Whiskey Joe’s - Tampa
7720 W Courtney Campbell Cwy, Tampa, FL, 33607
Whiskey Joe’s - Tampa Menu
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Address :
7720 W Courtney Campbell Cwy
Tampa, FL, 33607 - Phone (813) 281-0770
- Website https://www.whiskeyjoestampa.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
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Alison Q.
Quintessential touristy tiki bar. I loved the live music.
(3)Donald E.
Great restaurant. I had the grouper sandwich which was execellant and the wife also enjoyed her jerked chicken sandwich. The waiter was very friendly and checked on us every two to three minutes. The view at this place is also excellent. I would definitely recommend this place to all looking for a great dinner wiith a view
(4)Stuart S.
Sorry. Not a big fan of tourist trap restaurants. Getting 2 stars because my Grouper Sandwich was good. My bosses food was not. He ordered the Seafood platter that had the look of "all frozen, all the time", as a matter of fact, he pulled all the thick breading off of the Scallops and shrimp to make it edible. Also ordered cup of Seafood Gumbo. Fairly tasty but there was a dearth of seafood in the seafood gumbo. We were hoping to sit outside to eat and catch the sunset. We were told that it was a 45-50 minute wait. Went outside to check out the view and saw 3 tables that could seat 2 that were unoccupied. When I went back out after we ate, those same 3 tables were empty. Disappointing.
(2)Kelleigh M.
Pleasantly surprised in the food category! The view is awesome-large plate glass windows overlooking the bay make for a wonderful spot to enjoy lunch or a couple of drinks. I ordered the blackened fish tacos-legit! And 2 was plenty (it came with chips and salsa). My husband ordered the Cobb salad and oh my! The presentation and quality of ingredients was stellar. We both commented that the food was really good and reasonably priced, and that we would definitely come back.
(4)Nadine F.
I love Whiskey Joe's! Any seat in the house has a great view of the sunset over the bay.If you prefer the fresh air, you can get food and drinks outside on the deck or go downstairs on the beach! I also love to come in the summer to watch the rain roll in over the water. This is one of the only places to go to escape the storm and still feel like you are on the beach. They have a great drink menu. For a few bucks more, you can get any drink in one of a few different really neat souvenir cups. The menu isn't huge but they hit a few be-achy favorites like fish tacos or chicken wings. I usually look at the menu for a few minutes but always go back to my favorite, the nachos! The only draw back is there is not enough parking at all, but they do have valet.
(5)Drew B.
Started the night off here with some beers and a basket of fried alligator. Had never had that before and it was AWESOME. The beer was really good too. The views were spectacular of people trying to not kill themselves on Jetskis or SeaDoos or PWCs if you're a stickler and want to use the generic term. (sorry Polaris). We knew we were not staying for dinner as that was a few hours away. Here is where things went south. Way south. I got up to use the restroom and found it quickly. Oddly, sitting outside the bathroom in a chair was a nice dressed man. (walked past him) Inside the bathroom, it's just a little regular old bathroom. I hear the door open and in walks fancy dressed man. Hmmm maybe he was waiting for the bathroom? Nope, there multiple toilets and urinals. Ohhhh he must be a fancy attendant like they have at clubs. I finish my business all the while I know he is standing there right behind me waiting. Weird. I go to the sink and wash may hands. Here is where I expect the guy to hand me some fancy towel or at least some paper towels that are fancy. You know the kind, almost like a dish rag, and you're tempted to take one with you just because they are thick and super durable. Nope dude is just standing there staring at me, I glance around and they have one of those terrible Dyson air dryer things. You know the kind that sprays your immaculate clean hands with dirty bathroom air to dry them. Yeah one of those. Yuck. Dude is still staring. I see a table with goodies on it. Gum, cologne, random cigarettes and mints. Ok. So I am not in need of ANY of that and he has been standing here doing nothing. I don't think I need to tip him for watching me pee? I know! Maybe its HIS Dyson air dryer and he charges a fee. Foolish. I left, it was very weird, he followed me out and sat in his chair. Next time may I suggest just a sign and let people be on their honor. Outside of the bathroom experience it was fine. I would come back for drinks and appetizers and views of the bay.
(3)Brittany C.
Not a terrible spot and better than Hogan's Beach which sits across the water way. Parking here is very limited to either Valet which gets full quickly or to the public beach parking with self pay. We hung outside for the first half of our visit to get some sun in the sand. I wouldn't get in the water here as it was very murky and gunk got kicked up easily by the boats and jet skis docking on the small shore area. The bar outside is decent sized with service also offered at the outdoor covered wood tables. Worst part of the outside bar is port-a-potties and a limited food menu. So we went inside when we got hungry and wanted some air conditioning. Inside we got a few apps and waters. Service was spotty and food was decent but nothing that had me dying to come back on my next trip to Tampa.
(3)Ren C.
Invited by a friend to just chill and relax! Sat outside and had a great view of the water the problem is that it's too hot! My suggestion is for them to put a fan outside! Nevertheless the food was good I ordered the new England clam chowder, and the gator bites! And had a Margarita drinks! Just nice to have a drink sit outside and enjoy the view! My first time to visit this place and will come and visit again to try some other dish that they have!
(4)Derek B.
A surprisingly impressive chain. I had the salmon (blackened) with lemon sauce, rice, and vegetables. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. My co-worker had grouper with shrimp and a wine sauce and said it was great. Our server was Brandy and she was extremely attentive and offered good recommendations. We literally sat on the deck over the water with beautiful sunshine and a constant breeze. I saw some bad reviews but our experience was entirely good. Much better than Bahama Breeze nearby!!! We were staying at the nearby Doubletree Hotel and it was an easy and pleasant walk.
(4)Brian M.
Located conveniently close to Tampa off the causeway and across from Hogan's Beach, Whiskey Joe's offers a more spacious and more relaxed beach than Hogan's to enjoy tropical frozen drinks, live acoustic band, corn hole, a camp fire at night, and some seafood. You can pull up your boat or jetskies on the east side of whiskey Joe's by the barefoot beach area. On the west side of Whiskey Joe's there is an air conditioned indoor bar, outdoor deck, and 1 volleyball court. I prefer this place over Hogan's because it's more relaxed and more spacious. Naturally, this place loses a star because the beach is not as nice as St Pete or Clearwater because it is in the Bay with stagnant water and sludgy ocean floor sand but it is conveniently close to Tampa and a popular boaters hangout if you don't feel like trekking all the way out to another beach. They have a large variety or frozen drinks: traditional mojito, mango mojito, strawberry orange cooler, whiskey Joe's lemonade, true blue, razz lemonade, arctic chill, spiced colada, Bacardi punch, and margaritas. They also have a $3 domestic Brewskies special until 7 most days, otherwise it's $3.50 which is pretty reasonable compared to Hogan's or Bahama Breeze next door. Their margaritas aren't the best but those frozen drinks are pretty good. I had their Mahi Mahi tacos and fire cracker shrimp and they were pretty good. Service at the outside bar can take awhile if it's busy because it's a big bar and they usually only have 2 or 3 server but that's expected. When Hogan's does edm concerts I usually watch them from here next to the fire. There is limited valet parking onsite only and a pay lot operated by credit card until 6pm, so if you come after 6pm, you can park for free! You can catch a nice sunset from the west side of whiskey Joe's opposite the barefoot beach area. Will be coming back again! Thanks!
(3)Heather M.
Over-Priced, Over-Rated...Over IT!! What a waste of money... Food is bleh. I got fish and chips....soggy greasy mess. My friend got the seafood Mac n Cheese....bland. The got me good on the drinks also...$22 for an alcoholic drink in a "souvenir" cup (plastic piece of crap). The waiter didn't bother to tell me that I could get the same drink for less that $10 bucks until after the fact. All together I feel this place is a rip off and not worth it. The only reason I gave it two stars is because my hubby like his meal, the BBQ ribs and the view was pretty spectacular.
(2)Jacob F.
4.5 stars really! This is a great place to eat and drink on Tampa Bay. Sitting on the deck with a cool breeze and a stiff drink this becomes one of the places where you forget your worries for a few!They may just have one of the best locations on Tampa Bay for the view and with the out side deck and all the giant windows weather you are outside enjoying the breeze or inside to beat the heat you have great views of the water. The food is good but I feel the menu is a little limited which is why I gave 4.5 instead of 5. A little pricey but not too bad.
(4)Andrew C.
Going straight to the point - eat at the outside bar. Food ordered is cooked at the food truck! The best! My favorite is the Chicken Wings and also the FRIES! (Yep capitalized for a reason, they are that good). Get the wings without any sauce. The cocktails are not that great but good enough. Bring some friends; great atmosphere.
(5)Alexandria M.
We had dinner outside on the deck- awesome view! The waitress was really attentive and our drinks and food were delivered pretty quickly. The drink selection was awesome- they had a pretty good tequila menu.
(4)Renee M.
My friends and I took a trip to Tampa for a girls weekend, and Whiskey Joes was the one of the main places we wanted to experience based on all of the good reviews. Right after checking into our hotel, we made our way to whiskey joes. This place did not disappoint! We had a good time here. The food was good, and the service was exceptional. We had a table reserved, but after a few drinks we wanted to be on the beach. We watched the sunset and drank our Mai Tais. It was awesome!
(4)Justianna T.
I decided to try this place with some friends and we came out disappointed. The calamari and fried alligator came out soggy instead of hot and crunchy. There wasn't much flavor to the appetizers. We shared 3 entrees: gumbo, jambalaya, and seafood mac&cheese. The gumbo lacked in the seafood flavor. The jambalaya was average. The seafood mac&cheese was a disappointment. For $20, I expected for different types of shellfish in my mac&cheese. However, all I got was a plate of mac&cheese with tiny bits of shrimp mixed inside. The service was okay but a tad bit slow. Our waitress checked on us once but never refilled our waters until we had to flag her down & ask for a refill. The one thing that was enjoyable was the view of the ocean we had at our table.
(2)Amy J.
Pricey tourist type of trap. Seafood was fresh. Meals very pricey. Beautiful setting on the Bay.
(3)Ken L.
One of the biggest beach side bar, restaurants close to Tampa. If you don't mind a 20 - 30 year old crowd, this is the place for you. If you do mind a young crowd, get here early. As a matter of fact, always get here early as parking can be tricky. An abbreviated restaurant menu is available at the beach side bar but if you're hungry and want their full menu, you have to go inside. This place is party central on the beach, especially on the weekends. Those on jet skis and boats can ride right up to their beach area.
(3)Shary A.
This place is located near the airport so it is a great palce to head to if i ever have a friend or family friend on a layover between catching their next flight. We inicially came here because we wanted to have a beer while watching the sunset. Whiskey joe has limited free parking but they have paying parking nearby. During happy hour this place is packed. They had yeunling at $3 and some drinks at $6. On our first round we ordered two yeunglings but on our second round i decided to try the margarita and it was not worth it. Next time i'm sticking to beer. We also wanted to share a bite to eat and ordered flat crusted cheese pizza (8 pieces). It was just ok- nothing to write about but i would not order it again. I would probably return when if a friend is on a layover. Other than that, i'd probably head elsewhere.
(3)Crystal G.
They close REALLY EARLY but other than that it's a typical bar with a relaxed atmosphere. They were having some sort of party on the beach while we were there, so we couldn't check it out, but hanging out in the bar was fun with good service and music.
(3)John M.
A few days ago, I took my fiance to Whiskey Joe's. The food was better than I expected. But, truly this is a review of our server, Miss Jenny Cobin. I have been in the restaurant business all my adult life...over 30 years. Miss Cobin was one server to remember. She never approached the table without a smile. She was at the table within a few minutes of our sitting down. She brought our drink order within two minutes. She knew her menu and was able to answer all of our questions. I am a smoker, so we started outside. I asked for an ashtray and she immediately began scouring the landscape for one. There weren't any outside, none in the server station, so she went all the back to the dishwasher to find the elusive thing. It seemed a storm was coming across the bay, and Jenny said, "Don't worry, if the storm comes here, I'll have a table ready for you inside." Again, the food was good. We love the calamari at Whiskey Joe's. The mussels were great. The Mahi Tacos could probably use a little more sauce; but, they were also very good. The hardest thing for most servers to understand is the time it takes to get a check and get change. Most servers blow it at this point. Not Miss Cobin. We asked for the check, got it moments later, and a minute or two later, she picked it up...perfect. She parted with an invitation to return. When I asked for a comment card, it seems Whiskey Joe's does not use them. However, she said they read Yelp religiously. So, I am here to give management my feedback, as well as the world. Thanks Miss Cobin for a great evening! Sincerely, John
(5)Liz H.
Great bar with great staff! Caroline is a great bartender. Very patient with us and made a lot of drinks just the way we like it. The wings and fish tacos are unbeatable. Atmosphere is nice and lively. They have sandbag toss and many different tiki huts to find shade. Also the DJ they have here plays something for everyone and many different genres. This is a new weekend spot for us. Great all around.
(5)Stevi M.
Food is awesome.... Seafood Mac n cheese is AMAZING as well as the grouper. Great outside seating right on the water :) Wait staff is super nice and attentive. Our waitress Rachel was great loved her!!! Only negative is host staff seemed young and like they had no clue what they were doing... And her shorts were so short I may have seen hooha
(5)K M.
This place was great. Great views over the water from almost everywhere in the restaurant. I ordered the Maui tacos and they were delicious. Another person in my group order the fish and they stated it was amazing. The service was great and the staff was extremely friendly. I did pay with a credit card and they do not have a machine, so they had to make a carbon copy (old school paper way). I was shocked with that, but food was great and I would come back here to have some drinks and enjoy the view of the water.
(4)Julia D.
Went in for lunch around 2 & I ordered a burger, my friend got a grouper sandwhich. Food was very bland. About as much as I'd expect from a beach restaurant. The drinks were most likely made from syrups, not fresh fruits. I ordered a wild berry mojito that was supposed to have fresh berries on top or muddled in (not sure) but it had a cherry on top (The kind that stay preserved in jars for years and years to come). Servers didn't seem to care, but ours did a good job so that was fine. We had to take the handicap ramp out because I had a stroller, servers sleeping in back room on the way out. Friendly chef on the outside of door, but he was smoking - So all in all 3 stars. Not bad, not great.
(3)Kat M.
Madison, gets 4 stars, that helped us at the restaurant was great! But Catherine G. at the outside tiki area, when we asked for our check, she came back and fanned out 10 credit cards and asked "Which one is yours?", um she should have only asked what our name was on the card.
(4)Chase W.
Awesome spot right on the beach! Easy to get to & very accommodating! Casual and fun, you can sit outside right over the water or stay inside with great water views too! They have multiple bars and fun coconut drinks. I had the best fish sandwich - huge portions & bf had the white sand pizza. Both very delicious as we sat and looked out at the water & the Pelicans. Our waiter, Alex, was extremely friendly and happy to serve us! He made it a fun time here right from the start! ask for him! This has been one of the best spots I've been to yet down here in FL!
(5)Douglas P.
Great view. Great food. Fun place to eat. Good local Grouper. I really like this place. When I get back into town I will be back.
(5)Peter M.
Super Fun atmosphere for us 'tourists'. We were here over TG weekend and ate here twice and were impressed with the off the wall menu items that typically kitchens mess up but this kitchen nailed them! Especially the tequila Cajun dipping shrimp with FETA? In the sauce?? Killer!
(5)MaryAnn C.
I understand the 3 star rating after being here an hour, and don't get me wrong this place is nice as it has all of my favorite things- gorgeous beach, excellent weather and a full bar. The service staff are horrible and that pulls the rating down. This was our first time here and the server starts off with- you have to buy a souvenir cup in order to have a large beer. Ok. We bought the cup. Then after that, if we asked any questions or tried to order food and spoke to the waitress , she never acknowledged us. We didn't know if they could hear us or not and mind you this is at 1:30 in the afternoon and we were one of four people sitting at the bar so it's not like the bar was packed or the noise level was high. We felt like our being here was an inconvenience to them because we ordered food and drinks. The staff was totally unapproachable, and made you feel like if you say anything then the service is going to get worse because they started off with an attitude to begin with. This is a real shame when you consider that the bar is where any establishment makes their money. I am a woman and if you are going to staff the bar with women- do so with women that are happy to be here and don't look at you with an attitude and/or come across to you as you have somehow interrupted their day by having to speak to them. The first sign that your bar is having problems is when your bartenders do not want to serve the customers that just walked in the door. I hope someone actually reads this and does something about the service because the poor service led to us cashing out and leaving to spend our money elsewhere- and we are the type of customer who travels all over and spends plenty of money in lots of great establishments. For now, we won't be doing so here unless you make some significant changes to improve service.
(2)Desiree D.
Came here for a graduation dinner-they reserved a huge table for myself and about 8 other loud New Jersey natives. Decent priced drinks & food. Nothing spectacular about the food tho. The crab and artichoke dip was basically all i had--which was good but obviously not so fresh. Also, vegetarians beware--BACON is in everything. I wanted to try the beer soup so bad..but bacon. i was told by the waitress the clam chowder was free of bacon--nope not true. watch out! really nice view, the outdoor beach looks awesome! really cool concept! Valet parking but i believe you gotta pay.
(3)Fernando M.
