Here is the SEO-optimized, accessible, and gender-neutral alt-text for the cropped card illustration: Alt-text: A close-up cropped illustration of the King of Cups card from the traditional Rider-Waite tarot deck. Positioned center frame in a medium close-up, a crowned figure wearing a gold crown with red accents and a yellow robe adorned with a red collar sits on a throne shaped like a shell or curved stone. The figure holds a golden cup in their right hand and a golden scepter in their left hand, set against a light cream-colored background.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: I think the universe is telling me to stop binge drinking

The King of Cups has a big heart and deep feelings.

by Caroline DeBruhl August 3, 2026August 3, 2026

A wide-angle concert photograph showing hip-hop artist Dynasty performing live on stage during a concert at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida, on July 31, 2026. Captured in a full-length shot from the left side of the stage, Dynasty stands centered under warm stage lights holding a microphone to her mouth, wearing a white crop top, silver hoop earrings, and wide-leg light blue denim cargo pants. To the left, DJ Sandman, widely considered the godfather of Tampa hip-hop, operates mixing equipment and a laptop behind a elevated table setup, while a crowded audience stands in front of the stage with hands raised in the background under the dark, exposed-beam venue ceiling.

Music

Photos: Crowbar ends 20-year run in Ybor City with a showcase of Tampa hip-hop

Plus Talib Kweli officially shutting it down.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker August 3, 2026August 3, 2026

A press portrait photograph of stand-up comedian Nick Mullen leaning against a light-colored wall indoors. Captured in a medium three-quarter shot, Mullen stands centered while wearing a light grey bucket hat, clear wire-rimmed glasses, a dark zip-up hoodie over a dark t-shirt, and dark pants. He features dark shoulder-length hair and a full mustache, standing in a relaxed pose against a minimalist interior backdrop with soft overhead lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best comedy shows coming in August: ‘Cum Town’ host Nick Mullen, Joke Wrld, and more

Sam Tallent, former ‘Chappelle’s Show’ writer Kurt Metzger, and others round it out.

by Michael Murillo July 31, 2026July 31, 2026

A wide-angle concert photograph by Dave Decker showing Crowbar venue owner Tom DeGeorge speaking to a crowd on stage during Hot Dog Party 20 at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida, on July 3, 2026. Positioned center frame in a medium shot under bright stage lights, DeGeorge gestures upward with his left hand while speaking into a microphone. He features a full white beard and glasses, wearing a dark sleeveless graphic shirt displaying white text and jeans. Behind him on stage, several attendees and performers—including someone wearing a full-body hot dog costume and another wearing a wrestling championship belt—stand in front of DJ equipment against dark stage backdrop lighting.

Music

Crowbar’s closing, but a new era for Tom DeGeorge might just be taking flight

After battling through the post-COVID years, DeGeorge is optimistic about the future.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A low-angle portrait photograph by Roberto Rivera showing Tampa rapper Perception posing against a bold red background under dramatic lighting. Positioned center frame in a medium close-up, Perception looks down toward the camera with a confident expression and a full dark beard. He wears a light tan bucket hat angled slightly over his forehead and a blue t-shirt, highlighted by a strong warm light source casting high-contrast shadows across the left side of his face.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening July 30-August 6

Including Crowbar’s last stand, L’Eclair, John Mellencamp, and more.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

Music

The George brings ‘Dog Days’ release to Tampa Orpheum this summer

The indie-rock band celebrates the LP on Aug. 6.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A black-and-white portrait photograph of the three members of Tampa black metal band Voidrium standing outdoors in front of the Ground Zero music venue. The three band members stand side-by-side wearing black metal corpse paint around their eyes. On the left, a member stands with hands on hips wearing a dark sleeveless graphic shirt. In the center, a member with a long braided beard stands with hands in his pockets wearing a sleeveless shirt. On the right, a member with long dark hair wears a studded denim vest over a graphic shirt. In the background, a hanging string light fixture and concert poster decorate the building wall under a large overhead sign reading "GROUND ZERO."

Music

Voidrium, a Tampa metal band obsessed with ancient Rome, plays Saturday concert with Pontifex

Piss on Christ is on the bill, too.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A portrait photograph of Yavor (left) and Stefan Lilov of the Swiss instrumental groove band L'Eclair standing together outdoors under sunny daylight. On the left, Yavor looks toward the camera with a calm expression, wearing a patterned button-down shirt and vintage sunglasses. On the right, Stefan Lilov stands beside him, wearing a light-colored top under natural lighting. In the background, lush green trees frame the scene under a clear sky.

