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    Friendly Tavern

    3.5 (199 reviews)
    ModerateKaraoke, Bars, American
    Closed 8:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

    Friendly Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    FRIENDLY TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Karaoke
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Friendly Tavern

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    Reviews With Photos

    The sign to greet you
    Matt R.

    "Friendly Tavern" isn't just a name...they really are super friendly and fun! This is an intimate place, with a nice cooled indoor area and a tiki bar right out front. The food is great (try the cheesesteak), the drinks are cold, and everyone is just having a good time. This is a short walk across from the beach, so it's perfect to fuel up and quench your thirst before or after a day of sun. Pro tip, check out trivia on Wednesdays, it's a blast!

    About Friendly Tavern
    Chris S.

    Great food, beautiful new remodel job, good service. We've been going to this place for years but of course, it was badly damaged after Hurricane Helene came through last year (it is right across the street from the Gulf). New owners took over and did a fantastic renovation, beautifully updating everything and keeping the tiki bar, as well as the beach vibe! We went for breakfast which was great, and are looking forward to trying the lunch/dinner menu soon.

    Sara W.

    A tavern with no taps is interesting. Just bottles and cans. And there is no list to see. They have outdoor seating on the front deck. But they allow cigar smoking where the tables are. And with the front door open, it went right into the dining room. Luckily, someone shut the door because they were cold. It took a while. Enough the waitress told us they sent another guy to the kitchen to help out. There was only us and another table. I got a chicken ceasar salad, and my partner got the buffalo chicken wrap. 16 minutes later, they came out to say they were just waiting on the wrap. And yes, the other table had their food. 8 minutes later and it came out and was incorrect. Only one of us got a silverware set since I got a salad, and there was no other napkin for my partner. We noticed some tables had paper towel holders, but ours did not. It took me a while to get the waitress to come back to inform her the meal was incorrect. It was the salad. I said no dresses, and it was completely tossed in italian, not even ceasar. At that point, my partner was done eating with my help attacking his fries, and my patience had run out. It should not take hours to eat a simple meal when they are dead. I informed her of the issue and kindly asked her to remove it from my bill, which it was obvious it was not touched. I got a huge eye roll, and she walked away with it. They did remove it from our bill. My partner said the wrap was subpar, not hot, which is odd for the fact we waited for it. We do not need to go back ever. Friendly, they were not.

    Gorgeous sunset that I watched at the sugary sand beach right across the street through the parking lot from Friendlys Tavern
    Erin V.

    Great little dive bar right on the Madeira Strip beach in Fl that is also right across the street from a breathtaking beach that offers the most picturesque sunset views I've ever seen! It doesn't have a lot of parking available but it does offer friendly, fast service, outdoor seating, good food at a good price and often has entertainment like karaoke, trivia and live music - definitely a hidden treasure of Florida's Gulf Coast!

    Outdoor patio bar/grill

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    2 months ago

    Service was excellent. Loved the vibe. Didn't feel like I was the oldest in there or the youngest.

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    3 months ago

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    7 days ago

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    3 months ago

    Great experience, great service, great food for a fair price and a perfect sunset outside the front window. I will be going back

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    5 months ago

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    11 months ago

    The food was good and the karaoke was fantastic. Great pub with great stuff and patrons.

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    1 year ago

    post that you're still closed and not near opening! We came a long way to spend NYE here and it looks like nothing has been done.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food and amazing service. Would recommend trying the burger or Philly cheesesteak

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    3 years ago

    I would not recommend this place. The food was mediocre at best. Overpriced on what you get.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Fish sandwiches were amazing! Bartender and music selection terrible! Wow great way to drive away business,

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Chris the bartender was fantastic. He's very personable. Prices are fair, the food is great.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Friendly Tavern

    For breakfast, do you serve pancakes?

    They do, former cook and there is pancakes along with French toast.

    Do you have karaoke on Friday nighr?

    Of course

    How long do you serve breakfast?

