Food & Drink

St. Pete beer staple Green Bench opens new location in downtown Tampa

The new outpost debuted in the former Pint and Brew spot next to Hotel Bar.

by Leif Helland May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

A medium, eye-level indoor photograph of Tom DeGeorge testifying at a witness table during a congressional hearing. They have a short, neatly trimmed graying beard and are wearing a dark suit jacket over a black collared shirt. They are leaning forward with a serious expression, speaking directly into a black gooseneck microphone. On the polished wooden table in front of them rests a white printed nameplate and a stack of printed documents. In the softly blurred background, the formal, dark wood-paneled walls and the elevated dais of the House Committee on the Judiciary room are visible under bright, even interior lighting.

Music

In fiery testimony, Tampa venue owner Tom DeGeorge calls Live Nation ‘the hogs at the top’

Last month, a federal jury said that the promotions company and its subsidiary Ticketmaster operate a monopoly.

by Ray Roa May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Exterior of O-Ku on the ground floor of Bayshore Gardens in Tampa.

Food & Drink

New sushi restaurant O-ku opens in South Tampa tomorrow

It’s in the same building as its sibling restaurant, Maru.

by Selene San Felice May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Sign for a Bitcoin ATM in a store window next to Visa and ADT security decals.

News & Views

Florida among nation’s worst for crypto ATM fraud

Nationally, there have been over 13,000 complaints over the last year involving crypto ATMs, with losses reaching $388 million dollars.

by Leif Helland May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

In his new novel, ‘Fish Kill,’ Dennis Mitch Maley frolics in the world of Florida

The Bradenton Times editor will sign copies at the Jack Kerouac House’s Underground Book Fair next weekend.

by David Warner May 20, 2026May 21, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Hibiscus show promises big blooms in St. Pete this weekend

Blooming season is most of the year in Tampa Bay and southern Florida.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A photo of a blonde woman posing next to a pole with "Impulse Pole Dance" written on the wall behind her; collaged next to an outdoor display of books including "Whipping Girl" from Pages and Perks

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete pole dancers collab with local bookseller for ‘Booty, Books + Bubbles Party’

Pages & Perks will be at Impulse Studios for this very sexy Saturday.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Black and white photo of a table tipping seance circa 1898

Arts & Entertainment

Paranormal investigators will teach table tipping in St. Pete this weekend

How the tables will turn at VFW 39.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa lawyer and songwriter James Shaw will talk about the meaning of existence this weekend

His talk comes after an extended period of study, meditation and fasting—which means if you listen you might not have to do all that nonsense.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Food & Drink

New speakeasy 31 South opens in St. Petersburg Distillery

31 South tapped Chef Johnathan Rodriguez, who was previously at Sal Y Mar in Midtown and was on the Food Network show “Supermarket Stakeout.”

by Colin Wolf May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

An indoor portrait photograph of Tampa artist and Tempus Projects founder Tracy Midulla. They have shoulder-length, curly reddish-brown hair with bangs and are wearing a solid black, long-sleeve boat-neck top. They are leaning casually against a white wall on the right and looking directly at the camera with a gentle, neutral expression. The softly blurred background features a bright, naturally lit hallway and a section of an exposed brick or wood pillar.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa art scene lifer, leader, Tracy Midulla, will speak to Creative Mornings on Friday

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

A bright, daytime outdoor photograph of a group of approximately nine protestors standing in a line across the front steps of the St. Petersburg City Hall. The building features classic, light-colored stone architecture with large columns and the words 'MUNICIPAL BUILDING' carved above the main glass entrance doors. The individuals are dressed in casual clothing and are holding up various black-and-white protest signs. On the far right, an individual wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt, khaki pants, a baseball cap, and sunglasses is holding a clear sign that reads 'ICE AGENTS DESERVE PRISON, NOT PROTECTION'. Other visible signs share similar anti-ICE messaging. Dark shadows from nearby trees are cast across the paved, sunlit plaza in the foreground.

News & Views

Outside St. Pete City Hall, protestors continue call for police to end agreement with ICE

For those in attendance, the debate over immigration enforcement is deeply personal and far from over.

by Daria Mironova and WMNF News May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A vibrant, high-energy nightclub photograph of partygoers dancing at Dyke Night St. Pete on the patio of Crowbar. In the foreground on the left, an individual with short curly hair, wearing a light t-shirt, tan pants, a black choker, and a gold heart necklace, is smiling widely with one arm raised in the air. Next to them in the center, another individual with long brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, is dancing with both arms raised high above their head, holding a clear plastic cup in one hand and smiling with their eyes closed. The dark, lively venue is intensely illuminated by bright green light beams crossing the frame, along with horizontal orange light trails that capture the energetic movement of the dancers. Additional partygoers are visible dancing in the softly blurred background.

