Best of The Bay 2018
The winners are here!
Best Banh Mi
Saigon Deli
Best band name change that wasn’t
LUXURY MANE/FLORIDA
Best Photo Booth
Rollin’ Retro
Best Local Radio Personality
Mike Calta
Best bummer
THE JACKETTES LIVE THE ENDLESS BUMMER
Best Local Podcast
Fertile Minds by Hillary Talbott
Best comedian
STEVE MILLER
Best Actor
Luke McAndrew
Best Hospital
Tampa General Hospital
Best local revival of an ancient medium
GAINOR ROBERTS’ GENESIS SERIES IN EGG TEMPERA
Best Theater Company
Howard W. Blake Theater
Best Mexican dessert
CHURRO ICE CREAM SANDWICH at ROCCO’S TACOS & TEQUILA BAR
Best Gym
4U Fitness
Best Playwright
Sheila Cowley
Best food-and-drink match made in heaven
THE S&V KITCHEN at COPPERTAIL BREWING CO.
Best Instrumentalist
Derrick Williams, Pianist
Best Dance Club
The Castle
Best St. Pete Restaurant
Red Mesa Cantina
Best Salad Bar
Nature’s Food Patch
Best use of an implied penis to make a point
VICTORIA JORGENSEN
Best Local Music School (non-academic)
Tampa Music School
Best Cosplayer
Princess Rabbits
Best Auto Dealership
Brandon Ford
Best show nobody saw
GAELYNN LEA AT THE ATTIC AT ROCK BROTHERS
Best Clothing Boutique (Women)
Curv Exchange Plus Size Resale Boutique
Best Art Supply Store
Michaels
Best house-made ice cream
ORANGE CYCLE CREAMERY
Best tapas dish
HUEVOS BULLA at BULLA GASTROBAR
Best Splurge Restaurant
Bern’s Steak House
Best Local Literary Journal
Tampa Review
Best Cajun Restaurant
Cajun Cafe on the Bayou
Best shut up and take my money
MERMOSA WINERY & BOUTIQUE
Best Weekly Club Night
The Castle Friday Coffin Classics
Best Late-Night Restaurant
Three Coins Diner
Best Local Music School (Institutional/academic)
Blake High School for the Performing arts
Best chicken sliders
THE C HOUSE
Best Fish & Chips
The Moon Under Water
Best Bloody Mary
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Best unsolicited Sean Hannityisms
RETIREE LYFT DRIVERS WHO ARE “JUST DOING THIS FOR FUN”
Best upscale Italian
FARMTABLE CUCINA
Best Comics Shop
Emerald City Comics, Games & Toys
Best Force-ful art-geek mash-up
STAR WARS & THE POWER OF COSTUME AT MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS ST PETERSBURG
Best Coffee Shop
Kahwa Coffee
Best chain-gang takedown
ST. PETE’S FRINGE DISTRICT FENDING OFF A DUNKIN’ DONUTS
Best Thrift Shop
Sunshine Thrift Store
Best Barber Shop
Barbas Barbershop
Best Sports Coach
Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
Best Home Decor
Hazel + Dot
Best Local Reggae/Ska Band
Jah Movement
Best WWJD (for reals)
ALLENDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Best how is this vegan?