    Monday - Saturday 8AM - 11AM Sunday 8AM - 1PM… Read more

    View All 6 Questions

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    Tomfoolery Lounge - Kareoke night on Thursday at Tomfoolery Lounge in Largo, Fl

    Tomfoolery Lounge

    3.8(12 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $

    I can't comment on the food as I don't think they serve food but they have a cigarette machine…read more Does that count as food? I think it was $12 a pack. Well if you don't like smoking, don't come here. We don't smoke and had to wash our clothes immediately and shower before bed. Was it worth it? Yes. It's an interesting mix of folks but the common thread is everyone wants a good time!! Our server was amazing!! I'm not sure if they have karaoke every night but they did on Friday and it was a hoot! We'll be back!!!

    This is a smoking bar so there will be sometimes people smoking cigarettes, cigars or black and…read moremilds but they tend to open the doors (from the front and back) and have the AC running constantly. The bartenders dont take shit but are very caring and sincere. If you come here make sure you show your ID to the bar when you walk in as well. The bathrooms are always clean and if someone goes a little too hard and makes a mess, just mention it to Gina and she'll handle it in between quickly. There are a lot of regulars but 99.9% are welcoming from the front by the stage to the back of the bar stools. Drinks are cheap, I believe its 2$ beers and you can bring food in from outside if you are hungry (or door dash). The KJ (kareoke dj) is fantastic and one of the best in the business. Johnny will adjust the sound settings and mic to make sure you sound good, just don't say, "f*ck" on the mic and youre good. Its a house rule given out by the owners of the bar and is the only word you can not say on the mic. If you want to sing, just talk to him and he'll put you into the rotation with some amazing singers and some more entertaining ones. Everyone here just likes to unwind and have a good time, there's an atm if you need cash or want to tip cash and a cigarette machine that works. Ive been going here for years and many of the nights feel as if one is at a concert lineup with the talent that walks on and off the stage (Holden, Dom, Johnny, etc). As a woman ive felt very comfortable at this bar but also if you leave your drink unattended, Gina the bartender will make sure when you walk away that its moved to where she can get better eyes on it while you step out. Theres sports constantly playing on half of the TVs (about 6 or 8 total) that show hockey, football, and whatnot. Theres one pool table and you need quarters but the bar will give you change. Kareoke nights are tues 8 pm - midnight, fri. and sat. are 9 pm - 1 am. On majority of major holidays (Halloween, fourth of July, st Patrick's day) this place will have kareoke on a non kareoke day as well. If youre not sure and want to check just call the number from the Google listing. Lastly, if you want to do kareoke, be respectful to the kj, his demeanor can be sweet or grumpy like squidward but he is genuine and will do his best to make you look good. On occasion he'll sing with you if you need a duet partner and he is very good!

    Photos
    Tomfoolery Lounge - Kareoke night singer with Jon Laidlaw as the dj

    Kareoke night singer with Jon Laidlaw as the dj

    Tomfoolery Lounge
    Tomfoolery Lounge - Room filled with regulars, passerbys and singers at karoeke from the view of the front table by the stage for kareoke

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    Room filled with regulars, passerbys and singers at karoeke from the view of the front table by the stage for kareoke

    CJ’s Backstage - CJ's Stage angle shot

    CJ’s Backstage

    3.8(58 reviews)
    6.6 miTyrone

    Date of Visit: 11/08/2025 5:30pm…read more After some shopping at the mall the wife and I were wanting to grab a beer somewhere. As we were heading out the parking I mentioned CJ's across the street. We have never been there before but friends of ours do play there once in while. So that's where we headed. As others have stated there is plenty of parking, in the main lot and in back. We parked in the main lot. Walked inside an immediately notice this was a place for music. No bands were playing since it was early. Found a spot at the bar, may have been ten others sitting at the bar. There was only one bar tender working the bar and she was working it. She came and saw us right after sitting and got our drink orders. Not sure if we wanted to eat but we still looked over the menu. We decided to get some food. I noticed they do a smashburger and I am always up for a that. The wife has been watching what she eats and decided on the chicken strips. The food didn't take long to arrive and both looked very good. My burger was done right, double cheesesmash with LTO just the way I like it. I got fries with it as well and I must say these were some mighty good fries. My wife really liked her chicken strips too. They were not battered and not overly fried, still very moist on the inside. She has been trying to stay away from overly fried foods and these were not overly done. I believe she ate them all as well. Since it was early there were no seating issues like I have read from others. And if your a car person they do a last Sunday of the month breakfast buffet and car show in the morning. Looking forward to that. All I can say is give this place a try. May have to go in the evening and listen to some live music. Peace.

