Ybor City is ok but isn't what it used to be. If you are going to be there on friday the 13th... go to the New World Brewery and check out indie band Palantine. Even if you don't like the band, you might pick up a girl.
http://newworldbrewery.net/
That's my top advice btw.
Tampa Bay Brewing Co is overrated and not worth it IMO, plenty of other places to kill time with a beer.
If you like hanging out with weirdos and fetish people, the castle is a fine establishment.
Skip channelside. Nothing to see there anymore. They got a hooters, with ugly waitresses and Howl at the moon (dueling pianos). Use your time more wisely and skip it.
In the daytime, the time is right for checking out the Manatees, which are in record numbers this year.....
http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/directions/
Lets face it, the weather is nice, but the water is still fucking cold. Don't be an idiot and go swimming in the ocean. Saturday night, check out a sunset at Spinners rooftop restaurant in St. Pete beach. The food is mediocre at best, but the view is what your there for.
Or if you must go to channelside, the only thing worth it there is a trip on the starship dinner cruise...food is not shit. The boat takes you out into the bay, and returns and takes a stroll into downtown tampa at night.
http://www.yachtstarship.com/
Tampa has a gazillion strip clubs. Mons Venus, is ok, the Odyssey is ok. Some of the girls are pretty hot.
Hidden gems....Scarletts, booths are private and have curtains.
Full liquor club pick.... The Gold Club. The better looking girls are there on the weekends.