Now, if you’ve read my previous blogs about this historic district, you’ve already heard me compare Seventh Avenue to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. In all fairness it has calmed down a lot, but Ybor still has no shortage of bars and clubs, and the main drag gets wild on weekends. A bit too wild for my taste, usually.

When I come to the district craving a cold drink, my favorite haunts are off the beaten path: mellow joints with well-stocked jukeboxes or excellent people watching. 

At the very top of my list is New World Brewery. Established in 1994-95, this laid-back bar at 1313 E. Eighth Ave. reminds me of a beer garden with its covered patio, outdoor fountain and palm-tree-lined brick courtyard.

Inside you’ll find a long wooden bar, well-loved foosball table and free jukebox loaded with so many music choices that it’s won awards from Tampa’s alt-weekly paper, Creative Loafing.

The atmosphere is relaxing, the bartenders are friendly, and the beer list is unmatched. Beers from every country are served on tap and by bottle, with special emphasis paid to unusual Belgian brews. Follow up your drink with one of the Brewery’s awesome thin-crust pizzas, and you’ll never want to leave.

As if that wasn’t temptation enough, each week New World hosts performances by some of Tampa Bay’s finest local musicians, as well as shows by nationally touring bands.

The gates open every day around 3 p.m., with weekday happy hours running from 5 to 8 p.m. Have Joe or Joanne pour you a cold one, and tell them I sent you.

If you start craving something a little stronger, wander across the street to Fuma Bella at 1318 E. Eighth Ave. This tiny bar serves up a full bar and a good selection of beers in the bottle. Have Charlie mix you a nightcap, and watch crowds stumble past the windows while you chill out to jazz tunes.

Follow the avenue a few blocks east, and you’ll come to the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Ybor City’s only brewpub, at 1600 E. 8th Ave. (New World’s moniker is a bit misleading. They used to brew beer there, but not anymore.)

TBBC, or The Brewco as it’s often called, was founded by the Doble family in 1996. Mother and son serve as general manager and brewmaster, respectively. At least nine handcrafted beers and ales are always on tap, and they brew up to 18 seasonal beers throughout the year.

Newbies should begin by ordering the sampler tray, with four-ounce servings of each available homebrew. It costs about $11 and is a great way to get acquainted with house beers.

The Brewco also includes a full-service restaurant with indoor and open-air patio seating. Signature beers are woven throughout the menu, featuring dishes like jalapeno beer cheese soup. The kitchen stays open until about 11 p.m. on weekdays, making it the perfect place for a late-night nosh.

I’ll soon continue my Ybor exploration with some notes on history and hauntings. Check back soon for tales of the district’s dark past.