The Complete Tampa Bachelor Party Guide and Itinerary

A Tampa, Florida, bachelor party might not be the first idea that comes to mind when you think of partying it up in the Sunshine State, with Miami typically taking the cake on that front. However, Tampa has plenty of the same party scenes you'd find in Miami in its own Ybor City, with a laid-back beach town energy. Plus, the under-the-radar bachelor party destination means you won't be fighting as many long lines to get into the clubs.

There's plenty of fun in the sun to be had—this hot spot destination gets 361 days of sun a year—with some of the country's best beaches, a range of water and land-based activities (including boating and golfing) and plenty to see in nearby Clearwater and St. Petersburg. So if you want to plan a bachelor party in Tampa, read on for tips, recommendations and a fantastic itinerary.

Tampa Bachelor Party Planning in This Article:

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• Tampa Bachelor Party Ideas
• Tampa Bachelor Party Activities & Itinerary
• Places to Stay in Tampa for a Bachelor Party
• Tampa Bachelor Party Nightlife
• Expert Tampa Travel Tips

Tampa Bachelor Party Ideas

For the groom looking to mix his time between land and sea, there's no better place than Tampa. Combine pristine beaches with plenty of activities from volleyball to paddleboarding with a raging nightlife, golf courses and more—and you won't be able to find a happier groom. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling for your Tampa, Florida, bachelor party.

Enjoy the water

It should come as no surprise that this Gulf Coast paradise has plenty of options for adventures on the water. Choose between chartering a boat for a day of fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, renting a party boat to take you to your own personal beach party, or just lounging the day away on the shores of Clearwater Beach or another sandy mecca.

Go golfing

Rather spend your days on land? Go ahead and plan a golf bachelor party in Tampa. The area has you covered with more than 50 golf courses to choose from, a top-notch Topgolf and so much more.

Have a party

The party in Tampa is by day and by night. While the sun is out, check out local breweries, cideries and distilleries (or book a party bus to try and taste them all); then at night head to local dive bars and upscale hot spots for live music, rooftop beer gardens, nightclubs and more.

Go to a game

Tampa has a seriously stacked sports scene, so if the group is into it, try to catch a game while you're there. Depending on the season, you can catch the Tampa Bay Bucs (NFL), Lightning (NHL) or Rays (MLB)—and tailgating before is the perfect Tampa bachelor party activity to get the party started early.

Tampa Bachelor Party Activities & Itinerary

From the beach to the breweries, there's so much to do in Tampa. Here's how to plan out a Tampa three-day bachelor party weekend.

Day 1

Morning: Check into your hotel or Airbnb, then make your way to brunch at Nicki's Omelette & Grill—they've got excellent omelettes and friendly service, the perfect way to start the ultimate Tampa bachelor party.

Afternoon: As you wait for the full crew to trickle in, take the day to enjoy one of Tampa's best beaches. Park yourselves on St. Pete's Beach and make sure you set up near the Undertow Beach Bar. This no-shoes-required spot offers a robust drink menu, served by bikini-clad bartenders and often has live music throughout the day.

Evening: Shower up and head to Franklin Manor for bargains on Ketel One and Corona. This laid-back bar also offers craft cocktails and tasty apps like Cuban nachos and asiago and truffle beer cheese house frites. Then it's off to dinner at a Tampa favorite: Oystercatchers in the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Try to nab a table on the deck for the ultimate views (but interior tables don't suffer with large windows looking out to the beach). Dinner includes options like Gulf snapper and surf & turf and we highly recommend a seafood tower for the table. Then pick your poison for a night out: Go for a chill vibe at Hub Bar, a local dive with a 1940s vibe, the party scene at the Patio with its rotating craft beers and live music in an ideal outdoor setting, or a speakeasy vibe at CWs Gin Joint, home to delicious and artisan craft cocktails.

Day 2

Morning: Brunch today is at the Rusty Pelican on the waterfront. The a la carte style brunch features fried chicken and waffles, hangover hash with braised prime rib, crab legs, Belgian waffles, and of course, a mimosa bar where you can mix and match two bottles of mimosas flavored with cucumber mint and watermelon lime for $46.

