The best bars & nightlife in Brandon

34 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Nightlife · 34 places · showing the latest additions first

Mandarin Heights

Nightlife

Mandarin Heights treats cocktails like a craft and a little bit of theatre, mixing timeless classics with inventive sips in a mid-century…

5901 N Florida Ave #6603 (Tampa)

“Mandarin Heights treats cocktails like a craft and a little bit of theatre, mixing timeless classics with inventive sips in a mid-century modern lounge with upbeat music and a unique vibe. They even roll out a fresh menu every Tuesday, so your go-to could change weekly.”

From the Wesley Chapel newsletter, August 4, 2026

Bad Monkey

Nightlife

Bad Monkey is the military-tinged sports bar locals claim as home base, with 20 TVs blasting every matchup, a laid-back patio, and a menu…

1717 E 7th Ave (Tampa) · ✓ checked Jul 31

“Bad Monkey is the military-tinged sports bar locals claim as home base, with 20 TVs blasting every matchup, a laid-back patio, and a menu built for impulse orders like burgers, tenders, and mozz sticks. Bring the crew this week, grab a cold one, and actually watch the game.”

From the Riverview newsletter, August 3, 2026

Exquisite Bistro

Nightlife

French-owned and right in Downtown St. Pete, Exquisite Bistro pours a handpicked lineup of 75+ bottles from around the world alongside…

397 5th St S (St. Petersburg) · ✓ checked Jul 28

“French-owned and right in Downtown St. Pete, Exquisite Bistro pours a handpicked lineup of 75+ bottles from around the world alongside gourmet charcuterie boards, elevated small plates, and artisanal flatbreads made for sharing. Keep an eye on their weekly tastings and pairings...”

From the St. Petersburg newsletter, August 3, 2026

Orlando Comedy Club

Nightlife

Orlando Comedy Club packs a true comedy room inside Calypso Bar & Grill near I-Drive with stand-up shows, local showcases, weekly open…

6300 Parc Corniche Dr (Orlando)

“Orlando Comedy Club packs a true comedy room inside Calypso Bar & Grill near I-Drive with stand-up shows, local showcases, weekly open mics, cocktails, and easy dinner-then-laughs momentum. Shake off the week, bring a buddy, and let the punchlines do the heavy lifting.”

From the St. Cloud newsletter, August 4, 2026

Run a Brandon business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

The Burg Bar & Grill

Nightlife

Pint-sized bar & grill offering burgers & sandwiches alongside many tap beers, plus outdoor seating.

1752 Central Ave (St. Petersburg)

“Pint-sized bar & grill offering burgers & sandwiches alongside many tap beers, plus outdoor seating.”

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill

Nightlife

Colorful, convivial sports bar featuring a varied craft-beer list, Irish pub grub & live music.

701 W Lumsden Rd

“Colorful, convivial sports bar featuring a varied craft-beer list, Irish pub grub & live music.”

The Wheelhouse

Nightlife

Casual eatery for burgers and tacos in a space with board games, plus a wide beer selection brewed on the premises.

7220 Central Ave (St. Petersburg)

“Casual eatery for burgers and tacos in a space with board games, plus a wide beer selection brewed on the premises.”

Dracula's Legacy Wine Bar & Bistro

Nightlife

Locally-owned wine bar offering a sizable list, plus tasting & pairing events in a cozy ambiance.

111 2nd Ave NE Ste 102 (St. Petersburg)

“Locally-owned wine bar offering a sizable list, plus tasting & pairing events in a cozy ambiance.”

Gasparilla Distillery & Cocktail Bar

Nightlife

Relaxed distillery, rum bar with in-house-made spirits and pirate-themed tasting areas for bottles and cocktails.

2102 E 4th Ave (Tampa)

“Relaxed distillery, rum bar with in-house-made spirits and pirate-themed tasting areas for bottles and cocktails.”

MacDinton's Irish Pub

Nightlife

Irish chow, live music & sports draw crowds at this convivial pub with an outdoor patio.

405 S Howard Ave (Tampa)

“Irish chow, live music & sports draw crowds at this convivial pub with an outdoor patio.”

bin + board WINE / CHEESE/ PROVISIONS

Nightlife

Relaxed-chic spot for charcuterie, cheeses, and small plates, plus wine flights.

807 W Bloomingdale Ave

“Relaxed-chic spot for charcuterie, cheeses, and small plates, plus wine flights.”

Good Night John Boy

Nightlife

Trendy bar with disco balls and a dance floor, specializing in 1970s-1980s hits.

16 2nd St N (St. Petersburg)

“Trendy bar with disco balls and a dance floor, specializing in 1970s-1980s hits.”

Wine on Water - Bar & Shop

Nightlife

Wine shop offering a range of bottles and glasses plus weekly themed events and live music.

1057 Water St (Tampa)

“Wine shop offering a range of bottles and glasses plus weekly themed events and live music.”

Paddy Wagon Irish Pub

Nightlife

Part of a local sports bar chain, this casual neighborhood bar features live sports on big TVs.

1911 W Brandon Blvd

“Part of a local sports bar chain, this casual neighborhood bar features live sports on big TVs.”

Ybor City Society Wine Bar

Nightlife

Wines, craft beers, small plates & desserts are served at this classy spot with outdoor tables.

