Nestled on the first floor of the Floridan Palace in downtown Tampa you’ll find The Dan.
Snazzy? Yes. A little moody? Absolutely. The restaurant tilts a nod to the roarin’ twenties topped off with a modern twist. I could easily see it as a speakeasy, but in some ways The Dan is better front and center. Its round hanging chandeliers and tiled aesthetic deserve to be seen out in the open in the light. I had the opportunity to experience The Dan last month at a media preview. As someone who doesn’t spend a ton of time in downtown Tampa, I can confidently say that this gem was worth the trip.
Upon entering The Dan I was immediately greeted with jazzy music and an Instagram worthy champagne cocktail. Complete with a fluffed dollop of cotton candy on top to enjoy, I took a sip. The sweet and crisp creation hit just right. Wondering if it’s too forward to go ahead and dub it a Fluffy Cottontail? Haha – Champagne Cocktail is probably easier to remember. It was the perfect intro to The Dan’s curated cocktail menu – which reflects new and classic creations.
The Dan’s space is longer than you would expect – you can hop into a booth or snag a spot at the bar. Ben and I had our homebase in a booth that was in the back corner. It proved perfect for catching up with friends and gave us natural lighting for my pictures. Both are equally important if you ask me.
While The Dan came equipped with musical entertainment for the evening, my eyes were also on the cocktail crafting happening bar side.
The cocktail crafting process always intrigues me. That’s truly why I never mind sitting up at the bar anywhere we go. It’s sippable art in many forms, but in a lot of cases there are so many intricate steps that not everyone sees. I think the magic is all in the presentation though. The Champagne Cocktail for example was perfect for this event. It was equal parts celebratory, nostalgic, and beautiful – which aligns perfectly with what The Dan is serving atmospherically.
The Dan’s food menu has quite a lineup of Gulf Coast inspired dishes and New Orleans influence.
Seafood foodies can unite on offerings like the Grilled Gulf Shrimp, Crispy Red Snapper and yes – of course, Oysters on the Half Shell. The menu also provides options like Creole Roasted Half Chicken, Steak Frites among other classics. I wish I had more of the food at the media preview and I’m still not sure how I missed out on the House French Onion Dip. It made the photos, but apparently not my mouth (which was likely filled with cotton candy anyway).
Oh my gosh wait – how did I almost forget? I did try the Muffuletta, and it was BOMB. The olive tapenade honestly made the whole sandwich for me.
With that I’d like to say to The Dan: welcome to downtown Tampa!
This restaurant sets the mood for a nice little date night or even a lunch out with friends. So, grab your glad rags and get ready to enjoy some creatively crafted giggle water. Rumor also has it the brunch is going to be the cat’s pajamas. You can bet I’ll report back once I get a taste.
The Dan is located at 905 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, Florida 33602
View their website here
Thanks so much to The Dan for having us out for their media preview! All thoughts and opinions expressed here as well as good times shown are my own.
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