SLEAZY BROWNIE at BAKE’N BABES
Best Windy City wiener
CHICAGO PAULIE’S
Best bank staff
GTE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Best new neighborhood bar
SHUFFLE
Best Eggs Benedict
Datz
Best there’s always a Tampa Bay connection
MARIA BUTINA AT USF ST. PETE IN 2016
Best Dry Cleaner
McNatt’s Cleaners
Best local troll
KEVIN MCBRIDE
Best Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Datz
Best Visual Art Festival
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Best Tequila Bar
Red Mesa Cantina
Best Florist
Artistic Florist of Tampa
Best Celebrity Charity Event
Apple A Day Prom
Best Local Radio Station
102.5 The Bone
Best Hairstylist
Karen Luff, New Approach Salon & Spa
Best blink-and-you-missed-it restaurant
THE HIVE at VINTIN HOTEL
Best new cowpunk-y rock and roll
FEVER BEAM
Best Barbecue Restaurant
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Cuban Coffee
Bodega
Best Local Politician
Bob Buckhorn
Best Local Roots/Alt-Country Act (Original)
Have Gun, Will Travel
Best Whiskey Bar
The Mandarin Hide
Best Place To Instagram A Selfie
Caladesi
Best Local Eyelash/Eyebrow Artist
Lash Addict
Best up-and-coming comedian
TIFFANY BARBEE
Best Brandon Restaurant
The Stein & Vine
Best Local TV Newsperson
Charley Belcher
Best can creasing gone viral
NOAH DELEDDA
Best auto mechanic
AUTOWORKS OF TAMPA
Best pulled pork sandwich
IRON OAK NEW AMERICAN BBQ
Best Tattoo Studio
Amulet Tattoos
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Dunedin Brewery
Best mayoral Twitter game
RICK KRISEMAN/BOB BUCKHORN
Best Diner
The Stone Soup Company
Best no-frills taco spot
LA FIESTA
Best Drag Performer
Matthew McGee
Best Veterinarian
Circle of Life Animal Hospital
Best Local Vocalist
Derrick Williams
Best Handmade Crafts Gallery
Florida CraftArt
Best Sandwich Shop/Deli
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best Fiction Writer
Gloria Muñoz
Best rain out
RAY OLAN Y SU NUEVO SASON AT THE HUB
Best brunch for discerning non-omnivores
LOLITA’S WINE MARKET
Best Bizarro Local News Story
Seminole Heights Killer
Best foodie event
SUNDAY SUPPER TAMPA BAY
Best Local Pro Sports Team
Tampa Bay Lightning
Best book by a local author
ARIN GREENWOOD’S YOUR ROBOT DOG WILL DIE
Best you blew it, Tampa Bay
ET CULTURA 2017
Best modern classic
TAMPA REPERTORY THEATRE’S A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
Best Museum Exhibit
‘Dalí & Schiaparelli’, The Dalí Museum
Best Local Pop Act (Original)
Jordan Denise Williams
Best Local Hot Sauce
Dunedin Brewery – Snakebite Sauce
Best dramatic duo
AMERICAN STAGE’S THE ROYALE AND BAD JEWS
Best costume designer
KATRINA STEVENSON, STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR
Best seafood on a stick
LOBSTER CORN DOG at BIG RAY’S FISH CAMP
Best musical brews
FRIENDS FEST/DEVIANT LIBATION
Best New Brewery, Hillsborough
7venth Sun Brewery – Tampa
Best triple threat
THE BIKERY
Best it’s here to stay
REGGAE RISE UP
Best Nature Trail
Pinellas Trail
Best Sallisaw in Safety Harbor
JOHN MORELAND AT SAFETY HARBOR ART AND MUSIC CENTER
Best surprising turn of events
JACK LATVALA’S #METOO TAKEDOWN
Best Skate Shop
Skatepark of Tampa
Best Ybor City Restaurant
Columbia Restaurant
Best Poet
Gloria Muñoz
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar
Hamburger Mary’s
Best Beach Restaurant
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
Best Ribs
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best use of a Sony mirrorless camera
CLYDE BUTCHER’S COSTA BRAVA PHOTOGRAPHS
Best Singles Hangout
3 Daughters Brewery
Best adults in the room
TEENAGERS WHO ORGANIZED LOCAL MARCH FOR OUR LIVES CHAPTERS
Best indulgence
FLÛTE AND DRAM
Best Local Sportswriter
Tom Jones
Best new St. Pete arts scene clubhouse
MIZE GALLERY
Best Local Beer
3 Daughters Brewing – Beach Blonde Ale
Best TECO Line streetcar operator
CONNIE COSME
Best place to get naked and escape your concussion
TAMPA FLOATS
Best Web Developer
MerchantSide Marketing Group
Best comedy open mic
SUBCENTRAL AT IBERIAN ROOSTER
Best in it for the kids
YA LA’FORD
Best Opera Company
St. Pete Opera
Best Dive Bar
The Hub
Best musical activism
RAICES/ACLU BENEFIT CONCERTS
Best Dog-Friendly Bar
The Dog Bar
Best Bar Crawl
Brew Bus
Best Local Soul/R&B/Funk Act
The Black Honkeys
Best burger on a budget
EL CAP
Best sandwiches that never get old
SUNDAY’S DELICATESSEN
Best wine bar the size of my first apartment on the beach
VINTAGE SMALL BITES & WINE LOUNGE
Best Physical Therapist
Premier Physical Therapy & Sports Performance
Best drunk Shakespeare
SCHWASTED SHAKESPEARE
Best Place to Play Pool
Strokers
Best Art Gallery (non-museum)
Dunedin Fine Art Center
Best Brunch For Boozing
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Best CEO
Isham Harris, MerchantSide Marketing Group
Best buffalo cauliflower
ISLANDS PIZZA
Best barista
CURT HENSLEY at UNION COFFEE & TEA BY COMMUNE + CO.
