Leaders statewide choose iconic Tampa steakhouse as No. 1 place to celebrate

Dramatic, extravagant and steeped in old-school charm, Tampa’s iconic Bern’s Steak House tops the list of places where Florida’s business executives go to celebrate career wins, a new poll found. 

Financial media company MarketBeat released findings Thursday from a survey of more than 3,000 business leaders statewide who revealed their favorite places to take colleagues for a celebration. Participants in the online survey were asked to identify the top spot in their state where they would choose to celebrate a business win — be it closing a deal, securing a major client, hitting a revenue milestone or marking a successful period of growth.

Respondents were balanced across age, gender, company size, industry and geographic region, with some answers weighted when necessary to align with national business demographics, according to a release. The results reflected a wide range of venues including restaurants, bars and “social spaces” that make up Florida’s “unofficial celebration circuit,” MarketBeat says, with Bern’s coming out on top.

“For many professionals, these moments mark more than just personal milestones — they reflect real business outcomes, from strong earnings to successful deals,” says Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat, in a release.

Founded in 1956, Bern’s Steak House is famous for its intimate, bordello-themed atmosphere and globally renowned for serving prime, in-house dry-aged steaks and maintaining one of the world’s largest wine collections. Those looking for a more decadent experience can visit the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, a separate and intimate upstairs area for desserts with private booths made from old wine casks, live piano music and a wide-range of house-made desserts.

Florida executives named The Courtesy Bar in Orlando as their second-favorite celebration spot, followed by River & Post in Jacksonville; Hullabaloo in West Palm Beach; and Blackbird Ordinary in Miami.

In surveys across the rest of the country, Employees Only in Manhattan was named the favorite place to celebrate in New York. The Roosevelt Room in Austin took the Texas prize and Vine Restaurant in San Clemente, California was No. 1 in the Golden State.

MarketBeat’s survey shows that, while venues may vary, the reasons and behaviors behind business celebrations are “strikingly consistent” nationwide. Nationwide, 52% of respondents said the most common reason they celebrate with colleagues was a promotion or pay raise, while 20% named a bonus payout and 12% cited closing a major deal.

On average, respondents reported spending $205 per person when celebrating a professional success, “enough," the release says, "to make it feel significant, but not extravagant."