No matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you can find it on Bay Street. Just avoid the many high-end shops including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Henri Bendel if you intend on ballin' on a budget.
Related Content: The Ultimate List of Tampa Happy Hours!
If you’re trying to get a weeks worth of nightly specials and happy hours here’s your ideal itinerary; there are so many cheap food and drink options you could build your week around it!
Monday- Maloney’s Bar for 25 cent wings after 8 p.m.
Tuesday- Taco Tuesday at Green Lemon - $2 tacos and $3 Coronas. Hospitality Night at Hyde Park Café No Cover and Happy Hour from 8 p.m -10 p.m.
Wednesday- Back to Maloney's for a $5 burger and $2.50 Bud Lights.
Thursday- $1 Beers at MacDinton's.
Friday- Happy hours in SoHo- MacDinton's 6 p.m.-8 p.m, Yard of Ale 8 p.m-10 p.m., Hyde Park Cafe 8 p.m.-10 p.m, The Dubliner 8:30 p.m-11 p.m. $10 all you can drink.
Saturday- Bodega in Downtown St. Pete for an authentic Tampa Cuban for under $10.
Sunday- Soho is the neighborhood to be seen in on Sunday mornings. You can stop by Cask, Ava or Ciccio Water for bottomless mimosas for $15-$20.
A cheap Spring Break in Tampa is spending so many nights at Happy Hours, it feels like a Happy Week!
Need more Things to Do or events during Spring Break the Tampa? Stick with 813area, and be sure register for free to get updates!
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