A giant lizard guards the Green Iguana’s doors, the ultimate Tampa Bay tiki bar where the party never stops, especially on Wednesday $1 drink night. Add to that Sunday football specials, Friday happy hours, unforgettable appetizers and entrees and non-stop entertainment ( Live or dj spun tunes mix rock, dance, top 40 and hip hop, and, at some locations, Latin salsa or reggae jam Sundays).
With four locations in Tampa, one in Brandon and one in St. Pete, you’re never too far from the fun. A sister restaurant, Hula Bay Club, boasts a Sunday wet pool party and all-you-can-eat crab or shrimp on Wednesdays, plus nightly music and more island bar libations, even sushi. I just became a member of Duke’s Retired Surfer’s club as should every true blue hang-tenning, Laird-loving big waver.
Top shelf cocktails are high style at Green Iguana, using Van Gogh flavored vodkas (McIntosh apple martini, chocolate martini), rummy magic (Iguana Mango Lemonade), Red Bull cherry and grape bombs and my personal favorite, the smooth-talking Stoli Razz “Berry Your Iguana” with cranberry and pineapple juice. An excellent selection of domestic and imported beers both on tap and in bottle round out the libations.
We like to share starters and graze our way through the menu, especially the loco coconut shrimp, conch fritters with avo mayo, artichoke spinach dip, smoking fish spread, crab Rangoon or hummus. Split a Sambal Salad with grilled shrip and crisply fish, cool cukes and fresh greens, toasted peanuts and Thai chili vinaigrette or Harvest Salad with candied walnuts, sun-dried cranberries, bleu cheese and crisp apples tossed with raspberry vinaigrette. Very satisfying, especially when paired with a
Mojito or seven.
Burger lovers will thrill to the combinations. You can top it with bacon, cheddar, provolone and Thousand Island dressing; Caribbean barbecue sauce and tobacco onions; portabello mushroom and melted provolone; roasted spinach, Italian cheese, herbs and artichoke.
Seafood aficiandos can fill up on yummy fish tacos, crab avocado or grilled salmon salads, crispy seafood basket, Key West grilled or blackened mahi with mango salsa and coconut rice, tropical shrimp skewers basted with a citrus ginger sauce or tortilla crusted Florida tilapia. Rounding out the menu are sandwiches, wraps, wings, pizzas and soups as well as a mouthwatering smothered New York strip steak smothered with caramelized onions, portabello mushroom and demi-glaze.
Each Green Iguana has its own vibe and crowd that eases from daytime’s casual crowd and business folks meet ups to evening’s stylemakers and singles on the prowl. When you’re looking for nightclub and great food with drink specials, don’t ignore Tampa’s favorite lizard lounges.
Green Iguana Ybor
(813) 248-9555
1708 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL
Green Iguana Stadium
(813) 868-7600
2520 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL
Green Iguana Bar & Grill
(813) 837-1234
4029 S West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL
Green Iguana Veterans
(813) 288-9076
9202 Anderson Rd, Tampa, FL
Green Iguana Brandon
(813) 643-7800
6264 Winthrop Town Centre Ave, Riverview, FL
Green Iguana St Pete
(727) 209-1234
8790 Bay Pines Blvd, St Petersburg, FL
Hula Bay Club
(813) 837-4852
5210 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa FL
