OK, look. You can't stay inside the air-conditioning all weekend. (I guess you can, but it wouldn't be as fun as partaking in the following food and drink happenings). Get out there.
CL's Tampa Bay Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, but what better time to indulge than on a Friday? You'll totally go to the gym tomorrow morning. Guests choose from 60 participating local restaurants, ranging from casual to sophisticated, to map out the meal of their dreams. Each eatery features a three-course, prix-fixe bill of fare for $30 or $45 per couple or person, depending on the menu and price point. $30-$45. Various locations, Tampa Bay.
Peruse everything from butterfly plants and herbs to orchids and native plants while the kids enjoy their own activity area. The annual Summer Plant Festival at USF Botanical Gardens, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, is also set to host workshops throughout its two-day run. Topics include butterfly gardening, plumeria and beekeeping 101. Proceeds support the gardens. Free for USFBG members, $5 for non-members. 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, 813-974-2329.
Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe's tap selection gets the Pride treatment, with Florida brews like Hidden Spring Ale Works' Keith Richard (saison with black currants brewed exclusively for the bottle shop), Slim Pickens Cider & Mead's Ananas (pineapple cider) and Coppertail Brewing Co.'s Dreamsicle (orange creamsicle Berliner) taking over the rainbow-colored draft lines for St. Pete Pride. As part of Drop Down + Get Your Rainbow On, hosted from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, specialty kegs debut as they arrive. View the full beer list. Free, money for beer. 2927 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-800-2810.
Boozy snow cones, bottomless mimosas, frozen rosé and live music await at the Mandarin Hide celebration that is Summer Soirée. Patrons can cool down here on Sunday from noon to 2 a.m. Free, money for food and drinks. 231 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-231-4007.
On Sunday, Make beer alongside Zephyrhills Brewing Company's Robert Hilferding during Learn to Brew with Robert from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The award-winning brewer shows participants how to brew a 5-gallon batch of beer at home with kit ingredients. This class is very limited; get tickets online in advance. (Pro tip: preorder equipment and ingredient kits while purchasing admission.) $20. 38530 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, 813-715-2683.
This article appears in Jun 22-29, 2017.