The Independent

Bar, Eatery

5016 N Florida Ave
Tampa, Florida, 33603-2122
United States

(813) 341-4883 | map
independenttampa.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
18
pDev:
14.21%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of clayrock81
Reviewed by clayrock81 from Florida

3.93/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
Pretty laid back spot and went on a weeknight so got a seat outside and had a good time. People there are chill, the two bartenders on their game, prices are fair, beer selection has really good bottles you don't get elsewhere but they will cost you a little extra (but fair). Tap selection is good and overall I'd say the beer choices are just a notch under great (they have some duds on it). Would like to come back for a band and hopefully it's not overcrowded as it's a rather small place (and they keep the AC on freezing for some reason...just thought I'd mention that).
Sep 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.01 by tommy5 from Michigan

Feb 22, 2017
 
Rated: 4.2 by Nick_isthatstillcool from Florida

Sep 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Jan 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4.23 by mig100 from Texas

Oct 20, 2015
Photo of DUNDERBAK
Rated by DUNDERBAK from Florida

4.88/5  rDev +21.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
best of the heights, Changing selection of the best hand picked beers. You may think you are in Ghent with the Belgian selection.
Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.31 by RayReed522 from Florida

Jan 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Zhillsgator from Florida

Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by WynnO from Florida

Sep 20, 2014
Photo of One1Asterisk
Reviewed by One1Asterisk from Florida

4/5  rDev -0.2%
This is certainly a place to kill some beers. The food isn't bad at all, either. Very beer-savvy staff! I wish I had more to say but the night was a bit of a blur by this point. Unexpected stop on an unexpectedly wonderful night.
Aug 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by GuttaMane138 from Florida

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Lare453 from Florida

Mar 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by nickfl from Florida

Jan 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by stephensinner from Missouri

Jan 19, 2014
Photo of Gehrig
Reviewed by Gehrig from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
I have been to The Independent a few times while in Tampa, and have overall been quite pleased. It is a peculiar blend of wonderful beer, good people, and decent ambiance that has as much space outside as inside, making for enjoyable evening options once things cool down.

The atmosphere is pretty basic, with wooden benches and stools comprising the seating both inside and outside. Space takes top spot over comfort, but even when busy it is not difficult to find a spot to sit either inside or outside. The turbine-like fans outside can sometimes make chatter tough to hear, but it is easy to argue for their necessity given the heat most days.

The beer selection, both on tap and in bottles, is very extensive if expensive. The Independent offers a wide variety of tap selections, with approximately 15 different taps. Cigar City, a very good local brewery, is sure to occupy 1-3 taps at any given time. Usually one or two Belgian selections will be on tap, and The Independent caters to the seasons by choosing domestic and imported wheats, with bocks and other Fall selections to come. The bottled beer is quite varied, with Ommegang, Great Divide, DFH, Bell's, Founders, Clipper City, Victory, Paulaner, and other domestic and imported beers well stocked.

This place moves the beer, especially through the taps. In the three times I have been there, for a couple hours apiece, it has spent 6-7 kegs, with usually a different selection making it to the front. The beer is expensive to me, with a decent percentage of selections at least $7.

I like the bartenders quite a bit. They are knowledgeable on styles, friendly, quick, and last night one gave me 2/3 of a glass of Quad for free when the keg for that burped up its last wares.

The food is good enough, a variety of basic bar fare such as sandwiches that is neither overly expensive nor complex.

Overall, as long as you're willing to pay a good buck, customers should be impressed with the very good selections The Independent has to offer, and the fairly laid back atmosphere it provides. As far as beer places go in Tampa, The Independent ranks high.
Sep 16, 2011
Photo of jrallen34
Reviewed by jrallen34 from Illinois

2.74/5  rDev -31.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5
Rated an A+, I was very skeptical because it had 2 reviews and its a southern bar. However, it was .10 miles away from the Refinery (must go) where we were having dinner so I suggested to Sean9689 and the ladies we head here before dinner for drinks. If you don't read anything else, the next statement is all you need to know, don't waste your time... Located on a sleepy and not well lit street, I feel like I'm pulling in to a cantina in a foreign country. The Independent has a coffee shop then the beer bar. An outside patio that I'm sure is great during warmer moments, a small boring looking bar, tables to the back. The draft list is written on a chalkboard that is very hard to read due to its color and poor lighting. Upon reading it, maybe it was to disguise the crappy beers on tap. 12 lines of mediocre dribble I can get anywhere; Titan IPA, really? No local pours at all. The bottle list is about 40 bottles of equally accessible stuff, this time a whopping two local brews. What they do have is way overpriced... The bartenders weren't overly friendly, didn't engage long enough to know if they knew anything.

An average craft beer bar that need not be visited with CCB or Datz so close.
Mar 12, 2011
Photo of basscram
Reviewed by basscram from Maine

5/5  rDev +24.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
What a beer bar should be in Seminole Heights. Minimum 12 taps which are changed out with new brews on a weekly basis if not sooner. Okocim is kept regular on tap for those venturing in for a bud light(gasp).

Bottle selection is solid. Belgium and German bottles, as well as American craft brews. Beers are served as they should be, and in their respective glasses.

That said, this used to be an old service station(gas station) back years ago. The atmosphere is very easygoing, quiet music playing in the background. 4 single bathrooms. (worth mentioning and you'll see why) Nice lounge area with color changing lights, dart boards with chalk scoreboards, nice outside area with tables,chairs,benches, as well as inside. It's quite different from the normal bars.

Cafe attached has some pretty reasonable priced food, which is tasty and hits the spot when your having a pint or goblet of your favorite beer. coffee is also served too. Plenty of parking on both sides of the establishment.

If you wanna real crowded night, go on Friday nights, otherwise opt for a Saturday,Sunday evening, or even during the week for a more relaxed time.
Oct 01, 2010
Photo of kinglouix
Reviewed by kinglouix from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Great addition to the Seminole Heights area. Chimay on tap and about ten or more other top notch selections, only the good stuff! They also have beer specials and special events so it varies when you are there. I went there during October fest and they had half price Aventinus. Nice patio bar as well if outside is your think. Great German pretzels with mustard. Nice bottle selection. Worth seeking out! Modern atmosphere and non-smoking inside which is key!! This is one of the top five places to get a beer in Tampa.
Sep 30, 2010
The Independent in Tampa, FL
Place rating: 4.01 out of 5 with 18 ratings