Bar Scene: Floyd's Nightclub

(Credit: Floyd's/Seminole Hard Rock)

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Tampa’s only hotel/casino combo is also home to the city’s only late-night club. Floyd’s, nestled in one corner of the huge Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is one hot little night spot. Ladies, throw on those stilettos, guys, gel up that hair, and make sure to tell your mom not to wait up…you’re going to be here awhile.

The scene: Because the 21-and-up nightclub is inside a tourist attraction, the clientele are an interesting mix of older visitors and younger locals. But even though a few of the patrons are old in age, everyone is young at heart. The club doesn’t really get going until 2am, but since it’s open until 6am on Friday and Saturday, and 4am on Thursday, it hardly matters. If you get there too early and decide against dancing by yourself in the middle of the empty floor, head back out to the casino and gamble, or hit up one of the plentiful bars throughout Hard Rock. You could even grab some dinner at one of the many on-location eateries. But make sure to come back around 2, because once the club gets going, it doesn’t stop until the lights go up. Floyd’s has a dress code, so no flip-flops, crappy t-shirts, or frayed shorts…for the guys, that is. It seems like the ladies can show up in pretty much anything (or pretty much nothing) and get away with it.   

The décor: Floyd’s is everything you could ever want in a swanky nightclub. There are long, thin benches, funky lighting, and a curtain-draped VIP area (call ahead for seating). There are a few different bars, but it’s usually much easier to be served at one of the small dance-floor-side cart bars where you won’t be fighting with everyone to get noticed. The selection is a little smaller, though, so if you want something complicated you’ll have to wait in line at the main bar. The dance floor is ample, so there’s plenty of room to run away from that not-so-hot person giving you the cutie eye. If you’re a terrible dancer, feel free to take some cues from the go-go girls that adorn four posts throughout the room. Their moves are hypnotizing, and you’ll find that you’re not the only one staring shamelessly.

The damage: The key to saving cash at Floyd’s is to get there early; ladies are free from 11pm to midnight, and $5 from midnight to 2am. Even guys get a break; $5 is knocked off the cover charge if you get there before 2am. Without the discount, covers range from $15 to $20, depending on the night. It would be a good idea to pay your cover and get your hand stamped before midnight, then get your drinks somewhere in the building while you wait for Floyd’s to pick up speed. There are usually drink specials before 3am, but after that it’s about $8 for a drink.

Insider tip: The complicated entry process at Floyd’s seems totally unnecessary, and I guarantee that you’ll need to have it explained once you get there. Instead of just walking up to the club and going inside, you have to stand in a different line (on the opposite wall) to have your ID checked, pay your cover charge, and get a wristband before you can start dancing. I know they want to keep the riff-raff out, but trying to get inside Floyd’s is almost as complicated as going through airport security. But the biggest thing to take away is this: don’t think you can stroll up at 11:57pm and get in free, because once you stand in line and get to the cashier, it might be past midnight.   

The bottom line: If you don’t mind dropping some cash and like dancing until the sun comes up, you should definitely give Floyd’s a try. The best part? Hard Rock Hotel’s restaurant serves up some mean Belgian waffles for your after-party.

Floyd’s at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

5223 N. Orient Rd.

Tampa, FL 33610

813.627.7676

www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com

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