On The Rocks

Hours: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Cover: None, unless there is a live act.

Signature drink: A fruit-infused martini - a burst of flavor mixed with fine vodka.

What to wear: On the Rocks has an eclectic range when it comes to style and fashion. Whether you choose a hip bohemian style or classic suit and dress shirt, if it's cool or classy, it will go well here.

Bathroom break: The bathrooms are clean, well designed (they have those trendy bowl-style sinks that sit above the counter), and equipped with some of the softest paper towels in Ybor.

The scene: On the Rocks isn't what you expect in club-driven Ybor. It's funky and creative with an artistic vibe. It holds the same high level of class and sophistication you find in a posh lounge, but without the pretentiousness. The crowd is young and hip, while the music is different - but always entertaining - every single night.

Specials: Tuesday is open-mic night, featuring $2.50 domestic and imported bottles. The show welcomes anyone from spoken-word artists to musicians. Nightly drink specials vary.

The scoop: On the Rocks is the concept of former Whiskey Park and Hyde Park Cafe bartender Alex Gilmore. Gilmore and a partner recently opened the venue to bring a new style of nightlife to a city overflowing with velvet-rope dance clubs. OTR takes the best of a live-music venue and a martini bar and blends it into a lounge with an edge.

The decor is an intriguing mix of brick walls, exposed ductwork and dark soothing colors that creates a cozy yet industrial feel. The best part is the outdoor patio, offering patrons a completely new and tropical feel in the urban neighborhood.

OTR is just off the Seventh Avenue strip, but keeps a bit of VIP feel with plush couches and conceptual lighting. You'll more than likely find a DJ spinning some type of down-tempo house music, but some nights, a blues, jazz or funk band hits the stage. The walls display original art and there are even two pool tables for gaming types.

By Doug Van Sant