Faze 2 Lounge
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Hours: 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Cover: No cover on week nights; $10 on Friday and Saturday
Signature drink: Faze 2 has two specialties. One is a tasty Appletini, which combines apple-flavored vodka and Sour Apple Pucker schnapps. The second is the Incredible Hulk, with Hennessy V.S cognac mixed with either Hpnotiq or Alize Bleu.
Specials: Faze 2 has food and drink specials every day before 11 p.m., including two-for-one drinks. Tuesday features live poetry and spoken word. Wednesday is ladies night, when the first drink is free and they're two-for-one the rest of the night. Special events such as fashion shows and concerts are held Thursdays. Friday is the "Grown & Sexy' happy hour and dance party, which caters to an older crowd.
What to wear: Faze 2 is an urban nightclub and lounge, but you won't see typical urban hip-hop attire. This joint caters to a slightly older and more upscale crowd, so suits, slacks and dress shirts are common for gentlemen. Ladies' attire ranges from halters and tight jeans to sexy cocktail dresses.
The scene: This is one of the more culturally and musically diverse scenes in Tampa. The initial vibe is dance-club, but when you hear a neo-soul, jazz or live R&B band, you'll understand why they call it a lounge.
The crowd: A nice mix of urban professionals, ranging in age from 25 to 45. Walk along the bar and you'll see people from all ethnic backgrounds engaged in conversation. Many professional athletes make Faze 2 an annual stop when they pass through town. Of course, a lot of the Bucs are regulars.
The scoop: Faze 2 Lounge is owned by Ken Shobula of Kennedy Entertainment. The idea behind this venue was to bring an upscale urban club to the northern neighborhoods of the city, away from the bump and grind of Ybor City and south Tampa. Sure, you might see the occasional University of South Florida student enjoying the latest dub reggae track. But you'll also see members of the USF faculty and staff enjoying the soothing ambience of a lounge with strong jazz roots.
The venue takes design elements from L.A. and Miami clubs, with a strong emphasis on wood accents and mood lighting. Silk-screen prints adorn the walls, neon lighting illuminates acrylic bars, and silk columns surround the dance floor. The main bar is the focal point, with a stage tucked behind it.
Faze 2 Lounge blends art, culture and diversity better than most big-city venues, and sticks to its R&B roots with class and sophistication.
By Doug Van Sant
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