Joy Bar: Tampa’s Dive Bar Where It’s Christmas Every Day

Chuck Merlis
Aug 16
4 min read

An interview with Trey Lawson, the owner of Joy Bar — where Christmas never ends and good drinks don’t break the bank.

Walk into Joy Bar on any given night — a Tuesday in August, even — and you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a holiday party that never ends. Strings of lights drape the ceiling, ornaments hang from every corner, and the energy is equal parts tacky and magical.

But this isn’t a seasonal pop-up. Joy Bar is a Christmas-themed dive bar in Tampa, open 365 days a year, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most unique things to do in the city.

The man behind it is Trey Lawson, a Tampa native and longtime small business owner who saw an opportunity to turn a struggling bar into something unforgettable.

“We are in Joy Bar, which is a Christmas-themed, 365-day-a-year dive bar,” Lawson says. “This bar’s been here since the 1940s. It’s been in my family for over 30 years, but it did not look like this until just two years ago.”

From Dive Bar to Holiday Wonderland

Before Joy Bar, the building was known as VIP Liquors and Lounge — a neighborhood watering hole that, like many old dives, began to lose steam. Lawson knew it needed a new identity. Inspiration struck after a trip to Frosty’s, a Christmas-themed bar in Orlando.

“It was one of those things we were blown away by,” Lawson says. “It was tacky, it was different, and then I kind of forgot about it. But as the numbers here started coming down, I started thinking themes, thinking tacky and fun, and that idea came back to me.”

The gamble worked. Instead of tearing down walls to expand his liquor store next door, Lawson went all in on transforming the space into what is now Joy Bar — Tampa’s only year-round Christmas bar.

The Dive Bar Spirit Lives On

Though Joy Bar is covered in holiday lights and ornaments, Lawson made sure it stayed true to its dive bar roots.

“I wanted folks to be able to come in, open that door in kind of a weird area of town, and be like, ‘What the heck?!’” he says. “Lights on the ceiling, tacky stuff everywhere, and cheap drinks — even high-end stuff like Blanton’s.”

That last part is what sets Joy Bar apart. This isn’t just a theme bar with overpriced cocktails. The drinks are shockingly affordable. Buffalo Trace is $4. Blanton’s is $8. Signature cocktails — including seasonal eggnog — run about $6.

“We’re bringing back that $20 buzz,” Lawson says with a grin. “You go to other bars in Tampa, and one cocktail is $18 or $20. Here, you can actually go out with $20 and have a good time.”

Guests seem to agree. “People get their bill at the end of the night and they’re like, ‘18 bucks?!’” Lawson says. “They feel like they stole it.”

Games, Mystery Shots, and Neighborhood Spirit

Part of Joy Bar’s charm is the sense of play Lawson has built into the space. There’s a custom beer pong table, giant Jenga, and a signature “dice shot” game — pay $2, roll a die, and take whatever shot corresponds to the number. It might be a smooth tequila… or something bottom-shelf and brutal.

It’s all part of creating an atmosphere where anyone can feel at home. “I wanted to keep the dive bar vibe,” Lawson says. “People love dive bars — it’s not pompous. It’s a spot where anyone can just hang out.”

The neighborhood has embraced it, too. Locals donate Christmas trees, decorations, and even old family ornaments. Lawson has added personal touches, like plastering the walls with family Christmas cards and hand-painting whiskey barrels. The result is a space that feels lived-in, authentic, and distinctly Tampa.

A Family Business with Deep Roots in Tampa

Joy Bar is just one piece of Lawson’s larger story. He also owns Liquor Depot, a chain of six liquor stores in Tampa, which his father started in 1990. After studying marketing and working in real estate, Lawson returned home nearly a decade ago to take over the family business.

Rebranding the stores and leaning heavily into social media, he built a reputation for creative marketing and community engagement.

“Social media is the driving factor in all of my business,” he says. “I want it to be personable — you’re not just going into a liquor store or a bar. You’re part of the experience.”

That approach carries directly into Joy Bar, where Lawson manages the Instagram himself and treats every customer like family.

Tampa’s Most Festive Nightlife Spot

Joy Bar is open every night of the week from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., making it one of the few late-night spots in Tampa that keeps the lights on — literally. Karaoke, comedy nights, and even Santa visits in July keep the energy fresh.

Still, the biggest draw might just be the surprise factor. As Lawson puts it, “I think it’s harder to get people here the first time. But once they walk in, see the lights, see how cheap the drinks are, and feel how welcoming it is — they come back.”

With word spreading fast, Joy Bar has become one of the best bars in Tampa for locals and visitors alike — whether you’re looking for dive bar charm, Christmas nostalgia, or just a cheap night out.

And as for what’s next? Lawson hints at the possibility of a second Joy Bar location down the line. For now, though, the original keeps the holiday spirit alive all year long.