Gaspar's Grotto Pirate Bar & Restaurant is located in the heart of Tampa's Historic Ybor City. Gaspar's pays homage to the legendary local pirate Jose Gaspar and celebrates Tampa's immigrant past. The bar and restaurant boasts an indoor bar and dining area as well as two sun-drenched outdoor patios which feature live entertainment weekly.
Guests can enjoy great food, drinks and take part in our delicious brunch specials-a Sunday event that Gaspar's has become known for in its many years as a community staple. Join us Sundays for our Seasonal Brunch Events! We'll be offering 3 refreshing specialty cocktails in addition to our regular drink specials!
Guests can enjoy great food, drinks and take part in our delicious brunch specials-a Sunday event that Gaspar's has become known for in its many years as a community staple. Join us Sundays for our Seasonal Brunch Events! We'll be offering 3 refreshing specialty cocktails in addition to our regular drink specials!
Services
Created from the mind of a Merchant Marine Ship Master who traveled the world and spent many a productive hour studying the world's best bars, Gaspar's Grotto is one of those rare places where EVERYBODY feels comfortable. That was the mission and it has been accomplished. We are ambassadors to drinking alcoholic beverages, eating world class food, music, camaraderie, fellowship and fun.
No other bar in the world can claim to be home to TANKER RAY, BAR CAT EXTRAORDINAIRE. This handsome and fearless feline is a multiple mouse ace extraordinaire having dispatched dozens of unwanted rodents to the hereafter in his illustrious career. He has been awarded the Legion of mouse merit with catnip clusters.
The Owners, Captain Ehab the retired sea captain, and his bride of many decades, the Head Bar Wench, have traveled to all points of the compass and most countries on the globe, civilized or not. As a result Gaspar's Grotto is filled with nautical and other artifacts and artworks collected during their travels.
The VIP Lounge on the outdoor Sandbar Patio at Gaspar's Grotto is situated in the heart of Tampa's lively Historic Ybor City. With the best in live entertainment and a newly renovated space consisting of 7 exclusive VIP areas enclosed by lush tropical plants, it's the perfect spot whether you're celebrating a special occasion or looking for a night out with friends.
For groups of 40 or more persons our chefs will slow roast a whole pig, over hot coals in an ASADOR CUBANO. This is a traditional Cuban outdoor preparation in a wooden box. This process takes 7 hours and produces fantastic and memorable sights and smells and tastes. When done, the pig is presented on a bed of palm leaves complete with an apple.
Reviews (26)
Cat F.
Jan 30, 2022
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This is always a fun bar. A fewer than usual patrons braved the 40° degree weather last night, colder when that wind blew.
They have a really long bar and plenty of seating, plus a cool open courtyard on the side with those giant space heaters thank goodness.
The wait staff was nice and even gave me a free cup of ice, maybe because the hubby purchased a beer?
They have a really long bar and plenty of seating, plus a cool open courtyard on the side with those giant space heaters thank goodness.
The wait staff was nice and even gave me a free cup of ice, maybe because the hubby purchased a beer?
Jr Dup
Jan 25, 2022
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Ravi B.
Jan 16, 2022
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Had breakfast here with a couple friends on a saturday morning so we tried some of their items off their breakfast menu. Everything was pretty good. My friends got their food way before mine, but I think it's because I added chicken to an omelet and maybe they got confused or something and it wasn't a big deal for me. The server was nice and they had outdoor seating with pretty decor outside. I would be interested in trying their lunch/dinner menu and eventually, post-covid, sitting inside.
Chris Brewer
Jan 12, 2022
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Craig L.
Jan 03, 2022
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Betsy Leslie
Jan 01, 2022
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Ordered a crab and shrimp quesadilla and a Cuban sandwich. Yum!!!!! The quesadilla came with salsa and some kind of dipping sauce that was fabulous. It was chock full of crab, shrimp, cheese, spinach, bell peppers and some other veg worth eating. The pressed Cuban was devoid of veg. (Some places make them that way by default, so be sure to ask if like your tomato and lettuce tucked in there.) Have some napkins handy, because it will drip. Lots of cheese and condiments, which is a plus in our book. It was jam packed with meat, so be ready for a meal size sandwich. Enjoy your grub in this festive
Song Li
Dec 26, 2021
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Love here. Crispy Cuban sandwich, surprisingly delicious singaporean styled wings which are only 10 times better than buffalos. And our waitress Christy is super friendly and accommodating. Great beers and home whisky, delicious food, very reasonable price, cozy sitting outside settings made it a best place to go at Ybor city, Florida.