Music

Swiss brothers Yavor and Stefan Lilov bring L’Eclair for rare St. Pete show

Dominican-raised Cuban artist Charles Garmendia brings his Charlie Chimi Latin club project to open on Friday.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A photograph by Steve Splane showing jazz guitarist Dominic Walker performing live outdoors at DI Coffee Bar on Davis Islands in Tampa, Florida, on June 7, 2024. Positioned center frame in a medium shot, Walker smiles warmly while playing a sunburst hollowbody electric-acoustic guitar. He wears a short-sleeve printed button-down shirt over a white undershirt, glasses, and a dark baseball cap, set against a background of lush green tropical foliage under dramatic evening stage lighting with microphone stands in the foreground.

Music

Dominic Walker, who leads Friday Night Jazz on Davis Islands, just played a bunch of Best of the Bay nominees on the radio

He guest hosted WMNF’s ‘Jazz In the Night’ last Monday.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

News & Views

For the first time in over a century, Central Florida’s historic Bannon Island is for sale

Bannon Island is designated as a “Century Pioneer Family Farm,” by the Florida Department of Agriculture.

by Colin Wolf July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A concert photograph showing Phoebe Bridgers performing on stage during a concert at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida, on May 24, 2022. Captured in a full-length shot, Bridgers stands centered on stage under dramatic red and purple spotlighting, smiling while playing an acoustic-electric guitar strapped across her shoulders. Her platinum blonde hair glows under the overhead lights against a hazy stage background decorated with fairy lights wrapping around microphone stands.

Music

St. Pete’s Daddy Kool Records hosts early listen party for Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘Lost Weekend’

The songwriter’s first album in six years is out on Aug. 14.

by Liam Oliver July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

An air-conditioned Monster Jam returns to Tampa this summer

Three days of racing and stunts come to Benchmark International Arena in August.

by Leif Helland July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A historical monochrome half-length portrait photograph of Marcus Garvey, leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and self-proclaimed "Provisional President of Africa," taken by the Keystone View Company. Positioned center frame turned slightly to his right, Garvey looks directly at the camera with a calm expression, featuring short dark hair and a light mustache. He wears a dark three-piece suit over a white collared dress shirt and a dark patterned necktie, with a small round pin attached to his left suit lapel, set against an indoor office background featuring a dark wooden desk.

Food & Drink

Jamaican Independence Day is this weekend, and you know Tampa Jerk Hut is celebrating

Have you ever heard of Marcus Garvey?

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A eye-level exterior photograph showing the Cass Street entrance canopy and historic facade of Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown (formerly the Floridan Palace Hotel) in Tampa, Florida. Captured from across the street, the light beige stone building features grand arched second-story windows framed by ornamental reliefs, an American flag mounted on the right pillar, and a gold-trimmed entrance canopy extending over the wide sidewalk. At street level, dark wood-framed windows with louvered blinds line the ground floor leading to the double-door glass main entry, set along a street marked with bright yellow street markings.

Food & Drink

Ahead of its 100th anniversary, downtown Tampa’s Hotel Flor is hosting ‘Historic Happy Hours’

Anyone in 1920s garb gets a free dessert as The Dan.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 31, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Metrocon kicks off Friday at Tampa Convention Center

Nerdvana takes over downtown this weekend.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

The 10th annual Countdown Improv Festival is happening in Ybor City from August 5-9

Nearly 120 acts from 20 states will be on stage.

by Ray Roa July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

A wide-angle interior photograph showing Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge and filmmaker Tyler Riggs standing inside the Dave Decker Photography Studio in Ybor City, Florida, on March 25, 2026. On the left, Tom DeGeorge stands with long hair tied back and a full grey beard, wearing an unbuttoned black-and-white plaid flannel shirt over a dark graphic t-shirt, blue jeans, and dark boots while holding a camera and gesturing outward with his left hand. On the right, Tyler Riggs stands facing him with a black baseball cap, a dark short-sleeve button-down shirt, brown trousers, and dark shoes, holding camera gear with both hands. Set in a photography studio, the background features studio light stands, softboxes, a grey paper backdrop roll with red and blue paper accents, and a swivel stool.

