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OK, here's MY Skipper's story.
May 29, 1986, I'm on my Honeymoon with my lovely wife Angela.
We're staying at a nearby resort, and I was jonesing for some good seafood.
Of course, no one where we were staying at was a local, so I hit the phone book.
I figured that if a place would spend enough money on a Πpage ad, they would be a decent establishment. That's how I found Skipper's.
When I pulled into the lot, there were 9 Harley's and a pick-up truck with different colored doors, fenders and hood.
My new wife was hesitant about entering a "biker bar", and to avoid any arguments (I WAS on my Honeymoon), I was ready to pull out when I saw a sign on the side by the front door. Upon reading it, I put the car in Park and told her, Let's Go.
You see, I saw a list of upcoming groups that were to playing at Skipper's soon. On the board were names like Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jorma K., etc. I said Oh My God, this is a true Southern Blues Bar, and they have the best food and tunes.
Boy, was I right about everything. Although there wasn't a big name playing that night, there were several guys jamming away on the stage surrounded by the long wooden benches. Being a musician myself, I can tell a wannabe from the real thing, and these guys were IT. Having ordered a couple of beers and the Steamed Platter for each of us, a big burly biker type fellow walked up to us and asked why we were in his bar. Obviously we were not dressed for a biker bar environment, as I had on a Cleveland Browns T-shirt and shorts, he knew we were not locals. Then he sat down next to me, ordered the waitress to bringing us a couple of pitchers. Turns out, he said he was
from Cleveland originally and always welcomes Clevelander's personally. I wish we could remember his name, but he sure made a great impression with us. Then, upon leaving, he tore up our bill and said that Cleveland money is no good in this part of Florida. So I gave the waitress a $20 tip instead. That was almost 22 years ago. We still tell that story to this day. And in 3 years, I'm taking my beautiful wife back to Tampa for our 25th, and you can bet your ass that we'll be back to Skipper's.
Brent Fiorucci
Twinsburg, OH - Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 13:18:21 (EDT)
Are you kidding? I've seen at Skippers:Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, NRBQ, Joe "King" Carasco & The Crowns, Southern Culture On the Skids, Tab Benoit, Jimmy Thackery, Marcia Ball, Buckwheat Zydeco, Lloyd Jones, Cracker, Tinsley Ellis, Link Wray, Los Straitjackets, Rosie Flores, Devil Doll, Mem Shannon, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Sue Foley, Nora Jean Bruso, John Campbell, Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo, Sharon Jones & The DapKings, Sonny Landreth, Paul Thorn, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Chubby Carrier, Terrence Simien, Papa Mali, and Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs. And probably a couple more that escape me right now. Has to be the best live music club this side of Tipitina's, only with better food.
Goose
Palm Harbor, Fl - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 03:39:11 (EDT)
I'm coming over to skipper's for the first time on April 11th. A friend of mine was telling me about how fun he had at skippers.
See you soon!!
BRENDAGRADDY
Lakeland, FL - Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 13:07:56 (EDT)
Let's see, who have I seen at Skipper's:
Tab Benoit, Hot Tuna, John Mayall,Koko
Taylor, Damon Fowler...the list goes on and on. What a phenomenal small venue to see great acts! Oh, the food is good, also
Brad
Tampa, Fl - Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 17:47:34 (EST)
Are you kidding me? My buddy and I were looking for a seafood restaurant last friday night while on vacation. We had NO idea there was a serious blues venue right there. So we paid the insanely reasonable cover charge and went inside.
Damon was playing and he is just f'n incredible. Not only is he a phenomonal player, but his smile is infectious. And his showmanship is the best. I like him more than Warren Haynes OR Derek Trucks. He also provides encouragement to all the guys playing with him ie, Josh, etc. I cant wait to see him again. Dudes and gals from 5-90 years old were all dancing on stage and hanging on every note. How can I find out if Damon every plays in NY or PA? kenbola PS- Nothing is funnier than watching the bass player (who is awesome) take a shot of Jaegermeister!
Kenbola
Bergenfield, NJ - Monday, February 11, 2008 at 21:13:09 (EST)
Wow, Roy Gaines sure looks a lot like Tab Benoit, and visa versa. Who's in charge of the gallery picture captions? Vince?
Damn, we miss you guys, and hope it doesn't take another category 5 hurricane to get us back to the Skipperdome.
Happy Mardi Gras! See you at FQF.
P&S Hooper
Sally & Paul Hooper
New Orleans, LA - Monday, February 04, 2008 at 23:34:48 (EST)
skipper's is my favorite venue on the planet, especially when uncle john's band plays! can't wait to spend my birthday there (feb 14) with friends from rhode island and florida. also my fiance and i had our first date there a year ago. skipper's and tampa hold special memories for us!
patti
foster, ri - Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 12:34:56 (EST)
Hey now....first got turned on to Skippers by my good friend Bill...I think you called him Indian Bill? Gonna be in Tampa sometime soon, and hope to raise a glass to him while enjoying some of that good food of yours.
Francesca
- Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 23:02:40 (EST)
Democracy is coming to the USA
Tim
Columbia, SC - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 14:05:27 (EST)
Happy New Year to everyone at Skippers!
Patrick McGonigle
Gainesville, FL - Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 08:49:34 (EST)