Until recently, if you were in search of a vegan or vegetarian sandwich alongside a microbrew beer in the middle of downtown Tampa, day or night, you would be hard pressed to find one. This all changed last May when the much-loved Kelly's Pub changed some of its ownership and was reborn as the Karma Bar and Cafe.

Anna Stracey, previous co-owner of Kelly's and current co-owner of Karma Bar, saw the changeover as an opportunity to fill a void in downtown's limited fare.

"We decided that Tampa needed something different," Stracey says. "There wasn't healthy food downtown, or that good mellow vibe, that you want outside Ybor City or Hyde Park."

A new menu is on the plate, with vegetarian and vegan selections alongside various wraps, salads, classic sandwiches, homemade soups and quiche. A spread of over 30 imported and domestic beers and ciders - including seasonal and craft beers - are behind the comfortable wooden bar.

The best parts of Karma's previous incarnation as Kelly's Pub have remained, with the popular Tuesday-night Jazz Jam and the Wednesday open-mic night remaining intact, as well as friendly and familiar faces tending the taps or running the door. Weekly live-music shows centering around the acoustic, Americana, and folk veins are being heard through the new speaker system, making Karma Bar a valid and great-sounding venue on the weekends. A monthly revolving art exhibit via Bay area arts collective the ArtCasts adorns the walls to keep regulars' eyes from getting bored, and also offers local visual artists some much-needed exposure.

While putting all these elements under one roof does indeed make the Karma Bar and Cafe unique in downtown Tampa, it seemed like the obvious move to Stracey.
"Let's have a place where everyone is welcome, and you can eat well and healthy, drink great microbrews and listen to great music while you are at it."

The Karma Bar and Cafe is located at 206 N. Morgan St. in downtown Tampa. The phone number is 813-228-0870. myspace.com/karmabarandcafe