Hyde Park Cafe, Tampa

Being born and raised in Tampa, I see a lot of what's good and what's not so good in the city- at some point, you really begin to judge places based on service. This place falls short when it comes to service- way short- especially with the drink prices they charge. ****BEWARE TOWING- going here will result in a high chance of getting your vehicle towed. Especially beware of the lot with the sign that says "FREE PARKING HERE" with the Hyde Park Cafe logo. Go figure. Consider yourself warned.

Beautiful people and good music on thursday nights. There should be a message board, met a cuban cutie but didnt have a chance to exchange info.

I HAVE TO SAY I WENT WITH A DATE, SKIPPED THE VELVET ROPE, BECAUSE HE WAS KNOWN THERE. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW I WOULD FEEL HAVING TO WAIT TO BE PICKED, ETC. I CAN NOT GET OVER THE ATMOSPHERE, I FELT I WAS IN MIAMI. BEAUTIFUL! FOUND GREAT PEOPLE TO CHAT WITH AND THE MUSIC WAS GOOD. CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!

Red Velvet Ropes?, deciding who can get in and who cant?, where are we Miami or LA?? This is Tampa folks, ive been going here for quite some time, but no longer, the attitude, pretensousness, crappy management(Mario), it all just stinks. Its too bad cause they usually play good tunes, and its a very pretty place, but come on, we are NOT Miami, nor should we be. There is a point to dressing to impress, but dont put out the velvet ropes, and pick people in the crowd to get in...NOT in Tampa!

Being a Hyde Park Cafe regular (I go there almost every week), I can definitely say that I absolutely love this trendy South Tampa club! The crowd is stylish, sophisticated, and classy... everything you would expect it to be. It's where Tampa's beautiful people can be found! Well, if you're on the regular line, it might take you hours to actually get in (that's IF you get in), but if you're going VIP, you'll be inside in no more than 5 minutes! The music is great, the staff is very attentive, and the bouncers are nice. Remember that Hyde Park is very "Newport meets Tampa", so definitely dress to impress (girls: stilletos heels are a must!). This is the ultimate Tampa spot to see and be seen!

Being a local DJ for some 15 years off and on, and having access to some of the best clubs in Tampa for as long, I have found HPC short in some key areas. After this evening, I would say it would take a miracle to go back. The club is overfilled, and elitest in principle. This particular evening was horrible (specifically due to the staff) and I would never suggest to anyone that it is a Tampa "must see" there are far greater places to go.

Agree I have lived in other cities much larger than Tampa but this is the biggest dog and pony show Ive ever seen. There were so many �Joeys� from the North East there I thought it was a casting call for the sopranos or just a University of Tampa campus. In any event its cool before it gets to crowded. The pizzas are good but the VIP room is nothing special. You have a long wait before people show up so even if you get there at 10 youre in good shape, but anytime after 12 its meathead and silicone central.

After living in Cities like Denver, Chicago and L.A. I have to say that this club is far more pretentious than it has any business being. The bouncer outside simply said at the end of the night that he would not be letting us in as he did not "like us". Freaking come on, this is TAMPA get over yourselves.

As you walk up to the short line around 11:15pm, you are relieved you got there early. Then you find out that there not letting anyone whose not "VIP" (female or extremelly wealthy) for awhile, till 12:45am or longer. Then they selectively "pick" certain people to get in. ( i think some people don't even get in). Then when your in, you realize there "specials" aren't too special, and it's too crammed to dance on the floors. But if you manage to get by the long waits, disceiving "specials", and getting your drink knocked out of your hand do to overcrowding, no one can get past the bathrooms. Yes, theres a line for the bathroom, a long line. To recap, you get there and get in early and no one else is in there, or you get in really late and theres too many people. Then you either shell out alot of money for drinks, or you get to drink the not very good specials. And whatever you choose, don't make it red due to constant bumping into people; then you spend 30mins for the bathroom.

The vibes are all positive from the music to the people to the service. The lines are long sometimes, but its worth the wait. They have world renoun guest DJ's at and the pizza like no other.