Suddenly, potential bar owners are realizing that people right along the N/NE border are thirsty. They need alcohol. First it was the Crow Bar, then 5th Quadrant, then Vendetta, and now, the Florida Room.

The Florida Room is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It's a comfie little space with lots of old beer signs, with a full mirrored bar, beer on tap, and some food. As befits a place with that name, there are big windows looking out onto the front, and a cheerful back deck.

House cocktails range from $5-$7, with my favorite being the $5 pint slushie margarita. It's green, it's strong, and it came from the slushie machine—hurrah!

Beer on tap includes PBR ($2) and Bud Light ($2.50), as well as micros ($3.50) like Kona Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Widmer Hefeweizen, Terminal Gravy IPA, Lagunitas Sirus, and Fat Tire (not all of those are on the permanent list). They also have beer by the bottle or can, including Old German at $1.50.

The food isn't an afterthought but it's better if you've been drinking. It includes sandwiches, cheese fries with gravy, tots, nachos, and deviled eggs.

We ordered cheese fries, deviled eggs, the ybor city press (roasted pork, steak, pickles & mayo), and a corn dog with tots. The cheese fries—not very cheesy, not very seasoned, but good with the gravy. We couldn't figure out the seasonings in the deviled eggs: they were good. The ybor city press was tasty, but underseasoned, though it was great with the gravy. And the corn dog with tots: it is what it is, and you love it, or not.

Happy hour is every day from 4-7. Well drinks and tap beers get 50 cents off, and there are some cheap snacky bits for $2-$3.50.

The place has a wonderful, irreverent vibe and a sure sense of itself.