OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
New Japanese izakaya Nomi Bar officially opens in downtown Tampa this week
Downtown Tampa now has a new spot for late night sushi and sake. Nomi Bar, located at 777 N Ashley Dr. Unit A, in the former Taps Tavern space, soft-opened last week but will mark its official grand opening this Saturday, Nov. 7 from 4 p.m.-1 a.m. The new izakaya (which is essentially a Japanese bar that serves tapas-style plates) centers around a drink menu featuring Japanese whiskeys, beer, sake, and a full bar with craft cocktails. Of course, sushi is also a main ingredient and the menu sports everything from Ora King salmon handrolls, pork gyoza and yakitori chicken, dry-aged Wagyu sandos and more. According to public filings, Nomi Bar is owned by Tampa Bay restaurateur and investor Joe Khouri, whose company ATZ Enterprises is responsible for other local concepts like the nearby Tampa Pizza Company, Acropolis Greek, and Taverna On the Bay in St. Pete Beach, to name a few. – Colin Wolf
Ybor City restaurant Lara will permanently close
After nearly two years in Ybor City, Tampa chef Suzanne “Suz” Lara says she will close Lara Apothecary Bar & Bazaar (stylized “LARA”) after the final service on Sunday, Nov. 22. In a Wednesday afternoon social media post. Chef Suz did not give an exact reason for the closure, but did point to a lack of a regular dinner crowd as a factor. “The reality is that we haven’t seen the consistent dine-in business needed to sustain a place like LARA,” wrote Chef Suz. “And while I wholeheartedly believe that cities need places like this — spaces that take risks, nurture creativity, and bring people together — we’re also operating in an incredibly difficult economy. Without the steady support and resources needed to grow, LARA will never become what it was originally conceived to be.” Located at 1919 E 7th Ave., in the former Stone Soup Company location, Lara opened its doors in February of 2025 touting its “apothecary” bar (which is a fancy term for a craft cocktail bar with a lot of bottles), serving a variety of both N/A and alcoholic cocktails—plus a marketplace filled with specialized goods and a food program curated by Chef Suz. – Colin Wolf
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK EVENTS
Tampa transit activists will host a bus ride-pub crawl this month
There are about 14 blocks between the Independent Bar & Café and Ology Brewing Co., and a group of transit activists intend on covering them all during a bar crawl later this month. Grassroots organization Transit Now Tampa Bay (TNTB) wants to put the “pub” in “public transportation” when it brings folks on HART’s No. 1 bus, which travels up and down N Florida Avenue. Venues on the route will sell riders a $10 sticker that supports TNTB and unlocks discounts at any of the five stops. – Ray Roa
‘Tis the season for the greater Tampa Bay area to fight food insecurity one food pantry at a time. This Thanksgiving season, many food pantries, churches and businesses across the Bay area will have turkey and food giveaways throughout the month of November. Keith Ligori of the law firm is bringing families to the drive-thru event right outside of the law firm to distribute turkeys. Along with the turkey giveaway, Tampa Bay area sports mascots, University of South Florida cheerleaders and a DJ playing holiday music will be featured at the event. The giveaway is open to anybody who registers, with one turkey to be given out per family while supplies last. – Leif Helland
The weather looks perfect this weekend, and what we all need in the wake of the election is a big ass glass of wine. Savor St. Pete organizers will have that and more when over 100 chefs, bartenders, breweries, spirits makers and brands take over Vinoy Park. Fly By Jing creator Chef Jing Gao is among the culinarians doing demos, alongside FOMO Chefs founder Johnathan Rodriguez and others. Restaurants setting up include Juno & the Peacock, Élevage, Palmette, Parasol, and Dr. BBQ Ray Lampe’s Squiki Tiki. VIP tickets include early admission among other perks. – Ray Roa
MORE WEEKEND FOOD & DRINK EVENTS
Benefit for Rene’s Mexican Kitchen Friday, Nov. 6. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Spaddy’s Coffee Co., Tampa
Nah Dogs grand opening: Novely w/Horsewhip Friday, Nov. 6. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Nah Dogs, St. Petersburg
Life Amplified Nourish Saturday, Nov. 7. 8 p.m. $17.59 & up. The Studio at Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. lifeamplifiedshowcase.com
Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8. 10 a.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs. tarponspringsmerchantassociation.com
14th Annual ESF BeerFest 2026 Sunday, Nov. 8. 4 p.m. $5 & up. Common Dialect Beerworks, Tampa. epilepsysf.org
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