I want to start saying that I wish I could give no stars. This place is hands down the worst food in all Tampa Bay area. If you want to grab a drink and look at the water, it might be ok.. if you wish to eat something descent (not looking for gourmet food here), please go to Bahama Breeze on the other side of the bay (5 min from this place). My experience started with the hostess being mean to us saying that I would have to wait 1 hour at least to sit outside on a Tuesday afternoon. Ok, we asked to sit inside by the window and even though the tables were empty, including several window ones, they said that it wasn't possible. Anyway, we ordered the peel n' shrimp for app and it was okay. Then, we ordered a chopped salad, scallops app and jambalaya. They were all nasty and it felt like they were sitting in the kitchen and then they just brought up to our table. The prices are also not cheap for a bar with mediocre food. I understand you're on the water and people like coming here for drinks and "party", but please serve food that at least taste fine. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone and will not for sure bring friends that visit from out of town ever again.
(1)Daisy D.
Whomever goes to Whiskey Joe's expecting a Five Star experience like one they would find in say New York City is always going to be disappointed. When you go in expecting a beachfront dining experience with decent food & great views and good times with friends, you'll come out happy every time. Friends we were visiting in Brandon 'discovered' WJ's when they were at an event at Hogan's Beach and wanted to hang out at the fire pits. I don't tend to break out the Yelp app when I'm among friends & family (unless I'm asked to) and try to do my best to go with the flow. However, when I did glance at some of the reviews on our way to dinner, I was a little skeptical and hoping for a better night than most described. The bartenders are not rude. Busy & not so chatty, maybe. But definitely not rude. And our waitress was just as sweet & well intentioned. We did have to remind her of a a few things from time to time, but it in know way ruined our evening. Some of the food is slightly overpriced for what it is, but my fried shrimp basket was just what I wanted. Shrimp were fried to a golden crisp & the fries were piping hot. Even though we were sitting on the deck as the temps started to decline, my food was hot for my entire meal which is always a concern of mine when I dine outside. The Tiki Beachside bar was a nice end to our evening. The $10 cover charge was a little extreme, Final Note: Yelp's directions take you a little further than you need to. There is an option for a left turn into the parking lot, so there is no need to go down & do the U-turn.
(3)Erica S.
Nice place. Great atmosphere and nice staff. I had the shrimp and sausage quesadilla and tried the alligator bites. Both were amazing!
(5)Alexandra B.
So and so place. Peanuts are always stale, fish tacos are mediocre. On the other hand staff is always nice and friendly
(2)Jessica S.
The food was pretty good... Service was some of the worst. Ordered an appetizer- it never came. Ordered another appetizer and dinner, second appetizer never came. Server checked on us minimally. Listened to another table complain about not getting drinks and that they're food came out before ours even though they arrived after. Watched another table steal utensils from a nearby empty table because they weren't provided to them. Server looked sad. Rough.
(2)J P.
Down for a short vacation, my wife and I stopped by for a quick drink and appetizers. Valet parking was a bonus, but I didn't know it was free until later...I'm not a valet kinda guy (I'd rather walk for exercise) but I don't mind if it's free. Staff was super friendly and prompt...service was the same. Wings were great and u-peel shrimp we're decent...my wife would prefer larger, tastier and less shrimp, but that's preference. Caught a great sunset! Overall, it's a great local bar with history. Definitely worth a stop for the views and great people.
(4)Chris B.
Great fish, excellent cocktails!! We enjoyed the view too and had a great lunch!! Highly recommended!!
(4)Jenn B.
Beautiful place to relax with a few drinks and watch the sunset. At night they have bonfires scattered along the beach and it's a very relaxed atmosphere with great music. They also have jet skis to rent if you're feeling a little adventurous!
(4)Andrea H.
It was a good stroll to catch the sunset absolutely beautiful view for dinner. I went with a big party so time was a little while wait. We all had variety of food and the only one to complain was a friend who payed almost $20 for a piece of salmon and had rice and veggies. He wasn't sold and was still very hungry. Carnitas steak tacos and the seafood Mac and cheese were definitely a hit and very delicious. No call ahead, just walk in and be seated. Good service very big restaurant and has a little area to buy Florida souvenirs too.
(4)Loretta B.
Well. The food is not good at all. The clam chowder was cold and tasted flat out disgusting. The pulled pork sandwich was soggy, fell apart and was made very poorly. People next to me were complaining about the oysters. The bartenders were friendly. The Bloody Mary was delicious and the view is fantastic. The beer was all flat and tasted like the lines hadnt been clean. Don't think I'll be coming back, too many negatives. I honestly got the vibe that no one was in charge and people working just didn't care.
(2)Juan S.
Nice view of the ocean. Food is average. Mussels and Mahi Mahi were great, seafood platter was very disappointing. We left a baby bottle and souvenir coconut on the table before we even left the building the table was bussed and reset. They threw them away without even trying to return them to us. As we were leaving I stood on the exit waiting for my wife to get the stroller down the steps by myself the valet stood doing nothing watching me Finally another customer came and offered me help !disappointed in our overall experience.
(2)Alissa W.
As others have said this place is a tourist attraction, especially with the gift shop. Starting with the atmosphere the Tiki-ish theme is cute and fitting for the area. The view is by far the best part about this place b/c the food was NASTY! Over priced for what was served, lacking quality and very poor presentation. The "gator bits" were gross, very rubbery, cold, under cooked, and over breaded. See pic of the remainder of my cheeseburger sliders for a good idea of what to expect. Yes I ate them b/c I was starving and they had good flavored beef, but there were so many things wrong with the entire dish. Little over cooked teaspoons of beef with american cheese on top placed on toasted tablespoon size wrinkled up sweet rolls is what arrived to the table. No vegetables on them, probably b/c that wouldn't all fit on the mini size slider rolls with the teaspoons of beef. The four "sliders" were surrounded by a boat load of crispy fries. The golden arches would have been a better choice for me. The drinks were decent but the view will be the only reason I would ever go back there. Service = 3, Food = 1, Atmosphere = 3, Location and view = 4.
(2)Samantha P.
I need to make clear the beach bar and the restaurant are two very different experiences. I'll start with the restaurant, the lobby smelled like URINE. Overwhelmingly. The girls bathrooms were lovely, but the boys said the smell definitely was coming from their restroom, and it was repulsive. If I could, negative stars. The only thing safe to order would be bottled beer. And the price would be worth it given the great view. I was in a group of 8 people. Not one rated their food over a 3/10. And we're not hard to please people. Oysters- The worst oysters hands down. Absolutely zero taste. I ordered 6, ate 2. Wish I'd had none. Nachos- I couldn't even find the cheese until I gave up on eating it and just dug with a fork to find it on the VERY BOTTOM along with some very soggy chips. Chipotle Cioppino- was sent back. But they didn't charge her. Although I was still charged for my oysters. Swashbuckler's Basket- 2 orders of this. Probably the most well received of the lot. But still rated a 3/10. All American Sliders- was requested to come with avocado, not only missing the avocado but also the onions. Was later brought out on the side. My friend ended up eating the patties by themselves just to get the protein because she needed to eat something. Signature Burger- She said the burger had 0 flavor. Ate the fries which she considered mediocre. Gumbo- probably the best thing I tasted but crazy salty. Something I have no problem with my friend was not a fan. The drinks- 2 margaritas and I had some type of lemonade. You will never get drunk here. Both girls that ordered the margaritas ordered a second shot to pour in... By the time I was halfway done with my drink, halfway, it was just water. Not even syrup. The service- Nah. Wasn't there. The waiter seemed to put in some effort but he was clearly not having a good year. The lack of effort was made very evident though when about 15 or more seagulls attacked a nearby table that hadn't been cleaned off. I swear I'm not making any of this up. This was our experience. That bar tho... While still spendy, they were well worth it. Sitting on the beach with that view! And my drink was so unbelievably yummy. I crave it days later. I believe it was The Hurricane Juice that I ordered. It was blended, blue and had coconut milk. It was unbelievable. If you're nearby, and want a tasty drink, game of volleyball, a swim, or corn hole, definitely stop here. Just stay as far away from the main restaurant as possible.
(2)Monica W.
The Coconut Mojito was amazeballs. The food was just pretty good.
(4)Katrina A.
Shaina is a very friendly waitress and makes best True Blood. Will come back just to see her
(5)Gyamfua G.
Whiskey Joes is a great place for tourists and locals to sit out, enjoy the water and sunset and just enjoy the beauty of Tampa with a beer. However its not a place to go if you are looking for great food. I picked a seafood platter not realizing it was all batter dipped and fried. The fish was very oily and heavy. The fish tacos were good and you could get those grilled, fried or blackened. The beer was awesome, but the wine selection was lacking!
(3)Shabba R.
Tourists flock here, so that pretty much ensures this place does not improve all that quickly. I had first written never improves, but my mind was thinking food and drinks alone, and that made the statement incorrect. They have made several big changes over the years that have helped the atmosphere at least: 1) There is a huge outdoor patio and tiki bar that was added a couple years ago. It is surrounded by deep sand and adjacent to a large stage where they frequently have live music. 2) The interior used to have a very uninviting bar area with tv's awkwardly placed in overhead compartments. That was all ripped out so it's wide open inside now and hanging tv's can be easily seen by all the surrounding tables. 3) Their live music selection has improved with time. They have a great local reggae band Impulse that plays there from time to time; typically Sunday evenings once or twice per month. My wife and I go more often than not when Impulse is playing. 4) They added a little outdoor bar on the westward-facing side of the patio; perfect for boozing and sunsets. So with that being said; the view is definitely a five star winner. The food on the other hand, it's never been all that impressive and continues to stagnate. It's just typical bar fare at slightly higher prices. Salads in particular I'd avoid, or, ask for the dressing on the side; they like to drench it, perhaps so you miss the fact that the lettuce is wilted. Booze? If you're like me and like to drink Long Islands, make very very sure to ask your bartender how they make their Long Island before ordering. Most of the bartenders here, perhaps acting on restaurant order, make disgusting Long Islands using pre-mix. They taste more like a soda with lemon than anything close to a Long Island. Margaritas, same thing; avoid them unless you like drinking salty lime gatorade. In fact I'd say stick to beer, one liquor drinks or fruity frozen drinks which you probably already know are going to be weak but that's not why you were ordering them to begin with. Definitely is a good idea to develop a rapport with a bartender here before deciding what to order, or even ask what they can make that's strong, if that's your thing. I've been let down a lot on drinks here so I mostly just get beers now.
(3)Melissa T.
Shannon, the bartender at the beach bar is fun and welcoming! Great atmosphere, right on the water, fire pits, and tiki tables! We just had beers, so we can't exactly review the food. There is a food truck outside with their food so that service is quicker. Enjoyable experience!
(5)K R.
Totally confused about the low ratings I'm seeing. Stumbled upon this place on our way to Clearwater. Jumped off of the road to grab lunch and ended up staying and enjoying the awesome beach ambience. I had the shrimp scampi appetizer and my friend had fish and chips. We also shared a nacho/queso/beef appetizer. We enjoyed everything we had!! The bartenders were great at the bar and we enjoyed our drinks, as well. We came back later the same night because they have a separate tiki bar, firepits, & performance stage. We had a blast listening to the DJ and later the live band. We also ended up eating dinner there. My friend had the steak tacos and I had wings. We enjoyed our dinner, too! Perfect beach bar, equipped with entertainment at night. Can't beat it!!!
(5)Leeza W.
My family and I went to Whiskey Joe's last Tuesday around 1:00, we sat outside by the water, our server was Jeffery I believe, he was very friendly and relaxed, not at all what we expected since our experience the year prior there with another server wasn't good...My mom and aunt were in town visiting, my friend and I were taking them to the airport after lunch so we wanted to have a great last lunch, we are chefs and also run a shaved ice business.. The server took his time he didn't make us feel like we were rushed or that he was putting on a show for money like a lot of servers do, he was welcoming, he was funny, told us about the specials and then made conversation with us. Our food was delicious, hot and fresh we ordered fish tacos, pizza, shrimp and crab cakes..we all were impressed. We absolutely loved the place, the view of the water (we saw Dolphins while sitting on the deck) and the coconut scrub in the bathroom so we purchased two jars of it! We will be back for sure, thank you for the wonderful service and great food.!!
(5)Michael C.
Great sunset view, but the food's not bad either. A past visit left us underwhelmed, but this time we truly enjoyed our meal. Fresh oysters, a delicious grouper sandwich and a chipotle pasta prepared just as requested. It's not fine cuisine, but it's not intended to be such. Relax, drink, eat and enjoy the view.
(3)Adrian B.
Went here with my family for dinner and drinks, and I was not impressed at all. The best part of this place was seeing the wildlife in the water over the patio, which sits out over the water, and the waitress was good. As soon as we we're seated at 9:30 on a Thursday night, the waitress informed us that we had 2 minutes to order before the kitchen closed. After rushing to order at a place I never been before, I ordered an entree with grilled fish, scallops and shrimp all over cooked and chewy. Ultimately I paid 200 bucks for 4 adults and 2 children and the only thing that tasted worth a Damn was the gator bites. I wouldn't return to this place if they had free drinks and free food......PS I still tipped the waitress 45 bucks even tho she gave me 95 dollars in 5s as my change, cause it ain't her fault the owner shouldn't be allowed to own a cat,let alone a restaurant and bar on the water.
(2)Brandon A.
I'll be very clear: the only reason that anyone has to suffer through the disaster that is Whiskey Joe's piss poor excuse for a beach bar is the view from the back deck. At sunset, it's beautiful. The food is absolutely unremarkable -- which alone wouldn't be so bad but the atrocious service rivals the worsted I have experienced in Tampa. It's clear that the scenery is what keep WJs afloat -- so if you're only going for sunset, just plan to be patient and lower your expectations in advance... you should make it through, relatively unscathed.
(1)Karen S.
BIG WARNINGS ABOUT THIS PLACE!!!!!! I actually don't know how this place passes their inspections by the health department. Walking up to the entrance it had a strong odor of horse crap. It only got worse as I went in and had a drink at the bar while waiting for my group. The place smelled like an out house. I was at the inside bar and felt like I was at an outside picknic with all the flies that were inside. Bar service- the girl with the piercings and tattoo's was very good and kept control of the orders coming in. I do have a issue with the two other employees hanging out behind the bar eating their dinners. Can't they go somewhere else? I wouldn't dare ask them for something to disturb their meals. When they were done, they didn't even take their plates and containers away. The bartender was prepping mint leaves and pouring beer right over the fly filled leftover plates. I saw servers walking around playing with their long hair. The girls eating behind the bar didn't wash their hands before going back on the floor. One turned the faucet on and let her hands touch the water, but no soap. Another male server picked up someone's blended drink from the bar. He put in on his tray and they licked his fingers and said yum. Then proceeded to put lime wedges in other drinks. I found it strange that the bar prepped about 30 mojitos before anyone even ordered them. Yes, the put the lime, mint and some type of syrup into all the classes and then stuck them under the bar until someone would order one. Keep in mind- there are flies EVERYWHERE. On to dinner- we had a large private party. We have come month after month for about 6 or 7 months and have had the exact same food in the buffet. None of it has been all that great in the past, but edible. Well this visit was much different! They brought out a tray of about 30 chicken breasts (jamaican jerk) and every single piece was completely raw! The waitress was walking around telling everyone not to eat the chicken. It was slightly dark so some people had some of the chicken because they couldn't see it. The plantains tasted like they were cooked last week. The manager tried to accomodate and change out the items for fries and beans. However, that diidn't change the fact that this place is nasty. If their kitchen runs anything like the rest of the place does, this place should be closed.
(1)Casey R.
This place needs a serious management overhaul as well as serving staff. How it has even managed with three stars is beyond me. Have waited almost 15 minutes without seeing a single server to approach the table. Have only been to this place once and that was for an event, came a second time for the sunset and the nachos which I felt were pretty good the first time. I would love to review that but I haven't had the opportunity to order yet, nachos...!!! That's all I have come here for and it's taking almost 20 minutes to be seen. Quite honestly I wouldn't recommend this place unless you go to the bar and order which was actually pretty prompt. The service however...I've gotten better service at a red robin.
(1)Pam M.
I wanted to like this restaurant. Cool location. I disagree with reviewers about the weak drinks. I had two very berry mojitos today and they were quite strong. Very yummy. I had the slow roasted pork tacos. They were just ok. My friend got the shrimp salad with key lime dressing. She thought the crab meat was imitation crabmeat and it was loaded with mayo. She barely touched it. Just picked out the shrimp and she's not picky at all. Stick to the basics here and you'll be happy.
(3)Kathy D.
I have been going to Whiskey Joe's since the original one opened. Yes, it can feel touristy, but if you are a Native, it can also feel like home. Surrounded by Tampa Bay, a beack, outside bar, Tiki, you can put your toes in the sand & bring your best 4 legged friend. Who can't find something to love about that vibe, not me. Parking is a pure nightmare! Just be prepared for it before you go & it won't ruin your fun. Service is generally good, as they want to keep you eating & drinking. The food, defiantly not stellar or even close. I used to experiment with different dishes and just got too frustrated. I really enjoy their Wisconsin Cheddar soup & boiled shrimp, a perfect meal for me. You can't mess up the soup, it's premade. The shrimp occasionally come overcooked or too soggy, but they have no problem replacing them. A great place to chill and enjoy where you live! What's a girl to do? Try to enjoy where I live & take advantage of places that put me in my element of water & sunshine.
