The owner and his friends have worked two years to refurbish the future home of Neptune Lounge and Neptune Cyclery.
TARPON SPRINGS -" Some men look at the world as it is and say, why? He looked at the world as it should be and said, why not?
That inscription is on a plaque that sits in the window of Eddie Mullally's soon-to-be bicycle shop and bar just off the Pinellas Trail near Tarpon Avenue. The same might have been said of Mullally when he decided to locate his new business in a decrepit building.
A paraphrasing of writer George Bernard Shaw, that plaque was one of the few things Mullally salvaged from the old building that he - along with the help of a dozen friends - has transformed from an eyesore to an eye-catcher.
It's in that 4,000-square-foot building at 13 Safford Ave. that Mullally hopes to create the latest downtown hot spot. His Neptune Lounge and Neptune Cyclery are scheduled to open next month.
"I never really realized what good friends I had until I did this," said Mullally, 33, who sells lines of clothing.
Half the building will be a cycle shop, where people will be able to rent bikes and in-line skates, as well as buy bicycles and have them repaired. The other half of the building will be a bar where people go to hear musical acts.
- St.Pete Times July 6th,1996-
Bicycle racer Eddie Mullally has put together a formidable group of Category 1-2 riders on the new Neptune / Fuji Team, and they plan to kick off their season with the cyclocross series.
Let's face it; there aren't a whole lot of places to hang out in Tarpon Springs after, say, 9 p.m. So the Neptune is packed nearly every Friday and Saturday night, no matter who's playing. Even better, the marvelous gents who run the place book original bands almost exclusively. What's the catch, right? The catch is, if you're a band of sensitive types, imparting the knowledge of your singular anguish as a favor to the lowly masses, you're gonna be miffed when the chatter is louder than the applause -- which it sometimes is. Then again, if you are one of the aforementioned, you're probably an asshole anyway and justly deserve the sting of relative indifference. Most of the Neptune's regulars aren't interested in supporting local music; they're interested in partying. That they end up doing both is more than enough for most musicians who realize that a roomful of people who've never seen them is also a roomful of opportunity.
-Creative Loafing Best of the Bay 2001
Review
Most people know Neptune as a rock 'n' roll bar. Few know that half the building comprises a bicycle shop, where customers rent bikes and in-line skates, as well as buy bicycles and have them repaired. Neptune even has its own cycling team, which is more punk rock than the bands that play its shows. The live music gigs are geared to younger audiences, attended by all ages, and bands begin playing as early as 7 p.m. Decor is bare-bones dive bar, with lighted beer signs, pool-playing and old sofas along the wall. Rather than admonish mosh pits and stage diving, a sign warns patrons to stand up front at their own risk. Draft beers are mostly domestic with a few imports thrown in, such as Newcastle and Guinness.
-TBT.com
Best Beer and a Bicycle
Now this is the kind of idea we gladly embrace; Bikes and beer.
Theres no doubt that riding the Pinellas trail
in the punishing Florida sun takes a toll on both man and bike.
It's a given. Thats why when were pedaling around the quaint environs of tarpon springs
and need to imbibe fluids of some sort, we stop at Neptune lounge, conveniently located
smack dab
on the trail for a little spirit lifting. should our tires be feeling deflated
as we are, we can take them for a little lift in the well stocked bike shop next door
but please don't drink and ride.
A small part of what im doing is giving everyone the story of my life through music, the ups and downs, my frustration and my happiness. I hope whoever takes the time to explore my legacy finds motivation to get through all obstacles that you may face in your life. www.myspace.com/chiefgutta Also check out youtube.com/user/chiefgutta
Thanks very much for the support. Stay tuned for new tunes and PLEASe send a bulletin to your buds about us, We'll send free stickers if you do. We also have big merch discounts right now- hit us up!!!