Home to misfits, and an integral part of Ybor City, Reservoir Bar, celebrates 20th anniversary this month

Crowbar has a concert on Aug. 18, and then it’s pool, Malort and Mr. Purples all night at Res.

By Jourdan Ducat on Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 2:53 pm

Photo via reservoir_bar/instagram

Reservoir Bar in Ybor City, Florida.

Dust off those pool sticks and get ready to shoot some Mr. Purple’s because Ybor City’s Reservoir Bar celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

The 7th Avenue dive is a favorite among local pool sharks, artists and “misfits” and has become an integral part of the local community’s morale.

Reservoir Bar—located at 1518 E 7th Ave. and affectionately referred to as “Res” by regulars—has hosted many events that showcase local talent and is a proud ally to the LGBTQ+ community. When a member of the community needs help, Lisa and the rest of the crew at Res always step up to lend a helping hand, whether it be selling raffle tickets to cover a friend's unanticipated medical bills, promoting other local businesses on social media or helping to protect the Ybor chickens.

All this to say, these folks and the legacy they’ve created in Ybor City deserve to be celebrated, and they’re teaming up with local legend Tom DeGeorge and Death Metal Dave of Metal Messiah Radio to throw one hell of a party on Aug. 18.
The fun starts at a pre-party hosted by Crowbar, where thrash metal bands like local outfits Blood of Angels, Thrash Attack, and The Path. Clam Master Jay will sling the funky delicious grub that Ol’ Dirty Sundays denizens have grown to crave over the years.

Once the pre-party wraps up at 9 p.m., those still standing will take the three-minute walk over to the honorary Res and keep the party going until doors close at 3 a.m. The famous pool tables (late-Yonkers rapper DMX played pool here in 2019), will most definitely be hopping, the Malort will be flowing and the jukebox will be jamming. There’s bound to be a raucous mix of local musicians, pool players, drag queens, and everyone in between.

Come as you are, smoke em’ if you got em’—since Res is one of the last smoking bars left in Tampa Bay—then raise a glass to an amazing 20 years and the many years to come.

Tickets to the Reservoir Bar 20th anniversary pre-party at Crowbar in Ybor City on Sunday, Aug. 18 are still available for $20, and there’s no cover to keep partying at Res afterwards.

Slideshow

35 legit Tampa Bay dive bars you should get a drink at right now

Fox and Hounds British Pub 229 E Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-438-8913This Brandon staple is a cozy spot that claims to be the oldest pub in town. Locals come here to watch the game with a pint or have bites of a burger in between darts or pool. The dark wood furnishings and traditional decor will make you feel like you're actually across the pond, as will their traditional English breakfast (served on Sundays only). Photo via Fox and Hounds British Pub/Facebook

Anclote River Boat Club1761 Beckett Wy, Tarpon Springs The Boat Club, as regulars affectionately call it, is quite possibly the diviest bar on this list. If your car doesn’t bottom out trying to access the treacherous parking lot, you’ll notice an actual wood burning fireplace just inside the entrance for that one week it gets cold in January. The entire building seems ready to give way into the river it’s situated on, so you may feel buzzed before you’ve even had a beer. Bring some bug spray and enjoy a slightly cold domestic on the dock. Photo via ancloteriverboatclub/Facebook

Bar Mastiff4021 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg If you’re a longtime dive bar patron, you may have visited Bar Mastiff when it was known as Marsha’s Wayside Inn. The drinks start flowing here at 8 a.m., so it’s an apt place to get a hair of the dog from the spirited bartenders while listening to the regulars poke fun at each other. Every day from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. you’ll get a raffle ticket for each drink ordered, with a winner receiving a free drink on the hour.Photo via Google Maps

Beer Shed 11222 Casa Loma Dr., Riverview, 813-671-1885Situated right on the Alafia River, this is a great place to have a cold one on a nice day. It’s a beer-and-wine-only spot that provides carpet samples for you to rest your drink on and an adjacent snack shack that offers up BBQ on most days. This is definitely a good ol’ boys bar, so check your pretentiousness at the door and just relax. Photo via Beer Shed/Facebook

The Bends919 1st Ave. N, St. PetersburgTake a selfie for the @bendsbathroom Instagram account, then have a seat inside or out and enjoy what are lowkey some of the best cocktails—dive or not—in St. Pete. Stay late for any one of the always-free concerts in the shotgun style performance space in the back.—Ray RoaPhoto by Xebulon Emmz

Boardwalk Tavern 2600 54th Ave. N, St. PetersburgA dive in every sense of the word. The outside looks like something straight out of Roadhouse, hand painted signage and all. Once inside, you’ll find loads of smoke-stained memorabilia intermingled with assorted chairs, a pool table and random pieces of fabric strewn over windows. It’s cash-only and they only offer beer, but the regulars come up with some interesting picks on the TouchTunes that make for good conversation starters. Photo via Boardwalk Tavern/Google

The Dirty Shame 1929 E 7th Ave, Ybor CityThe Shame offers a decent selection of higher quality liquor (including the bartender’s personal favorite digestif, Underberg), as well as some great craft beer options on tap or to-go. You can smoke inside but the high ceilings and well ventilated bar room offer respite, as does the outdoor patio. It’s one of the last remaining bars that trusts its patrons with steel tipped darts and also has two pool tables. Photo via The Dirty Shame/Facebook

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