Gilligan's Hideaway

Hours: Opens at 11 a.m. daily, but closing times vary, depending on the number of customers. It's usually open until 1 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday, until 3 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and until 11 p.m. Sunday.

Cover: None

What to wear: Gilligan's is more about drinking than style. But if you feel the need to drop some couture into the mix, turn on MTV and get some inspiration. Abercrombie & Fitch shirts, jeans, beaded necklaces, skirts and college T- shirts do the trick.

Signature drink: Gator Hater, a mix of Red Bull, Absolut Mandarin and a splash of blue curacao.

The Scene: A young, relaxed, party-focused crowd makes Gilligan's a nice escape from the ego-driven scene of many Tampa area bars. Coeds, fraternity brothers, sports fans and locals come here to chug beer, play pool, throw darts and chug more beer.

The crowd: Walk into Gilligan's in the early afternoon and you'll find corporate suits eating lunch. Late afternoon and early evening attracts office workers looking to unwind during happy hour. But when the sun goes down and the music is turned up, college students and sports fans pack the house 'til the wee hours.

The specials: A daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. features 99-cent domestic drafts and two-for-one premium wells. Monday night's football special is $9.99 for a pitcher and 10 wings. Tuesday is two-for-one premium wells for $2. On Flippin' Wednesday, patrons who buy one drink can flip a coin for a free shot. Thursday is ladies night, with $3 margaritas, $4 martinis and $2 shots. There's a free buffet on Friday from 5-7 p.m. with spin-the-wheel specials (yes, they actually spin a wheel to determine specials). Saturday offers a $10 buffet (all you can eat and drink) from 7-9 p.m.

The scoop: High school buddies Chas Brooke of Missouri and Richard Bond of New Jersey took their families on vacation to Florida last year. After spending a week in Tampa, the two fell in love with the area and decided to buy a bar. They moved their families down, spent several months planning, and in June opened Gilligan's Hideaway. They beefed up the kitchen and emphasized the college scene and local sports teams. While most downtown office towers sit quiet after 5 p.m., Gilligan's pumps with the sounds of drinking songs, people playing Beer Pong, and sports fans cheering their favorite teams. Inside, bright- eyed college students remind us it's OK to party on a weeknight. Outside, people sit at tables and watch Tampa's street life. The owners will remember your name, and regulars will more than likely offer you a shot.

By Doug Van Sant