(3)Mike F.
Bring Your Own Fish Stopped in for some "Famous FishTacos" after we picked my mom up from TPA for quick lunch and was super disported . We all ordered the 3 fish tacos $15 which had very little to almost NO fish in them and little flavor. My poor mom got the least and I felt bad as I was the one who picked the place! The only bright spot in the whole experience was our server who was great. SKIP THIS PLACE
(1)Larry O.
Fun-tastic place to relax and watch a sunset on the deck. You can eat inside as well, either way the view is great. Not a chain like Joes Crab Shack, but somewhat similar. Ate there twice in a week, and seldom do I go back to same place that often when traveling, never left hungry. Grouper with Crab was awesome, so were the Mango seared Scallops. Drinks were always filled to the rim and did I mention the view?
(5)George Y.
I travel a lot for work and these are the best wings that I have ever had by far. I am not crazy about the south but boy, you sure can't beat the food! I had the Buffalo and the jerk wings. I couldn't get enough! Service was great and other foods were really good too. If my travels bring me to Tampa again, this is definitely a must go to.
(5)David B.
Slow, unorganized( heard that out of the bartenders lips while sitting there) subpar food..bartenders ask you if you need anything, then look puzzled because you ask for a menu. Also and I hate to say this but..very rude and unattractive people that work here with major attitudes. I'm sorry that I don't relate to your backwoods, redneck ass(bud light)..but yeah I would like to see what bottles you have on your drink menu. I will say it's a damn shame because you have a great location with hell of a view..could be a great vibe but it's not. Invest in your people. I'll be at Aqua across the street.
(1)Pooja P.
Terrible service. Sat for about 15 mins before I was greeted. Saw wait staff pass me several times... as well as stand and chat amongst themselves. Very disappointed. Food was fine. Portions were large. The location is good too. Great not just for the bay views but also interesting people watching.
(3)Forrest F.
Horrible service, drinks are full of sugar (and there is nothing with Whiskey in it on the menu), the menu is misleading and poorly written, for example: Steak Rockets: Tender & juicy garlic herb marinated steak, caramelized peppers, onions, cheddar jack & avocado ranch $9.99 Sounds delicious right? They fail to mention that these are wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. They were awful, the beef was all fat and chewy, and I didn't want gluten. I can't believe my colleague and I waited 45 minutes for this and one other appetizer to be delivered on Saturday 6/28. The waitress had no explanation, leading to the conclusion that not only are the food and drinks awful, but the staff isn't trained to respond either. The only two things going for this place are the live music and the location. Too bad they don't value quality food and drink.
(1)Dave M.
Would be a 4 to 5 star if the wait wasn't as long for the food. Tastes great. Fun staff amazing view.
(3)Susan W.
Met friends reuniting after 15 years...great service (thanks Neil), great food and a really beautiful sunset. Go...enjoy and reconnect!
(5)Steven C.
Food is three stars. The view and the breeze you get add another star! Gator bites and nachos are good. Salmon dish is pretty healthy.
(4)Cindy M.
Just left Whiskey Joe's after experiencing a beautiful sunset on Tampa Bay. We sat at the outside bar facing West. Andrea was our Bartender/server and she served a most delicious and robust Merlot followed by Jicama salads and scrumptious fish tacos, the best in the Tampa Bay Area. The clear and exciting atmosphere added a warm holiday cheer to my holiday. The manager was courteous to stop by to see if we were happy with the service. With the location Weather great food and service, I simply said, I'll be back soon.
(5)Edna C.
With the touristy mindset that Florida is all about the beaches and sunny weather, a beach bar sounded like the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon. I love the tiki theme, complete with the grass umbrellas in your tropical vacation dreams. The view is gorgeous, the sand is clean, and there's ample space and seating. Sounds almost like paradise! Before you get too excited, let me clarify that he drinks however weren't the best. The happy hour menu is fairly limited, and the drinks themselves are average and very fruity. It's probably the weakest mojito I've ever had, and the tequila has so much orange juice it's like an alcoholic smoothie. The food is average as well. We got the nachos and there wasn't anything special about it. Of course it was quite tasty, as nachos with beef and cheese and guac and sour cream always is, but pretty over-priced and the order took awhile (really? You just need to dump a bunch of things on top of nachos!). Conclusion: The view and ambiance are like paradise, but the mundane food and weak drinks bring you back to reality. (Maybe the business strategy is hypothesizing that people will be too awed by the beach to notice, but hey there's a reason I'm Yelp Elite). Tip: If you plan to take your drinks out to the beach, make sure you tell them so they give you the right cup.
(3)Jess C.
The gator bites were a must try. Cheap, affordable drinks as well. My boyfriend had the Gold Rush bourbon drink and it was tasty. Grouper sandwich and fish and chips were perfectly fried. The homemade tartar sauce had me licking my fingers. Only complaint it was kind of pricy for an off the beach casual joint- but as understood seafood is pretty expensive. Service was the best we've had in Tampa this far; go Chelsea!!
(4)Kenny A.
Whiskey Joe's is my go-to place for lazy Sunday afternoons. Their location is like having 3 places in one: the beach bar down below, the indoor restaurant and bar, and outdoor deck on the west side. I like to go up on the deck and have a few beers and maybe an appetizer while waiting for the sunset, which can be pretty spectacular. The beer is always cold and service at the bar has been good in my experience.
(4)Madyson M.
Food was okay. We had to sit inside because of the weather and the place smelled like urine, badly. Service could of been more attentive. We had our son with us and it took about 10 minutes to get drinks on the table and she took about another 10 minutes to check on us after we received our meal. Only good thing about this place is the view and valet.
(2)Lauren K.
This is a cute tiki bar off route 60. 4 stars for atmosphere. It has everything you would want in a tiki bar, a DJ, volley ball court, beach, bar, fruity drinks and cheap beers. It's a great spot to sit and relax and soak up some Florida sunshine. The service however is lacking. During a shift change our waitress asked us to cash out. Fine, she wanted her tip but we only had one drink each at that point. The new waitress was absolutely useless. She never came over to our table and we had to walk to the bar for service. I get it- you live in Florida and do not like the sun- us tourists come here specifically for sunshine and say drinking. We found a bartender to help us. She was unhelpful. We placed an order for some gator bites, because when in Rome, and two coronas. 40 minutes later, still no gator bites. We complained to another bartender who ran up to the kitchen for us and learned that the first bartender never put our order in. 10 minutes later we had our gator bites. We went to pay because we had to go to the airport and the gator bites or beers were not comped. We paid anyways but then I asked for the manager. 15 minutes later we found him. He removed the gator bites from the bill and refunded us. The situation was eventually handled but it should have been resolved before the bill was brought to us. The second bar tender did a good job so we still tipped her well. Overall I would return and recommend this bar for drinks. It's a good spot on the bay to watch the sunset. The drinks are well made. And the manager did rectify our situation to our satisfaction. We are tourists so this caters to us. I am awarding 3.5 stars and rounding down to 3 because of the service incident.
(3)Chris D.
Not too shabby of a place. Went out with a group of friends here last night and food was good. Restaurant has a great view and is right on the water. I ordered the Gator Bites (yum!) and the Seafood Mac 'n Cheese. Tasted okay, nothing to write home about. I'd deffo bring out of town visitors here for a unique place for dinner.
(3)Michael B.
Nothing but kids flying around like idiots on jet skis endangering everyone. Ruins the experience for people dining there who are spending money. Between Christina M. and Michael B. Christina M. How is that the restaurants fault? They are NOT the ones renting out the Jet Ski's. Michael B. VERY true. But the restuarant will suffer. Maybe the beach party and reggae music promoted by the restaurant should include some beach patrol for the dangerous and clear violations to no wake zones being perpetrated by the jet skiers. Either way it bothered me as well as others around me and this is my review. Happy to provide videos.
(3)Lindsay G.
Currently here... Everything is awesome. Food, drinks, beach... But the dj is horrible. A radio would do a better job. How do you play the "Frozen" theme song at a beach bar?
(4)Dana L.
What a great place to stop in for a quick bite and beautiful sunset before boarding my flight. Really good food, and Marquis was an awesome server. The drinks were a little pricey, but that's the norm for touristy areas. The outside seating is plentiful, as are the stunning views. Overall, we had a great experience, and I will definitely stop by and check it out again- expecially for a pre flight coctail and meal before traveling- it was just perfect!
(4)Charles B.
Rough night. The restaurant lost their system, which is bad. But the management seemed to do nothing, electing to put the staff on the spot to figure out how to do tickets and get paid. We had a leisurely meal and then another 100+ minutes of waiting on the check. Just like all the tables around us. Since I didn't want to penalize our wait staff, I've decided to pull down the reviews. This one is on the management staff.
(1)Chad R.
This place used to be a great spot to take out of town guests and for locals in the slow seasons. Now its a giant tourist trap with overpriced drinks and food. The menu is super limited and mediocre at best. They could care less about keeping local business that will support them when the tourists leave. The place looks run down and all they care about is drawing a crowd to the beach area were they sometimes charge you to sit on the beach? Don't waist your time here, plenty of great waterfront choices that treat you like they want you to come back.
(1)Christopher S.
Dirty beach bar, while the live music ever wasn't bad, the bar manager has little care about the customers he offends and the prices are above where they should be. The only great thing about this place was the view and you can get that from any of the other places close by like Bahama Breeze for example!
(1)Lee Lee E.
OMG! The portions are HUGE! The oysters were a little small, but all was yummy! Don't dress up, it's very casual. And a bird or two may be lurking nearby to clean up your left-overs!
(4)Rebekah T.
We came to Whiskey Joe's expecting nothing but a good time, fun drinks and some appetizers. We sat in front of the large window looking over the water and people outside having fun. The view alone made me a fan. We ordered up three appetizers as our lunch, the half dozen oysters, the spicy shrimp and toast and the mussels appetizer. Each dish was good. I think the mussels were my favorite, although I am a sucker for oysters. I ordered a Rum Runner and my guy went for a iced tequila shot and a Corona. We were celebrating the end of his business trip and the start of a fun vacation day together. I enjoyed the hot sauce that they offer, it's actually got some heat to it. I would have bought it, but I didn't see it in the gift shop.
(4)Kirsten P.
Great view, thats it. Entire table was sticky.Took 10 mins to even have someone come to our table for drink orders. None of the servers knew where any of the tables were-we literally watched our app go to each of the 8 tables before it finally hit ours. The food was WAY over salted. Our refills took forever and when asked about a beer i ordered and never recieved to be removed from our bill, the server said "Well, its over on the bar", as if i should have gotten it myself. Never again.
(1)Susan M.
Food and service was great but their drinks were weak. We had the gator bites and muscles for a appetizer and it was good.
(3)Anthony L.
Came here for someone's birthday & was actually disappointed in the service and quality of food. The drinks were watered down and my wife returned her plate to the waitress. The waitress asked if she wanted something else and my wife said an emphatic NO. The service definitely takes about 10 minutes longer than it should (both beach side/restaurant). Let me be clear if you come here do so for the scenery. If you're here partying once you get a few drinks in you I'm sure it's not bad. You probably won't notice all the things i mentioned.
(2)Melissa R.
Great drinks and decent food. Views are nice. A little pricey for the quality but you're paying for the view. Will go back again.
(3)Cassie P.
5 stars for the view. 3 stars for everything else. If you want to feel like you're on vacation- and enjoy the sunset- without fighting traffic to the beach- then head to Whiskey Joe's. Take a seat on the outdoor patio for unparalleled views of the sunset....or cozy up to a bonfire on the beach. The food is OK- good, but overpriced. I've never had anything I didn't like here- but I've also never had anything that blew me away. Wine and beer are reasonably priced- especially during happy hour. But expect to pay a little more for a boat drink. The indoor bar area is equipped with a lot of TVs- so it's a great place to watch a sporting event as well. I used to frequent Whiskey Joe's when I lived on Rocky Point- and went back there last week for the first time in a while for a friend's going away celebration. We had a lovely time chilling on the beach, huddled around a bonfire, telling stories and looking forward to the future!
(4)Shawn J.
We have been here half a dozen times, and have never been disappointed. Great food, great beer selection, and a wonderful beach area with a third bar on the sand. We watched a great Van Halen cover band here. Great service, good prices, clean establishment. My wife and I are huge fans of this place!
(5)Terri J.
Food was barely okay. Grouper sandwich was a baby-baby grouper sandwich and slightly undercooked. Fries are good-but at the prices you clearly understand you're here for the view and experience. It's a Pretty cool place with music and a sometimes a band or DJ! And beachside dining on this side of tampa bay is awesome for a quick day out.
(3)Mike H.
We had a great time last night at Whiskey Joe's. We were seated right away, and we loved the beach themed decor. The views this place has are gorgeous, not a bad seat in the house. Our drink orders were fun, as my wife ordered a virgin piña colada (6 months pregnant) and I ordered the ultimate coronarita. The food was great on my end as I ordered the black and blue cheeseburger! Cajon seasoned beef with creamy blue cheese, so good! My wife had a bowl of clam chowder, which was pretty good, but was missing something. All in all we had great time, and the music/culture of the restaurant is relaxing... Which of course is what vacationing is all about. Way to go Whiskey Joe!
(4)Priscilla M.
We had the best bartender and customer service by our bartender shaina. Out of all the bartenders she was BY FAR the most respectful and attentive to our needs.the other servers were rude and tried to take the business from our bartender shaina after she had already served us. When you come to whiskeys ,ask for shaina ,as she is not in competition for tips like the other servers here . She just wants everyone to get served a good drink and the other bartendersseem like they want to steal her tip!
(5)Rachel M.
I can not believe I never reviewed this place. Why have I gone here a bunch of times? Well, it is a step from the airport. People I pick up from the airport or take to the airport end up here. This place has a great view of the water. This is a typical touristy place where you feel like you are in Florida bc the sun is shining in all directions and the heat is permeating you to the max. It's nice and they have tiki huts also that I have not been able to get to. They allow dogs as well. The menu is the usual grill kind of place and not that extraordinary. The drinks are great though and they have great service. I'm sure I will be back when I have more visitors come.
(3)Mark S.
Love the location, definitely a beach bar atmosphere. Service was great. The seating inside at the large bar area and seating outside in the deck is nice. There's a separate restaurant area for more of a dining atmosphere. It would definitely be a frequent stop if it wasn't quite so far away for us. But what really inspired this review is that they have the best con queso I've ever had. It's definitely not just cheese and salsa. We ordered it with taco meat which comes on the side. The portion was very large. It's definitely something you should try.
(4)Amy B.
Beautiful view! We stopped here Friday before I hopped on the plane to Canada for Xmas and watched the sunset! It was beautiful! We ordered the queso dip ad gator bites to snack on, our server was very pleasant and helpful in recommendations. The queso dip was ok but Mcalisters by far has the best if you ask me and this wasn't even close. The gator bites were tasty we ordered buffalo sauce on the side and it was so spicy I couldn't believe it even Brandon thought it was spicy! The bites had a little flavoring of their own so they were ok without the sauce! We've had better gator bites else where in the Bay Area these were a little chewy but still tasty. Brandon has also ordered a beer while we waited and some how with two appetizers and a beer our bill was about $50.... I'd say the view is beautiful but the food is definitely not worth the price. Oh also they are sort of genius with the fishing line over the patio so the seagulls don't bother you while you eat! #mindblown
(2)Randa P.
3 stars for the sunset view and a friendly waiter...we had the mussels, shrimp and sausage quesadilla, and fried swashbuckler basket. The beer was cold, and the quesadilla was probably my favorite thing. The fried seafood basket honestly reminded me of Long John Silvers. I hate to compare them, but I kind of felt like everything was very overpriced for the quality. I was not a fan of the key lime pie, either. We ate at Bahama Breeze the next night, and while I know they are both tourist spots...there was no comparison. Decent enough for beer and a view, but wished we had gone to Bahama Breeze both nights instead.
(3)Jessica K.
Good food, staff is friendly and helpful. Best reason for going here is the view. Beautiful views of the sunset and water!
(4)Katy S.
I have mixed feelings on Whiskey Joe's. Here are the pros and cons... Pros: 1) Waterfront dining in TAMPA! 2) Fruity beach drinks and a fun atmosphere. Cons: 1) Food is okay. 2) It smells like red tide (dead fish) outside. Really that is the big gist of this place. In theory, it is great. I have never had a dish that I really felt was GOOD though. I haven't hated anything I have ever ordered, but I also haven't loved anything. Really though, if you are looking for a place in Tampa on the water with a beautiful view and boat drinks, this is a great spot. It really just depends what you are looking for!
(3)John F.
If I could give an extra half star I would it does not quite rate the full 3. The service was slow, the food was less than stellar but.... i knew what i was getting into. what this place my lack in quality and efficiency it makes up for in location.... it is literally just a couple of minutes from the airport and makes a great "last stop before you go" place to grab a cocktail as you await your flight (or waiting to pick someone up). Sand, Water and a tiki bar! I will say that the parking is a nightmare so your best bet is to just pay for valet..... but again, its a BAR ON THE BEACH, that was what I was looking for!
(2)Sally N.
The setting was nice, our server was personable and the beer was cold. The food was only okay. The traffic and parking on a Sunday evening were terrible. The restaurant wasn't clean and the ladies room was filthy.
(2)Ritch H.
