Gators Cafe And Saloon

Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Cover: None

What to wear: When you venture into Gators on a Saturday afternoon, don't be surprised if everyone is dressed in orange and blue. This joint may be the biggest University of Florida hangout in the Tampa area. If college football isn't your thing (or you just happen to be a Florida State grad), dress like you're going fishing or to the beach. Cargo shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops and bikinis are standard.

Signature drink: The Gator Tail, a blend of Iceberg vodka, Midori liqueur, Coco Lopez pineapple-coconut mix and pineapple juice. Of course, like any good beach bar, frozen beverages and margaritas are in high demand.

The scene: Visiting Gators is like walking off the beach and into The Swamp in Gainesville. A large stuffed gator greets patrons just inside the door and pictures of UF football icons adorn the walls. Bands perform on the deck, where beachgoers spend the evening recovering from a day in the sun.

The crowd: The age range runs from 21 to 40 most evenings. Young professionals, Gator grads and tourists are drawn to this waterside oasis. The parasailing and surf fishing nearby draw families during the day. As manager Al Crandall says, "It's basically a melting pot."

Specials: Sunday and Monday feature food and drink specials all evening, and local bands Groove Alter and Driven play alternative rock. Gators offers an all-day happy hour Monday through Thursday, with $3 premium drinks, $3 bottled beers and $3 20-ounce drafts. Margaritas are $3 all day Saturday and Sunday.

The scoop: Thirteen years ago, Sid Rice (a‚k‚a King Gator) decided to build a bar dedicated to his love of the mighty Gators on family-owned land along the south side of Johns Pass. Through the years, this Treasure Island hot spot has grown to become one of the largest and exciting sports bars along the Gulf coast. During football games, the place is packed with hundreds of Gator fans, and King Gator often leads the crowd in a rendition of the UF fight song. It's not unusual to find local celebrities and past Gator greats in the middle of it all. Gator mascot Albert has made an appearance, as well as Mr. Two-Bits, a fan favorite at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

But this bar isn't just about Gator football. The fishing dock, open-air dining room, tiki bar and game room give non-football fans plenty of reasons to visit. The atmosphere is laid-back, with the staff dressed appropriately in T-shirts and shorts. You could spend hours gazing at all the photos on the walls, or listening to some of the crazy gator hunting stories Rice and his buddies like to tell. Gators blends the best of the Gulf coast with the excitement of college sports and live entertainment.

By Doug Van Sant