So, it was a fitting story for their website that the nightclub began its journey to becoming a Tampa icon during Guavaween Ybor City's now-defunct Halloween celebration. Cover: Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. This made an impression of dark and weird. Soutullo and another manager, Sheri Shuttleworth, have been there since the beginning as well. ", Created by Javier Serrano180 items 14 followers. The only rules upon entry have always been, don't break any actual laws, and "be respectful.". YikesWhat happened to Thursday nights? 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Yes No Your relationship to the organization: Organization's Executive Director or President: About the Donation/Sponsorship Name and type of event: The event's goal: What will the donation/funds be used for? We control the first two parking lots on the map below. It stuck. "Tia the tattooed bartender in skimpy leather dominatrix wear in the upstairs bar, she's like a Castle Icon makes the best damned drinks in Tampa." . What kind of music is played on Saturday night? www.castleybor.com Cost: Varies by night & event. Could've been better. "Sure, I'll say it. Downstairs was entirely candlelit back then, and Kahana installed the "moat bar," the little river that still circulates through the surface where people set their drinks. Its decor is really cool . DNA and Tracks were gone long ago. The third is a City of Tampa garage which has plenty of spaces and is only a short three block walk. 0. more. Only a handful of people here and there in cool costumes or attire, and I witnessed them being picked on or laughed at repeatedly. [5] The clubhouse was constructed in 1930, opening in September of that year at 16th St and 9th Ave.[7][8] In 1968, the Cigar Makers Union of Tampa and Local 104 AFL-CIO Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders Union purchased the building for $38,000 as a new site for their Labor Temple (officially the Agrupacion Benefica y Cultural del Centro Obrero),[3] a place for the area's cigar and restaurant union workers to organize and engage in union activities. [11] In 2017, Christopher Spata of the Tampa Bay Times described the Castle as an internationally renowned nightclub, and "one of the premiere dance clubs for goth and industrial music on earth. You can tell their age when inside because they have a huge letter "X", drawn on their hand, and the place was FULL of them. It's just not that "goth" any more. "You're just another person when you come here," Kahana said. The service industry normally has a very high turnover rate. How old have you to be to get in the club? Spyder turned to her and said, "the only way we can defeat them is together," then dropped to a knee and proposed. CASTLE MEGASTORE - 196 Photos & 37 Reviews - Yelp The Castle has had many well-known patrons over the years. Another great multilevel dance club is The Castle in Ybor City. And now you know **Please share this video and make sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button for more videos - it's free goodness** Check out their site. Join Escape the Vault for the next installment of Castle Cosplay Night! Steve Guttenberg sticks out in Soutullo's mind. How tacky. [12], Upon opening, the Castle operated on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. History 1930-1980s: As a clubhouse and Labor Temple The Castle was built in 1930 in the Ybor City Historic District, located in the neighborhood of Ybor City in Tampa, Florida. The Castle. All the rest Copyright 2023 by. Open 10:30pm-3 am Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. Kahana opened the place as a saloon where people would drink scotches and specialty martinis. How do they make money with teens that can't buy alcohol is my question. [10] Though the Castle now hosts DJs, music in the original Castle bar was provided by a jukebox. [4] It began its tenure as the second Agrupacion Benefica y Cultural del Centro Obrero building in 1968, when Ybor City's previous Labor Temple building, a nearby white-stuccoed structure built in 1925, was demolished. With 3 different areas for music and 5 areas to hang out and 5 nights to choose from, the Castle offers . Open: Friday and Saturday. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Nothing really stuck, but the place had a look. Kevin C. said: Went to millers ale house by the airport and stopped by the outside read more, Dianna B. said: Came here after getting a massage from a friend, and we were a bit read more, Lisa K. said: Let me start this review off by saying, I am not sure why there are all read more, Daniel S. said: My wife and I had dinner here last night and the food was awesome as read more, Rohit A. said: It's all fun and there is no reason why you wouldn't enjoy this place. read more, Darlene C. said: I went here because I heard they had amazing hamburgers and they hit read more. https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/music/2023/06/21/tampa-goth-the-cure-the-castle-snl/?fbclid=IwAR2KHhnU372lCMnRPW0ddliUsyms7bpxv-OulODzNhkXo6e6A2Ru0M_U9lo. "Instead we let them go upstairs and scatter some more on the dance floor. THE CASTLE - 94 Photos & 135 Reviews - Yelp Its a fun experience. $5 for 21+ No Cover Before Midnight. That incident turned out to be mostly overblown, but in the interest of preserving the club as a place for everyone, management reiterated a zero tolerance policy for hateful symbols or actions. Club Entry : The Castle Lightning are