Came here on a lunch stop before my flight back to Atlanta. Came in around noon on a Monday. We sat outside at the bar. Beautiful view. Ordered a margarita and beer. Server had to go inside to get our drinks. Like I said we sat at the bar outside. Ordered "Gator Bites" for an appetizer. $13.95 for a handful of gator. When she brought it out it was served in a small fryer basket with paper holding the gator bites. It appeared to be a decent size serving. After eating about five bites you could see that they filled the basket with lettuce to make it appear that you were getting a large serving. I had the steak tacos which were ok nothing great. My woman had the fish tacos. She took one bite and couldn't finish them. She said that the fish didn't taste fresh. Service was a lil slow. We should've went across the inlet to Hulk Hogans place.
(1)v v.
Service slow, food blah, restaurant in need of refresh. Great view of bay, but that is about it. Better choices all around. Pass on this place.
(2)Nick B.
This place is Satan's tourist trap. The food is worse than cat food. The service was a special kind of terrible. It has a great view of the bay though which you get to see such classy things as a woman going to take a piss. Save yourself and stomach and skip this hell hole.
(1)Jay R.
What a great spot to enjoy a view of the water with a cocktail and grab a bite to eat. We had the grouper sandwich and the mini sliders, have I had better, yes but the food was still pretty good. Lets face it you go to the place for water views and fun. Joe's has a big deck with a 8 seat bar that looks over the water, seems likes a good place to grab the view you probably came here for. They have a barefoot beach bar that looks like fun too if you want sand in between your toes and a cold beer in your hand.
(4)Fritz W.
Great food, great service, great view, great sandy beach bar. I see many bad reviews and I don't see why. Maybe people just tend to post negative comments.
(5)Ashley F.
Bar on the beach is amazing! Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich was delicious! Drink specials were fruity and sweet. The atmosphere is definitely what makes it!
(5)Karen D.
I was on the wait list when I asked to use bathroom, I was directed to tiki bar outdoor bars bathroom( one in restaurant was being repaired), tiki bathroom was a sani can with no service or lights, used my cell phone flashlight and uninal was clogged and toilet was overfilled, there were no sinks or sanitizer, I alerted my party to conditions and everybody wanted to leave, where does male staff clean up and use bathroom, it was upsetting to think they would try to operate without facilities, I heard others complain also.
(1)Sarah B.
Whiskey Joe's has done a lot to improve this restaurant over the years. The have waterfront seating and a beach tiki bar. Both make for an enjoyable Florida atmosphere when the weather is right. During my recent visit I got the naked colada which is basically a pina colada mixed with delicious black spiced rum. The Jamaican Jerk chicken sandwich was served with yummy fries. Both were pretty good. Sit outside and enjoy a frozen drink....it might smell a little funky....don't worry you get used to it :)
(3)Doug S.
This is a fantastic place to get your feet in the sand, have some cold drinks, and decent food. I have been twice and was outside at the beach area for both. It feels like a big beach party - corn hole, volleyball, fire pits, music . . . and great sunset views. Will try to go each time I'm in Tampa!
(5)Daniel B.
This is my first-stop Go-To place when friends or family come in from out of town and are hungry and thirsty right off the plane. It's a hop and skip from TPA. Sitting on the deck or at a bar-top table with a couple of boat drinks and a good burger while watching the sun dip over the Bay sets the tone for their whole visit. If it is the middle of the day the wait staff will leave you alone to catch up and plan. The beer selection is limited and basic ... which by local standards means a couple of local drafts along with a solid drink menu. Stick to the bar food basics and you cannot go wrong.
(3)Brandon D.
The seafood mac n' cheese was one of the best things I've ever eaten. The chef has a blend of a few different cheeses in there that's absolutely spectacular, and the shrimp complements it really well. I also had the mussels appetizer - the sauce was super tasty. The place itself is pretty nice, they've got a great view with an awesome beach bar and a gift shop. All in all a great experience.
(5)Donna M.
We take visitors here when we pick them up at the airport. Nachos are the best. The food is great and the outside seating by the water is pleasant. I wish they would have a larger menu for beach side, but, you can always eat inside and just hang outside with yummy drinks
(3)Pamela R.
Sit at the bar. Ask for Marquis. Get the Jambalaya with pasta. Watch the sunset. Effn amazing
(5)Jeff H.
I asked the concierge at my hotel for a local dive that sold good food cheap. This place is not that. It's a tourist trap with mediocre food and moderate prices. I should have known when I walked in and saw a gift shop selling Whiskey Joe's tee shirts. I was hungry and it was traffic hour so I stayed rather than try to find some other place. I ordered the blackened grouper and it came out quickly. The first thing I noticed was that it appeared everything was reheated including the fish. The "fresh steamed" vegetables were still cold as was the rice. The cold was not room temp, but fridge cold. I gave the fish a shot and it was just ok. It may have been reheated as well since the blackened portions had no crisp. Overall it was disappointing.
(2)Darren P.
Stop here after visiting Clearwater Beach. We didn't have to wait more than a couple minutes. The hostess was nice and waitress very pleasant. We sat out on the deck over the water. I ordered the mussels for an appetizer (a must), pasta penne for the entrée. My sons both ordered chicken strips. My wife had wings. My mother also had the penne. My step father had fish and chips. The food was great. The waitress kept our glasses full. The atmosphere nearly unmatched. Our bill came to $103. Not bad at all. Our Whiskey Joe's is a must while in Tampa.
(5)Trung N.
One of my first dining experiences while visiting Tampa and just let me say, I was hoping Tampa had better to offer. We ordered the following: 1. Sliders 2. Calamari 3. Oysters 4. Shrimp Food was standard. Nothing really special. Things seemed as though they were thrown together. Nothing tasted great and everything tasted average. Service wasn't very good. Although the place was empty, it took a while for waiters to come serve us. Nice view of the bay. Just about the best part of the experience.
(2)Johnny M.
Killer on the beach joint! Blackened fish tacos local Cigar City beer! Great server thanks Beth!! Must do classic Fla place!
(5)Rob W.
I do not care for the food here at all. We tried it a few times, and it is generic and best avoided. I still do like to come here for drinks. I like the Rocky Point location, the building and the views quite a bit.
(3)Batman B.
View: breathtaking (on the water outside seating, on the man made beach, inside all glass enclosure to ensure you have the view, you win in any spot you prefer to sit) Service: very good Food: had mojito tacos. Amazing! Price: reasonable ($11 for the tacos) Really liked it
(5)Kathy H.
Near airport, so wanted to if they could impress me beyond three stars and a good view - meh, no. Lovely to sit on the water, played it safe with grouper sandwich, but it was unremarkable. Fries were good though, battered...and did I mention the view?!
(3)Food L.
Service and the view were the only decent things there. Yucky drinks, and dried up wings. Seriously over priced. $15 for 10 naked, dried and small wings. Way better choices around, don't go to Whiskey joes!
(1)Jose R.
I have been here many times. I have a corporate card, and all I have to say is this palace could be a better place. Too many people at the bar coming and going, order white wine was warm if you know wine you know how to serve white wine . Is like the ghetto people go there after a day at a bad beach . Over all have good views of the sunset drinks and beers could be better. Service can improve. It's my back up plan when don't know where else to go...
(3)E F.
I'm rating this 4 based on the gorgeous view....and the best wings I've had, ever. Maybe they were having a good day, but the fried garlic parmesan wings with ranch were the most delicious, juicy, crispy flavorful wings I've everrrrrrr had. Damn. $14 is suuuuuper pricey, but the wings were so good I'd go back and pay for more. Calamari was bleh.
(4)Phillip N.
Wish I could do no stars. The worst place in Tampa. Please do not go to this piece of shit. Management had to be dumb as shit to waste this waterfront opportunity.
(1)Sondra C.
Standard, by-the-water seafood and grill. Ate inside. View is fantastic through large windows. What was consumed: Louis Salad (crab and shrimp) - acceptable, mediocre amount of seafood Seafood bisque - acceptable, appeared artificially thickened Side of fries - these are the battered type. Crispy and fluffy inside. Buffalo sauce for dipping was good. Grilled smokey asparagus - acceptable. They didn't snap off the woody ends, so those were inedible. Smokey greens with bacon - the clear winner here. Tasty, full of garlic and bacon flavor!
(3)Steven S.
This is a criticism. I ordered a dozen oysters and got 8. I ask about the count and they said because they were so big that they only serve 8. The menu says clearly states half dozen and a dozen, not weight. Just because they buy large oysters is not my problem. They need to change the menu if They want to change by the weight. I have been coming here for 5 years and this has never been a problem. This is just an example of low character of the management on duty, But to be fair it is usually a good bar and the wait staff is very excellent
(1)Elana L.
The view of Tampa Bay from here are very pretty, however the food is sub-par. :( Sit outside on the deck and enjoy the breeze and water. I think it's best known for it's bar and alcohol consumption because three of us ordered three different things and none of them were very good. To be specific, the shrimp and chorizo quesadilla was terrible. Hardly any meat in it and little to no cheese, so if you like a plain tortilla, there ya have it! :) Also, if ordering water, see if they have bottled because their tap water is also gross.
(2)Terry D.
We stopped in last week for a couple of drinks on the beach and enjoyed the experience. The staff was friendly and we especially enjoyed the DJ, Chad!
(5)Richard S.
It's interesting, I see all these bad reviews about service. I not from here, just visiting on business. We had a brilliant waitress named Sarah W, my girlfriend and I have special dietary needs that were handled without any problem. The food was very good! So maybe the trick is the ask for Sarah :)
(5)Anne-Mary J.
Went here for dinner on a Monday night while on a business trip. Nice atmosphere and our waitress was pleasant. Self parking options are limited unless your willing to circle the lot until someone leaves. Toll beach parking is close or valet.
(3)Jess I.
I wish I could give this place negative stars. The set up of the establishment is OK, outdated and TOO laid back. I know they are trying to go for the laid back look, but it almost looks DIRTY. My friend and I sat at the bar and the bar was disgusting. From the looks of it, it looked like they hadn't bothered to even wipe down the bar in two days. The cups in which our drinks were poured in also, looked cheap. Another observation I made is that there aren't enough chairs for the bar, but there's a lot of space for more additional chairs=more customers. **SERVICE** I really NEVER complain about service anywhere I go. It doesn't take much to please me,-- sometimes there are legitimate reasons behind the slow service etc. But this time... no excuse. The absolute worst I've ever experienced. There were two female bartenders behind the bar. A blonde and a brunette. The blonde was friendly. The brunette(who might have been pregnant... no just fat) with the tattoo on her lower back was beyond rude. For starters, she was disrespectful and told my friend that the dog wasn't allowed at their establishment, until she figured out the dog was a service dog.She could have approached the situation in a friendlier way. As if that wasn't bad enough, she took a look at my ID and asked me if I had another form of ID with my name on it because the ID "didn't look like me". This was the FIRST time I've ever been told this and I have been to enough restaurants/bars. What a complete and utter moron. In addition to questioning my legitimate ID she was very impolite towards us.I don't live in Tampa, but I really urge everyone to STAY AWAY from this place. Maybe get rid some of your incompetent employees who walk around doing nothing, chatting with each other and hire some new ones who actually want to deliver A+ service!
(1)Zavier R.
Writing this review while still here. Sitting outside and that is pretty much the only good thing about this place. Service is horrible and it is no longer busy. On top of that the waitress let us know that they switched to playing only country music to eliminate the "bad" element. If that's the only way you can think of to stop fights and skipped bar tabs you're an unimaginative owner/manager. The food is decent and paired with better service would be a hit since the location is great!
(2)K N.
This was my first time at Whiskey Joes. I was initially impressed with the interior and our waitress was friendly so we started off on a good note. Shortly after sitting down I noticed that a different server's butt cheeks were literally hanging out of her shorts. At this point our appetites were quickly fading. Then comes the food. A coworker and I both got the tacos. Midway through the first taco, my coworker found a curly short black hair sticking out. I then checked my tacos and there it was, a short black hair hanging out in my tortilla. The manager came over to ask what happened and then proceeded to ask my coworker where the hair was as if she didn't believe her. I then said that I had a picture and she asked why I would take a picture lol. Good thing I did. They did take the tacos off of the bill and offered a different meal at no cost. However, I still would suggest that you do not go to Whiskey Joe's.
(1)Gerald M.
Great place to watch the sunset, especially in the winter months when you don't want to be out in the cold wind. We ordered drinks but decided not to order dinner when we saw plates brought out to nearby tables. Watching peoples reactions when they tasted the food was priceless. My first drink (pina colada) was refreshing but my second $8.00 drink was nothing more than shredded ice. After the second sip I decided to say something. The bar tender did admit to the blender being subpar and blended it a little more. I didn't say anything else but I have a problem paying $8.00 for nothing more than ice water. My tip here...stick to beer so you know exactly what you're going to get.
(3)Joseph L.
Food was good. Exactly the quality you'd expect from a waterside tourist type place. Prices were higher than comparable restaurants.
(3)TJ T.
My bf and I went here on a Sat evening around 8pm. The restaurant was semi-empty but there were lots of people at the Barefoot Bar. The bartenders were not very attentive because they didn't even notice us until about 5 min after we sat down. The first bartender asked if we were being helped, we said no, she took our order. Then a min or 2 later another bartender came by and asked if we were being helped. Throughout our stay we noticed that customers who sat down had to wait a long while before either bartenders even noticed they were there. At one point we needed to get another round but couldn't get anyone's attention. One bartender was talking to a group of guys more than paying attention to her customers; she was at the far end of the bar and had her back toward us so she couldn't see me waving my arm to get her attention. The mixed drinks we ordered were good, the beers are reasonably priced, the music is good as always, being outdoors was nice, and we found out that we could drive our boat right up to the sand, but the bartenders really need to be more attentive to their customers. I'm still giving the Barefoot Bar a 3 star because my experience didn't improve since my last review.
(3)Tony V.
Typical on waterfront bar, huge place with outdoor seating and ALOT of indoor seating.. Oddly great service, didn't expect the attentiveness we got.. Great place next to ben t davis beach.. Mixed crowd with older folks, tourists and "locals"..
(5)Cathy B.
You simply cannot beat the views from every seat in this place! Pull up an outdoor bar stool, watch the sunset and order a frozen margarita or daiquiri with your honey. Stroll over to the beach or their tiki bar in the sand. The food is better than average although not gourmet..... fish tacos, beer can chicken, a nice beer cheese bread bowl soup. Tequila is great but with the views, music and people at this hopping place it is best to come early and stay all day. Be sure to valet park for free but tip those guys - parking is tight here. Love their little gift shop and space for large parties. Lots of live music indoors and out - only thing missing is a Sunday brunch- especially with those views..... this used to be called castaways years ago and they were known for their brunch... something to think about Joes..... a great place to bring visiting frineds from out of town for enough space, good food and frozen concoctions!
(4)Dilo G.
Passed by this restaurant all the time while visiting the Clearwater Beach and decided to finally stop by. Nicer better outside looking than Hogan's, server was very friendly and food outstanding. The only reason I knocked down 1 Star is because they sold me the $20 coconut and refills where $8 dollars and bill doesn't disclose that. They claim they can do whatever drink they don't specify will be well then they charge you the premium liquor separate. It's too confusing, otherwise it was a pleasant experience.
(3)Paulie V.
The things they can't control are their best qualities: beach, weather, people watching. As for their food, drinks and service; horrible. Bland and inconsistent food, drinks are fine, and service is their weakest point. I actually waited 20 minutes to for a drink and eventually gave up after being continually ignored by their servers. I haven't received quick service to date and have finally gave up on this place. Worst. Service . Ever.
(2)Dave B.
Great view, location. Food was mediocre at best. Ordered signature tequila garlic shrimp appetizer- it was not very good....tiny and very few shrimp. The grouper entree came out cold and was small for the price. Net not a repeat for a meal, but a drink at sunset is a maybe.
(2)Clee T.
Sitting here right now. Crazy busy which is a good sign. Cold beer, great peel And eat shrimp and the view is beautiful.
(4)Victoria B.
This restaurant is the epitome of Florida. Great sunset views, beach bar, and great food. If you want to have a quiet sit down, you have your choice of inside or on the patio where you can watch the dolphins play or egrets fish. The food might be a little pricy, but you can't beat the location and at least it tastes good for what you pay! Their parking lot is usually always full, but they have valet or you can just park at the beach next door (just give yourself a little extra time if you're meeting people).
(5)Taylor B.
I came here in March, and had a bad experience. I asked the server if the nachos had jalapeños and if they did I'd like to leave them off as I'm allergic. What happens? Nachos come out with jalapeños. I wasn't happy. They apologized and gave me a $20 credit, sometimes people have off days and I understand that. I decided to go with my roommate who's never been for lunch today... I ordered the Acai margarita (recommended by the server) and it literally tasted like juice. No tequila whatsoever. Then, my steak tacos came out and the steak was literally cold. Not warm, or room temperature... COLD. Seriously? Never again. This place needs help, and a lot of it.
(1)Trey S.
Every time we come to the Tampa area we love to try new places to eat. It's kinda hard to find a place that's not too touristy. This place definitely screams tourist but it has a nice atmosphere to eat. With a huge window overlooking the water, it makes it hard to focus on your food with such a great view. I had the blackened fish tacos and my wife got the signature burger with bacon BBQ sauce and cheese. My fish tacos hit the spot and the salsa that it came with had a good spice and tasted like it's made fresh. I put the whiskey Joe garlic hot sauce on them and that put them over the edge. My wife's burger was a perfect medium and the fries are really crispy and delicious definitely a win for lunch. I don't know if it's worth the dough for dinner though considering their entrée run about $20 a plate for a Joe's crab shack styled restaurant. The service was good and the food came out quickly and everything was fresh. I would definitely come back for sure.