1600 E 7th Ave (Tampa)

“Wines, craft beers, small plates & desserts are served at this classy spot with outdoor tables.”

La Vid Wine Bar

Nightlife

Relaxed wine bar supplying Spanish and Portuguese bottles to buy or drink on-site, plus charcuterie boards.

14610 N Dale Mabry Hwy (Tampa)

“Relaxed wine bar supplying Spanish and Portuguese bottles to buy or drink on-site, plus charcuterie boards.”

Hotel Bar

Nightlife

Watering hole with an old-school, cosmopolitan feel offering craft cocktails & artful bar bites.

200 N Tampa St (Tampa)

“Watering hole with an old-school, cosmopolitan feel offering craft cocktails & artful bar bites.”

The Study Wine & Bourbon Tasting Lounge St. Pete

Nightlife

Trendy venue with cozy atmosphere featuring self-serve wine taps and charcuterie boards.

3100 3rd Ave N (St. Petersburg)

“Trendy venue with cozy atmosphere featuring self-serve wine taps and charcuterie boards.”

St. Pete Comedy Club

Nightlife

Stand-up venue featuring local comics and guest appearances.

1745 1st Ave S (St. Petersburg)

“Stand-up venue featuring local comics and guest appearances.”

The Soho Backyard

Nightlife

Flashy eatery & bar offering tapas, flatbreads & elaborate burgers amid mood lighting & TV screens.

610 S Armenia Ave (Tampa)

“Flashy eatery & bar offering tapas, flatbreads & elaborate burgers amid mood lighting & TV screens.”

Dracula's Legacy Wine Bar & Bistro Tampa

Nightlife

Wine bar with charcuterie, flatbread, and other snacks, plus cocktails.

811 N Tampa St (Tampa)

“Wine bar with charcuterie, flatbread, and other snacks, plus cocktails.”

Engine No. 9

Nightlife

Chill American haunt featuring creative burgers, hot dogs & lots of craft beer, plus sports on TV.

56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N (St. Petersburg)

“Chill American haunt featuring creative burgers, hot dogs & lots of craft beer, plus sports on TV.”

The Hub Bar

Nightlife

Laid-back 1940s-vintage bar attracts a diverse clientele with strong drinks & an acclaimed jukebox.

719 N Franklin St (Tampa)

“Laid-back 1940s-vintage bar attracts a diverse clientele with strong drinks & an acclaimed jukebox.”

EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge

Nightlife

Bar serving craft cocktails, beer & snacks on a hip hotel rooftop with couches & skyline views.

1207 S Howard Ave (Tampa)

“Bar serving craft cocktails, beer & snacks on a hip hotel rooftop with couches & skyline views.”

Tampa Wine Room

Nightlife

Wine-by-the-glass or -bottle spot with a relaxing atmosphere featuring self-service pours, beer on tap and live music.

11724 N Dale Mabry Hwy (Tampa)

“Wine-by-the-glass or -bottle spot with a relaxing atmosphere featuring self-service pours, beer on tap and live music.”

Cru Cellars - Wine Bar

Nightlife

Sleek wine bar serving cheese & cured meats, flatbreads & small plates in sleek digs with a garden.

2506 S MacDill Ave (Tampa)

“Sleek wine bar serving cheese & cured meats, flatbreads & small plates in sleek digs with a garden.”

Maggiano's Little Italy

Nightlife

Semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.

203 Westshore Plaza (Tampa)

“Semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.”

Jekyll

Nightlife

Trendy bar in Hyde Park Village whipping up White Rabbits and other cocktails, plus eats.

705 S Oregon Ave (Tampa)

“Trendy bar in Hyde Park Village whipping up White Rabbits and other cocktails, plus eats.”

Hattricks

Nightlife

Set in a historic building, this hockey-themed sports bar joins comfort food, beer & game-watching.

107 S Franklin St (Tampa)

“Set in a historic building, this hockey-themed sports bar joins comfort food, beer & game-watching.”

1916 Irish Pub Brandon

Nightlife

Modern Irish bar with a warm atmosphere, live entertainment, and pub grub such as fish and chips.

906 W Robertson St

“Modern Irish bar with a warm atmosphere, live entertainment, and pub grub such as fish and chips.”

Bottle House Bar

Nightlife

Rollicking tavern offering daily happy hours as well as pool, darts & live entertainment.

5902 Gornto Lake Rd (Riverview)

“Rollicking tavern offering daily happy hours as well as pool, darts & live entertainment.”

L.F.G. Wine Bar

Nightlife

Cozy wine bar featuring a rotating list of high-end wines by the glass, plus snacks.

3225 S MacDill Ave #125 (Tampa)

“Cozy wine bar featuring a rotating list of high-end wines by the glass, plus snacks.”

Open Container Wine Bar

Nightlife

Casual kiosk in an outlet mall for Armenian wines that can be sampled, plus frozen specialties.

8200 Vineland Ave Unit 281 (Orlando)

“Casual kiosk in an outlet mall for Armenian wines that can be sampled, plus frozen specialties.”

WOB Bar & Kitchen Brandon

Nightlife

Hangout featuring 500+ global beers, lots of craft drafts & tavern food in pub digs with TVs.

2878 Providence Lakes Blvd

“Hangout featuring 500+ global beers, lots of craft drafts & tavern food in pub digs with TVs.”

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