a castle-ing we will go
jasonThe subject of some recent discussion here on Sticks of Fire and the subject now of a large story in the St Pete Times’ Floridian section the Castle Bar seems to occupy a somewhat unique place in Tampa culture. I can personally claim to have vomited in every single room at one point or another, I am not sure about Tom Gold’s claim of longest running DJ gig but I am pretty sure I hold some sort of disgusting record for that little nugget.
My wife and I started hanging out in Goth clubs at the Parthenon on Whiting street in downtown Tampa. Eventually we ventured over to the “new” Ybor city club that we had heard about. The Castle had opened about six months prior I think and we hadn’t gone because we heard it was 21 and up. Besides parking wasn’t free which was a big concern for us broke college types. When we first started going it wasn’t unusual for us to have nothing more than the cover charge to get in the door. The strong drinks, the friendly staff and the chance to relax with people that liked the same music we did was irresistable. I would probably spent between two and four nights a week there for the next nine years and my wife would DJ there on many occasions.
It is strange to think of the place as part of any sort of culture, but it certainly is a survivor. Alan Kahana bought the building in 2002 after leasing the space for years. This seems to have cemeted its permanence in the Ybor scene as he added it to a long list of other Ybor properties he owns including the Boneyard and the Orpheum. It is part of a small contingent of places in the area that survive by accepting people that may not feel at home anyplace else (the Hub, Brass Mug, Cityside etc…).
Everybody I have talked to about the place has a Castle story. Do you?
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August 22nd, 2006 at 10:20 am
I went there once with my very tall, very muscular friend Tim. We were the only people who weren’t scrawny, and I was the only one who wasn’t pale. I had on a red mesh tank top and a turquoise leather jacket and white silk shorts. I had a bunch of red roses in my hair. I drank bottled water the whole time. People kept coming over and asking me questions that essentially meant they thought I was fetishizing something or other - Rainbow Brite? JonBenet Ramsey? - and I kept having to explain that, no, I really dress like that. The whole thing was very silly. I had a good time, but I haven’t bothered going back, because I prefer light-heartedness and sincerity.
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:10 am
Went there once, had a pint of Harp, saw a topless girl in a leather miniskirt, fishnet stockings and what looked like electrical tape covering her nips. (Top that!) They were also showing an “Evil Dead” DVD on the big screen. Good times.
Anybody else remember that “SNL” sketch from years ago where Jim Breuer and Mark McKinney made fun of Tampa’s Goth scene? I’m still waiting to see a bunch of drunk Lightning fans going up against some Goth geeks. Had hoped it would happen after the Stanley Cup victory, but no.
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:37 am
They’re such sweet people, those Goth kids. I teach many of them and they are among my most open-minded, least judgmental students. I prefer that.
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Good on you, Kate. I find that true of my niece and her friends, very sincere.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:34 pm
castle is a cool venue, especially the inner courtyard. one of the first places i went in tampa that didnt seem prefab. i know its silly and all poseurs, but its still fun. and i love the music and weird videos….