(4)Kelly Q.
I've been to Whiskey Joes I believe 2 or 3 times now, and unfortunately each time I went the experience just got worse. My first rating would have been 4 stars, but I'm starting to think it was a fluke the first time we went. I've only ever sat outside, mostly because what my friends have said about the service indoors and even when I go in to use the restroom there's a funky smell in the lobby area. I don't trust funky smells... Anyhow, as for my first experience oudoors, they still had the fire pits (before they apparently got destroyed in a tropical storm, bring those back!!) and they were AMAZING. We started out at the bar, which was nice, and moved to the fire pits later. Our bartender, a lovely blond, also made my friend and I some of the best drinks we haven't been able to find the equivalent of since. I really don't recommend this place for food, it's simply underwhelming for the price. Go for the drinks and the beach bar. The live music is also a nice touch. Anyhow, the next time I went they had the tables in the sand instead of the pits, which were terrible because they did not hold the same appeal. First, they acted as heat traps and second, there was absolutely NO lighting so we could not see our food once the sun set. Thirdly, every single table we visited had biting ants! Someone is not paying attention. And the bartenders this round... oui. They delivered very poor service, food, and I was sure they did not know what they were doing mixing drinks. I don't know what you're doing taking a job as a bartender when you don't understand correct alcohol ratios. And the boys both seemed kind of ..... spacey. I just feel in general Whiskey Joe's could be a great place, their location is excellent, however I feel like they are a victim of neglect from management. The upkeep, server staff, and food quality are just not up to par.
(2)Casey B.
Had scallops and oysters as appetizers and both were great. I had the seafood macaroni and it was just ok. My husband ate grouper and that was fantastic! It had a kind of creamy, tomato type of sauce that went great with the fish and the rice and vegetables. Our server Shelby did a great job. The tab was somehow close to $150, we did have 4 drinks but still expensive for this type of restaurant. If you choose to sit on the patio during the day beware of the birds!
(4)J G.
It was our first experience after our flight landed. We had heard great reviews on google and yelp so we determined to check it out ourselves. We had dinner right on the beach at the Tiki Bar. As the sunset went down the view was unexplainable. The bar staff Courtney and Caroline where we sat before we took our table were extraordinary in customer service.Their personality along with the Florida sun made us feel like we were on an island getaway. After being seated at one of the eleven Tiki Tables on the beach we were introduced to Jennifer and Alex our wait staff. They were pleasant, attentive and comical. As a whole I would rate Whiskey Joes a in the sand environment with phenomenal customer service. I also might add while we were enjoying our dinner we walked upstairs to catch the sunset from the second deck. The bartender staff on had Julie and Marquise were super friendly as well while we savored the brief moment of the Florida sunset.
(5)Victoria W.
My husband and I really enjoyed our meal here. We started with the nacho's, they were delicious! And coming from Southern California, we're picky about our nacho's. My husband got wings and I got a Caesar salad for our main course but we only ate about 1/4 of our meal, due to being so full from the nacho's. When we walked in we were asked if we'd like to be seated indoors or out, we requested out. The hostess asked another hostess, who was just standing there, if they had any available tables outside, she responded by hunching her shoulders and saying "I don't know". Our hostess took us out there anyway and found us a table. Our waiter was very young and seemed a bit inexperienced, he was attempting to take our plates and drinks away before we were finished. But he was very polite and doing his best. I had a Margarita on the rocks which was really good! Great view of the water too.
(4)Sean F.
This place is not worth your time. Is rather post about how much I like a place but when things are wrong they are just wrong. 6 people sitting at the bar including my group with 3 bartenders working and it was the worst service I have had in a long time. Tried to order food yet couldn't get service. Who serves 10 wings for 14.99? I am a wing fanatic but are you kidding me. I wish I could get back the time I lost here. 2 Thumbs completely down!
(1)Billy D.
Whiskey Joes is TERRIBLE! place smells like everyone and everything pissed all over everything. Even mentioned it to the hostess. They say it always does and people quit their job there because of the filth. Food was some of the worst served in a restaurant. Mcdonalds puts this place to shame. Service is a joke. I will tell everyone how horrible this place is.. Way over priced.. Warm beer, bread served half warm/half cold. All Sysco crap food.. Place sucks!
(1)Mike S.
Basically a beach bar targeting tourists. A fine view or Tampa Bay from the Tampa side of Courtney Campbell, with lots of deck seating and natural breeze. Drinks are fine but predictably pricey. Service is relaxed. Just had some apps from the usual list of tacos, wraps, and fried seafood.
(3)Amy Z.
A little touristy for my tastes. Food is alright, but the main attraction is the view. Love the outdoor seating.
(3)Linds R.
I was less than impressed here tonight. The ambience and scenery is great. The food is mediocre at best, and the service wasn't my favorite. I ordered the grilled mahi with shrimp bertie. I have a gluten allergy and let the waitress know. I cannot eat grains currently (medical issue), and requested a side of collard greens instead of the jasmine rice. The waitress seemed very uncomfortable with this request even though I stated I was ok with paying the full amount for the additional side since they don't do substitutions. This didn't seem to sit well with her, so I just accepted her offer of double veggies because I didn't feel like arguing about it. A few minutes later, the waitress told me the sauce would be on the side since it has gluten in it. I would expect that in 2014 - in an area like Tampa - servers and chefs would be cognizant enough of the fact that putting a sauce on the side on my dish that contains an ingredient I'm allergic to is a ridiculous idea. Why would I want a sauce that is going to make me sick for 2 weeks to be brought out with my meal‽ I politely requested the sauce be left out altogether. The mahi was dry and overcooked. The shrimp on top were small and unimpressive. For $20.99, there should've been Gulf shrimp on this dish, not the tiny shrimp they serve at Panera. It's too bad because the venue looks great. But the servers need to be educated, and the food could use a serious upgrade. Sit on the deck and enjoy a couple of drinks. Eat elsewhere.
(2)Suyin L.
Came for sunset only. Dont expect too much for the food.
(2)Yashi M.
Didn't like the food as compared to hogan's . Didn't like piña colada . It was more watery and lacked coconut. I m giving 3 stars because I ordered true blue drink and it was amazing !
(3)Ron H.
Nice view on water. It was recommended by the concierge desk at hotel. Limes in my mojito were old. (brown edges) The blackened grouper was average. Not much fish and the shrimp rubbery.
(2)Bobby C.
Stay away. This is a tourist trap with bland food.
(2)Kristin R.
We were looking for a "beach" experience while we were in town (without dealing with the crazy of Clearwater) and this place fit the bill! Service was friendly. Our server suggested the $9 beer pitcher special. It's always nice when a server is willing to help you save a few bucks. We had a pulled pork pizza and shrimp from the raw bar... pizza was delish and the shrimp were nicely seasoned and ice cold. Can't beat the view and people-watching on the patio. I wish we had also ventured over to the barefoot bar.
(4)stacie s.
Great views and drinks but the food is terrible. I had the crab/artichoke dip and it tasted smokey. The chips were sprinkled with something that made them taste like Doritos. The shrimp pasta had 5 shrimp and no flavor.
(1)Chuck S.
Whiskey Joe's sucks. The food is horrible. I first went last year when I was visiting from up North. The food was just "tired" looking much like the restaurant itself. Salads I ordered just looked like no one really cared to make them look presentable eventhough you are paying over $13 bucks for them. Fast forward, a year later, now I live here in Tampa. Decided to give Whiskey's another shot today. I had heard they upgraded the food so let's check it out. They did upgrade the bar area but the food......no. Ordered a Chicken Chopped Salad for $14 bucks. It showed up and looked like I put it together with leftovers I had in my fridge. Just pale green and white lettuce with hardly any of the veggies they listed on the menu. Salad should look colorful with bright colors not pale like an Ansel Adams black and white photo. It tasted ok but just a sad looking salad for $14 bucks. I was going to send it back but I was staving and did not want to hold up the others I was dining with. Again, no one care about how the food should look. Whiskey Joe's does have the location going for it. That is why I give it a generous 2 stars. Great place to grab a drink and lookout over the Bay, especially at sunset. Just don't order the food. I can not remember any food items over the year that impressed me. It was just kind of "so-so" but with more of a mark up in price to cover the beachfront lease they must be paying. I am not a picky person at all. I've worked in restaurants before for over 10 years. I am actually too easy going when it comes to critiquing restaurants and food. A place really has to get on my nerves to make me sit down, look them up on yelp, and write a bad thing about them. If I were to pick a place to eat in that area, I would go to Bahama Breeze across street. It to has a water view, great outdoor bar area, and very nice inviting place that is well maintained. Oh yeah, the food is much better and I think cheaper. I hope Whiskey Joe's checks out Yelp.
(2)Judy D.
Are you kidding me , on the water awesome view.... But warm beer in old plastic cups. My boyfriend's cup actually exploded.... No offer of replacing. No wait staff or food offered that I could see. Great potential if you can get it together
(2)Renay R.
My friend and I were looking for a new place with beach atmosphere. .That we found, We sat at the outside bar...was greeted right away, served our drinks and given menus. I was going to order Apps but no one came back to see how we were doing..so after about 45 mins we asked to cash out and the server short changed us. Terrible service, will not be back.
(1)Bubble T.
Get the wiiiiiiiings (breaded Thai chili and pram grouchy) listen, I know what you r thinking...and only get the breaded if u love crunch. It.s deep fried battered four of some sort....can't go wrong and it.s smothered in that sweet Thai chili. You mainly get distracted w the crunch. I sat there for 40 minutes savor ing every wing. No lie... I.m a fan of wings....and these wings w bonchon wings are a tough comparison...they are just different....and just as RIiiiiiiiiiico! Skip the gumbo. Service is your usual happy, ready, go, serve, bill, out.
(3)Nancy P.
It didn't take me long to figure out this is definitely a Tourist place. The parking lot was packed so we opted for the valet parking for a dollar. Well worth it. When you walk into the lobby, there are Whiskey Joe's T-shirts piled high on the many tables set up. Once past the lobby, what hits you first are the views. A wall of windows frames the beauty waterways in Tampa. You also see the long bridge over the bay which leads to the skyline of St Petersburg. It has tiered seating so all tables have a view. Our lovely waitress, Jamie, was cheerful and had a good sense of humor. The restaurant area did not appear to be as crowded as the parking lot. More on that later. My dirty martini was good and dirty so I had a second. The menu is pricey on some items so we passed on appetizers. I choose the Crab Cake sliders but the Shrimp Po Boy did catch my eye. The sliders came with fies which Jamie told us were good. I declined and asked for my side to be vegetables. My dinner companian ordered the Beer Cheese soup and the Signature salad. I had a taste of the soup and it was thick and cheesy. His salad was HUGE. I stole a piece of Jicama. The crab cake sliders were better than I expected. They were served on grilled Hawaiian buns which gave it a slight sweetness. The slaw was fresh and crispy, not overly dressed. The cakes did contain more filler (breadcrumbs) than I would have liked but they were seasoned well. They gave me a fairly sized bowl of steamed vegetables but a bit unders seasoned. Once salt & pepper were added, they were flavorful. It was a mix of carrots, zucchini, green beans, and lots and lots of red and green peppers. Okay, so over half of it was peppers, not my favorites. It was my last night in Tampa and I had to have dessert. I had the Mud pie. Very filling, lots of whipped cream, but the coffee flavor overwhelmed the chocolate. Finally tally for the dinner was close to 100, pricey. Back to the crowded parking lot and where the people were. Once outside, if you walk to the right, there is a broadwalk heading to the small sandy beach. This is where the action is. There was a stage for the live music that faces the tables directly on the sand. The only drawback to this beach location, the food comes from the same kitchen but has a much longer way to travel. So it could be cold by the time it arrives at your table.
(4)Michael K.
My first experience at whiskey joes will be my last. The food was over priced and none of the six people at my party enjoyed their meal. We waited WAY too long for our drink order. The waitress was nice and did keep saying she was waiting for the bar to finish them. It was a Tuesday night and not busy. The appetizers came out before our drinks and the oysters were the smallest I've ever seen.
(1)Diana H.
Great view. But mediocre food and experience. Our server was nice, but food came out cold, was super expensive for quality that well, was not that great. I mean I ordered chips and queso as an appetizer and the cheese and chips were cold. It's more of a place to pull up with your boat and drink. Or go and enjoy the outside beach and patio and have a couple adult beverages than actually enjoying a meal. Oh, and parking is a disaster, the valet lets in people in the lot at his random discretion. No method to the madness.
(2)David S.
Dude, dudette; excellent relaxed atmosphere. Fish tacos - damn good. Margaritas - damn good. Staff - Damn good. Ask for Tom and drop a Penn State or Air Force Academy reference - money!
(4)Kerry J.
This place gets a 5 for atmosphere and the sunset. I completely agree with the other reviewer who said the views make the average food taste better. But I'm not even going to write about the food. That's not why you go here. If you're having a crappy day, this is where you need to come. I crashed my car about a year ago, came here, had two mango margaritas, watched the sunset, and I forgot all about my car. It probably helped that the Tampa Bay Parrotheads were having a meetup and a bunch of drunk 50-somethings were doing a conga line through the restaurant. This is the best view of the sunset in Tampa. Sit out on the deck, grab a fancy drink, and brace yourself for the reason I moved to the West coast: the unbelievable sunset. They also have a tiki bar on their "beach" with live music. The sand itself is kind of nasty, so it's best to keep your shoes on. If you can't make it for the sunset, the next best thing is to sit out at the beach bar on a nice day.
(5)Scott C.
Fish tacos? Awesome. Grouper sandwich? Great. The Painkiller drink with coconut milk, pineapple and rum? AMAZING. great atmosphere outside especially. Recommended.
(5)Kate C.
Parking is non existent and painful to maneuver after rejection - the lot is so ill conceived that we sat in a line of vehicles just trying to leave. Once in, the band plays outside (brilliant in Florida summer weather) and the service was ridiculously bad. When someone DID finally stop to take our order, they had attitude. Finally went to the bar when I wanted a water refill...the water is self serve out of a bar top machine. Except..it was empty! And no one behind the bar cared once we got their attention. The food was horrible. I ordered what I thought was shrimp and it came out in a bowl. It looked like shrimp soup. I was told "oh, it's a dipping sauce" what? Ick. My husbands burger was dry...and he couldn't get service at the bar either. When I asked for a to-go box, the server sighed mightily and told me she'd have to go inside for that. 15 mins later, I saw her trudging up the walkway for said box. Needless to say, I will never go there again and my shrimp soup ended up in the garbage. Even the dog didn't want it.
(2)Laith A.
Great family restaurant but the food isn't that great.
(3)Scott L.
Great atmosphere! So so food. The wait for the food at 9 p.m. was over an hour. Ridiculous. I would go for lunch, but not dinner.
(3)Jessica G.
Good beach bar and beach party atmosphere but the food I ordered was not very good. I ordered the fish tacos and the fish was tough and tasted very fishy. It doesn't tell you on the menu what the fish is and I should have asked before, but when I asked after they said it was pollock. For a Florida place on the water they should not go cheap and instead do Grouper. Especially since it's $12 for two tacos. Disappointed.
(3)Shana H.
You really can't beat the view here. They have their own private sandy beach. I chilled with some good friends earlier in the day on a weekday so it wasn't that busy, which was great because iv'e seen this place get PACKED! There is nothing better than some cold beer on a hot ass day with some sandbags to play a few games of sand bag toss with your buddies. We stayed and watched the sunset. Tried some food, the fish tacos were nasty, my friends had the pulled pork sandwiches. Too salty for them. The food is meh. Don't expect it to be as great as the view. I would have rated it a five if the food was good. Whiskey Jose's is a wonderful hang out if you are lookin to have a good time with your friends and get some drinks.
(4)Kristen W.
Love this place! The chicken Alfredo was amazing and our waitress, Kat, was super friendly and helpful!
(5)Jason S.
Went here for the second weekend in a row and couldn't find parking. Tried Whiskey Joes... No parking. Went to Bahama Breeze. Found parking but sat at the table for 10 minutes, no one even stopped by my table to greet me or get my drink order. I gave up. Don't go to ANY of these places for a table of one.
(1)Sam Q.
Whiskey Joe's has great views of the Bay and is only a couple of minutes from the airport. Its very popular with my coworkers for happy hour, but tourists will also enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and views. The food is fairly good. I'm a fan of their nachos, fried calamari (that includes breaded and fried green and red peppers) and the cocount shrimp. Whiskey Joe's is located right on the Causeway and the drive over the Causeway is one of my favorite. I highly recommend this place for locals and tourists alike.
(4)Terri J.
the wait staff is friendly and efficient. I ordered mussels that had the best taste, but half weren't opened, the waitress immediately took them back and placed a second order, there was only one closed and I didn't mind because the sauce they are in is fantastic. I ordered the steak tacos and they were pretty bland, even with all the toppings on it....it was a bit pricey at $11.99 for two soft shell tacos....my bill was $31 for mussels, two tacos and a $5 beer....but it was my date night with myself
(4)Lisa G.
