Red Eye Gorillas is Taking over Waters Ave With Their New Smoke Shop
- Ian Delia
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
A bold new era of Tampa culture just launched on 320 W Waters Avenue, and it’s wearing shades, lighting up the vibes, and going by the name Red Eye Gorillas Smoke Shop. On May 31st, crowds gathered under the Florida sun to welcome this innovative black-owned business with a high-energy grand opening that felt more like a block party than a typical retail ribbon cutting.
With a vision that fuses urban fashion, premium smoke essentials, and community connection, Red Eye Gorillas isn’t just a store, it’s a movement. And the energy at their launch event made that loud and clear.
Welcome to the Jungle: A Brand Built on Culture
From the moment you arrive at Red Eye Gorillas, it’s clear this isn’t your average smoke shop. The walls pop with color and character, showcasing brand mascots like the menacingly cool Gorilla and the family-friendly Baby Gorillas, each representing different facets of the brand’s vibe.
Inside, customers find shelves stocked with exclusive Red Eye Gorillas rolling papers, custom smoking trays, glass pipes, POP Character collectibles, CBD products, and more. The store even offers Red Eye-branded apparel, giving loyal fans a way to rock the brand in the streets.
However, what truly sets Red Eye Gorillas apart is its commitment to creating a cultural space for creators to enjoy. Beyond retail, the shop features a lounge atmosphere, designed for conversation, collaboration, and creativity, a space where Tampa’s artists, thinkers, and trendsetters can connect.
“We built this for Tampa for the people who want to vibe, express, and build something real,” said one of the co-founders. “This is more than business, this is our culture.”
The Grand Opening: Food, Music, and Family Energy
The launch event brought out a steady stream of supporters all day long, from close friends and family to new customers and local creatives. The team went all out to make the day one to remember.
The event had the energy of a neighborhood festival, fun, welcoming, and full of pride. Parents brought their kids, artists traded contacts, and customers browsed the shelves while rocking limited-edition Red Eye Gorilla tees.
The vibe was clean but gritty, urban but family-friendly, a balance that Red Eye Gorillas prides itself on.
A Smoke Shop, A Lounge, A Lifestyle
Red Eye Gorillas sets itself apart with a 3-in-1 model:
Smoke Shop – Top-tier rolling papers, pipes, trays, and accessories.
Apparel Line – Bold streetwear featuring the now-iconic gorilla artwork.
Community Lounge – A creative space where local artists, vendors, and tastemakers can post up, plug in, and vibe out.
From their rolling trays featuring gorilla mafia cartoons to their high-quality natural gum rolling papers, every detail of Red Eye’s product line is a reflection of creativity and craftsmanship. And the shop’s layout, from the glass display cases to the branded art on the walls, invites you to browse slowly, ask questions, and enjoy the experience.
More Than Merch: A Commitment to Community
What makes Red Eye Gorillas a true standout is its community-first mindset. The team behind the brand is dedicated to building more than just sales, they’re building relationships. They host events, support other local businesses, throw fashion shows, manage local artists, and curate a vibe that brings people together.
In a world where many businesses are transactional, Red Eye Gorillas is intentionally transformational.
What’s Next?
Following the success of their grand opening, the team behind Red Eye Gorillas plans to:
Launch monthly vendor markets and events at the shop
Continue releasing limited apparel drops and collector items
Support local music talent through artist management
Expand their product line to include exclusive collaborations
Visit or Follow Red Eye Gorillas
Address: 320 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Instagram: @RedEyeGorillas
Hours: 10a - 8p Mon - Fri | 12p - 6p Sat
Whether you’re looking to cop some fresh gear, light up with style, or just kick it with a vibe-heavy crowd, Red Eye Gorillas is the new destination redefining what a smoke shop can be.
Step inside and see what happens when culture meets community.