Music

Dyke Night St. Pete welcomes ‘Gays Raised In the South’ to June throwdown in Ybor City

The collective turns Crowbar into the Pussycat Lounge on June 4.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A daytime outdoor photograph of the front page of The Gabber Newspaper standing upright on a white circular table. The newspaper masthead reads 'GABBER' with a 'FREE' banner next to it. The main headline, 'Writing for Rescues', sits above images of two book covers, including one titled 'Gotcha Day'. The bottom of the front page features two advertisements with QR codes, including one for the Gulfport Night Market. To the left, several other folded newspapers lie flat on the table. The background features lush green palm fronds and the top corner of a gray metal mesh chair on the right.

News & Views

Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper says ‘the paper is done’ if July fundraising goal is not met

Founded in 1968, the paper now faces a $90K shortfall, plus $70K in legal fees.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

A black-and-white live concert photograph of guitarist Sulynn Hago performing on stage at Crowbar in Ybor City. In the sharp foreground, Hago has shoulder-length hair and is wearing a dark, vertically striped button-down shirt. They are looking down with intense focus while playing a white Fender-style electric guitar with a dark pickguard. A microphone stand is positioned just in front of them. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt is visible playing a light-colored electric guitar. A bright stage spotlight flares directly behind the microphone stand, cutting through the dark venue.

Music

Photos: Expat Tampa guitarist Sulynn Hago shows Tampa the ‘Doghouse’

Bad, Bad Things and Big Sad played support at Crowbar.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

A dynamic, wide-angle live concert photograph taken from the stage behind the band Rohna, looking out into a packed, enthusiastic audience at Crowbar. In the center foreground, a band member with long brown hair, wearing an open gray short-sleeve shirt over a white t-shirt, is playing a black electric guitar or bass. Behind them, another member wearing a green t-shirt has both arms raised high toward the crowd. To the far left, a drummer is partially visible playing a drum kit in front of a massive, brightly lit LED screen displaying a vibrant, colorful psychedelic pattern. In the bottom right foreground, a keyboard rests on a stand. The dense crowd is pressed against the stage, cheering, smiling, and raising their hands under dim overhead venue lighting.

Music

Photos: Everyone having the time of their lives when Rohna played its final ‘Indie Night’ at Crowbar

Now, the series will look for a new home as it seeks to re-create the vibe in the wake of the Ybor City venue’s imminent closure this summer.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

An indoor portrait photograph of author Vanessa Frances standing and leaning casually against a large white pillar. They have long reddish-brown hair with bangs and are wearing a white, sleeveless button-down v-neck top and light-colored pants with thin vertical stripes. They are holding a dark-colored book with both hands in front of them and looking directly at the camera with a gentle expression. Small tattoos are visible on their right arm. The background features the interior of a grand building with white walls, a dark wood handrail, and decorative geometric black metal railings bordering an open balcony area.

Arts & Entertainment

Interview: Before St. Pete talk, ‘Orange Island’ author Vanessa Frances talks about being a professional yearner, love for Florida and more

She’s at Tombolo Books on May 21.

by Arielle Stevenson May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

News & Views

Nominations for Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of the Bay are now open

The nomination period is open through June 10.

by Ray Roa May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

A live concert photograph of country music artist Willie Nelson performing outdoors. In the sharp foreground, Nelson is wearing a signature red bandana headband, a black t-shirt, and a colorful woven guitar strap. They have long gray hair and a white beard, and are looking warmly out toward the audience while playing a heavily worn, light-wood acoustic guitar. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing glasses, a dark jacket, and a brown shirt is visible. The scene is set against a dark, out-of-focus background of trees.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 15-21

Including Willie Nelson, Indie Night’s Crowbar finale, Have Gun Will Travel & more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Music

Before St. Pete show, The 502s’ Ed Isola details how Mumford & Sons changed his life

The band is on tour in support of its fourth studio album ‘Easy Street.’

by Josh Bradley May 15, 2026May 15, 2026