I was in town for business so I was flying solo for a few days. My conference ended early one day and I headed over to Whiskey Joe's for a few drinks and an early dinner. I sat outside because the view is amazing. I had a margarita and a corona light ($3.50 all day every day.) I tried the steak tacos - ridiculously delicious. The staff was great and the live music (outside stage) was starting when I left. After a little while I forgot that I was there alone bc this place is just so much fun! Whiskey Joe's is a must for anyone visiting Tampa westshore!
(5)Claire L.
Would not recommend. We ordered Skinny Margaritas, queso and fish tacos. The queso and tacos came out at the same time. So much for an appetizer. And the drinks didn't come until we were almost done with our meal. We asked about the delay and the waitress said the bar was backed up, but the restaurant was only half full. When we finally got our drinks they were not the "skinny" versions we were expecting and they were so bad, my sister decided not to even drink hers. The view is nice but not worth the trip.
(2)Brian C.
Lunch Apr 30 Great water views without having to drive to Clearwater or St Pete Beaches. What I like: - Shrimp Po' Boy is really good. If your from 'Nawlins, you'll probably snub your nose, but for everyone else, its one f the best you'll find outside of the Bayou. Big in size with lots of tasty shrimp and a spicy remoulade sauce. - House Salad is a full plate of wild greens with a nice vinaigrette dressing with yummy little candied pecans to jazz it up a bit. I love salads that arent your normal fare. - Service is always friendly and attentive. What I would like to see: More lunch specials, fresh catch specials, seasonal menu items or maybe a rewards/loyalty program for us locals. UPDATE 5/5/12 -- THEY DO have a rewards program, its a EClub on their website! I am not a big drinker, but from what I hear, their beach area is pretty happening with the party/beach loving crowd.
(3)Brenden S.
Great food with an awesome atmosphere. The service left something to be desired, and they let some lady in to sell candles for charity, which is very weird. You really don't want to be pressured into buying a candle for someone with cancer at dinner. All things considered, a decent place to visit but with so many other choices, I would probably check out some other place on my next trip.
(4)Johnny C.
Yes the uniforms the staff has to wear hurts my eyes and you know you are at some type of tourist location as you pass through Ye Olde Gift Shoppe on your way in and out of the attraction but... I've only eaten there recently at lunch and was lucky enough not to get attacked or by a flock angry sea gulls and if they would have pooped on me I would have ran, ran so far away I could have got away. Back to the food, two salads, one appetizer and a couple of glasses of house Sauvignon were ordered. I have to agree it was not the least expensive lunch and if it wasn't for the beautiful surroundings, pleasant staff and decent food I would probably drive past in the future but....
(4)Steven S.
Gator bites good. Had recommended scallops, rice, and shrimp. Food good but missing some spices. Service friendly and pleadant.
(4)C C.
A great setting and the food is OK, but accessibility is a serious problem. It is probably illegal (ADA laws). There is no way to get in except to climb a steep flight of steps. I even watched members of a band having to lug their equipment across about 50 feet of sand to get to the beach stage. Obviously the owners don't want to spend money on the basics.
(3)Nepsa N.
ATMOSPHERE: This place is right on the water so the views are great! We sat inside because it was a little chilly. There are fire pits on the beach you can sit around. I don't know if they have food service out there though. They also have a deck over the water but of course it was super crowded. Inside, the place is a little dark, but cozy. There are nice small aquariums around to make you feel like you're at the beach. Also, there are some nice places to walk along the beach after dinner. You don't even need to move the car! They have valet, too. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Customer service is just okay. Our waitress was obviously upset to be working on her birthday, she even mentioned it a few times. But never the less, she kept a smile. They were nice but didn't really have good customer service skills. Our drinks were never refilled the whole time but they never hesitated to sell you on alcohol. We were here for about TWO hours, just to eat dinner. We had a small mishap, but for not being very busy, our food took FOREVER. It took forever because they ask you what you want to drink. Then they bring that. Then once you've had a second to look at the drink menu, they take your alcohol order. Then that takes 15 minutes or so. Then they come back for your appetizer or food order. But it was a good 25 minutes after we sat down that we could finally order. Our food took about 45 minutes even tho it wasn't crowded. This leads me into the food. FOOD: I ordered the white sand pizza which is basically an Alfredo pizza with chicken, spinach, and artichokes. The pizza came and it seriously looked like a tortilla with Alfredo sauce. Thin crusted is a serious understatement. It was crunchy and fell apart pulling it apart. The pizza was so bland. I couldn't taste anything. The chicken tasted like frozen chicken and was perfectly grilled and sliced. Obviously from a frozen bag of chicken. So I ordered a burger. Man- this burger was delicious. It was just their signature burger. Definitely order it. I'm not even a big burger person but this one was amazing. Also, it doesn't matter what you order, make sure you order fries. I don't know what they do to make them so yummy! And I'm not a huge fan of coleslaw either but it came with the burger so I tried it. Gosh. Even that was delicious. My sister ordered the mac and cheese with crab and shrimp. That was okay. Crab was good but completely minced up to the point where we thought it was breadcrumbs. Also, the sauce for the mac and cheese was definitely out of a can or box. But other than that it was alright. We also ordered dessert. The cheesecakes were obviously bought elsewhere and not made in house. They don't have a desert menu so you just have to make a desision based on how your waiter describes it. Ours did a terrible job but we were craving sugar so we ordered the mud pie and cheesecake anyway. I absolutely hate coffee flavored chocolate. Our waitress just said it was a chocolate mousse pie. I feel like she had never even freaking SEEN it before. It was like a bag of Oreos had exploded over a piece of cheesecake. The cheesecake was NOT chocolate. I don't even know what it was supposed to be. But the crust was Oreo and it had like 10 Oreos smashed up over the entire plate. The worst part was that the whole thing tasted like coffee. Gross. Don't order the mud pie unless you like coffee flavored Oreos. We probably won't come back unless it's a nice day since the location is so nice.
(2)Danielle W.
We saw this restaurant across the way from our bay front Best Western hotel and decided, based on the Jamaican music and the fire pits on the beach that we had to check it out. Started out with "Joe's Pile of Nachos". They offered to do the extra toppings on the side, which was perfect since my fiance doesn't know what's good and doesn't like sour cream or guacamole. They were good and plentiful, really probably too big of an appetizer for two. My fiance got their signature 1/2 pound burger and I got the signature salad since I was so full from the nachos. We also both imbibed on their hurricane cocktails, which at $8 each was a little pricey. Our server was friendly and willing to offer recommendations, telling us what she liked only at the end of the night to confess that she'd actually never eaten there and asked if she'd been convincing. I was a little taken aback. And it kind of put a sour note to our dinner. What this restaurant has going for it is its location. I've had better food and service.
(2)Mary W.
I wouldn't say this place is bad.... Just nothing special. My fiancé got a burger which was good, and I got the coconut shrimp which were boring. We both got frozen drinks which tasted like a mix without any alcohol ( for which we paid almost ten dollars each). The service was good and sitting outside on the deck was very nice. Overall the place seemed like a tourist trap and the limited (and boring) menu made it obvious that management was not interested in having people return.
(2)Eamon D.
Fish and Chips were good. Atmosphere was lacking. Hostesses were really nice, server no so much!
(2)Richard V.
Reincarnation of a wonderful restaurant destroyed by hurricane a few years ago. Menu is similar with a few additions. View is very nice with occasional manatee sightings. We had the seafood gumbo (incredible!)' gator tail (very good but over breaded before deep frying), and fish tacos (ok, not to be ordered again). Service was the big negative. Lots of time spent waiting. We needed two separate checks. Not a big deal, but we had to pay twice. Our first waiter (less than attentive) had to leave and wanted his tip. Then, of course, we had to pay again when WE had to leave. I'll continue to go when we're in Tampa. Adjust your expectations to fair service, but good food. Enjoy the view.
(4)Carlo Z.
Driving by the place, I was looking for a nice meal with terrific view and atmosphere. Parking lot crowded, restaurant and bar empty. WTH??... Anyway...The sticky table and dirty silverware suggested that we should try and order something simple. We ordered nachos and shrimp. First bite on the nachos made me want to try the shrimps. Tried one... well.. I will try the nachos again. Both simply uneatable. The tortilla tasted kind of bitter, burned, fired in an old oil... I gave up. My wife ate some shrimps, I don't know how. We comlpained about the nachos, which we barely touched, the waitress said."Im sorry"..and that's is. No discount, nothing. Left the place hungry. $40 down the drain. It was a LONG time since I had such a BAD meal. Amazing. I should not have paid.
(1)Ali A.
1st stop on a recent visit to Tampa - lunch at Whiskey Joe's. It was a weekday, so we had our pick of tables. The weather was cool for Feb, but the sun was shining so we took a table on the deck over the water. Dining on the water is one of life's little pleasures, but when seagulls are dive-bombing your table every 8 minutes or so, the experience leaves something to be desired. Work on one of those fishing-wire-canopies, Whiskey Joe's! The food was good. My chopped salad was light and tasty. The po' boys were huge. And the fries had great seasoning (at least what we could eat before the birds got to them). If you're ordering beers with your meal, the pitchers are a good deal. They're actually mini-pitchers, but they fill up three pint glasses and cost less than three drafts, so you come out ahead. The bar area was pretty big and they had lots of games on the TVs. Couple that with the free peanuts they offer, and I'll bet this is a good place to kick back when a game is on.
(3)Juovanna B.
Signature Margaritas are good. Alligator bites were tasty. The ambiance of relaxing beachside while listening to their band was even better. I'll def visit again.
(4)Steven H.
Went to Whiskey Joes with a pretty big group... about 15... the ambiance was pretty good... nice area... next to the beach area on the northern part of Tampa Bay... Selection of food was OK... The mussels were pretty good... gator bites were kind of salty... and garlic cheese bread got hard right away... a couple friends we were with were vegetarians and asked for a vegetarian pizza and nachos without any beef in it... when they got the orders, pizza was brought how it was asked but nachos initially didn't have any visible beef on it till our friend got to the bottom area... he had a couple of us try it because initially we suggested that it might just be re fried beans... but soon enough, we came to the conclusion that there really was beef in it along with the re fried beans... needless to say our group wasn't too happy about it... we gave it back to the waitress's was pretty polite and apologetic about it)... 5 mins after she took it, a supervisor (i'm guessing, he seemed like he was a supervisor or manager type) came over and apologized and said that our friend would get some nachos to go.. our friend said that it wasn't necessary... but soon enough some nachos came in a to go box... we opened it up because the nacho chips were falling out of it on the side of the box... and guess what we found in it, right smack on top... beef... mind you, my friend is a vegetarian and asked to have no meat/beef in his nachos in the first place and thus how we came to the situation... at that point we all just started joking around about it because it was kind of like an FML moment... the waitress once again came back apologetic, although this time she said it was the cooks fault... which we could see that... after that we asked for our checks... i left early with 2 other people and the rest of the group stayed but went on the beach area for drinks... attention to detail for specific needs is lacking... what if the person was allergic to beef? or even to another food item for that matter... that could have had serious consequences... when a person says that they don't want a certain thing in the dish, i think that it needs to be a coordinated effort between the waitress and cook on how the outcome would be...
(2)Ashley R.
Went here a few times during my two week stay in Tampa. Friendly staff, tasty food, and FANTASTIC brews!!!
(5)Pat M.
My two experiences at Whiskey Joe's deserved 5 stars and 1 star, landing my review in the middle at 3. The first night, a friend and I had the corner table on the deck. Amazing views, good "Hurricane Juice", great fish tacos. The second time, we were put in a room with a loud large group of about 15. Our server was talking to my 21 year old friend like she was 16, offering her soda or lemonade. He stopped by our table once, which was alright because I definitely didn't want another warm glass of their microbrew red ale. Their po boys are seriously lacking. Go there for the view and mixed drinks, and take your chances with the food and service.
(3)Michael G.
Only bad thing I had to say about the place was that the entrance was kind of confusing. I met a few friends there in the mid afternoon for a late lunch. Waitress was helpful and very attentive. I had the fish tacos, the menu said they were "famous". I had never had fish tacos before, and was not disappointed. The view was gorgeous off the back area and it was quite comfortable and had spacious seating. All and all a winner for a relaxing beer and food with friends.
(4)Johnny U.
Whiskey Joes is the real thing! Fantastic food, great atmosphere and yes-nicely prepared good tasting drinks. They have the best fried shrimp in all of what we ate during our week in the Tampa/Clearwater area. I want to go back already! Keep up the great work WJ!
(4)gern b.
Went there for the first time. 20 minutes after ordering appt server tells me were out. Brown lettuce with my salad, Salmon was overcooked and never saw any managers anywhere to talk to. Better restaurants in Tampa to spend money at then this
(1)Lorne G.
This is one of those places that always seems to have a full parking lot when I drive by, which generally speaks well of a place. When I stopped by last week the parking lot was packed as usual, but people were starting to leave since the dinner rush was over, so I was able to get a seat out on the deck immediately. The sun had set, but I could tell from what was left in the sky that it had been a spectacular view. There's also a little beach park right near the outside deck. I'm guessing the beach and the view of the bay (and perhaps the bar, which seemed like it could get hoppin') are the reasons the parking lot gets packed, because the food was very disappointing. It's hard to judge a place based on one meal, but I picked a few relatively simple items and what came out to my table was pretty unappetizing. The "world famous" fries are a step or two below McDonalds', the Ahi Tuna sliders had just a tiny piece of tuna and the Hawaiian bun hadn't been grilled like it was advertised, etc. I can see going back to watch the sun set and have a couple drinks sometime, but probably not if I'm hungry.
(3)Robyn A.
Food was decent. Service was decent. It's on the water - great view.
(3)Jason R.
This place is a tourist trap and the food is just BAD. The original Whiskey Joes was badass though; I can't remember which hurricane to blame for that one.
(1)Glenn C.
We always try to get a seat at the window, they usually have live music. the food is good enough to keep us coming back, never had a bad experience so far very consistant. Parking is always a pain unless you want to valet.
(3)George D.
Stayed at hotel near airport looking for a place on the water with outside bar and great food. The wings are huge and the gator bites are a must try.Friendly staff and great beer specials.
(4)Jessica W.
We visited Whiskey Joe's for the 1st time late on a Saturday night. The parking lot was very full when we arrived, so we ended up creating our own parking spot. We wanted to sit outside and expected to wait for about an hour. They took down our name and said the wait would be about 45 minutes, so we decided to head into the bar area for a cocktail. The menu listed many tropical drinks and several tap and bottled beers. Whiskey Joe's menu had 2 prices listed for their cocktails: a regular price and a happy hour price. They offer 2 happy hour times. One early in the evening and a 2nd from 9-11PM daily. We were there in time for the 2nd happy hour and saved $2 off a pitcher of beer. There was a band setting up while we were waiting. I am a fan of live music and was excited for the band to start playing ... until they did. Once they started, I wished they would stop. It's a good thing we were seated outside shortly after they started - it muffled the sound. The menu offered several seafood and fish options, a selection of flatbread pizzas, burgers, salads and chicken/ribs/steak. I ordered the baja-style fish tacos. When they arrived, they smelled very fishy, but once I took my first bite, I found them to be delicious. The menu listed the fish tacos as a Whiskey Joe's signature item. My husband ordered a burger and fries. The burger was very big and had good flavor. The outdoor seating area provides a great view of the water. Whiskey Joe's is a good place for dinner, cocktails, and a great view.
(3)Brandon G.
As others have said, the food isn't spectacular, but for the price is more than acceptable. Try the BBQ pulled pork sliders with seasoned fries; very good (and were only $10 at the time).
(4)David T.
Came to Whiskey Joe's on a Tuesday night for dinner with some work colleagues. The view out on to the water is incredible, the decor within the restaurant is nice, and the service was very good. The bar looked like a good place to hang out as well for drinks if you weren't in for dinner. We started with the spinach, artichoke, and crab dip, then I had the fish tacos (baja-style) for dinner. The dip was served with chips and was good. The fish tacos were also pretty tasty, though not what I would call true baja-style, it's probably more accurate to describe it as "baja-style-like." There was a decent beer and tropical drink list as well. All in all, I would definitely give this place a solid 3 to 3.5 stars...a good place for dinner and drinks with an awesome view.
(3)Tom W.
If this restaurant had a face, I would punch it. I knew when I walked in, the food would suck. It just had that " hey, we don't give a shit about the food kinda vibe". Oh well, been to places like that before so..... think.... what can I order they cant screw up AND wont make me sick. Ta Da Tacos, cooked meat, a flour tortilla, hot sauce, yep this might actually work. OMG and yes I just shouted OMG. First bite I got the distinct taste of mold. Yep, mold like when you eat a piece of bread that is a day too old, and has those little blue/green specs on the crust. I examined the tortilla carefully, It cant be moldy. It actually looked fine so I took a small bite of the steak. YEP, inspector Columbo I am. Found the offender but how? How the hell do you get mold taste onto beef? The meat was soaked in a marinade, Mojito is what I think the menu said. It had to be in there somewhere, I don't know exactly but I know what it tasted like and that was mold. The good news is the server responded immediately with the offer of a replacement meal. I ordered the wings and they were just like any wings at any crappy restaurant. Which after having my food taste of mold... was a welcome change.
(1)JimBobs G.