Best Local Fashion Event
Heals to Heal
Best Japanese sauce
YAKINIKU at ICHICORO ANE
Best new look for a baseball squad
TAMPA TARPONS
Best place to get your mom to move before she has to
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITIES
Best serial muscle murderer
BRADFORD STEVENS AT VKNG FITNESS
Best New Restaurant
Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room
Best restaurant
THE RESTORATIVE
Best Sports Bar
Ferg’s Sports Bar
Best Set Designer
Mike Wood
Best Chef
Ferrell Alvarez, Rooster & the Till
Best Videographer
Troy Bowman – Apollo Video Productions
Best Florida day trip
NJOY SPIRITS
Best Local Fashion Designer
Ranemade
Best Gourmet Market
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best yacht-rock handyman
AARON BURKETT
Best Charcuterie
Annata
Best wasn’t never meant
AMERICAN FOOTBALL AT ORPHEUM AND THE BRICKS
Best smart-ass (but sincere) toddler
HANK MILLER
Best COO
Lorrin Shepard, Straz
Best Asian dessert
BANANA COINS at PIN WOK & BOWL
Best use of sheep to make a statement
DEBRA RADKE’S SHEEP SERIES
Best Asian starter
SPICY GARLIC BELLY EDAMAME at ASIE
Best Tampa Restaurant
Bern’s Steak House
Best drummer who absolutely loves his “job”
JONATHAN ROBBINS, DIEALPS!
Best Clearwater Restaurant
Frenchy’s Original Cafe
Best Local Personality to Follow on Twitter
Mike Calta
Best Place for a Wedding Reception
Armature Works
Best Seafood Restaurant
Oystercatchers
Best Bargain Restaurant
The Stone Soup Company
Best Restaurant That Delivers
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Best College Hangout
Park & Rec
Best still holding it down
THE CASTLE
Best Nanny Service
Nannies Who Care
Best big wiener
OLDE BAY CAFÉ
Best Music Festival
Gasparilla Music Festival
Best Local Concert Promoter
TampaBayNightLife.tv
Best lifetime achievement award
DAVID WARNER
Best sweet surprise
SWEET SOUL
Best you can’t go home again
RICK BAKER
Best Clothing Boutique (Men)
Gray Space
Best Bridal Boutique
CC’s
Best Sommelier
Jayme Kosar – Ybor City Wine Bar
Best Soup
The Stone Soup Company
Best Chinese Restaurant
Yummy House
Best Free Clinic
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Best Cuban Sandwich
Bodega
Best High School Drama Program
Howard W. Blake, School of the Arts
Best Lobster Roll
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best Poke Restaurant
Poké Rose
Best export
SET AND SETTING
Best Head Shop
Purple Haze
Best Safety Harbor Restaurant
Whistle Stop Grill & Bar
Best Environmental Organization
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Best Fried Chicken
Publix
Best short rib sharing plate not to share
BLACK TRUFFLE SHORT RIB MELTS at AMERICAN SOCIAL BAR & KITCHEN
Best Grouper Sandwich
Frenchy’s Original Cafe
Best comically botched political calculation
ADAM “PROUD NRA SELLOUT” PUTNAM
Best Apartment Community
Fusion 1560, St. Petersburg
Best Neighborhood Bar, Hillsborough
Independent Bar and Cafe
Best Local Couple
Isham and Nicole Harris
Best Key Lime Pie
Publix
Best Barre Studio
Pure Barre, St. Pete
Best Wellness Center
METRO Wellness & Community Centers
Best Pilates Studio
Mantra
Best Liquor Store
Luekens Liquors
Best Place to Shop Green
