Buccaneers Cinema Bar & Grill

The Palace Cinema and Pub: Buccaneer Square opened March 8, 1984 with “Gorky Park.” The name was tweaked within a year to the Buccaneer Palace Cinema and Pub. The venue was then twinned becoming the Buccaneer Palace Cinema Pubs. By the end of 1987, it was operating as the Buccaneer Square Palace Cinema Pubs.

On November 19, 1999, the venue changed names if not operators to Buccaneers Cinema Bar & Grill with an official Grand Opening held on December 17, 1999. The theatre closed permanently on July 9, 2000 with “Scary Movie” and “Road Trip.” Three days later, the entire venue was auctioned off including its projectors.

Advertisement from 1994.

The address of 8625 W. Hillsborough Ave. is correct. The former cinema bar & grill entrance is now the entrance to Buccaneer Bingo. I’m not certain if this cinema opened as a single-screen or twin. The only movie I remember seeing here was “Back to the Future” around 1986 and at that time it was a twin. The main cinema was fairly large with a nice-size screen. The much smaller twin was located to the right of the main cinema. I’m almost certain the space now occupied by Family Dollar Store was were the second screen was located. Here’s a photo of the entrance to Buccaneer Bingo…the former cinema bar & grill:
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I’m pretty sure it was in the shopping center on the northeast corner of Hillsborough and Sheldon/Memorial. I didn’t realize the center changed names. As for the exact location of the theater within the center, I don’t know.

I wrote somewhere to you that I had even tried calling a couple of times. Left a message,not reply. I do know Charlie Noble an old Projectionist,Nick introduced me to,and while he doesnt’t get on the computer I can drop him a line and will. I have known Nick since the mid 90’s.Met a Western Film Convention.

TSLOEWS,haven’t heard from NIck in Tampa in a long time.With all these TAMPA THEATRES on CT he would be a big source of info. Hope he is okay.