Fuma Bella

So it finally happened. For once in my life, the «open» sign was hanging on the door at Fuma Bella, so New World Brewery had to wait. La Chica and I expeditiously made the long and arduous walk all the way from the front door to the bar, bellied up and placed our order with Durke. Old fashioned variant, check. Moscow Mule variant, check. Then, the casual and interesting conversations began. There are few things in life better than a well-​crafted, stiff libation in a small bar and a good bartender to chat it up with. It’s a excellent exercise in introvert-​to-​extrovert transformation. And if you’re down with that, then this is definitely the place to be.
Note to potential patrons, CASH ONLY! (There is an ATM across the street at New World)

This place is a hidden gem, great drinks, chill vibe. It is very small inside, but that is part of why it’s great.

Hey, Unilocal.How the devil did you know that I went here?!? I am writing this review because the website suggested that I write it; since someone/​something is watching me I should probably appease him/​her or it. I live 1000 miles away and have a primitive phone… someone’s stalking me.
Psychotic ramblings aside, this place was pretty good. The door was open, allowing for good air circulation and the drinks were all $ 8. Pretty good but… eh…$ 8 for a lot of ice.
So, an arbitrary 3 stars for you, Fuma Bella for three reasons:
1. I’ve never given a 3 star review before… opening myself to new horizons.
2. The bartender had something ironic on her shirt that probably made some people chuckle, but I didn’t care enough to read.
C. There was a faint smell of farts inside… okay it was me, I ate at Taco Bus, okay.

Tiny little joint that is randomly open. Had some beers after a whole day of drinking. Vibe is chill and service was good.

I love this bar and cocktail lounge. They make the most amazing and interseting cocktails. Very low key and quite atmosphere. I do agree though that their hours are a little non– consistent and wish they would open up earlier.

We’d tried to come to Fuma Bella three times over the last two years and kept ending up on crappy 7^th Avenue drinking away our sorrows that they were closed the evening we came. I think they open whenever the owner feels like working, which is good for him, sad for me because this place is legit.
Creative drinks, all under $ 9.
There were three specials, all between $ 7 – 8 available when we got there. A Gin drink, a bourbon drink, and a vodka drink. We tried one of each and all three were delicious and innovative. The bartender encouraged me to tell him what I liked for my next drink and I said I really swoon for tequila, he asked if I like grapefruit juice and Sriracha to which I nodded enthusiastically, and voila, the most delicious concoction I tried all evening.
Such a great spot, directly across from New World Brewery. Have alternate plans incase they are closed though.

Wow! Very, very, very cool.
This place reminds me of an esoteric dive bar that you would find in a city like Chicago. It is far from voluminous (which is a good thing in my opinion) and has a distinct culture and history. While enjoying one of their unique concoctions, you can almost relive the history of the joint by simply breathing in and taking a gander at the walls. For those of you who do not have an affinity for the hard stuff, they have PBR for your enjoyment. The only drawback, in my opinion, is that the bar does not open until late into the evening.
I will definitely return soon!

Bring cash and conversation — you’ll need the former, and have the opportunity for the latter. First thoughts: Intimate, comfortable, seasoned, well-​stocked, welcoming.
Monday nights are non-​smoking (yes, they get the irony), so I headed out to give this hole-​in-​the-​wall a try. Across the street to the nearest ATM, and then back. Cocktails are $ 7-​$ 9, excellent bargains for the quality of the ingredients.
If you are a cocktail geek, like a rye Manhattan, can discuss various gins and which you’d use for what, and appreciate and/​or study mixology, then this place is a Godsend. The house cocktails are engaging — «What’s the most important aspect of a cocktail?» «Balance.»
Absolutely no snobbery, however. No passwords, safewords, harsh words, or drama. The smile is genuine, the suggestions thoughtful.
If you just want to enjoy some tasty new-​found goodness while momma alcohol gives you a welcoming hug, then this place is New Orleans by way of a Tom Waits soundtrack and you’re going to wind up smiling.
The place *is* tiny and intimate, so I’m a bit conflicted at writing this review — while I want to keep the place sacred and safe, I have to believe that the majority of my fellow humans are worthwhile and deserve the chance to know about this gem.

By far the best bar I’ve ever been to in Ybor. It is as Amy S says, you really almost don’t want to tell anybody else about it because you want to keep the secret all to yourself. It’s tiny, true, but it’s intimate and oozing charm and quality. The bartender was knowledgeable and really personable. The cocktails were classic prohibition era-​esque and strong. I have a feeling the specials change all the time but my favorite was the Mr. Pink, orange bitters, tequila, splash of grapefruit juice and lime (at least those are the ingredients I can remember). When looking for a cozy bar to have good conversation, good drinks, and a good experience, Fuma Bella is your destination.
But remember… CASH ONLY!

Excellent!!! Must go!!! Remember cash only! If you don’t know what you want don’t be afraid to ask what is good.

Bloody Sundays at Fuma are pretty much amazing. The mary mix was amazing, and Charlie the bartender knows just about everything about Ybor City’s history, so the conversation was amazing. The problem with a lot of busier or trendy bars is that the bartenders have lost the art of conversation or they simply don’t have the time to talk to customers. This place is small, so it has a real personal feel and charm. They had a wide variety of other drinks on the menu such as the whiskey ginger sour, which was also pretty awesome. If you’re looking for a low key place to have a few bloody marys on a Sunday I recommend Fuma.

