All Visitor Reviews for Chelsea Nightclub (20 reviews)

Chelsea is a very friendly bar, close to downtown with a good mix of all walks. Never a problem for me to go alone or meet friends. Great (strong) drinks, prices and bartenders. Definitely smoky but worth a wash cycle. No other place in Tampa is so welcoming. Always a great crowd for happy hour...starts at 3:00 - perfect.

If you are new in town or if you have lived here forever and would like to meet some new friends this is the place to go for a real and true HAPPY HOUR If you like to be alone and not talk to anyone this is not the place for you. And yes even the many stright people that come in are GAY(Websters; happily excited, keenly alive and exuberant, having or including high spirits)

17 reviews... now 18 for this hole in the wall. Half of them read like ads (staff posting much?) and are all posted by 'reviewers' with 1 reviews to their respective names. Right. The good: Service. Bartender (Dylan) was very friendly and poured good (strong) drinks. Music was good as well (again, bartender was playing music). In fact the bartender was about the only good thing here and the only reason I stayed for two instead of running for the door. Also, its very close to Ybor city and right off 275 - so location is great. The bad: The smell. The reviewers below were not lying - I am a smoker and this place just smells terribl. It was like walking into an ashtray. Also, the crowd left a lot to be desired. No real dance floor to speak of and lighting/DJ booth/etc that looks like it came from the 70s. Overall very dated. I wouldn't say this is the worst bar in the bay area (see Kiki), but the reviews here are highly misleading. Its definitely a 'dive' and not in a fun way like it sells itself - more of how long will this place stay open? kind of way.

I find it funny that the only bad review was written by a non smoker- it is a bar and yes people still smoke in bars! I had an amazing time at the Chelsea! The bartenders are sexy, the drinks are strong, you always have people to chat with and what impressed me the most was how kind and involved the new owner is! This place is a must see and has changed for the better!!! Love the chelsea!!

Went to the Chelsea Bar for Fag Hag Night and it was packed! They had cheap wells for $2.50, hot eye candy dancers and a great drag show. I've never seen so many fag hags in one room; we danced and had so much fun. If you haven't been yet, check them out!

Went there Saturday night based on these reviews and I had a great time! Yeah, it's a little 'divey', but who cares? As others said: There's no attitude here - how refreshing - just a well-mixed, friendly, upbeat crowd having a good time. Stiff drinks. no cover. cute guys. hot dancers. fun people. good drag show. friendly bartenders. - Whats not to like? I'll definitely go back.

Was in tampa for business and stopped by after work. Very much a dive if that is what you are looking for. But left after one drink. My clothes reeked of smoke. Horrible.

My partner and I always have a good time here. The crowd is always made up of a decent mix of ages and personality types. But what's most important in my opinion, is that everyone is friendly from the bartenders, to the patrons, to the owners. Unless you're on a mission to be a negative person, you'll always have a good time here. The homeless people have not been hanging around and we've never felt unsafe. It's nice to be able to leave the attitude, negative energy and snottiness someplace else and just have a good time here. It's why we love Tampa.

Chelsea is a very laid back bar. You can go there not worry about getting attitude from anyone. From employees to patrons its as friendly as can be.. Always had a great time at the Chelsea!!

If you're looking for a place with great people, great service, good prices, hot dancers and great events (including drag shows hosted by Amy DeMilo on Saturday nights), The Chelsea is it! It's never pretentious and I always feel welcome! And if you remember the large group of homeless people that used to camp out next door to the club...the new owner of the bar has worked with city officials to clean up the location - it's much safer now! I would recommend The Chelsea to anyone looking for a great place to chill with friendly people.

My uncle took me there to meet his friends....nice guys - had a great time. He's a little older than me, so it was nice that there were young guys there too. Then later on (after I took my uncle home, I went back) - and it was lit! The place was jumping and i seen a drag show better than Miami. Very cute guys and not a bad neighborhood...not sure what that other guy meant ?! It's not the burbs, but I guess some are used to that. I have a little crush on one of the bartenders...too bad i live in Philly. Wink @ Chris Topher

Love to chill here early and sometimes stay later for the shows and wildness. Bartenders are very cool, down to earth. Come in and say "hi" b/c it's a very friendly place. Also like to take my straight friends as it is often mixed and always gay friendly.

I'm not much into drags show but The Chelsea really tops everything I have seen before! the last time I was there, Lady Janet in particular does a ballet routine that mesmerized the audience. It's also the only bar that I'm aware of that sells at a reasonable price Crystal Head Vodka! The Roll-Royce of Vodkas in my book!!! What I also like about this place is anyone, gay or not, can feel comfortable and enjoy good, clean fun. It is truly what they claim to be: "The first Be-Who-You-Are Club in Tampa!"

I went here last thursday. Prostitutes and drug users walk the streets, which is why the place has a burly security guy at the door. Inside only a few guys, very drunk. Perhaps this place changes on weekends, but I have a hard time imaging such a complete turn around. Enter at your own risk.

That about says it all

Unless Cher or Madonna is singing,we NEVER go anywhere there is cover charge. Now they don't have one which is good. Nice crowd but bartenders are very unfriendly.

The place is ok to drink but watch out I would suggest that you drink from a beer bottle Last Wednesday night before 9pm I was siting at the bar and watched a dog drink from customers glasses and eat from the popcorn bowl. Later I found out that the dog belonged to the bar tender. I suggest we stay away from this lounge and ask the owner to clean it up.

Always, bust, great specials and friendly people. The best drag shows, i have seen in Florida.

It's a cute little bar and the patio karaoke is pretty good. But @ $3.00 to gain entry, I would have to ask what NEVER a cover actually means, because it certainly felt like a cover to me.

Great club, always busy and the people make you feel like part of the club! I love this place! Lots of hot guys to!!