Rollin’ Oats Market & Cafe
Best Local Morning TV Show
Good Day Tampa Bay (Fox 13)
Best Supermarket
Publix
Best Sangria
Columbia Restaurant
Best lemon dessert
LEMON CURD at THE REZ GRILL
Best Local Columnist
Ernest Hooper
Best lobster dish
LOBSTER RAVIOLI at GRACE
Best Bakery (Pastries)
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best Movie Theater
Tampa Theatre
Best Filmmaker
Cole Blaskovich
Best Happy Hour
Clear Sky Draught Haus
Best energy vortex outfitters
ROOTS OF THE SUN
Best new-to-us actor we want to see more
JUSTIN SMITH
Best Local Classical Musician
Shaun Hopper
Best reinvented Sunday brunch
WU-TANG AND BISCUITS at SHUFFLE
Worst Local Politician
Ronda Storms
Best Desserts
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best snake-ridden stadium spectacle
TAYLOR SWIFT AT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
Best Local Cover Band
Jah Movement
Best Gallery (non-museum) Show
Pride Without Prejudice, Cider Press Cafe
Best County
Pinellas
Best Karaoke
O’ Maddy’s
Best bartender slinging the best happy hour Old Fashioned
BRUCE JONES at ROOM 901
Best act locally
SUNCOAST RISE ABOVE PLASTICS COALITION
Best Underground Cinema Event
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Best Dog Training
Sit Happens: Dog Training & Behavior Modification
Best gravity defiance for the whole family
TREEHOPPERS
Best Large Concert Venue (2,000-plus capacity)
Jannus Live
Best Pad Thai
Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Best do-good guilty pleasure
DOUGH NATION
Best Pasco Restaurant
Capital Tacos
Best just like mom’s
LUMPIA at CHISMIS & CO.
Best source of bridal sanity
SPECIAL MOMENTS EVENT PLANNING
Best blondes don’t have more fun
PAM BONDI GREETED BY PROTESTORS OUTSIDE TAMPA THEATRE
Best art show about identity and relationships
I + THOU AT THE DUNEDIN FINE ART CENTER
Best set designer
JETHRO COMPTON
Best Local Record Label
Derlie Records
Best Strip Club
Mons Venus
Best Carpenter/Woodworker
Nook & Cranny DIY Studio, Brad the Builder
Best Italian Restaurant
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best Store Staff
Trader Joes
Best way for talented new artists to learn the biz and get an exhibition
FUNKY AS A MONKEY
Best Local Jam Band
Uncle John’s Band
Best Cheese Course
Annata
Best show (small)
DAVID RAMIREZ AT CROWBAR
Best use of a penis onstage
NED AVERILL-SNELL
Best mainstream champion of local talent
DJ SANDMAN
Best Smoothies
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Best catch for Grand Central
TROPHY FISH
Best New Brewery, Pinellas
Southern Lights Brewing Company
Best Dunedin Restaurant
Casa Tina
Best Local Newsperson
Charlie Belcher
Best comedy-drag mashup
WIGS AND WIT
Best kept, well, it was almost a secret
SANGRIA at HEMINGWAY’S
Best place to sweat your heart out
SOHO CYCLING
Best celebration of local music
VIBES OF THE BAY
Best Interior Designer
Stage In Style (Vicki Lepianka)
Best Mani/Pedi
Lisa Sandlin Paradise Spa Treasure Island Florida
Best Bakery (Bread)
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Best custom guitar maker
JAMES LECLAIR
Best chef
CHRISTOPHER ARTRIP, THE FEINSTEIN GROUP
Best Beach Town
St. Pete Beach
Best Mayor