less fun without Killorn and Maroon, but theyre not dead yet, Acropolis Greek Taverna closes downtown St. Petersburg location, A collection of 80,000 photos documents Tampa history from 1950s-2010s, Tampa Pig Jig will bring Brad Paisley and Riley Green as headliners, Midtown Tampa restaurant Ponte offers a $39 martini and solid fine dining, Michelin Guide gives 2 more Tampa restaurants a Bib Gourmand distinction. Steampunk Ball: "ELECTRO STEAM" - Castle Ybor So, get there early and wear comfortable shoes! The music now 100% reflects it's clientele. She was Rogue, her boyfriend, Spyder Prime, was Gambit. ", Manager Robert Soutullo, who has often worked the front door over the years, said there's a reason. They have talented dressers around the entire building that are sure to get you in the mood to bust a groove. The management heard he worked at the Castle, and let the group in free. Easily the best club spinning industrial - anywhere. The building underwent interior redesigns by designer Susan Johnson to more resemble a medieval castle. This makes me sad, as this is certainly one of the most uniquely designed clubs out there with their two levels, different dance "rooms", theme, etc. It was actually late summer of 1992 when Alan Kahana opened a new bar downstairs in the historic Cooperative El Primero Progresso, or "Labor Temple," built in 1930 as a place for Ybor City's cigar and restaurant workers to organize. The Castle is a nightclub in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, United States, associated largely with the goth subculture. The girl at the door who checks your ID, said nothing but acted nasty like she hated life and the manager who was overseeing they "pay station", was rude to like everyone. I think it will be there another 25 years.". This is not your average place. Adding in the idea of strong drinks, from a diverse selection of single malt scotches, small batch bourbon, aged tequila and an eclectic mix of beers from around the world didnt hurt either. [4] The previous Labor Temple building was sold to Urban Renewal for $48,000 in November 1967 and was demolished in 1968. The Ybor City (pronounced ee-bore) is essentially the old town part of Tampa and is laid out like a grid with some streets one way and other's two ways. The Castle opened on Guavaween in 1992 as a small saloon with a determined goal: create a great place that all of our friends would like to visit. There have been a few weddings, too, as well as a few memorial services. The Castle is a dance club and bar located in Ybor City. Practically a routine by now. [2] During the 1990s, the Castle experimented with hosting acid jazz nights, swing revival nights, and gay dance nights, as well as live bands and house music. Do shots with the Red Room guys. Juice & Drinks Brews & Cafe Cocktails Booze eats. $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ Mediterranean Greek Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian International Vegetarian Friendly, $ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, Teenage frat party with pop music, bitter staff, overpriced watered down drinks-bigtime, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The Castle in Ybor still open? : r/tampa - Reddit The Castle was recently accused of allegedly allowing Nazis into their club. [5] "Everyone is welcome, nothing is taboo" are the words we live by. [2] In the saloon area, Kahana installed the "moat bar", a river that courses through the countertop of the bar. Creative Loafings Best of the Bay Best Cosplayer 2019 and 2020 Jack Rozsa will be joined by Elise Wynter and TalleyCraft Cosplay yet[], Tampa Bay Times Article As The Cure and other alternative bands make their way to Florida, a flourishing subculture is ready to welcome them. Cover: TIP WELL! Stay away from this establishment, it needs to go under for good. It was covered in ugly wood paneling and had a ceiling riddled with bullet holes. 2004 N 16th Street Tampa , FL 3.66. Every week. The live DJ plays Anime along with his music, so if you're into that, you're going to love the Castle. I went the other week and when standing in line with a few friends (our ages range from 26 - 38). It has been said every night is Halloween at The Castle. The Castle is a multilevel bar and dance club with music from new wave to pop & a crowd dressed from Goth to fetish. The Castle (Tampa) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2023), Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District, Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown, Affordable modern luxury - 2 BD / 2 Baths in YBOR City - Downtown Tampa, Frontdesk | Modern Studio in Walkable Area, View all hotels near The Castle on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near The Castle on Tripadvisor, Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels in Tampa, Hotels near Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa, Hotels near Museum of Science and Industry, Hotels near St. Petersburg Intl Airport (PIE), Motels near St. Petersburg Intl Airport (PIE), Hotels near Artistic Nails & Beauty Academy, Hotels near International Academy of Design & Technology, Hotels near International Academy of Merchandising and Design, Hotels near Manhattan Hairstyling Academy, Hotels near Brewster Technical Center Tampa, FL, Hotels near Remington College - Tampa Campus, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Historic Ybor, Glazer Children's Museum: Tickets & Tours, Tampa Bay