In the early 1980’s & 1990’s, the Tampa Police would often raid the area Gay bars for drugs or whatever.  Usually they would raid them all the same night. The year 1994, there was a fall season police raid going down at the Howard Ave Station Club and others. A person was just walking towards the club and saw the police with many police cars raid and with a TV camera crews right behind. He ran to a pay telephone booth (LOL) and called our friend, Jack, a bartender at a different club.

    Jack quickly ran and locked all the doors to the Metropolis Club on Kennedy Blvd. Then…. told all the customers inside to get behind the bar and down on the floor. A raid was possibly going to happen! Then it happened. He was worried that the police might shoot the doors open.

    You can just imagine what a crazy party was going on the floor behind the bar!!! The police arrived and were pounding on the door to open it right now! Everybody remained very quiet the police finally gave up and left after 2 1/2 hours.

    The club was saved. No liquor violations or arrests.  Everybody still laughs this was the “Night the lights went out in Tampa.” LOL