Nomi Bar to Hold Grand Opening in Downtown Tampa
The Japanese izakaya at 777 N Ashley Dr. Unit A has already soft-opened in the former Taps Tavern space.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Japanese Food
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Nomi Bar, a Japanese izakaya at 777 N Ashley Dr. Unit A in downtown Tampa, will hold its official grand opening Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. The venue soft-opened the week before in the former Taps Tavern space.
Why it matters
The opening adds a Japanese small-plates concept to downtown Tampa's dining options, with a daily happy hour and a late-night happy hour. Public records name Joe Khouri as owner, and his company, ATZ Enterprises, also runs several other local restaurants.
Daily happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a late-night happy hour, and the venue becomes 21-and-over after 9 p.m. Guests age 12 and older are admitted during regular dining hours.
The players
Joe Khouri
Khouri is listed in public records as the owner of Nomi Bar and heads ATZ Enterprises, which also operates Tampa Pizza Company, Acropolis Greek, and Taverna On the Bay in St. Pete Beach.
The details
Guests share small plates at the izakaya, with sushi on the food menu including Ora King salmon handrolls, pork gyoza, yakitori chicken, and dry-aged Wagyu sandos. The venue occupies the former Taps Tavern space at 777 N Ashley Dr. Unit A.
Timeline
Last week: Nomi Bar soft-opened in the former Taps Tavern space.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Official grand opening.
Culture Shift
Nomi Bar applies the Japanese izakaya model of shared small plates and drinks to downtown Tampa's dining scene. The format pairs casual food sharing with extended drinking hours, a structure common to izakaya bars in Japan.
Tampa diners can visit during the daily 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour or the late-night happy hour. Guests under 21 should plan visits before 9 p.m., when the venue becomes 21-and-over.
The takeaway
Anyone planning a visit should note the 9 p.m. age cutoff, which changes the venue from family-friendly dining to 21-and-over. Arriving during the 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour is one way to try the menu at lower cost.
Further reading
For more on Asian-inspired menus, see Japanese Food coverage across the Tampa area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 995qyk.
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Would you go out to a new Japanese izakaya in downtown Tampa?