History Center: Tickets & Tours, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: Tickets & Tours, The Deathly Dark Ghost Tour of York: YorkMix Award Winner 2023, PRIVATE San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao, Four Park Pass with Q-Fast - Dubai Parks and Resorts, Honey and Cacao Mayan Sanctuary from Tulum, Maui Magical Waterfall and Jungle Tour (Road to Hana), Kaneohe Sandbar Snorkeling Tour / Afternoon, New York Eats Experience: Brooklyn Food, History & Culture Tour, UTV or ATV to Aruba's Secret Beach and Cave Pool Adventure. Chris Kattan created the idea, but SNL writer Dennis McNicholas, who had lived in Tampa and had seen the goth scene, was the reason the sketch was set in Tampa. The Best 11 Bars in Ybor City [2023 June Update] - Nightflow My taste for dancing is goth and industrial so this club fit the bill . I've given it way too many chances and will spend my money elsewhere. Friday: 10:30pm - 3:00am Entertainers and musicians have stopped in often over the years. He told her they were going to battle some Marvel villains on the dance floor. A 2019 'Star Wars' party at The Castle in Ybor City, Florida. DOWNSTAIRS: Hosted by Bobby Digital, keeping it real all night long with your favorite hits from Punk, Rock, Pop, Soul, Hip Hop & More! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Snooze A.M. Eatery: Breakfast & Brunch Food & Drink Menu The place has a lot of regulars, but it's pretty, Went for one of their 80's Video Nights, and I'm kicking myself in the, They do a good job at creating a safe space where everyone can have good time (whether you're a. An Alternative club set up to look like a gothic castle of Eastern Europe. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Endless Night: Tampa Vampire Ball 2023 - Saturday, May 20th. The Castle opened on Guavaween in 1992 as a small saloon with a determined goal: create a great place that all of our friends would like to visit. ", "Order a mini guinni from mama. Bartender kept the drink flowing free without request. I've visited this club on and off for just over ten years when I'm in town. [13] By 2003, the Castle held "retro '80s" nights on Mondays and Thursdays, with goth-themed nights on Fridays and Saturdays. [14] The Castle currently operates on Friday and Saturday nights. Ordering Absinthe at The Castle in Ybor Florida - YouTube That seemed to be a better place to hang out forever than the foyer.". I've been here a few times on my travels and was really excited for the steampunk event tonight and dressed up and went the whole nine yards but the music is so disappointing, think 1920's Felix the Cat all night!! The place has a lot of regulars, but it's pretty, Went for one of their 80's Video Nights, and I'm kicking myself in the, They do a good job at creating a safe space where everyone can have good time (whether you're a. To start, I've been going to this club for four years now. I was in a club in Arizona and someone told me going to the Castle was on their bucket list." ", "Tuesday nights drink free till 11pm. Someone yelled, "The X-Men, we gotta fight!" The low lighting really adds to the atmosphere here, and to make it even better, the drink specials throughout the week are unbelievable. Plus use our free tools to find new customers. 18+. Landsman can remember arriving at a nightclub in Greece with a large group of friends. If you want to stay the night we have relationships with two very nice locations: Ybor City Hampton Inn There is also a great beer and wine list here. A lot of people are dressed up in gothic or a type of sleazy or dark costume. The Castle, a documentary currently filming in Tampa Florida The Castle in Ybor : r/tampa - Reddit Get ready for whats next, The Claws closing at USF reminds us of other area sports venues we miss. I enjoyed my time, i love it there. UPSTAIRS: Hosted by DJ Tom Gold. (813) 247-7547. castleybor.com. Part of that longevity comes from a fiercely loyal following that calls itself family, but the club still draws a new, younger crowd to its various parties '80s nights, Star Wars nights, cosplay events, steampunk and vampire balls. Location. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. $6 for 18-20 Crowd is great, but sometimes people can start drama, but who doesn't have that in their life? There will be a VIP "Tampa Vampire Salon" the Vampire Salon Noir hosted by Johanna Moresco of Subculture "My friends were like, 'You're the only one who could travel across the world, and still get us into a club for free'.". There's not a level of aggression there like I've seen at other clubs. The city is home to annual Goth. [4], In 1992, the ground floor of the Castle building was bought by Alan Kahana and reopened as a saloon on Guavaween. Seemed like most kids there got way drunk prior to arriving. That warm fuzzy feeling delivered to you in liquid form with no calories. "Everyone is welcome, nothing is taboo" are the words we live by. Some were stumbling around and falling over. This club plays a decent mix of dark 80s , electronic, goth ,industrial and a couple more sub genres. What an awesome place. So we were trying to bring new attention to Ninth Avenue. I wish the Castle would have one area at least, for industrial music and goth only. Tiki Boat - Downtown Tampa - The Only Authentic Floating Tiki Bar, Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket, Guided Tampa Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart, 