Tahmid Rashid
Dec 20, 2021
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Not the true essence of Gasper anymore. They cut down their menu significantly and of the only items they offer now, I would only consider the Cuban Sandwich and Shrimp Crab Quesadilla to be worthy. I miss the BBQ Shrimp Dinners, Salmon, and other seafood items that had real Cuban vibes. I hope they get back.
Derek Martin
Dec 12, 2021
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They got rid of most of their old menu, I posted a pic of their new menu. Unless you want standard bar food go somewhere else. The hostess didn’t hear me when I said “inside”, after she had asked me where I wanted to sit, then sat us directly in front of the stage outside. Which would have been fine except then some musician came out and set up; just stick to playing old 70’s rock on the PA, please. On a Sunday night with hardly any customers. The waiter spilled water on my leg. The “fish spread” is some kind of tuna fish salad deal. The roast Havana pork comes in small or large, even
Arlene L.
Dec 05, 2021
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Went here on a Saturday before a concert. Found online and it looked fun. Angel server was great. Got our drinks and soup fine. The entree's took well over 35 minutes. Long time for wings and a quesadilla. Wings were over cooked. It may have been staffing issues in the back of the house. Many servers on the floor.
Mike Nicastro
Nov 27, 2021
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Jj G.
Nov 21, 2021
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Breakfast is extremely cheap. The food isn't the best but they open early at 7 AM and the staff is super friendly and a tentative. I ordered a cheese omelette it was a little burnt in over cooked and kind of bland but it's a good not much you can do with that except maybe add a little salt and pepper. I just probably come there if it worked out.
Tina L.
Oct 21, 2021
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Im really pissed that i paid with a credit card because as usual servers or bartenders always try to steal more off your card to give themselves an extra tip. Well i have a tip for whoever is guilty of doing this to customers...it is called stealing from your customers!!!!!! I came up here for lunch with my job on Wednesday & it was 13 of us & the majority of us paid with our card & as we all know when its more than 5 in your party the gruity is added automatically so tell me why there was extra money tooken out of my account. They changed the dollar amount & kept the cents the
John Mercer
Oct 18, 2021
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E. E.
Oct 01, 2021
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Awesome bartender, awesome bouncer who my partner and I had awesome conversation with! check out William Schiller's display case!!! His son owns the place, and if you are interested in the Manhattan project at all this place is worth it just to check that out!!
Also the house beer, Peg Leg, is one of the most interesting beers I've ever had!
Also the house beer, Peg Leg, is one of the most interesting beers I've ever had!
Kyla M.
Sep 26, 2021
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Dale E.
Sep 19, 2021
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Ali K.
Aug 23, 2021
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We were walking in Ybor City the other afternoon and walked by Gaspar's Grotto. The courtyard bar looked pretty fun, and there were a bunch of seats open at the bar, so we went in and have a few drinks.
Literally as soon as the clock hit like 6, the bar filled up. This must be the SPOT, and we must have gotten lucky to stumble by early and get a seat. Everyone was having a great time and they played great old-school music.
The bartender was super nice as well, and the margerita I ordered was divine. Would definitely come back!
Literally as soon as the clock hit like 6, the bar filled up. This must be the SPOT, and we must have gotten lucky to stumble by early and get a seat. Everyone was having a great time and they played great old-school music.
The bartender was super nice as well, and the margerita I ordered was divine. Would definitely come back!
Adrian K.
Aug 21, 2021
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Stephen B.
May 30, 2021
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Visited on a Sunday midday for lunch. Outdoor patio was hopping and sign outside noted that they're having a hard time finding staff...so take that into consideration.
Definitely worth the visit.