Looks like a fun place, but is definitely a tourist trap with all the products for sale as soon as you walk into the restaurant. We found the wings to be pretty awesome but nothing else that we ordered. Overall the food is less than mediocre and over-priced. We went on a Sunday evening for a simple dinner on the water. We ordered the spicy Thai chicken wings for our appetizer along with a draft beer and a frozen strawberry margarita (which came in a daiquiri glass, huh?) The wings were really good and cooked right. We were happy. I ordered the fish tacos and my husband ordered a cheeseburger. The fish tacos were pretty much tasteless, the "sauce" added nothing to the tacos. The cheeseburger which my husband ordered medium, came RAW in the middle. We politely sent it back, but no apologies from the waitress. Needless to say, I was finished with all I was going to eat of the tacos before the cheeseburger came back, this time cooked correctly. We had a food bill of about $65 for about $12 of good food. BTW they charge $12 for the margarita. I don't get why places like this, that have the potential to be great, just don't care about quality, therefore, lose out on return business and recommendations.
(1)Teufy H.
Great view, mediocre food, and probably the worst service I've ever experienced. And I don't say that lightly. We finally came to the conclusion that our waitress was high, or at least drunk, because she was completely incompetent. We had to ask for everything- drinks, forks, refills- at least twice, and we were already laughing about how terrible the service was when she finally brought the food- or at least most of it. I sat there for a few minutes at least before she had to be reminded of a) what I ordered and b) that she'd forgotten to put in the order. My very mediocre burger finally arrived as all my companions were finishing. She did not even offer to comp any part of the meal, and we sat there quite a while longer while she struggled to figure out how to split a bill evenly. Very disappointing, and despite the incredible location, I will not be back.
(1)Gigi S.
The view is remarkable, the food isn't. Glorified bar food basically. They offer some gator which is cute for the tourists. By boat or foot this place is best for getting shitfaced, then going to a real restaurant for some real gator..like Charley's. I'm sure to get dragged back here at some point. It's unavoidable.
(2)Brian P.
Come for the view, not the food. You shouldn't be expecting more than typical bar food from this place, and the prices are pretty high.... but, the reason you come here is for an entertaining atmosphere and an A+ view, not because it has a gourmet chef.
(4)Mike W.
I've been to this restaurant a number of times and each and every time I've been there, the service has been TERRIBLE. Takes forever for the wait staff to come by the table, takes forever for them to take your order, takes forever for your drinks to come, takes forever for them to clear away dirty dishes, takes forever to get your check, and takes forever to receive your change. And I'm pretty sure I've had a different server each time There are, however, two pluses to this restaurant... Food is well prepared and somewhat more creative than you find at the typical seafood chains; and the view is absolutely amazing. Now if only they'd do something about their wait staff.
(2)Danielle L.
Yummy food! I had the Grouper Sandwich, there was supposed to tarter sauce on it but it arrived without, our waiter quickly brought some. The pulled pork sandwich was a hit, the view out on the deck was lovely.
(4)Bob B.
Food was disgusting. Service was super slow. bartenders outside are incompetent, rude, and be prepared to wait 30 mins for a can of beer. Too bad cause the scenery was nice, but I am NOT referring to the bar staff!
(1)Dave S.
We were out boating and wanted a place for lunch. We've been here before and were able to dock our boat, grab a table on the beach and enjoy lunch. So that was our plan. However, when our server came over, he informed us that because they had a private event going on (It was Latin Sunday and apparently they do this every Sunday) that there was a $10 cover charge per person. Yes even to sit down and order a meal. Which by the way we knew was going to be about $50/couple minimum. Our group decided that we were definitely not going to pay $10 pp ($60 total) just to sit on their beach and still pay for lunch. So we told him that we would head across the water to Hogan's to which he snottily replied "they charge a cover over there too!" Thank you cell phones, we called and spoke to someone at Hogan's who informed us that if we wanted to sit outside at the "beach party" it would be $5 for men and women were free, but that if we wanted to eat at the restaurant there's no cover. Sorry Whiskey Joe, but your cover charge policy lost you our business that day and any other day going forward that we want lunch while boating in Tampa. And Hogan's food was delicious, drinks flowed freely and service was great. I'll definitely recommend Hogan's but not Joes. You've gotta know that with great competition so close, you need to make better business decisions.
(1)Sherri K.
So, check it out, from outside, I thought, typical tourist chain - when I got inside, that was exactly what it was. But, great points: not-so-typical-fare like gator cakes, and gator bites. Great seafood gumbo, and the service was on point. Live reggae music on Sunday night and a gift shop for t shirts and hats and such. Honestly, the bartender rocked and the food was good. The mussels were good enough for me to eat all of them and not regret one morsel. It's a fun place if you happen to be in Tampa and have nothing else to do.
(4)Christine C.
If you didn't have to order anything from servers, this place would get five stars. However, the service and food gets a 2 or a 3. It's an awesome location on the water with great views. They also have the "barefoot bar" on the beach outside. That's my favorite part. It hardly seems worth it to go inside. The service is extremely slow about 90% of the time and the food is...blah. Great drinks and scenery totally make this place.
(3)Julius V.
Whiskey Joe's has complimentary valet, which is a bonus, as parking is almost next to impossible. The food is hit and miss. I had the beer cheese soup, which was very flavorable; however, the chicken ceasar salad lacked the strong tastes that you would expect with that kind of salad. With the stop if your a tourist, but definitely not a place for us locals.
(3)Honest C.
This is truly one of the worst restaurants in Tampa, you are paying for a view. The food is mostly terrible, with a couple exceptions and is waaaay overpriced. Spend the extra 30 minutes and go to the rep beaches in Clearwater and St. Pete. I went there on my 30th birthday, the plumbing was not working and I discovered the restaurant did not have a microwave...They never really have any specials other than a happy hour (weak drinks) and their live bands were so bad they actually made us laugh.
(1)Sean M.
OK place.....views are GREAT......service not so much. Bartenders need lots of help in acknowledging those at the bar.....let alone the dinner table orders from their waitstaff! One blonde behind the bar was rude, in the way of other bar staff, and slow. Should be fired, or at least relegated to the kitchen. Can't work in a busy environment. Sad.....could be a Great place!!
(2)Tom T.
So, we cruised into this place at 1:30 PM on a Tuesday, looking for lunch. We quickly got the feeling the typical customer cruises in at maybe 9:30 PM, looking for action. It's on the eastern part of the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which is a divided highway that connects Tampa to Clearwater, but has a dedicated left turn if you happen to be heading west. In Florida, you can buy anything. You may recall that Gaul is divided into three parts; so is this place: there is what they call a "Barefoot Bar", an indoor section, and an L-shaped outdoor deck. You ought to make up your mind up front where you want to sit, because the hostess is not going to help you, even if --- as we did -- you tell her that you've never been there before. We requested the outdoor deck, and were shown one leg of it (it's important to remember that this was a quiet Tuesday past lunch peak, so it's not like they could barely squeeze us in). Decorwise, it's a giant board and batten tiki bar, an endangered species of which only several thousand are left in Florida. One leg of the outdoor L has a commanding view of the Gandy Bridge across Tampa Bay, the other cozies up to a local beach. We were assigned the beach side, which as far as we could tell was assigned to geeky people. We are senior citizens. Later, we were joined by a threesome discussing business, and a family with bad hair. I'm not saying this isn't fair. If I were in heat, I'd like to be by like-minded folk. Before I go on, I'd like to say that if you find yourself at the Tampa airport and want to experience the "real" Florida, this is the perfect place to go. It's got a grayed-out sign and gray board and batten siding, and it's on piers. Really, what more could you ask for? Ordering We started out with a dozen oysters. Point One: don't order oysters in June. That old line about not having oysters in months sans R's is probably valid. It's not so much because of lack of refrigeration, rather, oysters tend to breed in the summer, and they have a kind of smegma flavor. Point Two: don't order oysters if your server doesn't know where they're from because it suggests that the place doesn't take oysters seriously. It turned out that ours were from Texas. They were opened and plated flawlessly. It's just that they suffered from this flavor that was a weird combination of gamy and bland. Frankly, shame on us for ordering oysters in June. Shame of them for offering them. We moved on to a Caesar salad, "Calimarty", and a pair of fish tacos. The Caesars listed on the menu came with shrimp or salmon or chicken and went for maybe $11.95 to $13.95. The waitress didn't know what a plain Caesar salad cost (another warning sign). I got one anyway. It was $4.95 and fairly priced. The romaine wasn't wilted or browned on the edges, and the dressing was as good as you could buy prepared in any non-organic supermarket. The "Calimarty" was really interesting. The menu noted that is was in "strips," which led me to believe that someone had elected to cut the squid body into strips. Not so. As far as I can tell, these "strips" were to squid as that pollock-based faked crab is to crab. Maybe I am just wrong, but in a lifetime of relishing squid, this was the weirdest that I've ever had. But, I'm not saying that it wasn't squid at sometime in its past . As advertised, there were lots of peppers, onions, and zucchini in a sort of tempura-panko thingy, which were just great. Actually, the calamari-like objects (which might have been ground and reconstituted squid) weren't bad either. What was a little silly was this huge mound of unseasoned shredded cabbage under the other stuff, which was ironic because there was a lot of stuff to begin with. The fish tacos definitely had fish and tortillas, so there was no question of false advertising. It's just that we thought that the fish was frozen, based on its texture and flavor. But we didn't ask the waitress, so maybe we were just wrong. Right. I had one Margarita on ice with salt. I am not very picky about Margaritas, but I found this one to be kind of bland. On the other hand, I suspect that you could have three or four and still be fine to drive ( I wasn't driving). We spent $47.60 plus tip for this lunch shared by two people. This included one drink, the afore-mentioned Margarita. All other beverages were water, which was constantly and cheerfully refilled. In competitive Florida, this is at the high end. Conclusion: If it's the middle of winter and you're coming from some cold place up north, you'll probably love Whiskey Joes. It's convenient to the airport and right on the beach. You can see people in bikinis. There are tiki huts. The waitresses are nubile and friendly. The fish is probably better than you can get in Nebraska. They have great draughts. I think that sitting outside is way better than sitting inside. Otherwise, keep hunting.
(2)Lady H.
We went here because we were in the area and had a coupon for a free appetizer. The view is absolutely gorgeous!! The place was relatively empty when I went (probably because it was at 1pm on a Monday afternoon) but that was fine with me. We had couple of drinks and tried the sauage and shrimp quesadillas. Everything was delicious. The servers were friendly (even though I had to ask the server for water like 3x before I actually got it). The only draw back here is that they are kinda pricey. The entrees were $20 +/- each. Yikes! Before the discount was applied, the two drinks and one appetizer were $34. May or may not go back, depends on whether or not I come into a chunk of money to splurge. :0)
(4)Julie C.
Great place to doc your boat or hangout on the beach or by the water but food is not so great unless looking for maybe burgers and fries or chips and dip. We went hoping for fresh seafood on the water and not a very good assortment on the menu for that. Customer service was a little off too. Everyone was very nice but our app took forever and we barely saw our waitress. We ended up going over the bridge to Joe's Crab Shack in search of seafood!!!! :)
(2)Deb D.
Like this place..i've only been outside and never yet in the actual restaurant but the bar area is fun, great view and the bartenders are really nice! Beer prices could be better but you expect to pay a lil more in a place like this. It does seem like your in a resort outside..you can play bean bag toss, bonfires, swim, giant tiki hut...its a lot of fun. I havent actually actually eaten here yet but its "on the list". Take this place over next door Hogans anyday!!
(3)Sandi H.
Music overhaul of the worst kind. They changed their music to only 80's rock - soooooo dated!!!!! They went from having a tropical, caribbean vibe to making me feel like I should be wearing acid jeans with the holes up the sides. SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!
(1)Kelsey L.
Oh Whiskey Joes, you could have it all, but you need to expand your kitchen or staff. The view is amazing, the drinks are great, the food is good, the service, I'm sorry, is below average. If you're hungry, you're better off sitting outside where you'll get slightly faster service. If you're sitting inside, expect an hour wait for even an appetizer, 30 minutes for a bar drink. The view is great - you're right on the water with a man made beach overlooking Tampa bay. I've seen birds diving for fish, dolphins swimming in the bay, and a beautiful sunset or two. The beach bar is big, with a stage featuring live music later in the week. Most of my friends rave about the "beer cheese soup." My favorite entree is the fish tacos. My father likes to consider himself a "keylime pie" connoisseur, and he's given them a 5 star review on key lime pie. If you want half of the experience they could offer, I would eat outside.
(2)Rodge B.
Location, view, and potential? Great Indoor bar service? Awful for it being not crowded Beach bar service? Average Waitress service? Great Food? WAY WAY WAY overpriced and below average We only went to this place because it was within walking distance from our hotel. Just getting there was an adventure on its own because you have to take a narrow foot path on the side of a busy road. This place seems like it could be so much more, but when the beach bar staff is starting its cleanup at 11pm, that should tell you all you need to know...
(2)Kim F.
If you opt to sit inside get a table by the window and enjoy beautiful, relaxing ocean views! We were a party of four. One had a hamburger with fries. It was a huge burger patty and he enjoyed it. My husband and I had a shrimp and crab Louie salad which was plentiful and tasty as well. The only off thing is that I felt they could have been a bit more generous with the crab. Not enough there. Otherwise, a very good and size-able salad with just enough large, tasty shrimp to satisfy. Another had the grilled fish special which I tasted. It was a moist, large piece of fish (my friend couldn't eat it all), and flavored to near perfection. In many restaurants you can find souvenir T-shirts. Usually you will find loud, crazy, colorful ones with the logo or name of the restaurant in addition to more reserved, tasteful, less tacky ones. I prefer the latter, but when I looked for one of those to purchase, I found none. So, not wanting a loud, cartoon'ish, in your face, type of souvenir to wear I didn't get one there. Hopefully, they will have a better selection when I return. And, I will return for their food and beautiful location!
(4)Janeen M.
Came here for lunch. Views, food, and drinks were great. The check was higher than expected. Maybe because we ordered plenty of libations. Nonetheless, I would return for a casual, simple meal.
(3)Lorraine R.
Best tiki bar around! Good size beach, tiki tables, fire pits, a stage and dance floor. Great place to have a good time. Great vibe! The TVs were a tad small (I was trying to watch football), but with such a great atmosphere it's not a deal breaker. Our bartender Caroline was fun and attentive. This is going to be a regular stop.
(5)Just Me E.
It's funny how a relaxed beachy atmosphere with spectacular views can make average pub grub taste better. The beach bar features a huge tiki hut with tables scattered around an outdoor stage. One can play bags, volleyball, or just chill with an adult beverage at one of the bistro tables. (I swear, one almost expects Frankie, Annette, and Moondoggie to Watusi past) Inside is a large comfy room with huge windows providing stunning vistas of the bay. There is also a large bar, stage area with a dance floor, and an outdoor deck with umbrella tables. Food was actually a bit above average. Our party noshed on crab cake sliders, fish tacos, cheesy beer soup, and burgers and fries. Portions were not stingy and nothing at all tasted "out of a can" as someone else opined. And there ain't nothin' wrong with my middle-aged taste buds! Service was adequate. You can undoubtedly get the same quality food for a few bucks cheaper elsewhere, but I look at it as an "atmosphere surcharge". If you're a fan of al fresco dining, this place has it all. Parking kind of sucks. We've been here only for lunch and they close a full half of their lot for valet, which makes it feel like hunting for a spot at the mall around Christmas. It might be different in the evening, but it's totally unnecessary during the mid afternoon, as the nearly empty valet lot can attest. I'd love to check out the live entertainment here, but I hear the place gets jam packed, and I've lost my tolerance for that nut-to-butt overcrowding.
(4)A B.
I want to like this place. The view is beautiful, it has a beach bar & fire-pit right on the sand. Thing is, It's like the hot girl in school Doesn't have to try too hard because she knows everybody wants her. The service here is atrocious. I have, on more than one occasion, begun to walk out after 20+ minutes of not catching so much as a whiff of a server. The management is no better, having seen arguments get out of hand between those in charge & customers. The prices are a little steep for the food. It's good but not that good. I have had great servers here, don't get me wrong, it just seems the whole system here is off. If it weren't for the location, this place would have shut it's doors long ago. The drinks are stiff, & the sand is clean. But good God, the sunset.
(3)Jeff P.
The view is great. But everything else is average at best. The food is typical beachy, touristy, bar food. As for the drinks...they were out of three beers that we wanted. The Coronorita we finally received tasted like orange juice, the cocktails barely had any alcohol, and the limes for our cervezas were all dried out. This list makes us sound like alcoholics, but we sent back the coronarita, only had one beer, and there was no alcohol in the mixed drinks...
(2)Larissa S.
Ehhh. Sorry guys. The majority of food here is pretty awful. Sure. It is in a beautiful location. Nice beach bar with a view of the water and a water-side bar. The place is packed on weekends. They have their margaritas and seafood. The place is mostly inhabited my a past-middle-aged crowd, which I guess have horrible taste buds since most of their generation has been eating food out of cans which was all the rage in their youth and most of their adult years. The food is severely overpriced for the taste. They do give a portion of their earnings to the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, which is cool. The best part of my experience in this restaurant was my server Allison, which was peppy, fun, and attentive.
(1)Alan V.
