Nightly live entertainment, chances to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleaders and the Budweiser Clydesdales, and more than 100 art exhibitions will be but a part of the Bud Bowl events -- all centered in the historic city that once was the country's number-one cigar maker.

These days, Ybor City is known as Tampa's number-one evening entertainment destination because of its sizzling nightlife. It boasts more than two dozen dining and dancing establishments -- each with its own theme. And since this past fall, it now lays claim to some of the best daytime activities, shopping, tours and galleries, too -- thanks to the premiere of Centro Ybor, a venue of restaurants and retailers that includes MUVICO Theaters, Sega Gameworks and The Improv Comedy Club, just to name a few.

The Bud Bowl kicks off Thursday, Jan. 25, with the first of four straight evenings of live bands. Featured that night will be Rob Tyre and the Rockets of Love, Soul System and The Lemmings. Taking the stage on Friday night, Jan. 26, will be Cheap Trick with Bush Hounds and Diamond Gray, followed by 3 Doors Down with Skrape and Flood on Saturday night and Grin, Rock Candy and Digital Funk on Sunday.

Other Bud Bowl events and participants include a 4-by-4 flag football tournament, parades, Busch Garden animals, the Dancing Diggers (construction equipment dancing), a History Channel Time Machine, the Tampa Bay Storm, the Horse Racing Museum, Miss Bud Hydroplane, Adventure Island animals and games and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

While you're in the area enjoying the Bud Bowl events, you probably will want to visit Centro Ybor as well.

Centro Ybor features an exciting mix of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues situated around a palm-lined plaza that captures the flavor of Tampa's historic Latin Quarter.

Centro Ybor's retail lineup includes:

* Muvico Centro Ybor 20 -- Stadium seating and a unique Ybor theme;

* Gameworks -- Eat, drink, party and play with the whole family;

* DISH -- Create your own recipe to be grilled right before your eyes;

* Starbucks Coffee -- Café society with the best beans for sale;

* The Improv Comedy Club -- Big talent from the biggest names in comedy;

* Big City Tavern -- Urbane décor and New American cuisine;

* Café Mezzanotte -- Italian cuisine in a high-energy atmosphere;

* Brainfood! -- Multimedia superbookstore and café;

* Camelot Music, -- National music retailer with a great new store design;

* GBX Fashion Shoes -- Hip styles for feet;

* Bods.Bodynits -- Sleek, European-styled sportswear;

* Victoria's Secret -- World-famous lingerie and fragrances in the elegant boutique tradition;

* Eyetems -- Stylish specs and sunglasses;

* Pacific Swimwear -- Surf, skate, snow and street fashions;

* American Eagle Outfitters -- American styles for men and women.

The Museum and Visitor Center at Centro Ybor, meanwhile, will give you a whiff of Ybor's scintillating past while orienting you to the sights and sounds of Ybor's present.

And don't miss the great, weekly lineup of free live entertainment in the Plaza.

Centro Ybor is located between Seventh and Ninth avenues at 16th Street in the heart of Ybor City. Parking is just $1 for the first three hours and $5 all night long at the new Centro Ybor Parking Garage just south of Seventh Avenue between 15th and 16th streets.

And to accommodate overflow parking from the Bud Bowl weekend events, shuttles will be available.