Generation Xers — born roughly between 1965 and 1980 — are sometimes regarded as a “forgotten” cohort, sandwiched between the headline- grabbing baby boomers and millennials. But with his new bar and restaurant concept Gen X Tavern, Tampa restaurateur Dave Burton is celebrating his fellow kids who came of age in the era of Pac-Man and Reaganomics. “I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and I love the pop culture of that time,” he says. “There’s this really positive impression that people have, no matter their generation, of those two decades. We wanted to embrace that and celebrate it and have fun with it.” The cocktail menu features more than a dozen fun options like the Bangin’ Tang-a-Rita (a margarita made with Tang powder) and an adult version of a Capri-Sun pouch, plus wine and beer (don’t miss the $2 “Dad’s Crappy Garage Beer,” a rotating selection of, well, crappy beer you would have found in your dad’s garage fridge). Save some time to study the décor, a mixture of pieces by artists like Pep Rally Inc. and Kollet Probst along with ‘80s and ‘90s knick-knacks; the bar’s main mural by Tampa Murals contains over 170 references to the era’s news and pop culture. Gen X Tavern is slated to open in late April.
GEN X TAVERN
103 E. Jackson St. | genxtavern.com | (813) 694-7001
Happy hour daily, 3 to 7 p.m. Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sun, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