Music

Tampa filmmakers release ‘Sacred Space’ a vertical documentary about Crowbar

The three shorts are a moving portrait about the fallout of a small business closure.

by Ray Roa July 29, 2026July 30, 2026

A three-panel composite photograph featuring Clearwater City Council Seat 5 candidates from left to right: Sam Wilson, Mark Bunker, and Kevin R.T. Laughlin. On the left, Sam Wilson stands outdoors turned slightly to his right wearing a grey-and-white patterned polo shirt and beige trousers with hands in his pockets. In the middle, Mark Bunker appears in a medium close-up wearing a beige suit jacket over a lavender button-down shirt and a lapel pin, set against an indoor arched arcade window background. On the right, Kevin R.T. Laughlin stands centered outdoors in a slate blue suit over a dark patterned dress shirt in front of a tropical pond with water lilies and green foliage.

News & Views

Scientology’s role in Clearwater’s future shapes the race for City Council’s Seat 5

All three candidates want downtown to grow, but have different positions on how to work with the church.

by Liam Oliver July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

A photograph of two attendees posing with fan-made props at Brick Fan Fest. In the center, two individuals smile together—one wearing a Captain America suit and holding Thor’s hammer (Mjölnir), and another standing behind a large, circular Captain America shield constructed entirely out of red, white, and blue LEGO bricks. To the left, a black wall display holds various glowing and non-glowing toy lightsabers with colorful hilts. In the background, other convention attendees move through an open event hall set up with display tables and black curtains.

Arts & Entertainment

LEGO Brick Fan Expo comes back to Tampa in August

Diehard fans of the toys can build castles and more at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

by Leif Helland July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

A wide-angle interior photograph showing the sanctuary filled with congregants during a service at Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa (MCC Tampa) in Tampa, Florida, on April 5, 2026. Taken from the back of the worship hall facing forward, rows of grey padded chairs line both sides of a central carpeted aisle under a high vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams and rectangular light fixtures. On the left wall, tall stained-glass windows cast colorful light into the room, while congregants sit facing the front altar. The altar area features a natural stone backdrop, a glowing circular display, vibrant rainbow accent lighting, and two elevated projection screens displaying service text.

News & Views

This summer, progressive church MCC Tampa celebrates over 55 years of LGBTQ advocacy

Founded in 1971, MCC Tampa is the oldest formal LGBTQ+ organization in Hillsborough County.

by Liam Oliver July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

Best of the bay 2026 is here. Check out the Winners And FinalistS!

Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Oracle of Ybor: I think the universe is telling me to stop binge drinking

Photos: Crowbar ends 20-year run in Ybor City with a showcase of Tampa hip-hop

Tampa Bay’s best comedy shows coming in August: ‘Cum Town’ host Nick Mullen, Joke Wrld, and more

Crowbar’s closing, but a new era for Tom DeGeorge might just be taking flight

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening July 30-August 6

The George brings ‘Dog Days’ release to Tampa Orpheum this summer

Voidrium, a Tampa metal band obsessed with ancient Rome, plays Saturday concert with Pontifex

Swiss brothers Yavor and Stefan Lilov bring L’Eclair for rare St. Pete show

Dominic Walker, who leads Friday Night Jazz on Davis Islands, just played a bunch of Best of the Bay nominees on the radio

For the first time in over a century, Central Florida’s historic Bannon Island is for sale

St. Pete’s Daddy Kool Records hosts early listen party for Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘Lost Weekend’

An air-conditioned Monster Jam returns to Tampa this summer

Jamaican Independence Day is this weekend, and you know Tampa Jerk Hut is celebrating

Ahead of its 100th anniversary, downtown Tampa’s Hotel Flor is hosting ‘Historic Happy Hours’

Metrocon kicks off Friday at Tampa Convention Center

The 10th annual Countdown Improv Festival is happening in Ybor City from August 5-9

Tampa filmmakers release ‘Sacred Space’ a vertical documentary about Crowbar

Scientology’s role in Clearwater’s future shapes the race for City Council’s Seat 5

LEGO Brick Fan Expo comes back to Tampa in August

This summer, progressive church MCC Tampa celebrates over 55 years of LGBTQ advocacy

Do you have the best burger in Tampa Bay?