Inside Ybor: The Heart of Tampa

Established in 1885 by Spanish entrepreneur Vicente Martinez Ybor, 'Ybor's City' swiftly became a sanctuary for the immigrant communities that formed the backbone of the cigar industry the city was built on. These diverse communities brought with them a rich tapestry of traditions, cuisine, and artistic expressions. Over the years, Ybor evolved into a cultural epicenter, with theaters, social clubs, and cigar factories dotting its landscape. Artisans and performers found inspiration in its bustling streets and vibrant atmosphere.

Part of Ybor’s charm is the left-over remnants from the city’s cigar-making origins. It’s seen beneath the glowing sign of El Centro Ybor, in cobbled streets and industrial architecture, and, most notably, in the multicultural community that continues to inspire the people and businesses at the heart of the city. From its storied theaters to its eclectic galleries, Ybor invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world where art, culture, and history intertwine.

Historic Ybor

Visitors can start at the Ybor Museum and State Park, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, and learn all about the city’s founding and the community that has since emerged from it. Next door, you can take your pick of the area’s historical offerings and peruse the Hillsborough County Sheriff History Museum and Al Lopez Baseball Museum to delve into the fascinating local narratives of law enforcement and baseball legends.

La Septima

If you instead choose to take a walk down 9th Street, you will reach the lively 7th Avenue strip, home to an eclectic mix of art studios, restaurants, vintage stores, and clubs that appeal to both daytime and nighttime wanderers. On select days of the month, the city hosts markets such as the Indie Flea and Ybor Saturday Market.

Highlights

Dysfunctional Grace: If you're a fan of the strange, Dysfunctional Grace is for you. Not only do they offer a museum of oddities, they sell them. Explore a collection of unique taxidermy, old photos and journals, fortune-telling arcade games, and so much more. Be sure to check out their many events including their annual Tabernacle of Oddities market, taxidermy workshops, and rug-tufting courses.

Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery: Enjoy contemporary exhibitions, products from local artists, and even a selection of vintage clothes all at Marcolina's. The gallery also offers weekly art classes on Monday evenings, as well as life drawing sessions held every third Wednesday.

The Ritz: Originally a silent movie theatre built in 1917, the Ritz has since developed into one of Tampa's top live music and event venues, offering unforgettable experiences in the heart of the vibrant Ybor City district.

DRIP: Also known as 'Do Really Inspiration Projects', DRIP is a creative hub offering a variety of arts opportunities. The studio hosts a range of classes and workshops in pottery, mosaic art, t-shirt design, and so much more!

La France: An Ybor institution, La France boasts a delightful selection of new and old styles from vintage suits to Gasparilla-worthy pirate gear. It's the perfect spot for those looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or outfit.

Kress Contemporary

An unexpected rising star in Tampa Bay's art scene, Kress Contemporary is home to some of the city's most up-and-coming creatives and arts organizations, epitomizing the city's reputation as a center for community arts. The building is home to an assortment of visual, performing, and literary arts groups.

Highlights

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts: It’s been over a year since the FMoPA shut its doors to move into its new downtown arts space, Ybor's historic Kress building, and it’s thriving. This is one of only a dozen or so museums nation-wide dedicated exclusively to photographic arts. Exhibits are rotating, so be sure to catch them while you can!

Tampa City Ballet: Elevating arts education and community connection, Tampa City Ballet is a small but mighty contemporary dance company focused on embracing diversity, amplifying emerging talent, and turning Tampa's rich history into innovative performances.

Tampa Fringe Theatre: A dynamic performing arts incubator, Tampa Fringe offers a space for alternative and experimental performances. They host monthly open mic and storytelling nights for those interested in sharing their work and organize the annual Fringe Theatre Festival and Whinge! Scratch Festival.

Screen Door Microcinema: Screen Door caters to a wide variety of film tastes from arthouse to horror, independent to cult classics. With a max capacity of 38 seats, this cozy venue offers a wholly unique theater-quality viewing experience.

Pop Yarn: A haven for fiber arts enthusiasts, this local shop offers a diverse selection of high-quality, sustainable yarns, as well as crochet lessons from nationally-certified instructors for hobbyists of all skill levels.

GrowHouse: A collective of spoken word artists, GrowHouse is committed to bringing community literary arts events to Tampa by providing a welcoming platform for poets and artists of all levels to shine and grow. They offer regular writing workshops, and host the Ybor City Poetry Slam every 4th Saturday.
Heard 'Em Say Youth Arts Collective: Established in 2007, Heard 'Em Say offers youth a creative platform for expression and empowerment, hosting open mics, workshops, and a slam team, fostering activism through art education.
Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center: Inspired by Barbara Smith's Kitchen Table Press, this center uplifts Black women, women of color, and BIPOC queer writers through workshops, writing programs, and a Creative Writing Society.

Tempus Projects: A non-profit fostering a vibrant arts community in Tampa Bay, Tempus nurtures artists from all backgrounds through exhibitions, collaborations, and innovative programming, as well as an artist residency program.

Gallery Spaces: Kress is home to a unique collection of gallery spaces and studios open to the public. These include Drift Curator's Space, Gratus Studio, Parachute Gallery, GUAID Gallery, Dave Decker Photography, JZ Atelier, and the Department of Contemporary Art.

Hidden Gems

Sometimes the best things in life are off the beaten path. Ybor is incredibly walkable and exploring its many side streets will introduce you to a host of art spaces. Though 7th avenue is largely considered Ybor's "main street", many of the city's most interesting establishments are located in the surrounding areas.

Highlights

LAB Theatre Project: A pioneering non-profit production company in Tampa Bay, dedicated to nurturing emerging playwrights and theater artists through the creation of new works and hands-on training opportunities.

Coastal Film Lab: Your go-to destination in Tampa for analog photography services and equipment, dedicated to serving enthusiasts of all levels with film developing, scanning, camera sales, and service. Be sure to check out their gallery!

The Commodore: Brought to life from a 2023 Kickstarter campaign, Ybor's premiere independent comedy, sketch, and improv theatre, The Commodore, fills a growing demand for dedicated live entertainment spaces in Tampa. The club offers weekly improv drop-in nights, workshops, and interactive comedy shows.

Funny Bone Comedy Club: Formerly the Tampa Improv Comedy Club, Funny Bone hosts both local and internationally renowned acts, offering dinner and a show to 21+ patrons in the heart of Ybor.

Orange Blossom Trading Company: Embracing Ybor City's eclectic spirit, Orange Blossom sits on the outskirts of the city and is a treasure trove of handmade goods and art pieces, largely inspired by Florida and featuring local artists. Vendors will be rotated out seasonally, so there is always something new to see!

HCC Galleries: Ybor has long since been home to the Hillsborough Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Campus. Visitors can explore their on-site exhibition space, Gallery114, showcasing student work.

The Crowbar: Open 7 nights a week, this standing-room-only venue embodies the best of Ybor's live entertainment scene.

Factory on Fifth: A dynamic creative hub nestled in a historic East Ybor City steel mill, uniting artists, poets, musicians, craftspeople, and creatives to foster collaboration and innovation. Don't miss out on their many community arts events!

Ybor's rich arts and cultural scene gives the district a vibrant and distinctive energy that visitors can't help but be captivated by. The fusion of historic charm with contemporary creativity makes Ybor City a must-visit destination for both seasoned art enthusiasts and curious travelers.