A new place for country music and Southern eats is getting ready to open on Ybor City’s historic 7th Avenue.
Saddle Bags will open out of a 13,000-square-foot, space at 2234 E 7th Ave., which is connected to an LLC affiliated with developer Darryl Shaw. The concept will specialize in Southern comfort food, live country music and a variety of affordable drinks. It's located right around the corner from popular concepts Columbia, Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food and Casa Santo Stefano.
According to its website, Saddle Bags will be “where Southern charm meets city nights,” with recent photos depicting its large stage area, dance floor and of course, a mechanical bull.
Saddle Bags is aiming to soft open in November, but is still waiting on one last permit to be approved by the city of Tampa.
Approved construction plans obtained through public records show that Saddle Bags will boast one main dance floor, two dining areas, three separate bars, a singular kitchen, a few waiting areas, a few pool tables, a mechanical bull, a large stage area and accompanying green room.
Its building plan also states that the massive bar and restaurant will have a total occupancy of 804 people.
While its menu has not been released yet, folks can soon expect hearty, Southern comfort food when Saddle Bags opens its doors later this year.
While Saddle Bags is technically zoned as a restaurant, some are concerned that it may be more of a music venue and nightclub instead.
Stephen Michelini, a Tampa-based consultant that’s assisting the new concept's ownership team, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that local residents should be assured that Saddle Bags will definitely function as a restaurant, in accordance with its zoning. He added that it will be a “fun, but not raucous place.”
A restaurant zoning means that at least 51% of Saddle Bags’ profits will come from food sales, and that its kitchen will be open during all operating hours, even during late-night performances.
While this soon-to-open hotspot shares the name of a popular country bar and venue in Savannah, Michelini says that Tampa’s will not be the same as Georgia's country music concept—although the logos of both locations seem to be exactly the same (a depiction of a woman riding a mechanical bull.)
Tampa's Saddle Bags owner Johnny Gosyne—who is also part-owner of the Savannah location—tells CL that while the two locations share a logo, they serve different functions in their respective cities. He points out that Savannah's Saddle Bags is strictly a music venue that only operates three days a week.
"We went above and beyond to bring something fun, decent and safe to Ybor City," Gosyne explains.
A WTSP article from last year reported that Saddle Bags’ Ybor parcel caught fire, and while no one was injured, it may have stalled its construction process.
Gosyne says that Saddle Bags's restaurant will be open from 11a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for a family-friendly brunch on Sunday, with its venue portion hosting live music from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. During these concerts, its kitchen will remain open from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. with a late-night menu.
Updated at 1 p.m. on 08/22/24: Added quotes and additional information from Saddle Bags owner Johnny Gosyne.
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Saddle Bags will open out of a 13,000-square-foot, space at 2234 E 7th Ave., which is connected to an LLC affiliated with developer Darryl Shaw. The concept will specialize in Southern comfort food, live country music and a variety of affordable drinks. It's located right around the corner from popular concepts Columbia, Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food and Casa Santo Stefano.
According to its website, Saddle Bags will be “where Southern charm meets city nights,” with recent photos depicting its large stage area, dance floor and of course, a mechanical bull.
Saddle Bags is aiming to soft open in November, but is still waiting on one last permit to be approved by the city of Tampa.
Approved construction plans obtained through public records show that Saddle Bags will boast one main dance floor, two dining areas, three separate bars, a singular kitchen, a few waiting areas, a few pool tables, a mechanical bull, a large stage area and accompanying green room.
Its building plan also states that the massive bar and restaurant will have a total occupancy of 804 people.
While its menu has not been released yet, folks can soon expect hearty, Southern comfort food when Saddle Bags opens its doors later this year.
While Saddle Bags is technically zoned as a restaurant, some are concerned that it may be more of a music venue and nightclub instead.
Stephen Michelini, a Tampa-based consultant that’s assisting the new concept's ownership team, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that local residents should be assured that Saddle Bags will definitely function as a restaurant, in accordance with its zoning. He added that it will be a “fun, but not raucous place.”
A restaurant zoning means that at least 51% of Saddle Bags’ profits will come from food sales, and that its kitchen will be open during all operating hours, even during late-night performances.
While this soon-to-open hotspot shares the name of a popular country bar and venue in Savannah, Michelini says that Tampa’s will not be the same as Georgia's country music concept—although the logos of both locations seem to be exactly the same (a depiction of a woman riding a mechanical bull.)
Tampa's Saddle Bags owner Johnny Gosyne—who is also part-owner of the Savannah location—tells CL that while the two locations share a logo, they serve different functions in their respective cities. He points out that Savannah's Saddle Bags is strictly a music venue that only operates three days a week.
"We went above and beyond to bring something fun, decent and safe to Ybor City," Gosyne explains.
A WTSP article from last year reported that Saddle Bags’ Ybor parcel caught fire, and while no one was injured, it may have stalled its construction process.
Gosyne says that Saddle Bags's restaurant will be open from 11a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for a family-friendly brunch on Sunday, with its venue portion hosting live music from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. During these concerts, its kitchen will remain open from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. with a late-night menu.
Updated at 1 p.m. on 08/22/24: Added quotes and additional information from Saddle Bags owner Johnny Gosyne.
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