Fuma Bellas is the kind of bar that you really don’t want to tell anyone about as the seats are limited and you might not be cool enough to enter ;) I hadn’t been in years and man it was good to be back. I stopped in Sunday after an amazing event at New World and was tired, thirsty and weary. Charlie took us in like the motel 6 guy and treated us right! I’ve had many a bloody marys in my day and this was, by far, the best. I was delighted! AMAZING. It was so palatably pleasing that I nearly fell out of my barstool. This digestible dream came with a large, crisp sliver of celery filled with cream cheese, a toothpick with an olive, a pickle and a cocktail onion and a side of Cheetos. Charlie cracked open a fresh bag for us and made us feel like royalty.
My only suggestion is that the pickle should be in the rear of the toothpick rather than the center. A suggestion that Charlie shrugged off, knowing damn well that he’s the professional, not me.
I’m still thinking about that damn drink. Mmm mmm good!
As I glance down at the ambience category below I’m finding myself a bit torn as to which one to chose. This place is a classy yet casual hipster dive with a splash of scientology and smoke in the air, intimacy occurs often and romantic art graces its walls. Perfect!

This past March was my first time walking into a small, cramped, seemingly nameless bar in Ybor next to the church of Scientology. For a guy that typically only drinks beer I wasn’t sure what to think. My friends and colleagues wanted cocktails so I tagged along.
Behind the bar was a man dressed like he was out of the pre-​prohibition days. He went by Durke (or Dirk I didn’t ask for the spelling). He slings together cocktails like it’s no one’s business. My company sipped on Old Fashions as if they had gone out of style and I had the gentleman bartender make me a couple gin based drinks that satisfied my tingling for booze across my tongue. We had a great time and flung many of dollars bills Durke’s way (it is a cash only establishment).
This past weekend I found myself back up in Tampa with co-​workers and again this little whole was a stop. Mind you I still had no earthly idea what the name of the bar was, there is no sign. We just called it the speakeasy or the bar next to Tom Cruise’s church.
Again Durke was there with his mad concoctions and again we enjoyed the drinks and the company. We brought over some pizza and shared it with our glorious host for the evening.
It wasn’t under the day after I finally decided to find the name of the establishment. A Facebook post and few responses later and I had it, Fuma Bella. Not the best of names if you ask me but what’s in a name? They certainly don’t care about it since it isn’t plastered all over the place.
All in all this is a great speakeasy. Good drinks, good prices and good company.

Love this speakeasy! Tiny, homey, and great cocktails. Don’t miss it.

This is (was) such a cool spot. It’s quaint and cozy; the perfect hole in the wall. I visited Fuma Bella last night and was beyond disappointed with the new bartender.
So here’s to you Mr New Awful Bartender:
I was shocked at how rude you were and I am amazed that Fuma Bella would let someone like you behind the bar. Your social skills and attitude blow. All the great things about Fuma Bella went completely out the window the second you opened your mouth. I hope you get fired soon so I can go back.
Keep your day job buddy.

Six stools at the bar, maybe four hightops; as others have mentioned, it’s small. Also, it’s right at the entrance to the Scientology lair, but have no fear, you’re safe here. The potential for hipster overload made me wary, but it’s a way friendly and welcoming place for all kinds, even uncool old guys like me.
The bartender knows his cocktail history, and can whip something up for you that you’ve never had based on how you’re feeling or what you like to drink or dealer’s choice if you want to leave it in his capable hands and his well-​stocked bar. Guinness is on draft, but really, it’s a cocktail place. Great conversation, and you can meet an interesting mix of customers, considering that fifteen is probably what the fire marshal would considering dangerous overcrowding.
It’s legit. Check it out. It’s too bad I don’t live here, or this would be a regular spot.

They call it a whiskey bar… no mas
In the beginning they had a nicer selection…
Not the bar is overtaken with vodkas. It is a charming little tight spot, interesting paintings on the walls. About four tables… seats lining the bar. The bartender is always friendly. The crowd is almost trendy… as they order Jameson on the rocks and shots. I think this place is slowly losing it’s charm.
I say its a nice place to stop if you want to have a conversation, and not be overcrowded by the Friday/​Saturday crowd, or to grab an average drink on the way somewhere else.

Cozy, low-​key, hole-​in-​the-​wall, little bar a block over from the main strip in Ybor. Perfect place to go for classic, old fashioned drinks. Choose a drink from the nightly specials board or tell the bartender your fancy and he’ll come up with something for you. They have a few beers and wines also.
Smoking is allowed inside and they only accept cash. They are currently only open a select few nights a week.

Tiny little cocktail lounge on the outside of Ybor. Not much beer; but it’s still a chill spot. It’s intimate, smokey, and relaxed.
Decent prices and Cash only.

Legit.
It’s the bar where 5’s a crowd.
It’s the bar with art that looks fancy, but your artists friends hate.
It’s the bar where PBR is on tap.
It’s the bar that you smoke in, just because you haven’t smoke in a 6×6 box… ever.
It’s the bar you leave with 3 new friends, ever time you go.
It’s the bar I will now go to, every weekend.