Ybor City is a historic Latin Quarter and popular neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, both literally and culturally rich. Previously known as the cigar capital of the world and populated primarily by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, Ybor City stood out due to the gravity of its economic successes in the South. Because of its multiethnic community and mutual aid societies, Ybor City even stands out among other contemporary Southern communities. Ybor City State Park, The Cigar Museum and Visitor Center, and the TECO Line Streetcar System are its longest-standing preservations of history.
Eventually, the gentrification brought on by the arrival of artists led to the area’s development into a nightclub and entertainment district. Famous nightclubs include The Ritz, The Castle, Club Prana, Southern Nights Tampa, and Bradley’s on 7th. Offices and residences increased, and Ybor City became a National Historic Landmark District with many of its icons becoming part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Ybor City in Tampa (N'hood) - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do in Tampa and 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Tampa (Read all about Tampa here)
photo by Peter K Burian (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
What are the highlights of Ybor City in Tampa?
The Ybor City Museum State Park is a Florida State Park that resides in what was Ferlita Bakery. The museum’s exhibits center on the history of Cuban cigar and bread-making in Ybor City. The Cigar Museum and Visitor Center also focuses on the industry of Cuban cigars in Ybor City. The TECO Line Streetcar System is a still-operating, mobile preservation of Tampa’s streetcars.
For traditional art lovers, there’s the multi-disciplinary Silver Meteor Gallery, and for the fine art and framing aficionados, Home Port Gallery is the place to be. For fashion seekers, there are vintage shops such as La France and Revolve Clothing Exchange. Columbia Restaurant hosts a flamenco show, while Tampa Improv hosts stand-up comedy. The Honey Pot is a high-energy dance club popular with the LGBT community. The Ritz and Club Prana offer poll-topping prestige and professional DJs. New World Brewery is an affordable alternative, inviting musical newcomers onto the stage.
photo by Richard Mc Neil (CC BY 3.0) modified
Where to eat and drink in Ybor City in Tampa?
Ybor City is filled with diverse, delicious dining options. Across the street from Centro Ybor, Bernini of Ybor is well known for its authentic Italian cuisine. New York New York Pizza, Due Amici Pizza and Pasta Bar, and Casa Santo Stefano serve fantastic Italian food as well. La Segunda Central Bakery is known for its freshly baked Cuban bread and pastries. Flan Factory offers not only remarkable flan but also beef empanadas and mojo pork sandwiches. The old-fashioned Columbia Restaurant offers Spanish specialties, too, with paellas and all sorts of tapas.
Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que offers homemade Southern dishes such as pork sandwiches and ribs saturated with barbecue sauce. Coppertail Brewing Company offers a huge selection of beers to sample with sandwiches and bowl-style meals. Gaspar’s Grotto is a similar, but pirate-themed bar. Rasoi Indian Cuisine provides a similarly high-quality, high-end experience with Indian classics.
What else is good to know about Ybor City in Tampa?
The TECO Line Streetcar System is the easiest way to get to the attractions of Ybor City, operating late into the night on Fridays and Saturdays. The trolley runs every 15 minutes and includes detailed maps on board, generally saving time and money on navigation as well as parking. However, some stops aren’t announced, so it’s best to pay close attention to your surroundings when on the streetcar.
Annual events in Ybor City include Sant’Yago Knight Parade, Guavaween, Historic Ybor City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, and The Cigar Heritage Festival. Sant’Yago Knight Parade is a pirate-themed parade held 2 weeks after the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Guavaween consists of Halloween-related events every October, named for Tampa’s nickname of “The Big Guava”. Historic Ybor City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony began in 2010 and is held every November. The Cigar Heritage Festival celebrates Ybor City’s cigar-making history every December.
Ybor City in Tampa (N'hood)
Location: Tampa, FL, USA
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