Bar in Tampa, United States
Cigar City Cider & Mead
100Pearl PointsLow-key, accessible, no reservation needed.
About Cigar City Cider & Mead
Cigar City Cider & Mead is the right call for cider and mead drinkers who want a relaxed, knowledgeable pour without the noise or pretension of a full bar scene. Walk-ins are easy, the crowd is unpretentious, and a second visit is worth using to work through the mead range. Not for those who need a full cocktail menu.
The Verdict
Cigar City Cider & Mead sits at a price point accessible enough that you can show up without a plan and leave without regret. If you already know you like cider or mead and want a place to drink them seriously, this is the right call in Tampa. If you need a full bar or a cocktail menu, look elsewhere, specifically at 7th + Grove or Ash for something more polished on the spirits side.
Who Goes Here
The crowd at Cigar City Cider & Mead skews toward people who are already in the Cigar City orbit — fans of the brewery side of the operation who want to explore the fermented side, and Tampa locals who treat this as a regular stop rather than a destination. You will fit in if you come curious and unpretentious. This is not a spot that rewards dressing up or arriving with performance expectations. It draws a relaxed, enthusiastic audience that tends to know what they want and is comfortable asking questions about unfamiliar pours. If you have been once and stuck to the obvious options, the second visit is worth using to push into the mead range if you have not already.
The Atmosphere
The energy here is low-key in the leading sense: conversational rather than loud, communal without being chaotic. It is the kind of room where you can actually hear the person across from you, which puts it ahead of a lot of Tampa bar options for a group that wants to catch up rather than shout. It shares the broader Cigar City production energy without being a full brewery floor, which means you get the industrial character without the noise ceiling that comes with it. Compare that to Armature Works, which is louder and more crowded by design, or American Legion Post 111, which carries a very different, dive-leaning register.
Practical Details
Know Before You Go
- Booking difficulty: Easy — walk-ins are the norm here
- Leading for: Cider and mead drinkers; regulars exploring the full range
- Atmosphere: Relaxed, conversational, low noise floor
- Dress code: Casual; no expectations
- Location: 1812 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605, in the Ybor City-adjacent corridor, close to the main Cigar City Brewing footprint
- Explore more: See our full Tampa bars guide, Tampa restaurants guide, and Tampa experiences guide
If you are building a Tampa drinking itinerary and want to see how this kind of focused fermentation operation compares to what serious craft bars do in other cities, it is worth looking at Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston for the range of what a specialist drinks destination can be. For a broader Tampa lens, the Tampa wineries guide and Tampa hotels guide are useful if you are planning around a longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cigar City Cider & Mead worth the price?
Pricing varies at Cigar City Cider & Mead; confirm via check the venue's official channels.
Where is Cigar City Cider & Mead located?
Cigar City Cider & Mead is located in Tampa, at 1812 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605.
How can I contact Cigar City Cider & Mead?
You can reach Cigar City Cider & Mead via check the venue's official channels.
Location
1812 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa, United States
Compare Cigar City Cider & Mead
| Venue | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Cigar City Cider & Mead | Easy |
| La Sétima Club | Unknown |
| Wine on Water | Unknown |
| 7th + Grove | Unknown |
| American Legion Post 111 | Unknown |
| Armature Works | Unknown |
A quick look at how Cigar City Cider & Mead measures up.
Also Consider
- La Sétima Club, Notable alternative
- Wine on Water, Notable alternative
- 7th + Grove, Notable alternative
- American Legion Post 111, Notable alternative
- Armature Works, Notable alternative
How It Compares
Among Tampa's more casual drinking options, Cigar City Cider & Mead occupies a specific lane that most competitors do not challenge directly. Armature Works is the better choice if your group wants food, variety, and a louder social atmosphere, but it does not offer anything close to the focused cider and mead depth you get here. If the point of your visit is to drink something specific rather than to graze a market hall, Cigar City Cider & Mead wins on specificity.
La Sétima Club and 7th + Grove are both stronger picks if cocktails are the priority. La Sétima has the Latin character and spirits depth that Cigar City Cider & Mead does not attempt, while 7th + Grove is the call for a more curated, intentional drinks experience. Neither overlaps meaningfully with what you are coming to Cigar City Cider & Mead for, so the comparison is mostly about knowing your intent before you arrive.
American Legion Post 111 and Wine on Water each serve different drinker profiles: Post 111 leans dive-bar casual, Wine on Water skews wine-focused and quieter. Cigar City Cider & Mead sits somewhere in between on atmosphere, with more niche product focus than either. For value and ease of entry, all three are accessible, but Cigar City Cider & Mead is the only one in this group where the product itself, cider and mead made within the Cigar City operation, is the main reason to show up.
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