Round 2 of Bar Madness was a wildly seeded barrage of A-List watering holes. We saw stress-building matchups like Hattricks vs. Patio, MacDinton’s vs. Yeoman’s—the kind of pick ‘ems we’re glad we didn’t have to vote for. And yet the people decided anyway. Needless to say, we have some thoughts on a tantalizing Swig 16 that said goodbye to a few of our favorite bars in Tampa Bay. And if you want to get in on the voting for the Elite 8 and Final Four (Final Pour?), follow us over on Instagram and Twitter starting Thursday. The race for #BarMadness continues.
Yeoman’s knocks off a SoHo staple
Once a divey British pub in the damp corridors of Davis Islands, Yeoman’s has Gonzaga’d itself up to a Game Day legacy. All the evidence you need is in its shellacking of blue blood powerhouse MacDinton’s, whose imaginary bracket run basically ended at the hands of virtual golf and a basket of fish ‘n’ chips. Tough break, mate.
Hattricks delivers last call to The Patio
Hattricks is lighting up the toughest bracket in the tournament like a Dave’s Way Shake N’ Bake 12-piece—knocking off bay area favorites Ferg’s and Patio along the way. It’s now down to Hattricks vs. Yeoman’s in the Game Day Regional Championship, presented by Oweli Liver Detox.
The stage is set for The Dog vs. Tiny Tap face-off
*Michael Buffer takes a deep breath* “Let’s get ready to stumbllllllleeee!” Somebody hit 23B on the jukebox (it’s David Allan Coe, by the way) and order a bucket of Bud Heavy. The contest every voter has been waiting for has arrived in two Tampa legends. The tall tales of quarter-beer nights and late-night wrestling matches. Where pool sharks go to hustle and all-white sneakers go to die. Tipoff is at 1:30 a.m.
Salt Shack pulls of the upset of American Social
Full Disclosure: American Social was an early betting favorite with some serious in-house steam, benefitting as a unique type of waterfront-game day hybrid. But it’s Salt Shack from the top ropes! The bayside bungalow with sunset views of the Gandy Bridge was a hit at the polls. And just like that, they’ve got a date with Frenchy’s in the semifinals.
All hail St. Pete, unattested Lord of the Boujee Bar
The Canopy and Mandarin Hide handled Hotel Bar and Copper Shaker, respectively, leading to a Sunshine City Showdown of painstakingly crafted cocktails. Somewhere, two slender, mustachioed gentlemen in suspenders are sinking into Irish Fighting Stance holding a pair of steel cocktail shakers. But only one of them has a gorgeous view of St. Pete harbor behind their backs. We’ll see if Mandarin Hide can pull off the upset.