Afternoon: There's lots to see and do on a Tampa bachelor party trip, but for your second day, make the most of your location right on the Gulf with a day spent on the water. Viator has party boats including a floating tiki boat bar, where you BYOB and they do the rest. Or try your hand at reeling in a big one with a fishing charter, where you'll cast a line for snook and trout.

Evening: Dinner tonight is a more casual affair at Crabby's Dockside in Clearwater. The fresh seafood menu includes an oyster bar, conch fritters and mahi mahi. Don't miss the Crab Trap Bucket—a cocktail served, you guessed it, in a bucket, to get the night started. Make your way to the popular Ybor City for the rest of your night. Here you'll find The Ritz Ybor for live music and DJs, as well as other favorites including an outpost of the Coyote Ugly Saloon (yes, with bartenders on the bar), Red Star Rock Bar, The Dirty Shame and Reservoir Bar—this area makes for the perfect night of bar and club hopping. If you need a late-night munch, be sure to stop at Taco Bus for the perfect bite.

Day 3

Morning: Start the day with brunch at Datz (brunch is served on Sundays until 9 p.m., so it's okay if you get a late start!). Dishes like the Cubano breakfast sandwich, pork belly breakfast burrito, biscuits and crazy (a topping of sausage gravy, bacon and potatoes) and salted caramel donut waffles are the ultimate hangover cure. Still not enough? Have a bit of the hair of the dog with their cocktails, including a color-changing Champagne Supernova, made with their super secret glitter potion.

Afternoon: Today, let your groom pick what suits him best with one of the following: A day of golf—from one of the more popular public courses including the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Golf Resort, Lakewood National Golf Club, or TPC Tampa Bay, or hitting a few with a beer in hand at the local Topgolf. Rather keep the party going? Tampa has a great craft beer scene. Take a self-guided tour to spots like Cigar City Brewing, Cigar City Cider & Mead and Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Or relieve yourselves of DD duty and take a tour via Brew Bus's bachelor party package, which includes hand-rolled cigars, bourbon tastings, a tour of the craft breweries in the area and even dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Evening: Finish the trip with a true guys' night out. Start with dinner at Bern's Steakhouse, with 15 cuts to choose from, or go for luxe beef tasting. And don't forget to order from the seasonal array of sides and apps on the menu, too. Then head to Shepherd's Beach Resort, where you can hop from the Tiki Beach Bar to its Wave Night Club to its Salt Tequila Bar and Tap Room all in one epic night.

Places to Stay in Tampa for a Bachelor Party

Given that a weekend in Tampa can mean hopping between Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, things can be pretty sprawling. Still, Uber and Lyft are easily and readily available to take you where you need to be, so if you don't care about walkability, where you plant yourselves for the weekend shouldn't matter.

Photo courtesy of Marriott

Best Tampa Bachelor Party Hotels

Tampa Marriott Water Street: This property is a great option for luxe amenities, waterfront views and easy access to all activities in and around Tampa.

Shepherd's Beach Resort: An affordable option on Clearwater Beach, this resort comes with a private beach, a large pool and access to rowdy nightlife in the resort (not to mention suites for your crew).

Hotel Alba Tampa by Hilton: This property is a great spot for a tighter budget but for groups still in search of upscale amenities. The hotel features a pool with lounge chair drinks and a free shuttle to take you to nearby spots.

Best Tampa Bachelor Party Home Rentals

There are plenty of housing options for a Tampa bachelor party, so check out the best vacation rental sites like Vrbo and Airbnb.

Pro tip: If you're looking to supplement your vacation rental stay with some hotel amenities such as a swimming pool or a fitness facility, you can secure Tampa hotel day passes on ResortPass.

Mediterranean-Style Home/Vrbo

Mediterranean-Style Home (South Tampa): This charming Mediterranean-style residence, conveniently close to Tampa's airport, downtown and scenic spots, will provide you with a relaxing escape. Featuring two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a saltwater pool and grilling amenities, it's perfect for smaller-sized bachelor parties of up to six guests. It averages $500 per night.

'Grande Hyde Out by Brightwild (Hyde Park): The Grande Hyde Out actually comprises two adjacent rentals: The Hyde Out and The Lil' Hyde Out. With a total of four bedrooms, two kitchens, two living areas and three parking spots, it can accommodate up to 12 guests. A central and more upscale location, a stay here allows easy access to Tampa Bay's attractions, parks, dining spots and Bayshore Boulevard's scenic views. On average, this VRBO is around $515 per night.

