Visiting Tampa (2023)

Discussion in 'South Atlantic' started by The_FishermanJay, Dec 31, 2022.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 2
  1. The_FishermanJay

    The_FishermanJay Pundit (936) May 16, 2010 Florida
    Trader

    Here are some further notes/answers:
    1. It’s St. Pete. No one here says St. Petes.
    2. If you’re traveling with a family or a mixed group (i.e., beer and non-beer people), the nicest brewery for an afternoon hang is Green Bench. The beer is first-rate and they have a legit (turfed and fenced) outdoor space. There are many beautiful breweries here but few have open space like this.
    3. Visitors tend to ask where to get Cuban food and particularly the eponymous sandwich. Popular suggestions include La Teresita and West Tampa Sandwich Shop (Tampa) and Bodega (St. Pete).
    3a. Mazzaro’s. Just go. (Pro tip: Call in your sandwich order. Save your line-waiting for the bakery. Or the cheese section. Or coffee ...)
    3b. There is a food hall (Armature Works) within walking distance of Magnanimous just north of downtown Tampa. Additionally, another (Sparkman’s Wharf) is in downtown’s Channelside district (between the Florida Aquarium and Amalie Arena). They are the current northern and southern ends, respectively, of the Tampa Riverwalk. I mention these places primarily for the benefit of those who have youngsters who need to burn energy, partners who need food, etc.
    4. The Tampa Bay area is spread out and traffic often sucks. You'll leave more happy and less stressed if you package your stops in a smaller area (e.g., Tampa or Largo/Dunedin or downtown St. Petersburg) rather than try to hit everything in an afternoon.
    5. Uber and Lyft are things here ... as is an extensive law-enforcement presence. Use the former to avoid the latter.
    5a. Viable public transportation is not a thing here; further, there is a dearth of parking at more than a few of the highly touted breweries.
    6. Be aware that Angry Chair moved in 2022 to a new location that is about 1.5 miles south of its OG location (still along Florida Avenue). Ology Brewing (based in Tallahassee) has opened a satellite brewing location in the former ACB spat and is killing it.
    7. I try to avoid "mission creep" in this thread. That said ...
    7a. Calusa (Sarasota, about five minutes west of I-75) is killing it these days. I wouldn’t recommend it to a first-time Tampa visitor but it may make sense for old hands and those who are driving that way anyway.
    7b. Corporate Ladder is between Tampa and Sarasota not far west of I-75.
    7c. I know a lot of folks visit this area to see relatives who live NORTH of the Tampa Bay area. Pasco County (the next one up) has two good breweries: Escape (toward the Gulf) and Zephyrhills Brewing (on the east side). Marker 48 is a cool place to hang out in Hernando County (the one above Pasco) and it’s not far from the Suncoast Parkway.
     
    #1 The_FishermanJay, Dec 31, 2022
    ICRM, Resuin, ATL6245 and 5 others like this.
  2. Bhubbard34

    Bhubbard34 Pooh-Bah (2,585) Mar 4, 2016 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just booked a trip to the area in July 2023!
     
    #2 Bhubbard34, Dec 31, 2022
    The_FishermanJay likes this.
  3. cu29

    cu29 Zealot (570) Sep 26, 2005 Wisconsin

    Regarding numbers 2 and 3. Green Bench is nice, and scores an extra point for being across the street from Bodega on Central where one can score a nice Cuban sandwich.
     
    #3 cu29, Jan 1, 2023
    darkwing1, 2_Beardz and The_FishermanJay like this.
  4. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the tips, I might be staying in St Pete or Clearwater area this spring 2023 (with mix of non-beer friends as well). Anything food or beer related to recommend in the Clearwater area or areas north of Tampa?
     
    #4 bubseymour, Jan 1, 2023
  5. colt3ninja

    colt3ninja Zealot (732) Sep 27, 2014 Florida
    Trader

    Largo was mentioned, but no breweries, so, go to Arkane! Lots of styles on tap. Most of them very good.
     
    #5 colt3ninja, Jan 5, 2023
  6. rchenoweth23

    rchenoweth23 Devotee (320) Oct 13, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    Hi all. I'm staying in Rocky Point and looking for any breweries/restaurants/bottle shops that carry local beers close by that are open on a Sunday night past 8PM. The closest restaurants I've seen are Rusty Pelican and Whiskey Joes, neither of which have a decent tap list. And all of the great breweries east of the airport all seem to close early!
     
    #6 rchenoweth23, Jan 8, 2023
  7. shand

    shand Pooh-Bah (2,240) Jul 13, 2010 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You are very close to Cigar City there, which is also right next to Total Wine for bottles. World of Beer's airport location is a little pricy but also cool with all the planes flying overhead. You are also near the flagship Brass Tap location, which tends to have a better local beer selection than the World of Beer does.
     