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry, Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show in St. Petersburg, Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures, Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City, 2.5-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg, Now a days? "That's the appeal of the Castle," Prime said. The Castle operates as both a bar and a nightclub and is one of the most emblematic establishments in Ybor City. When Castle regular John Allman traveled the U.S. he'd seek out the alternative club in whatever city he was in. Come with friends or come to meet some new ones! Verify to immediately update business information, respond to reviews, and more! The Castle is one of Ybor City's best and most iconic venues, serving as a bar and a nightclub. It's gone down hill. A killer jukebox supplied the music for a few years, before Djs were added to spice up the varied genres that the Castle royalty required. Quickly becoming the place to be in Tampa for the best international DJs. Home Services The Castle 135 reviews Unclaimed $ Dance Clubs, Bars Closed See hours See all 94 photos Nightlife Dance Clubs The Castle Write a review Add photo "The place has a lot of regulars, but it's pretty Location & Hours Suggest an edit 2004 N 16th St Tampa, FL 33605 Ybor City Get directions You Might Also Consider Sponsored Topgolf 841 25 years later, the Castle stands alone as Ybor's goth mecca [1] Founded in 1992 by Alan Kahana, The Castle features multilevel dance floors, bars, various live DJ performances, and hosts costume parties and themed events 80s nights, Star Wars nights, cosplay events, steampunk and vampire balls. Location: 9th Ave & 16th St. Ybor City, FL. Get a tall long island from Doug sit back & enjoy. Today it houses the club's main dance floor. Kneaders Bakery & Cafe This drink is extreamly strong. Adding in the idea of strong drinks, from a diverse selection of single malt scotches, small batch bourbon, aged tequila and a eclectic mix of beers from around the world didnt hurt either. Castle Cosplay Night Lucky XIII:RETURN TO RAPTURE Saturday, July 29th, Endless Night Tampa Vampire Ball Friday, May 19 Saturday, May 20th, Castle Cosplay Night Lucky XIII: RETURN TO RAPTURE 7/29, Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District. 18+. [2] An area on the ground floor that was previously used as offices for a cigar workers' union is now known as "the Dungeon", a dance and party space decorated in skulls and chains. Pros: there are so many awesome people and so much amusement, These bars host the best watch parties in Tampa. Tampa, FL 33605 Ybor City Rate and review . 3 star rating. LUIS SANTANA | Times Hundreds of patrons of all races and sexual orientations gather to dance and be social at the Castle nightclub on a rainy Friday night in Ybor City. Finding the right vibe indoors took longer. Events 80'S VIDEO NIGHT in the Dungeon Event Date: Every First FRIDAY 22:30 Location: Tampa, FL Venue: The Castle 80'S VIDEO NIGHT in the Dungeon @ The Castle Friday, December 3rd downstairs in the Dungeon at The Castle in historic Ybor City, an 80's music + video night with VJ Jason Barco. I tipped $2, because I always tip, but this was insane. Regulars will tell you the recurring "Goth Talk" sketch from Saturday Night Live was a reference to the Castle, and there may be something to that. Skye's expert . Early on, Landsman threw a rave in the upstairs space that was then used for union workers' birthday and retirement parties. 0. Check out Rob upstairs and Doug and Marlene down stairs for awesome drinks! There was no DJ, just a jukebox. This place always ends up being a fun time! Playing Industrial/Goth/EBM/ Electro/Noise and Synthpop. Recommended Reviews. The Castle opened on Guavaween in 1992 as a small saloon with a determined goal: create a great place that all of our friends would like to visit. (813) 347- 7547. $4 for 21+ [2] Kahana eventually purchased the entire building and remodeled the upstairs space, which now houses the Main Hall, the Castle's main dance floor. Totally worth a trip to this famous place. Read our. I don't recommend you go on Mondays it's always dead & no fun at all. Adding in the idea of strong drinks, from a diverse selection of single malt scotches, small batch bourbon, aged tequila and a eclectic mix of beers from around the world didn't hurt either. Sooo good! "They'll go nuts.". Make sure to get a drink from my main man Dan downstairs. Download Foursquare for your smart phone and start exploring the world around you! The 15 Best Places with Good Service in Tampa, The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Groups in Tampa. Marci Richter, who along with Christopher Spires is half of the photography team Drunk Camera Guy, says taking photos there for the past decade has been more like "shooting a living art gallery" than a nightclub. 6 Posted by1 year ago Archived The Castle in Ybor still open? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Ybor City's Best Nightlife: Nightlife in Tampa This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Fun people and good music. Who goes out to see that crap? Celebrities get treated like everyone else. The club has even celebrated the Senator's birthday as an official event. The Castle welcomes every guest, whether you are dressed in goth fashion or clubwear. The Castle became known as one of the premiere dance clubs for goth and industrial music on earth. 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