Cool spot sitting out on the water in Rocky Point. Standard beers on tap plus a couple of very good local brews. Food was a pretty good mix of standard bar type food with a local seafood twist. I had the crab cake sliders that were very good and filling. The service was great for our party of 10 and the waitress get our drinking coming and the table cleaned. Kind of a tourist type feel but plenty of locals were there as well. I will definitely go back.
(4)Ken D.
with this place its really about local. great views,on the beach awesome! beautiful actually! everything is perfect even the hut-bar on the beach.the service was amazing,the prices werent bad but the food was.pre frozen crap that taste like the grill is dirty,i will be back for drinks only:) important UPDATE! if you buy drinks inside the resteraunt cause the bartender outside at the bar upstairs leaves for a halk hour at a time,she will see that beer,think someone gave it to you cause its not on your bill and double charge for it!!!!! seriously! you know what its like argueing about a bill when drunk! and trying to explain? and it makes you feel like a shithead cause they think youre lying? seriously? whos gonna lie about a few fkn miller lights after excess spending anyway? yikes.
(2)Ashley S.
This review is solely about the Barefoot Bar. We were there on a Monday afternoon, and had the perfect seats at the bar. The girls were great, ESPECIALLY Brooke! She is one heck of a bartender. Being one myself, that is a pretty bold statement. The Caesar salad was yummy! The seasoning was really good, and unusual for a salad. We were both thoroughly impressed. The sand was pristine, and you can even pull your boat up to the sand and just relax. Hopefully, we can come out on a night where it's really hopping. Overall an incredibly relaxing place. Ps- ask Brooke to make you a Barrel Roll. :)
(4)Mel R.
Worst food ever! I paid $15.00 for a grouper sandwich with the smallest piece of grouper I have ever seen! I live in FL so I know what grouper should be. Service is slower than molasses and the place is filthy inside and smells. The best thing here is the view. I would suggest outside with a pre dinner drink and then go somewhere else for dinner!
(1)Michael Z.
Whiskey Joe's is like Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville or Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo minus the celebrity name. The location is actually quite nice, right on the water and there is a public dock to tie up your boat. There are beach volleyball nets nearby and the people watching can be decent. That being said, the food is unremarkable and the drinks are average. The place screams tourist trap yet a number of locals seem to find their way there. Give it a try, but don't say I didn't warn you!
(2)Scott B.
Took the family there on a Sunday at 1:00 pm. Not too busy. Got a nice table over looking the water. Our waitress came right away and took our drink order. Once we placed our order, the food came in a reasonable amount of time. I ordered the fish tacos. The fish was great but the cabbage slaw was a little thick for my liking. My wife ordered the grilled mahi. She liked it. We also ordered the gator tail app. It was a small portion for $12. Everything else was a reasonable price for the location.
(4)Hope R.
Whiskey Joe's was okay. The view was very nice. The food was not so great. I got the cheeseburger sliders. They were okay, but overpriced. The cornbread was burnt at the bottom. The service was slow. Granted they were busy, but it could have been quicker. If you're just going for drinks and a nice view, this place would be great. However, if you want great food, then this is not the place to go.
(3)Jody S.
Five of us went here for dinner last Sunday after hanging out at Hogan's Beach. We spilt the nachos as an appetizer and they were the best I've had in a long time. I had the lobster and shrimp mac & cheese. It was pricey at $20, but worth every penny! I could only eat about a quarter of it after having some nachos, but it was just as delicious re-heated at home. The service was so-so, but the food more than made up for it.
(4)Victoria A.
Where do I begin. Well after long nights yelping and researching for a good spot for my daddys 51st birthday I came across good ol Whiskey Joes. At first my dad didn't even want to go out but after a few coronas and getting him all spiffy like as real live goodfella he was ready for a good time and that he had. We started off with frozen Jose Cuervo margaritas and him and my mom with a side shot and our appetizers. It was a party of 16 but just to name a few we had there cheese garlic bread which wasn't to grand, there shrimp scampi that my sister devoured, the wings were deeeeelish and so was the kalamari (so my family said because I don't eat no seafood). Oh and might I ask there mud slides were GREAT. The plates of food were gargantuan but all around the food was good. They had the Ketel One girls there giving our free shots and taking pics with mi papa and he was in heaven. Our waitress was slacking because she could handle such a big party plus three other tables. That was the only down fall I believe with parties of eight or more you should get your own waitress for the night. After all the good times at the table we went to the dance floor to tear it up. There were some crazy characters on the dance floor but that made it all the while fun. I hated the peanuts people got to eat because they were EVERYWHERE! NOT GOOD JUST A MESS. There was even one guy using them as confetti. The dj Short-E was pretty good he had us on the dance floor all night and having my dad like the king of the joint. He shouted out my dad the whole night and got him even more free shots from the vip table. It was the best time I had in a while so if your looking for a family outing but with a jamming good time after, Whiskey Joes is a 20 in my book!!
(5)Debbie H.
Thank goodness for Whiskey Joes! We stayed at Sailport and hung out at Whiskey Joes often during our stay. Loved the tiki and beach area! Cocktails and dining on your huge outdoor deck was awesome! This is a great establishment!
(4)Derick W.
Great place for a drink with a group or simple dinner. LOTS of seating, indoors and out. Always end the night with a drink at the outdoor bar with the firepits going. Its no Capitol Grill, but for what it is, it ranks a 5
(5)Christina M.
The view is absolutely beautiful, and that is what drew us to this place.. that and the sign that says... World Famous:) Loved being able to sit and watch the ocean, but when it came to the food, both my sister and I were disappointed. The seafood gumbo looked amazing, and considering we are right on the bay, I was hoping for some amazing fish combinations in the gumbo. It was spicy, and I love things that have a kick, but there were 4 tiny pieces of fish within the gravy like substance that was "broth":( My sister ordered the clam chowder, and she was also disappointed... it was not hearty or meaty.. neither soup was:( It was a sad eating day at Whiskey Joe's. Our waiter was great and the wait staff was excellent, but the food was a different story.
(2)Mark A.
Really good food and awesome atmosohere. I had the grouper sandwich which was excellent. Restaraunt is a little pricey and parking is terrible, however there is a beach bar WITH firepits and live music. Highly recommend!
(4)Jenna H.
I came here this past summer with a local friend while working in Tampa for the week. The location is great - we had a table with a view of the water and then ventured to the outdoor tiki bar after dinner. The service was good, nothing over the top but good. The food was the same - good, no complaints. I had the coconut shrimp as an app and then the shrimp and crab louie salad for my dinner. The salad was loaded with ingredients that all went well together. I would come back here again if I were in Tampa. Nothing stood out besides the location, but nothing was bad either.
(3)Kacey H.
Horrible service, food sucked & so did the personalities of every employee we came in contact with. When in Tampa/Clearwater again this place will be skipped.
(1)Nolan R.
I had tried Whiskey Joe's at ZooFari years ago. I had really wanted to try their blackened fish sliders. I got that chance today. We arrived at Whiskey Joe's around 12 noon. Now the place was pretty deserted at this time but it was filling up as we left. Since we got there early - we got a window seat. I got the blackened fish sliders as requested. They came on the Hawaiian rolls and were excellent. They're also came with a half order of fries...they were also good. This was simple food but it was done very well. This isn't Bern's but then again, this place has a better view than Bern's. Whiskey Joe's is most certainly going to attract the tourist crowd, but I did notice a lot of locals there today. The view of the Hillsborough bay is very nice. They clearly have the best view of the bay from here. You are eating over the water. This restaurant is the only place I know on the Tampa side of the bridge where you can see an unobstructed view of the sunset. I would go back to Whiskey Joe's in a heartbeat. I would like there to be some more people there while I was there, but that didn't change my rating.
(4)Mike M.
Very cool place to hang out. Has a great water front bar and seating. The food was ok. Had the steak tacos which were decent. Its a nice place to wind down after the beach.
(3)J G.
Great food, we come here every time we're in Tampa, tha ribs r good,the gumbo is good 2 n a tasty key lime pie, great staff, tha chef with the steelers tat is a nice guy, cowboys baby!!, n yeah i got me a whiskey t-shirt...parkin is not a prob cuz we stay at the bayshore, but it is pretty packed though, great scenery when ya sit by the water, my wife n I love this place, highly recommend...
(4)Jennifer M.
A great patio right on the water makes for a really nice view and opportunity to sit outside. I had the fish tacos which were really good and very filling. I had the order of 2 and wouldn't have been able to eat more. My coworker had the shrimp linguine which was also really nice. The price is decent. I think we got out of there for $35 each and that included 2 drinks each and our meals. I wouldn't mind going back, but since I am only there on business every once in awhile I would also like to try some of the other restaraunts nearby.
(3)Andy C.
Ah yes. Whiskey Joe's. First of all, let me say a quick "Thank you" to the people of Tampa on Yelp who suggested this place. My needs and wants were simple: going in for the NU bowl game, wanted somewhere simple that had oysters, and it didn't need to be extravagant like oystercatchers in the Hyatt. Whiskey Joe's fit every one of these criterion. A few notes: Location: 5 out of 5 This might be a bit subjective, but one of my criterion was that it had to be close to the Tampa Airport because I was staying at La Quinta on Spruce. Sure enough, this place was close. a 9.65 cab fare each way (12 including tip) is nothing to really complain about, especially when one is on vacation. The setting is beautiful too, right along the causeway with the big blue beautiful ocean and wide open sky. I think that for those of you who are coming from downtown Tampa, it should be pretty simple to get there. Go towards the airport, and follow the causeway. It's right past the Shriner's headquarters. Service: 3 out of 5 Perfectly adequate service. If this were an upscale place, I might have felt miffed at some of the actions. For example, food not placed in the middle of the table, beer pitcher placed on edge, a little slow to fill our drinks, but HEY. This wasn't an upscale place, and everything was so pleasant and calm that I really didn't mind waiting a few extra moments here and there and moving my own plates around. Decor: 5 out of 5. Haha - what a cool place. Like I mentioned, the main decor is the WATER. Cheating? Perhaps. But the restaurant itself is set up festively, sort of like a, hrm...upscale tiki bar. No offense at all, because I liked it. Food: 4 out of 5 Look, I'm not going to lie. It's not the best seafood I've had, but it was decent enough. The oysters were what I was looking for - fresh, cold, cleaned properly, and varied in size. No pretentious "west coast "east coast" "new england" nonsense. The gator bites were as I remember them from New Orleans. It's probably an acquired taste for some people because not everyone likes the texture of gator meat, but I find it to be pleasant. The seasoning in the batter for both the gator bites and the fried seafood platter was a little excessive, but it's not that big of a task to just remove some of it. My personal preference would have been less salt and seasoning. Seafood platter was neat - fried oysters, calamari, clam, fish, and seasoned fries. Gastrointestinal bliss...or...Armageddon, depending on how you look at it. Two fried entrees, two dozen oysters, and a pitcher of beer? Fantastic end to a somewhat bittersweet NU loss in the out back bowl. Oh yes, and I had my first REAL key lime pie while I was at WJ's. Very different and somewhat bitter, but I loved it. Pricing: 4 out of 5. Not bad. 12.95 for a dozen oysters, pitchers of beer for 5 - 7 bucks during happy hour, and entrees under 20. Can't go wrong. Overall: 4 out of 5. Recommended for tourists. I imagine that some locals like it too though. Would go again if I were in Tampa. Other notes: There was no wait on New Year's Day at around 5pm. Not sure if this is the norm, but it was pleasant not to have to wait.
(4)BJ L.
Nice place. Standard bar with all the normal booze and beer. The kicker here was location. Right on the bay, it was gorgeous. They also have a beach bar, pretty awesome.
(3)J B.
It's a shame that a restaurant so beautifully located and perfectly set up could be ran so poorly. The service is absolutely horrible!!!! The bartenders at the tiki bar have no customer service skills what so ever. They are rude and lazy. We waited for 20 minutes to get drinks while the 4 bartenders that were behind the bar stood and chatted with each other ignoring customers. One bartender walked past and I said excuse me me and she said "what's up" and kept walking. Than we went upstairs to have dinner in the restaurant and the service was just as bad if not worse. The waitress didn't greet the table for at least 10 minutes. Than she never came back to check on us once our food was delivered. We had no condiments for our burgers. Our orders were not correct but we ate anyways because we were so hungry. Management was no where to be seen. I'm not even sure if there was a manager on duty. Needless to say this place needs a lot of changes.
(1)Todd A.
Great view on the water especially at sunset, tasty margaritas, but some of the worst food I've ever eaten. Got calamari for an appetizer and instead of succulent rings and tentacles we got fried sticks of some sort of tasteless fish product. I got fish for my main course and it tasted so fishy I couldn't finish it (I never waste food).
(1)Jack S.
Very disappointing meal. The beer wasn't cold but the food was. After sending back a raw hamburger, I received another that tasted like it was made the day before. My wife had the fish tacos. They were ok, but nothing spectacular. The views of the bay are great, too bad the food doesn't match.
(1)Matt L.
Loved this place. Had a good meal and great conversation with the bartender Courtney. Views of the bay from outdoor patio were amazing. Very small crowd on a Tuesday night, but at 9 pm two bus loads of college kids showed up. I left shortly after they arrived due to the loud music and crowds, but I had no issue with it. Whiskey Joes made more $ by hosting the party so kudos to them. Only real complaint was the cigarette smoke on the patio, but I just dealt with it for a few hours to enjoy the outside seating.Will definitely go again. I'd love to be there on a weekend when the party is really going.
(5)Pyra-Danny V.
Very touristy and chain-like... although i don't know if its a chain... but the food isn't bad. The food is decent but easily forgettable. It's island sounding burgers, seafood bar appetizers, and other seafood. Red Lobster married Applebees. Nothing very WOW. Good place to grab drinks and bring some friends. My burger was cooked well, good size, nothing overpowering. Same with the fries. The servers are very helpful and the decorations try to keep an island getaway vibe. It threw me off that there's a gift shop up front but the view of the bay outside the windows are amazing. A part of the restaurant actually sits on stilts above the water. Other than that, the place is forgettable... so i'd rather just park my car along the causeway and watch the bay.
(3)Luke H.
Five Star View. You would think Tampa has an abundance of places to eat and stare at water...you would think. It isn't easy, and that is why Whiskey Joe's is on my list of best sunset spots in Tampa. If you can't make it over to the beach, then WJ's back deck will do the trick. You can't see the sunset from Bahama Breeze or Landry's, and in fact it is limited from Crabby Bill's. But at Whiskey Joe's it is unlimited. I particularly liked the lost and found sunglasses available for those dining outside, but as far as food, I wouldn't stray too far from the fish tacos (decent) and gator bites (good).
(3)Barney B.
Outdoor bar area (if you aren't eating at a table) is small and where all the smokers hit for a power session. the outdoor table area was a sty. every table was left dirty, and the waiters only came over to collect their tips and leave the rest for a non-existent busser. I even saw one waiter kick a piece of trash on the deck rather than pick it up. but the beer was cheap and the breeze was cool. Booze and nature gives them the second unearned star
(2)Richard R.
Great sunsets; limited menu more like Joe's Crabshack...Had the blacken Grouper...Overall good atmosphere for a large group...reminds me of Seacrets in Ocean City, MD...
(3)Sherri W.
Friday evening Parking was decent Got a great table with a view! Ordered artichoke and crab dip! Woof! The. The chips tasted like I was eating an ashtray! Next! Ok I ordered the chopped salad! If you don't like spicy or cayenne pepper Don't order the salad or ask to omit it! I couldn't even eat it But the waitress took it off the bill for us! Food was so so But views were great, if that makes up for the food quality I am not sure!
(2)John M.
We needed a place for a group of 12 with a variety of meal budgets and Whisky Joe's meet the bill. Would I take a date to this place to impress her? Nope. I would guess this is a place populated mainly by tourists. You can view the menu and make reservations on line. There is mandatory valet parking. The setting is ideal, most tables will have an expansive view of the bay. However, the place is very tried and in need of an update to carpet and furniture which I'm sure won't come until there are new owners. We had a reservation so waiting was not as issue. But on the Sunday night we went, there were many tables available. In one word, this place is hugh!! We were greeted quickly by our high energy waitress who answered our questions competently, if not a bit bluntly. The menu was somewhat limited but daily specials add to the variety. We ordered appetizers which included fried calamai, nachos, and queso and chips. All appetizer portions are plentiful and can be shared amongst two or three people. The calamri strips were large and meaty but few amongst the peppers and onions with which they are served. The queso was just a notch about velveta. The nachos had to be sent back for guacamole which had been left off. The problem was attended to and quickly remedied. The fish boards, specials of the day were variable. I choose the swordfish and this was a mistake. The fish was thinly sliced and this made it impossible to cook properly. I ordered grilled and had I been doing the grilling, this piece of fish would have been done in 1 minute flat. Others at the table had snapper which was judged to be better. You also select a sauce and a topping for the fish. Mine was chipotle mayo which was thick, but tasty. Other entre's ordered included the Yuengling beer can chicken which is a whole, small hen marinated and roasted on a can of, you guessed it, Yuengling beer. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The fish and chips and seafood gumbo and fish taco's were given thumbs up. We did not order deserts. Despite the size of the party, no automatic gratuity was added and our waitress was accommodating of a request for separate checks. All in all, everyone liked the place. It was exactly what we needed given the budgets. Dress is Florida casual which mean just about anything goes. johnnyMP3seed
(3)