    #7 shand, Jan 9, 2023
    Drewman9175 likes this.
  8. Hopelessly0

    Hopelessly0 Savant (1,099) May 13, 2019 California
    Trader

    Anyone going to Dark Embrace Invitational?
     
    #8 Hopelessly0, Jan 14, 2023
    Appearanceswc, darkwing1 and CTBeer like this.
  9. BeerPrince22

    BeerPrince22 Pundit (805) Feb 21, 2016 Illinois
    Trader

    I passed. Taplists are too great at all of the breweries where I enjoy just bouncing around all week instead of the paid events. Can get the leftovers the day after too. Definitely the way to go IMO.
     
    #9 BeerPrince22, Jan 14, 2023
  10. Manunitedwill

    Manunitedwill Initiate (104) Aug 16, 2021
    Trader

    Hey guys. We have a few days at the start of our holiday next month and thinking of staying in Tampa for a few nights (then to Disney). We fly into Orlando airport - will we be able to get an Uber / Lyft to Tampa from there (I.e will the drivers be happy enough to do the journey)? Renting a car isn’t an option and whilst an Uber will be around 150 USD I think, private transfers are looking like double that.

    Separately, what are the must hit breweries would you say? Coming from the UK I’m keen to hit Angry Chair and Cycle. What are the best breweries from an IPA perspective you would recommend? Are there some decent bottle shops in the Tampa downtown area?

    If we do make it to Tampa, more than happy to bring some UK beers across if anyone is keen for a trade . Thanks in advance all.
     
    #10 Manunitedwill, Jan 15, 2023
    Drewman9175 and ImperialBro like this.
  11. The_FishermanJay

    The_FishermanJay Pundit (936) May 16, 2010 Florida
    Trader

    $300 roundtrip seems like a lot to me but you're already invested in getting to the States! I have to think you won't be the first person who's done that Uber/Lyft ride.
    This is the thread you're looking for here.

    Safe travels.
     
    #11 The_FishermanJay, Jan 15, 2023
  12. Manunitedwill

    Manunitedwill Initiate (104) Aug 16, 2021
    Trader

    Thank you I agree I can’t be the first but don’t want to be stranded. I will get reading that thread now. Thanks for directing me!
     
    #12 Manunitedwill, Jan 17, 2023
    The_FishermanJay likes this.
  13. ImperialBro

    ImperialBro Aspirant (262) Mar 12, 2014 Florida
    Trader

    @Manunitedwill

    Stop by Brew Hub in Lakeland. You can see us right off I-4 in between Orlando and Tampa. We make over 130 brands, and am sure you can find something you'd like. Cheers! :beers:
     
    #13 ImperialBro, Jan 18, 2023
    Manunitedwill likes this.
  14. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ll be in Ellenton, FL for 3 1/2 days the end of this month for work/training. I won’t have a car to get around. I’ll have time in the late afternoon and evening to explore or check out some places. Looks like the hotel is across the street from a mall. Any suggestions on where to check out? A brewery, restaurant or pub with good local tap selections?
     
    #14 dcgunman, Feb 1, 2023
  15. colt3ninja

    colt3ninja Zealot (732) Sep 27, 2014 Florida
    Trader

    Looks like Elllenton is close to Palmetto, which is where Corporate Ladder is. That's probably your best bet.
     
    #15 colt3ninja, Feb 1, 2023
    Drewman9175, jloomis and dcgunman like this.
  16. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I saw that pop up on Google Maps. There’s more south west in the area. But Corporate caught my attention.
     
    #16 dcgunman, Feb 1, 2023
  17. colt3ninja

    colt3ninja Zealot (732) Sep 27, 2014 Florida
    Trader

    It's well worth your time!
     
    #17 colt3ninja, Feb 1, 2023
    jloomis likes this.
  18. GWTW

    GWTW Zealot (589) May 19, 2011 Florida
    Society

    When shopping at Prime Outlets, we head across 301 for a grouper sandwich and a brew at Woody's River Roo Pub & Grill. Lags and SN on tap, good grub, good outside view of the river. Enjoy your stay.
     
    #18 GWTW, Feb 2, 2023
    Beer_Baron87, darkwing1 and dcgunman like this.
  19. Appearanceswc

    Appearanceswc Savant (1,097) Mar 9, 2015 Virginia
    Trader

    Ill be there
     
    #19 Appearanceswc, Feb 7, 2023
    Hopelessly0 likes this.
  20. Beer_Baron87

    Beer_Baron87 Aspirant (223) Feb 15, 2019 Florida

    I’ll be there as well!
     
    #20 Beer_Baron87, Feb 8, 2023
    Appearanceswc and Hopelessly0 like this.
Page 1 of 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.