Want to stay away from the mall and do something different this Black Friday? We've got you covered.
1. Start your adventure at Bass Pro Shop's 6 Hour Black Friday Event
Head over to Bass Pro Shops, because who cares about fashion when your jeans and flannel shirt cost only $10 (each)? Friday, November 24th, 5-11 am.
2. Drink beer and play video games at Dave & Busters
We've just started shopping, and already I'm sick of it. Let's drink beer and play video games instead. It' s a good thing the brand spanking new Tampa location of Dave & Busters is right next door to Bass Pro Shops.
3. Shop the Tampa Bay Etsy Crew's inventory at Ella's
Ella's Americana Folk Art Café is hosting a Black Friday Alternative Market this Friday, from 4-10 pm. The café will be showcasing the Tampa Bay Etsy Crew's work for all your holiday shopping needs. While you're there, take a look at their folk art collection and order a burger.
4. Drink sour beer and watch holiday movies at Hidden Springs Ale Works
They're calling it Black Friday Brunch, or IRMA Couldn't Sit With Us, or A Sour Krampus Carol. Pick your favorite name and go have a beer. Friday, 12 pm – 12 am.
5. Buy some records, because Black Friday is also Record Store Day
Head over to Mojo Books & Records or The Sound Exchange between 10 am and 8 pm for your Record Store Day (RSD) Black Friday Special Releases.
6. Have a Barrel Aged Black Friday at Coppertail Brewing
Taste a bunch of barrel-aged brews at Coppertail Brewing this Black Friday. They've got two special releases planned for the event: a barrel-aged stout and a barrel-aged English barleywine. They've also barrel-aged some sours for your enjoyment. Friday, from 6 pm – 12 am.
7. Walk in a Tampa Wonderland
Now let's head downtown for some holiday fun in Curtis Hixon Park. They've turned the park into a winter village, complete with ice skating, shops, a café, a Christmas tree, and free holiday movies. They are showing Miracle on 34th Street on Friday, and A Christmas Story on Saturday at 7:30 pm.
8. Enjoy a Fourth Friday event while you're downtown
Black Friday happens to also be Fourth Friday in Downtown Tampa. Over at FMoPA, Cathy and Pierre Dutertre of UPA Gallery will be showing off the work of their UPA Gallery photographers. Join the discussion and see the photographs hanging in the Community Gallery, 5-7 pm. Visit the Fourth Friday Tampa website for the full list of participating venues.
9. Get Your Passport Stamped at Seminole Heights Holiday Shop Hop this Saturday
It's Small Business Saturday, and Seminole Heights is celebrating with their annual Holiday Shop Hop. Twenty-four local shops and restaurants are participating — see the Facebook event posting for the full list. Don't forget to get your Shop Hop passport stamped at each location you visit for a chance to win "fabulous gifts." Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.
10. Smoke a Cigar in Centro Ybor's Winter Village
End your weekend with some more fun and games at Centro Ybor's Winter Village, sponsored by Game Time. Yes, I'm sending you to another adult arcade with a bar. It's a good thing you saved all that money on your new outfit at Bass Pro Shops, because you're going to need those extra quarters this weekend (quarters: what people used to play video games before there were game cards). The event also features kiddie crafts, holiday shopping, a giant Christmas tree, and discounts at surrounding bars and restaurants. Sunday, November 26th, 3-8 pm.
Happy Holidays!
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2017.