Featuring flirtnightclub 1909 N. 15th Street (Ybor) Tampa, FL 33605 Voice: 813-555-1212

Well, they did say “The best shows are at Flirt Nightclub & Showbar,” and I have to admit… so far that’s right. Wow, talk about a great club! Flirt opened in Spring of 2002 in Ybor City, and has proven to be one of the hottest spots in Ybor!

One of the great things about Flirt is that it has two separate dance floors playing totally different music. The club has a good mixed crowd and atmosphere, with the dress varying from Champion sports jerseys and Lee jeans to Kenneth Cole jackets and Armani shirts. Overall, the club has a relaxed feeling to it though as is demonstrated by the generous space to sit back and chill around the upstairs dance floor. The mix of guys to girls was pretty even as far as I could tell (you never know these days!) and as far as being able to pick someone up at Flirt, just repeat the name of the club to yourselves one more time to answer that one!

Downstairs in the basement, you can bounce your booty (or someone else’s) to the greatest and the latest hip hop and R&B rhythms. The basement of Flirt has a darker, mellower feel with the light of a single disco ball scattering across the walls and the crowd. People are a lot friendlier than in other hip hop clubs around the area, and the egos and attitude that are evident outside on almost every street in Ybor seemed to have been left at the door as the crowd was extremely inviting to new faces. The basement stayed fairly void until after the first show upstairs at midnight had ended. After the clock struck twelve, the lower level became swarmed with people moving to the beats of Busta Rhyme’s ‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See’ and 50 cent’s ‘In Da Club.’

Upstairs, another type of party was being put into play. We ventured upstairs to grab a drink (or five). This is where we ran into bartender Holly, one of the sweetest cats ever, and she knows how to pour! I bartended for over 3 years on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and I can tell you, the drinks at Flirt are top-notch. From the Cosmo to the White Russian, from the Chardonnay to the Buttery Nipple shots (it’s a very girl-friendly bar… I HAD to!), they were flawless. The top level of Flirt is pulsated by the latest house and top dance hits. The floor is encompassed with dance lighting and embraced by the incredible beats and mixes of DJ Terri Ambrosino. As the full name of the club dictates, Flirt is also a showbar. Flirt hosts two shows every Saturday night upstairs: one at midnight and the other at 1:30 am. This night I was there marked the final show in Tampa (for a while) for one of Flirt’s fabulous and favorite performers, Skandalous, as she is traveling to Los Angeles to become even more of a shining star. Another performer, Robyn, had all the moves and then some as she rocked it out on stage. Definitely a must-see performance! When the show had ended, DJ Terri Ambrosino continued to provide the house and dance rhythm for the beautiful dancing Russian girls between the shows that might make even a gay man take a second look (I know I sure did).

The owner, Darlene, is having her Birthday Sex Party there this month too! September 25th, Flirt will open its doors and entertain partygoers with Trinity the Fire Dancer, the Burlesque Sex Show, DJ Pride from Girls in Wonderland, with special shows from Erika Norell and Danielle Hunter. If nudity offends you, please refrain from attending on this night!!!

Flirt is a venture not to be missed if you are looking for a night of dancing and entertainment. For those of you on the west side of the Howard Frankland, this is one spot worth crossing the bridge for! You have certainly missed out if you haven’t Flirted yet!

Reviewed By Russell Lytle (sunleo72780)