Large Six Bedroom Home (St. Petersburg): With six bedrooms and four bathrooms, this expansive VRBO can sleep groups of 14 guests for roughly $615 per night. Conveniently located a few blocks from Downtown St. Petersburg, it'll offer your bachelor party easy access to coffee shops, parks and pubs. Accessible to the interstate, it allows quick trips to fabulous beaches and downtown Tampa.

Top-Rated Rental Mansion (Ballast Point): Featuring amenities like a heated saltwater pool, spa, Peloton gym and games room, this Tampa VRBO promises an unforgettable bachelor party experience. With six bedrooms, four bathrooms and nearby beach access, it can accommodate up to 25 guests for an average of $1,250 per night.

Tampa Bachelor Party Nightlife

Tampa's melody of funky flavors will buzz the boys for a night at the town's top bars and lounges, ranging from a movie club, a rooftop cocktail bar and a whiskey specialist.

Best Tampa Bachelor Restaurants

Ulele: There's a high chance you and the boys will be blowing off some steam on Tampa's famed Riverwalk, so dine where the action is at Ulele (pronounced You-lay-lee). The acclaimed restaurant celebrates Native American and Floridian flavors on a fusion of tantalizing grills from short rib to alligator tail. Plant-based options are also available.

Yummy House: Family-style dining on steaming dim sum parcels and Kung Pao chicken is always a winner when it comes to satisfying hungry groups and Yummy House has just the sauce to make them universally happy. There are four locations across FL, but the Tampa outpost has been hailed as the best Chinese restaurant in the city by local media.

Rooster & The Till: Rooster & The Till is one of those hot spots that has foodies lining up for reservations. Their inventive seasonal dishes range from seared scallops to deceiving good plant-based 'pork' dumplings. Served in a rustic-chic space, bring the discerning gents here to sample their tapas during your Tampa bachelor party. Happy Hours are available Wednesday to Saturday from the bar.

Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine: Head to Tampa's Soho district for authentic, mouthwatering Turkish dishes. According to TripAdvisor, this top-rated spot has attentive service and a lively setting—making it a great spot for groups looking for a unique dining experience.

Best Tampa Bachelor Party Bars

Gigglewaters Social Club and Screening Room: A party of movie buffs can enjoy the ultimate of screenings at Gigglewaters. This social club and restaurant's got a hidden theater out back where you can knock back cocktails to classic box office hits like Indiana Jones and Snatch. Larger groups can even book the entire 32-seater venue out for screening parties.

EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge: Soak up that Florida sunshine on South Howard Avenue. EDGE sits pretty on the top of the Epicurean Hotel, boasting some of the best views of the Tampa skyline around. The bar is best known for cocktails, using fresh fruit, herbs and spices for that extra kick. Wine and craft beers are also on the menu.

The Whiskey Exchange: No prizes for guessing what The Whiskey Exchange is pouring. If your boys like their drinks stiff then this is where to do it on ice, although the Smoked Old Fashioned is a signature cocktail for those that prefer it in a mix. Their gigantic whiskey list includes bourbon, scotch and Japanese bottles, along with standouts like Hatozaka and vintage Glenfiddich.

Coppertail Brewing Company: Located in the historic Ybor neighborhood, this brewery offers a spacious, two-story taproom with indoor and outdoor seating—great for beer enthusiasts and bach party groups.

Expert Tampa Travel Tips

The best way to get to Tampa is to fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), about five miles from downtown. For groups looking for more flight options or better deals, nearby Sarasota-Bradenton and Orlando International airports are also solid alternatives—just be prepared for a bit of a drive. Either way, you'll want to rent a car to make the most of your time on your Tampa bachelor party trip, especially if you plan to hit up beaches or go on day trips.

The best time to visit Tampa for optimum weather conditions is between November and March when you'll avoid the humidity and showers of summer. If you're planning a Tampa bachelor party during spring break or major sports seasons, make sure you book early. Hotels and activities can fill up fast.

Brittany Barber and Allyson Johnson contributed to this article.