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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
St. Pete's the best but Tampa's got the buzz. Why?
Posted by Aleka Phoenix on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Upon meeting most people i can't help but exclaim how much i love St.Pete, and i try to convince them that their lives will be better if they move here...
I have traveled and lived around, but i believe that St.Pete has been the place where i have found my peace and place the most. It's where everything has come together for me, like a little neat package.
I gush about the "potential" and current culture of the area, the opportunity for amazing things to happen, if only it would happen quicker! And if only they asked what i thought before they opened TWO "Ultra Lounges" (which no one seems to quite understand the meaning of)!
I deviate from my point here, but i need to mention that both PUSH "Ultra Lounge" and Vintage "Ultra Lounge" cater to the same damn crowd from Weds- Sun... on off days through the week the "club" might think about offering something different ...(hint hint i have some awesome ideas)...all people really want is GOOD music and to be able to dance without feeling like you're in a meat market.
So why, with all St. Pete has to offer, does Tampa have a hipper crowd of people with cool new businesses, stores and lounges opening?
I'd like to propose a question to readers...what could make St.Pete more progressive to hip metropolitans of Tampa and surrounding areas? What is St.Pete missing? What's working?
Comments (9)
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The biggest issue facing St. Pete (that can't be fixed) is the location. While Tampa is centrally located in the metro area to pull a little bit from N. Tampa, Lutz, Brandon, Clearwater and St. Pete as well as its own crowd. St. Pete is located farther west than many of the surrounding areas and therefore has a smaller population to attract. Don't get me wrong, I love St. Pete, but it is tough to drive 40-50 minutes to go drinking, only to have to cross the Howard Frankland to return. Just not the best idea when safety is a concern. -Kevin
I work and play in downtown St. Pete and live 7 minutes away. I hope Tampa DOES draw all the crowds of hipsters. I'm delighted with the laid back nature of our downtown, a place where conversation with friends takes precedence over thumping house music. The only thing St. Pete NEEDs is for people to stop trying to make it like Tampa. As much of an economic boon First Friday can be, most downtown "regulars" hate it and avoid that one day a month of chaos. I don't want that every day or even every weekend. I want to be able to get a table or a drink without waiting in line and screaming to staff who are too busy to smile.
There is actually a lot of people coming over from Tampa to live in DT St Pete because of the environment of downtown. People are sick of the steroid, faux hawk freaks in S Tampa; and the fake money hungry girls of the same area. St Pete is more chill and a lot less fake. Could it use some more places, yes. But remember how far it has come in 2 years, give it some time
I have no objectivity when it comes to this issue. I go to "SoHo" and want to throw up in my mouth. I have no reason for this reaction. I am just St. Pete to the motherfuckin' bone!
Amen,,,its good to have this discussion as I think we are far from reaching our cultural potential in St. Pete. For a while there Push was having an indie dance night but nobody came! The few ppl who showed were mainly from Tampa and friends of the very good DJ they hired. What ever happened to the film night on the roof with a projector screen idea? Also, I do not think there is enough collaboration w/event planners/venues and USF St. Pete. That campus is filled w/intellect, diversity, and money to spend...just take a look in the parking lots. I want to see a club form of the Independent...good music, beautiful people, young, old, but w/booze of course!
h, you totally have hit it. i feel like so many good ideas, (the movies on the roof, indie dance night, etc.) dont get the time to attact the crowd it needs to, they give it a few nights and then pull the plug, or dont have the right means to pull it off. its really a shame because there is a whole crowd of people who are able to spend money but want something more than what is going on in st.pete. why cant people take a risk on something different and give it a good effort? i've got plenty of resources and ideas...just not the funding so the perfect union would be a club owner to let someone else help them make some cool parties in the area, give the people with taste some places to go, dance, and drink.
Mass transit over the bridge is the only thing missing, but it is a major problem. Obviously, it is too pricey to take a cab, and not reasonable to promote partying in St. Pete and then driving home. Mass transit would save the public money by keeping the Rays in the Trop as well. Ferries would be one way to go, and some late night buses on the weekends.
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