The Castle
Dancing · Cruising · Tampa, FL
About
What started as a small saloon on Guavaween 1992 is now an underworld-themed nightclub that draws goths, fetish enthusiasts, and a mixed gay-straight crowd into a warehouse-turned-dungeon. It's adults-only with multiple dance floors, strong drinks, and a full bar that emphasizes single malt scotches and aged tequila.
Themed décor covers every surface, from the floor to the furniture. Little nooks and crannies offer quieter spots for conversation. The music leans dark and heavy, and the crowd is diverse across locals, travelers, and 20s-30s age groups. With only Friday and Saturday hours, this is a late-night destination that rewards planning ahead.
Located in Ybor City, Tampa's historic nightlife district known for its eclectic bars and clubs.
Features
- ✓Full bar with single malts and aged tequila
- ✓Multiple dance floors in a warehouse setting
- ✓Dungeon/vampire castle theme throughout
- ✓Mixed crowd of goths, fetish, and queer patrons
- ✓Open Fri and Sat 10:30pm-3am only
Good for
Practical
Best nights: Mon, Thu, Sat
What people say
Rated from 159 reviews. 47 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“Why go anyplace else.”
I've been a regular since the Castle opened. The crowd is consistently great and the music is the best I've heard anywhere. If you can't dance here, you just don't know how.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Far and away the best club in Tampa”
Thursday night is the best time to go if you want to see a lot of gay people, but there are also plenty of straight folks around. It's perfect for bringing a mixed group to dance. Check out the bartender in the upstairs side bar; she is definitely the coolest one there.
A guest · Over a year ago
“4 not much dancing”
This place would be a dream club for anyone on Vampire Freaks. It has an old gothic look and is more about visual interest than good music; the music could be improved. The music is very dark, which fits the theme, but unless you are on drugs it is hard to dance to.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“Very cool”
Dark, loud, and fun. I visited a few weeks ago and it was not what I expected. The dance floor is awesome, prices are reasonable, and there were plenty of attractive people. There are also lots of small areas for quiet or intimate conversations. I'd definitely recommend it.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
“a cool place for vampires and the like”
This place is cool. It is a club in a warehouse in the area that is made to look like a dungeon or vampire castle. Everything from the floor to the bar to the furniture fits the theme. The crowd is diverse, mostly gay and lesbian, but there are also vampires, goths, and straight people. There are more bars than you could ever need, so you will not wait long for a drink. It is a fun place to check out.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a gay bar? +
The Castle is not exclusively a gay bar; it attracts a mixed gay/straight crowd, with many goths and fetish community members.
What are the hours? +
Open Friday and Saturday from 10:30pm to 3am (overnight). Closed other days.
Is there outdoor seating? +
Yes, outdoor seating is available.
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