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The Retreat

3.5 (73 reviews)
InexpensiveBars
Open 3:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)

The Retreat Photos

THE RETREAT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Juke Box
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Retreat

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Reviews With Photos

Marquese C.

Unfortunately we walked in and walked out due to the smell of cigarette smoke. I'm sure this establishment offers great libations but the smell of smoke was just too much to bear. Wasn't greeted or made feel welcome upon entry.

Alaniz C.

pls i love this place. take me back n leave me here to rot! grungy, dive bar where u will make a lot of fun memories. service was great i loved our sweet bartenders

a man with sunglasses and a beard
Bill F.

Best bar stop on way home . To the best place to live Valhalla (D.I.) great bartenders and lots of eclectic people

The Retreat was the perfect ending to an amazing girls' night! The staff is amazing and the atmosphere is fun! We had a great time playing pool and dart boards with great drinks from the bar. I would highly recommend it!

Melinda S.

Review 300, woot! This is a fun dive bar in Tampa that's laid back, serves good drinks, and has a chill ambience. After leaving a different place that didn't have great service, we ended up here and it was a welcome difference. The bartenders were friendly and the prices were much more reasonable. It was a great spot to end our evening in Tampa! I'd definitely come back next time I'm in town.

The original art from the old retreat. Still there, pre 1990!
Blair K.

To the retreat!!!! That was our motto, in the 90s. We created this place, as it is today. The way times go, and "progress". Back then the area was much less built up, and the original retreat was a complete dive bar, and we loved it. UT was tiny and crappy, and there were Lloyd 5 bars in walking distance with 3 dollar pitchers. The crowd was different, mostly dock workers and a few of us hanging with them. The feel was similar, but kitschy. You can smoke there, so if you doozy like that, don't bother going in. Good drinks, nice bartenders, original artwork. Totally cool.

Great person
Julian F.

Most amazing bar in Tampa, hands down! The bartenders are helpful and courteous! They are truly caring and want everyone to have a good time. This bar has some of the best locals in it! The locals will seek out newbies and speak with them, making sure they have a good time. Very friendly and happy place. Please make this a stop during any trip to Tampa, as it's living history

Happy Friday beer.

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8 days ago

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13 days ago

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4 months ago

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13 days ago

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

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5 months ago

Would be zero stars if I could. Rude staff, skip songs you pay for, and demeaning bartender. Horrible place, don't go.

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1 year ago

Cozy place, kinda hipster without the attitude... great food and wine/beer selection... thd Ringlings would be proud.

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Atmosphere is great. Plus the taco truck is a bonus. My review needs at least 85 more characters to post

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2 years ago

Best prices and staff around! So many studs with beards work here! And a few pretty ladies also! Check it out and try a Murphy bomb!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Extremely poor service, bartender told us to "get the f*** out" after he denied my 30 year old friend's US issued foreign ID

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

If you like smoke.... It's the place for you! Great people! Dive bar..great prices. 20 and older...

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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9 years ago

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6 years ago

One of the better and cleaner dive bars in Tampa. Good drinks and drink prices. Nice welcoming atmosphere.

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

Great bar, great bartenders, fun atmosphere!!! Mel and Jeremy are amazing!! Always have a wonderful time when I stop in. :)

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Ask the Community - The Retreat

Do they have food at all?

No food, just a full bar

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Review Highlights - The Retreat

Used to go here years ago when I attended UT, stopped by this past Saturday while bar hopping in DT Tampa.

Mentioned in 6 reviews

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4.3(230 reviews)
0.4 miDowntown Tampa
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The bartenders really know what they're doing at Hotel Bar! I'm not usually a dirty martini person,…read morebut one of them took the time to ease me into it with just a slightly dirty version! You can tell they're skilled and actually care about your experience, not just making drinks. Oh and they have bar snacks now! It's not included with your drinks like in Europe. You have to order separately and they come in the most adorable tray for $5! The music is always on point, which honestly makes a huge difference in the overall vibe. Also, I love their hours...it's one of those places you can count on when you're not ready for the night to end.

From the moment I walked in, I was treated like I wasn't wanted there. No greeting, no attempt to…read moretake my order, and no basic customer service whatsoever. I tried to be polite and patient, but the staff was rude from the very beginning and made it clear they didn't want to serve me. To make it worse, I was kicked out for absolutely no reason. They claimed I "argued" with them, which is completely false. I never raised my voice or caused an issue--I was simply responding to their hostility. Instead of owning their behavior, they chose to make something up and remove me. I've never experienced such unprofessional, disrespectful treatment at a bar. If you're looking for a place where you feel welcome or even acknowledged, this is definitely not it.

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Hotel Bar - Hotel Bar

Hotel Bar

Hotel Bar - Old Fashioned

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Hotel Bar - Bottle display

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Morgan’s Cove - Gochujang Wings

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4.4(72 reviews)
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What a DOPE, PIRATE THEMED, speakeasy to go to grab some delicious drinks! Totally blown away!…read more Tucked, downtown Tampa you enter through a secret bookcase door and you enter a very low key pirate bar! Lighting is dim, which is part of the concept. (Auto flash is needed for pics) The joint, is VERY CLEAN! The staff is awesome and very attentive! They understand process. The drinks are SOOO WELL MADE! I had a Zombie as my first drink, and it is very well presented and STRONG! I prefer,my first drink at an establishment to be strong cause then I can lighten it up later. Then I had a Rum Barrel, not as strong, but well presented and delicious! Note: Prices for drinks are worth every dime! They have a small food menu, but everything on the menu looked delicious, but I did not eat there. This speakeasy is attached to a British pub which I went for food after. (Review to come) All-in-all great spot to come and have a drink you are well treated, appreciated and just a fun experience! I will DEFINITELY come back here for a delicious drink and DEFINITELY will try something off the food menu. I'll just make sure next time I won't go there after a big breakfast lol! Five stars alllllll day long!!!

These are the coolest places in Fla. Secret cryptic entrances with a speakeasy like ambiance…read more Hidden passages and a clear throwback to the days of prohibition. With all that was going on, it's a wonder we could find the exit after all the drinks. The pirate theme was the caveat. A perfectly dimmed atmosphere and willing performers that can conjure up delicious delights. The red light and point on music only enhanced the experience. Plenty of signature drinks, a dozen different beers and even a few dishes are offered. They stir a nice whiskey sour. It's really what suits your fancy. Fear not. They have mocktails, too! 12/25

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Morgan’s Cove - Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

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Morgan’s Cove - The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

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The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

The Retreat - bars - Updated May 2026

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