Tampa is a city that knows how to mix sunshine, waterfront views, and a lively bar scene. Unlike many destinations, Tampa offers unique ways to enjoy its drinks, whether rolling through downtown on a golf cart or hopping between breweries with friends. The city’s diverse neighborhoods—from the historic Ybor City to the trendy Tampa Heights—are bursting with bars, breweries, and hidden spots that cater to every taste. With options that range from guided pub crawls to private boat cruises, Tampa makes it easy to sample its best-known spots in a fun, relaxed way.
If you’re looking to experience Tampa’s nightlife with a twist, there’s no shortage of innovative tours. Many include transportation—like the Tampa Bar Crawl on a Street Legal Golf Cart—which lets you visit multiple neighborhoods without worrying about parking. Others focus on Tampa’s rich craft beer scene, with private brewery tours on golf carts or even a scenic boat ride on the Hillsborough River. Whatever your style, Tampa’s drinking tours promise a memorable way to enjoy the city’s lively beverage offerings.
Quick Overview
On this list, you’ll find a mix of guided bar crawls, private brewery tours, and boat-based experiences. Whether you want to explore Tampa’s historic neighborhoods like Ybor, hop between local breweries, or relax on a boat cruise, each offers a distinct way to enjoy Tampa’s drinking culture. For a comprehensive city tour, check out the Tampa Bar Crawl on a Street Legal Golf Cart. For brewery aficionados, the Ybor City Private Brewery Tour and the Tampa Heights Private Brewery Tour deliver personalized tastings. Finally, for water lovers, the Tampa Bay: 3 Hour – Tampa Bar Hop Tiki Cruise offers a relaxed, scenic way to enjoy Tampa’s skyline and waterfront bars.
1. Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart
At number 1, this guided bar crawl takes you through Tampa’s most popular neighborhoods, all from the seat of a street-legal golf cart. The tour covers Downtown Tampa, the trendy Channel District, lively Ybor City, and Tampa Heights, offering a taste of the city’s diverse bar scene without the hassle of parking or walking long distances. The tour includes a driver, so you can relax and focus on socializing or taking in the sights. Known for its friendly atmosphere, this tour is a hit for birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or just a fun night out.
Each stop features local favorites, with guides sharing insights into Tampa’s history and the neighborhoods’ unique vibes. Many reviews highlight how much fun people have had just zipping from bar to bar. For example, one reviewer raved, “Going bar to bar in Tampa on a golf cart is the best,” emphasizing the relaxed, social nature of this experience. This tour is priced at $40 per person for roughly three hours, making it an affordable way to sample Tampa’s nightlife.
Bottom Line: If you want an easy, social way to explore multiple neighborhoods and enjoy Tampa’s bar scene with friends, this tour offers great value combined with the novelty of riding in a golf cart.
2. Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart
For beer lovers, the Ybor City Private Brewery Tour delivers a personalized experience. This private tour for up to five guests takes about 2.5 hours, including pickup and drop-off, visiting up to five breweries in Ybor City—Tampa’s historic beer hub. The tour includes transportation by a fun golf cart, so you can hop from place to place comfortably. The breweries are pre-selected but flexible, allowing you to customize your visit from a full list of options.
Highlights include stops at Bastet Brewing, known for its diverse international-inspired beers, and Coppertail Brewing, which boasts an ever-changing tap list of innovative brews. Reviews mention how knowledgeable and friendly the guides are, with one saying, “James was a great driver and shared fascinating background on the area.” The price of $235 per group makes this a good choice for small groups seeking a tailored, intimate beer experience.
Bottom Line: This tour is perfect for small groups or couples wanting a flexible, behind-the-scenes look at Tampa’s craft beer scene with personalized service.
3. Tampa Heights Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart
Next up, the Tampa Heights Private Brewery Tour offers a similar private experience focused on Tampa Heights’ burgeoning brewery scene. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and includes transportation for up to five people between five carefully selected breweries like Magnanimous Brewing and Angry Chair Brewing.
Magnanimous Brewing is known for being an early player in Tampa Heights, while Angry Chair specializes in rich stouts and experimental brews. The tour staff is praised for their knowledge, with one review noting that guides share in-depth beer insights and historical tidbits. The $235 price tag is reasonable for this personalized brewery visit, especially if you’re a small group eager to explore Tampa Heights with the flexibility to customize stops.
Bottom Line: Ideal for craft beer fans wanting a tailored, relaxed brewery experience in Tampa Heights, combining local favorites with personalized transportation.
4. Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl
If you’re craving a lively, interactive night, the Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl offers a unique scavenger hunt across Tampa’s nightlife. Costing just over $12 per person, it’s an economical way to turn a night out into a fun challenge. The tour involves bouncing between bars, solving puzzles, and completing video challenges at pubs, dive bars, and clubs.
Designed for groups of up to 10, this activity is great for birthdays or bachelor(ette) parties. Participants each choose a role with different challenges, adding a playful element to the evening. Note that food and drinks are extra, so plan accordingly. The reviews are mixed, with some noting it’s a fun, inexpensive way to explore Tampa’s bar scene, although the low price reflects a less structured experience.
Bottom Line: Perfect for groups wanting a casual, funny way to enjoy Tampa’s bar scene with a game-like twist, especially if budget or a social challenge is your priority.
5. Tampa Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl
For those interested in Tampa’s spooky side, the Tampa Terrors Haunted Pub Crawl blends ghost stories with drinks. This 2-hour tour visits four bars, including historic spots like Sal Rosa and the Tampa Theatre, where ghostly sightings and eerie stories await. The tour is priced at $27 per person, making it an affordable way to combine history, hauntings, and cocktails.
While reviews are sparse, the tour’s concept of exploring haunted Tampa with a drink in hand appeals to fans of the supernatural and historic. The stops at iconic landmarks like The Hub Bar, with its retro vibe, add to the quirky charm. It’s best suited for groups interested in Tampa’s ghost stories and lively bar atmosphere.
Bottom Line: If you enjoy a spooky story with your drink and want a different take on Tampa’s nightlife, this tour offers a fun, spirited way to explore haunted hotspots.
6. Tampa: Hillsborough River Tiki Bar Boat Up to 13 people
For a relaxing waterfront experience, the Tampa Tiki Bar Boat offers a scenic cruise on Tampa’s Hillsborough River. With room for up to 13 people, this boat cruise includes a cooler, Bluetooth sound system, and optional stops at riverside bars and eateries. It lasts about 1.5 hours, making it perfect for a laid-back afternoon or early evening.
Billed as a chance to enjoy Tampa’s city skyline and waterfront, the cruise passes landmarks like the University of Tampa and the Straz Center. Reviews praise Capt. Chuck for his friendliness and professionalism. The price of $450 makes it a good value for larger groups seeking an easy, social way to see Tampa from the water.
Bottom Line: If you want a casual, scenic escape with friends, this boat tiki cruise combines stunning views with the flexibility to enjoy Tampa’s riverside bars at your own pace.
7. Tampa Bay: 3 Hour – Tampa Bar Hop Tiki Cruise
Finally, the Tampa Bay Private Tiki Cruise offers an exclusive 3-hour experience for up to 6 people. This cruise includes hop-on, hop-off stops at local bars along the Hillsborough River, with stunning views of downtown and waterfront skyscrapers. You’re encouraged to bring your own drinks and snacks to enjoy during the cruise.
This option provides a luxurious blend of scenic sightseeing and social drinking, perfect for small groups celebrating a special occasion. Passengers love the flexibility to customize their stops and enjoy Tampa’s skyline from the water. The price at $595 makes it a premium choice, but the private experience and scenic views justify the cost.
Bottom Line: Best suited for couples or small groups seeking a private, scenic, and customizable cruise experience with plenty of opportunities to enjoy Tampa’s waterside attractions.
How to Choose the Best Drinking Tour in Tampa
When selecting a Tampa drinking tour, consider your budget, group size, and what kind of experience appeals most to you. If affordability and a lively group atmosphere matter, the Tampa Bar Hunt offers a fun scavenger challenge. For intimate brewery visits, both the Ybor City and Tampa Heights private tours provide personalized experiences with flexible stops. Water lovers should consider the Tampa Tiki Boat or the Tampa Bay Tiki Cruise for scenic, relaxing water-based outings.
Booking early is recommended, especially for private tours, which fill quickly during peak seasons. Think about whether you want a guided social experience, a private intimate trip, or a themed spooky adventure, then pick the tour that matches your style and group size.
In summary, Tampa provides a diverse array of drinking tours that combine fun, history, and scenic views. For lively groups wanting to explore neighborhoods in style, the golf cart bar crawl is hard to beat. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the personalized brewery tours, while water lovers should not miss the boat cruises on the Hillsborough River. Whichever you choose, booking in advance will ensure a smooth and memorable experience.