Food was as expected and tasty if slow to come (see "crowded" and "short staffed" above. Wife's quesadillas were delish, as was my Cuban sandwich (when in Rome...). Beignets were AWESOME and hot and delicious.
Live entertainment was even pretty good.
Certainly not a high end meal, but nicely priced. Just wish we didn't have to wait so long...and was a little
Definitely worth the visit.
Food was as expected and tasty if slow to come (see "crowded" and "short staffed" above. Wife's quesadillas were delish, as was my Cuban sandwich (when in Rome...). Beignets were AWESOME and hot and delicious.
Live entertainment was even pretty good.
Certainly not a high end meal, but nicely priced. Just wish we didn't have to wait so long...and was a little
John C.
Mar 26, 2021
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Ok i know the staff here has to be so cool and trendy that they can be terrible bartenders, I get that vibe
But this place is awful
The staff ignores everyone that they dont know and are soooo cool they can just pass you by time after time when there are more bartenders than customers, but it's just a bar
And it's terrible
It's one of those places that make money by accident...
Might have been the place to be ten years ago but it's become a parody of itself
Trust me, there are a thousand bars in ybor.. just keep waking
But this place is awful
The staff ignores everyone that they dont know and are soooo cool they can just pass you by time after time when there are more bartenders than customers, but it's just a bar
And it's terrible
It's one of those places that make money by accident...
Might have been the place to be ten years ago but it's become a parody of itself
Trust me, there are a thousand bars in ybor.. just keep waking
Jamie J.
Feb 14, 2021
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I wanted to revisit Gaspar's Grotto as the first time we are here 2 years ago was great fun! Today I'm giving 3 stars to average out this 2 visits. The initial visit we had great service! That time our server was prompt, friendly, answered questions, and provided great service the entire meal, making sure we had what we needed. I can't say the same for this visit. This visit our server was not prompt. We waited for a while until she greeted us, which happens sometimes. But several strikes creates a poor experience... She couldn't provide or offer any drink suggestions specific
Toni D.
Jan 26, 2021
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I have now been here twice. Once with a large party and once with a small party of 3. Both times the service was disappointing. The food is good but it's a matter of getting it all, it being correct, and it coming in a timely manner. I did the new Sunday brunch both times and the DJ is really fun. There's has been a full house both times but both times my server seemed overwhelmed which is why I didn't write the review after just once. So just be aware there could be a server issue maybe double fist your drink orders to save time.
Buse C.
Sep 17, 2020
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My husband and I came in before noon on a Saturday and were quickly seated. Our waitress was friendly and brought us drinks and paper menus which they toss after each guest (which was a great sanitation perk). We weren't too hungry so we ordered wings to share. It took 30 minutes for the 10 piece wings which seemed a pretty long time to wait considering they weren't busy yet. We finished our drinks before the wings came and once they did come, we were so excited to finally eat, we forgot to ask for more to drink and the waitress didn't bother refilling herself. We are, paid, and
Christine N.
Sep 07, 2020
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I was excited to see this bar was still operating during Covid because their patio provided a safe and physically distant place to get drinks. While out in Ybor my friends and I came to Gaspar's Grotto to hangout on the patio in the shade and enjoy some drinks. We also got the chicken quesadilla to share and it was really good! They staff wear masks and require them of patrons unless seated at the table. The prices were decent and it was nice to sit out and hang with my friends!
Susan P.
Aug 02, 2020
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We came here for brunch on a Sunday morning I think maybe Saturday morning I think Sunday morning geez I don't remember. Anyway it was not bad. We had a party of eight. Everybody was still worried about social distancing so we kind of sat by ourselves at a big table.
They had some interesting giant connect four that was fun. A couple video games. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about and it was super expensive.
The staff was nice but in efficient. Our sodas were served in a 12 ounce plastic cup and no refills were forthcoming. After her food was dropped we really didn't see her
They had some interesting giant connect four that was fun. A couple video games. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about and it was super expensive.
The staff was nice but in efficient. Our sodas were served in a 12 ounce plastic cup and no refills were forthcoming. After her food was dropped we really didn't see her
