Categories: Local

Experience Prana: Ybor City’s Jewel

This article will be the first in my short series of Tampa’s diverse and varied nightlife. If you’re looking for something to do in Tampa, you’re in luck! Prana is called the jewel of Ybor City, party central for Tampa, because it is one of the most upscale night clubs in Tampa. This club features five levels with four different DJs so there is definitely something for everyone. The first two levels feature modern and current hip hop and r&b; music. The second level has a balcony that allows you to overlook the first level and also a roped off VIP section with comfortable seats and candles to create a gorgeous atmosphere of ambiance. The third level features a more electronic and techno selection of music. This floor is the most posh of all the floors of Prana with leather chairs and carpeted floors. The atmosphere here is laid back and most people come to this floor to enjoy the experience instead of dancing. The fourth floor is my personal favorite, which features Spanish music and reggaeton. This floor is high energy in the most literal sense. The music gets you dancing and periodically a siren and strobe light flash just to get the crowd wild! Sometimes a rapper will be performing on this floor. The fifth level is on the roof of the building and offers a spectacular view of Ybor City. The fifth floor features reggae and island music.This level is really nice for getting some air and just enjoying the view. I really don’t like the floors on the fifth level because if you are wearing heels, you can get them stuck in the floor boards sometimes but other than that this level is usually the least crowded.

The only way to get from one level to another is the stairs and it can and does get pretty crowded at times. So if you’re looking for a great calf workout, feel free to wear heels as you traverse five flights of stairs. The plus side is that there are two different stair wells that anyone can use to cut down on traffic but they still get pretty crowded. There are bars on all of the levels except for the fifth one and if you get a drink on one of the lower levels and bring it up to the roof then you’ll have to transfer it to a plastic cup. The bar tenders are always really nice, although they might give you a strange look if you order a virgin drink! There are bathrooms on each level and bathroom attendants as well who are really friendly and polite. It’s always nice to give them a tip. There are go go dancers on levels one and four. When they go to take their breaks, you can grab some friends and climb on the tables and have some fun! There is no official dress code for Prana but most people come in dressed nicely. Dresses or jeans are acceptable but I can tell you that if you look good, you might be approached by one of the promoters who will let you skip the line (sometimes for free!). There is a diverse crowd at Prana so if you’re looking to meet new people, this is definitely the place. The ages range from college kids to senior citizens, although there aren’t that many seniors, though some do go there on a regular basis. The average age range is probably in the mid 20s to the mid 30s. There are also ethnicities of all types so you’re in for a treat.

Women get in for free before 11:30 and I suggest getting to the club early because you can wait in line for up to an hour or more sometimes. The cover charge after 11:30 for women is 10$ which is always the case for men. Parking around the club can be a total hassle so if you get there early you can park at the parking lot in the back for fifteen dollars but if you look good enough you might get a discount and only pay 10$. After around 1:00, to park in the parking lot behind Prana, you’ll only pay the 10$. I suggest that you drop by and enjoy the atmosphere of Prana the next time you are in Tampa, you certainly will the jewel of Ybor!