World Wrestling Icon Hogan to Open Tampa’s Newest Waterfront Hotspot

Iconic twelve-time world wrestling champion, movie star and producer Hogan has announced the launch of Hogan’s Beach, a 20,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor restaurant and bar located at the Best Western Bay Harbor Hotel. Opening New Year’s Eve, the new hotspot offers waterside dining, live outdoor entertainment, a mechanical shark ride, authentic tiki bars, a giant video screen on the beach, as well as indoor and beachfront dance floors.

“Everyone knows I’m a maniac about the beach, great food, good people and entertainment that brings everyone together for a good time,” said Hogan. “So I’m proud to open a place that encompasses all that in one location and call it my beach — Hogan’s Beach.”

The indoor restaurant, boasting a sizable dining and bar area, will also offer outdoor, beachfront dining. Both options provide the perfect setting for Hogan’s chefs to showcase fresh local seafood, mouthwatering steaks and chops, a full sushi bar, uniquely local and traditional entrees and a full-service tiki bar — merely a few highlights of this remarkable property. To keep the dance floors moving, Hogan’s bartenders will pour from 30 beers on tap and 20 wines by the glass to a soundtrack provided by live local and national entertainment performing on brand new outdoor stages.

Acclaimed chef Robert Uzzillia, recently named among Restaurant Forum Magazine?s “Annual Top Chefs,” is developing the food and beverage menu for this entirely new locale. A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Uzzillia was awarded both the Judge’s and People’s Choice Awards at the 2012 Taste Of Clearwater Chef’s Competition.

“Fresh-local and flight-fresh seafood, along with high-quality beef, poultry and produce, allow us to present a menu that will make Hogan’s Beach a dining destination as much as it is a place to come and have fun on the beach, waterside,” said Chef Uzzillia, Director of Food and Beverage for Hogan’s Beach and Kingfish Grill & Tap House.

“It’s all about location, and we have a great one, along with great food, tremendous beer and wine lists, signature cocktails, waterfront entertainment and personalities to bring it to the next level,” added Hogan.

Located at the picturesque Best Western Bay Harbor Hotel, Hogan’s Beach also provides local and out-of-town guests alike with a wide array of amenities, including shuttle services and water sport rentals. “The energy Hogan’s Beach will bring to the property will make this a very unique place for our guests,” said Best Western Bay Harbor General Manager Happy Nook, “and I commit my entire team to making this the best beach experience in the Tampa Bay area.”

Hogan’s Beach, located at 7700 Courtney Campbell Causeway, kicks off its Grand Opening New Year’s Eve, with musical performances on Hogan’s Beach Stage by King County and DJ Gemini. To order tickets, make reservations or obtain general information, contact guest services at 813-281-8900, e-mail HogansBeachTampa@gmail.com or visit www.hogansbeachtampa.com.