I recently began a gig at HotelsByCity. I get the opportunity to write and this time with a Tampa based theme. Since I do a good amount of eating, drinking and shopping, I presumed I was qualified to write about the lot. Check it out. And I believe them to be hiring in cities and towns across this great nation. You too can put your nights out at bars and your trips to museums to good use. Below is the first post and a link has been added on the left. C'est La Vie!
We spend our nights out here. Not with the intent to get drunk, though there is an intent to drink and we all know that leads to drunkenness. But here, there is more. So much more. It is where a lot of my Tampa life has happened and un-happened. Men, dates, break up's and sob stories. And food. A lot of nights revolved around the menu. All made and told at the counter of the bar. If any bar defines nightlife and a high life it is The Rack. I doubt I am alone. As the masses come pouring in at all hours. They serve lunch. And they stream out until closing time at 2:30 a.m. Often one of the hardest things about enjoying the time there is finding a parking spot. In the too small lot and the one way streets of South Tampa. Which is actually a really a good sign, as it means it brings in the people. So you can't complain. But as a combo dive bar, pool hall, sushi restaurant, sports bar, how could it not be crowded? Yup, you read that right, the Rack has all that to offer. And more. Located across Platt from Hyde Park Cafe, an ultra-sheik lounge where pretentiousness sticks to the wall, there is no lack of scenery, both spill over and outside, in the seating area that overlooks the front door of HPC. Another benefit of a night at the Rack. Especially one where the weather behaves in Tampa perfect quality.
The food is above average bar food and that does not do it justice. The sushi is grade A sushi quality, feeling fresh even at 1:30 a.m., when you don't. But the guy you met over Heineken's may be. Really that is another story and not one for this post. Aside from raw fish, there is the usual smattering of bar food, all beginning with the word fried. And all ending with delicious, since friend food is perfect. As well as pasta dishes, sandwiches, and a slew of appetizers. The bar tenders are proficient and well stacked, I mean stocked. All kinds of cocktails and top shelf so and so's to be delivered to your hearts content. For a hefty price that is. A recent Saturday night dirty martini run showed that Kettle One and olive juice cost $12.00. A price well worth, the six or so pool tables, the tremendous space in the bar for sitting, playing darts, plunking coins in the juke box, and overall enjoying your evening. Go on, get racked.
Labels: Everyday Life, HBC
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acaligurl said:
hey eb how kewl is that??? i always thought it would be a great job to get paid for eating out and writing a review about it.
**did't julia roberts do that in one of her movies...? i can't remember which one.- 7:43 PM
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Runner Girl FL said:
Very cool. You did a good job on the review as well. Good Job!!
- 6:00 AM
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JustRun said:
Very cool- good job!
I'm not sure they'd be interested in my city, but I'll check... always need an excuse to try some place new. :)- 6:17 AM
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anne said:
Thanks y'all. It is quite a bit of fun as you can imagine and it takes zero effort since I am out doing these things anyway.
- 8:32 AM
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said:
You have got to be kidding! You have a blog and post the same things on hotelsbycity! What a hack!
- 9:00 AM
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anne said:
Tampacool - thanks for stopping by and leaving insightful comments. If you actually read this post, you would see that I linked to HBC so that others can enjoy that site as well. The post on The Rack was written for them and cross posted here. But again thank you for your conclusions and thoughts.
- 10:13 AM
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megabrooke said:
Wow! Congratulations- that's exciting that you're doing this. You rock. I loved the post. I'm hungry now.
- 10:31 AM
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Pam said:
How fun!! Congrats!
- 11:54 AM
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said:
Yes, I read the post and saw you linked to HBC. I've seen your work before and know things about your writing that your blogger-worshippers don't know. Besides, you said it yourself.."it takes zero effort."
See you at The Rack and around town.- 1:26 PM
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anne said:
Tampacool - way to be a man and own up. Nothing says, I am angry and bitter, like anonymous comments.
I am still not sure how my use of HBC is of your concern, hackish or says anything about my actual writing. I don't see you putting yourself out there you can't even sign your name or give an e-mail address.
Needless to say, it takes a lot more effort than anoymous posting on someone else's blog. I am able to write freely and easily about doing things I enjoy and have found others who do as well.
Have a wonderful afternoon.- 1:33 PM
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acaligurl said:
way to go eb.!! the anonymous comments are chicken sh*t.
- 3:50 AM
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anne said:
Tampacool - I know you will come back because you can't handle not getting a reaction and you obviously care because you keeping back to see.
I am intentionally not posting your responses because you don't deserve the space. If you want to send me an e-mail privately feel free. Otherwise, get your own blog and say what you want there.
Again thank you for your interest and your wonderful insight to the dicussion.- 1:16 PM