    Miss the old Cj's on the island before it was torn down. I think we all miss it. This location is…read morekind of ok. Not great but worth going to. Really isnt the sale being off the beaxh. The music is ok sometimes here. The waiters and waitresses are always on point here perfect though I can say that much. Wont go here as much as the island but will still pop in once in awhile

    Photos
    CJ’s Backstage - Karaoke at CJ's with DJ Zoe!

    Karaoke at CJ's with DJ Zoe!

    CJ’s Backstage - Bar seating with plenty of TV's.

    Bar seating with plenty of TV's.

    CJ’s Backstage - Inside table seating.

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    Inside table seating.

    RockHouse LIVE

    RockHouse LIVE

    3.3(70 reviews)
    9.8 miClearwater Beach

    After a few long days at a recent conference across the street, this is the place we closed down…read morenightly - food, drinks, beers, shots and on one night we rocked the house karaoke. The staff here was extremely friendly and with that said somewhat efficient, they were almost indistinguishable from the customers, so it was a party every night not just a group of employees waiting tables and tending bar. We had originally picked this spot out of convenience but after one visit it quickly became our dive bar to go after the hotel bar closed to extend the evening. We did enjoy some eats during one early afternoon visit, the bar food sampler, included mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, onion rings and fried pickle spears all delicious. I can definitely recommend this spot if you're staying in the area and want to enjoy a few refreshments and a good time...

    Ok. So this place is making the most noise on this street, so we decided to check it out…read more The service was with a smile, but slow at 8pm. Food was just regular pub food, wings, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, nothing special. The girl behind the karaoke had a good voice, and the few participants kept us there a little longer. The reason why we didn't stay is bcuz no one bothered to ask us if we wanted a refill on our drinks, not once!!! There was 4 of us with 3 of us who ordered alcohol, and no one asked, so we asked for the bill. That is the reason for the 3 star review. You're basically a bar. Why aren't u asking the 50 somethings, but the 20 somethings that were literally dancing around people's tables had drinks in their hands the whole time. I will pass next time I'm around

    Photos
    RockHouse LIVE
    RockHouse LIVE
    RockHouse LIVE

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    The Parrot - Halloween fun

    The Parrot

    3.8(9 reviews)
    56.2 mi
    $

    Came here on a Saturday night. We arrived at about 10:30/11 and they announced that the drag show…read morewould be starting soon. So, we got drinks (I got water. It was everything I hoped water would be BUT my friends said the drinks were good), went to the bathroom (It was clean and has a full length mirror ), walked around (there's another little bar area and an outside patio in the back), and danced (fun music). The drag show was so fun! These queens are beautiful and they came to DANCE. Just to emphasize, it was so much fun! I've been completely underestimating this place. It's got that same fun vibe of any gay club in the larger cities. I reopened my yelp account to write THIS review because I think Lakeland's been sleeping on this place. The 4/5 stars is only because smoking is allowed inside.

    Was here last night, had a good time. Came to do my meet n greet with my new adventure. Had two…read morebeers sense I don't allow myself to go to wild on the first night. Couple if locals were inside. Bar tender we had was a charming playful gentleman. Sense i came more for my company than the place, i chose to focus my whole being on them so I didn't take pictures. I will definitely be back to give it an honest full package review. They got karaoke, a pool table n a nice outdoor patio with privacy walls. I didn't go back out sense it really takes half of beer to get me drunk. I wasn't gonna flop like waffle into the floor. I think 2 hours in we saw more gentlemen come in and madams also. It is a nice chill spot. No drama, just a bunch of folks getting wrecked on the $15 drink all night special n singing karaoke. I never done karaoke but i promise i will next time. Ima bring my cat-girl super power out! How was the date? Definitely moving forward with the conquest! We after party n i got home around 3am lol so i had a blast. I will come back during pride to, want to see how Lakeland celebrates it. Do I recommend this place? Hell yeah! Lot of good looking dudes, fun staff, karaoke n pool tables. What else do u need? Take a drink n mingle my lovely's, have a blessed day n may the shenanigans goddess bless your miss adventures!! Xoxoxo

    Photos
    The Parrot
    The Parrot
    The Parrot

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    Friendly Tavern - karaoke - Updated May 2026

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