TAMPA, Fla.—Showbar Ybor is the happiest place on 7th Avenue.
One of the few dueling piano bars in Tampa Bay, Showbar just opened in Ybor at the end of 2020.
"If you've ever had dueling pianos before, it is the best thing that you could ever do, as far as live entertainment," said Corey Cane, general manager of Showbar. "It's a way for you to actually get every song that you want played."
Guests can request songs and sing along with the talented pianists. In addition to the two pianos on the main stage, the show also includes drums, guitars, a trumpet, beat boxing, a wall-mounted piano, a piano on top of a table and much more! You can often find the staff dancing on the bar, tables and in the walkways as a part of the Showbar experience.
Here's how to request a song:
1) Write down what song you'd like to hear on one of the request slips at your table
2) Add your tip
3) Bring it to the stage
On any given night, the performers can cover a variety of music from country to rap or 80s rock to current day Top 40.
"There's some sort of nostalgia to doing dueling pianos," said Cane. "Ybor City needed something different. It's always been nightclubs and bars and dive bars, which is awesome—by the way, I love all of these bars—but it's time to bring a little bit of different flavor back to town."
The bar also offers plenty of carnival food, like funnel cake, churros and foot-long corn dogs. They also do table nachos, which are poured out and drizzled with cheese table-side to keep them fresh.
And if you want to take a break from the show, you can always step out on the patio, where they have lawn games and usually a DJ.
Showbar is located at 1613 E 7th Avenue, where Tequilas used to be. The bar opens at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and the dueling piano show starts around 8 p.m. Showbar is also open on Sundays for a drag show and brunch.
Due to Covid, the bar is seating-room only. Table reservations are highly recommended (especially if you want to sit in the front), but you can get a table in the back or at the bar if you walk in. So make sure to get there early to guarantee you'll have a spot for the show!
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