The Complete Tampa Bachelor Party Guide and Itinerary

Most people immediately think of Miami when it comes to a Florida bachelor party, but it's time to reframe that thought with another Sunshine State destination. A Tampa bachelor party 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 (boating and golfing), and plenty to see in nearby Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Tampa Bachelor Party Planning in This Article:

• What Are Some Tampa Bachelor Party Ideas?
• What Do You Do During a Bachelor Party in Tampa?
• Where Should I Stay in Tampa for a Bachelor Party?
• Tampa Bachelor Party Nightlife
• Expert Tampa Travel Tips

What Are Some Tampa Bachelor Party Ideas?

For the groom looking to mix his time between land and sea, there's no better place to be 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.

For Water Dwellers

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.

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For Land Lovers

Rather spend your days on land? Tampa has you covered with more than 50 golf courses to choose from, a top-notch Topgolf, go-karting, and so much more.

For the Party Animals

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.

What Do You Do During a Bachelor Party in Tampa?

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 Cask Social Kitchen in downtown Tampa. Menu items include everything from a candied bacon jar and Nashville hot chicken to tuna poke bowls and deep-fried French toast—the perfect way to start the ultimate Tamp 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 Underthttps://editorial-admin.theknot.com/admin/content/01939eb0-29b3-43d2-9213-28f39deffeb6/edit#ow 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 are lots to see and do in Tampa, 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.

Where Should I 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.

Pro tip: The Knot has partnered with Hotel Planner to help you secure the best group hotel rate and get free hotel advice from an expert travel planner.

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.

Modern Home in Ybor City: This beautifully furnished rental home offers easy access to nightlife and sleeps up to 10 guests.

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 Po 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 of delights. Happy Hours are available Wednesday to Saturday from the bar.

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, and our standouts are the Hatozaka and the vintage Glenfiddich.

Expert Tampa Travel Tips

The best way to get to Tampa is to fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), about five miles outside of town. However, those willing to drive a little further can take advantage of routes going to and from Saratosa and Orlando. Either way, you'll need a car to get around.

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.

Brittany Barber and Allyson Johnson contributed to this article.