Venue Review: New World Brewery

Where: 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa (Ybor City); (813) 248-4969

Hours: 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily

Cover: No cover most evenings. If there is a band, figure $3 to $5.

What to wear: Like most great pubs, New World has a laid-back attitude that is reflected in the attire of its patrons. Jeans and polo shirts are common, but so are shorts and sandals. Just pick your style and go. The goal is simply to be comfortable.

Signature drink: Any one of the 30 different microbrews on tap. Some that draw attention are Dogfish Head, Hazed & Infused and Rogue Dead Guy Ale.

The scene: New World is one of the longtime gems of Ybor City. The atmosphere is built on the tropical courtyard, live original music and a fabulous selection of rare brews. You're sure to find a mellow crowd engaged in conversation, laughter, and enjoying plenty of malted beverages.

The crowd: Unlike the rest of Ybor, this pub has maintained a steady flow of local regulars, business types and artists. You'll see an eclectic mix of older residents, service industry folks, live music geeks and young professionals. All come here to put their feet up, kick back and make friends. They even allow dogs to join the party.

The specials: They host a daily happy hour from 3-8 p.m. with $3 pints of any beer.

The scoop: New World Brewery is one of the more unique watering holes in all of Ybor City. When he opened it 10 years ago as a full-scale brewery, owner Steve Bird wanted to create a bar that felt like a backyard barbecue. He dropped the brewing after four years, and decided to focus mainly on microbrews. A whopping 30 different imports and brews on tap and 50 different Belgian beers in bottles always gives you something new to try.

But the beer isn't the only attraction here. The venue has a beautiful courtyard with lush tropical foliage, a fountain and black iron fence. The covered deck is perfect for a local band performing anything from bluegrass to indie rock. The main bar is made from heart of pine timbers saved from Ybor Brewing Company, while many bricks have been salvaged from area buildings. A large globe is painted on the floor and many more are collected throughout. Even the tap handles in one of the original windows of the building show the simple touches of character this pub is known for. If you want a cold beer with a slice of personality, we've found your home.