Bob Buckhorn
Best Open Mic Night (Music)
Dunedin Brewery
Best Local Activist
Miguel Fuller, HOT 101.5
Best Brunch
Datz
Best Local Philanthropist
Jeff Vinik
Best Walking Tour
Riverwalk
Best medical pot to go
CURALEAF
Best literal downward facing dog
PUP ACTIVE
Best Local Sexy Social Media Account
Sandy Carmin
Best Pizza
Eddie & Sam’s
Best play about ISIS and the patriarchy
URBANITE THEATRE’S ECHOES
Best Palm Harbor Restaurant
The Lucky Dill
Best Food Truck/Vendor
Taco Bus
Best Antique Shop
Brocante Market
Best Massage Therapist
Adrienne Honeywell, i spa Health Studio
Best Martial Arts Studio
Gracie Tampa South
Best midnight snack
CHEESE BOARD at HOTEL BAR
Best arena show that turned into a club gig
ARCADE FIRE AT USF SUN DOME (AND CROWBAR)
Best shameless buffet binge
JERK HUT
Best (literal) lights out show
SNAIL MAIL AT CROWBAR
Best ticked off wine bar
LOLITA’S WINE MARKET
Best new heavy
HORSEWHIP
Best Local Craft Beer Event
Dunedin House of Beer Craft Beer Fest
Best spirits homework
CW’S GIN JOINT
Best Place to Bowl
Pin Chasers
Best Spoken Word Artist
Rhonda Nelson
Best actor in an American classic
NED AVERILL-SNELL
Best music scene Instagram
HANDBILLS AND TICKET STUBS
Best picking up the live music slack
TAMPA BAY RECORD STORES (AND THE HUB)
Best Tacos
Casita Taqueria
Best Neighborhood, Pinellas
Downtown St. Petersburg
Best Florida College Team
USF Bulls
Best rapper who’s so much more than that
SAM E HUES
Best Guacamole
Besito Mexican
Best script-flipping on sexual abuse
JOBSITE THEATER
Best Tuesday-morning sonic hug
MARCIE FINKELSTEIN ON WMNF’S MORNING SHOW
Best Bagels
St. Pete Bagel Co.
Best Graphic Designer
MerchantSide Marketing Group
Best place to stay fit while drinking a beer
CINCO SOCCER
Best Book by a Local Author Published in the Last 12 Months
Timing Is Everything, Alison Solomon
Best breakfast Cuban
DAYDREAMERS CAFE & GRILL
Best theatrical time travel
STAGEWORKS’ BLITHE SPIRIT
Best Marketing Firm
MerchantSide Marketing Group
Best Bike Shop
St. Pete Bicycle and Fitness
Best Local Instagrammer
Holly O’Connor, Hot 101.5
Best Lighting Designer
Ben Phillips
Best LGBT Organization
St. Pete Pride
Best Vintage Clothing Store
La France
Best Local Internet Radio Show
Soul Brother Kevin
Best Waste of Taxpayers’ Money
A new Rays stadium
Best pasta array
SOCIALE ITALIAN TAPAS + PIZZA BAR
Best Bartender
Casey Collett, Crooked Thumb Brewery
Best yacht rock on the water
MICHAEL MCDONALD AT CLEARWATER JAZZ HOLIDAY
Best Startup
Assistant Pro
Best cardio with a million-dollar view
THE INAUGURAL SKYWAY 10K
Best Yoga Studio
The Body Electric
Best quilting shop of the #resistance
FABRIC SMART
Best Open Mic Night (Poetry)
Iberian Rooster’s Subcentral
Best Film Festival
Gasparilla International Film Festival
Best Concert in the Last 12 Months
Lady Gaga at Amalie Arena
Best shrimp appetizer
SHRIMP TOAST at PAUL’S LANDING
Best Improv Team
Got Jokes? (Stageworks)
Best Skincare Specialist
Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center
Best Local Furniture Craftsman
Classic Modern Furnishings
Best Financial Advisor
Nate Goldenberg
Best Local Bluegrass Band
The Applebutter Express
Best Tiki Cocktails
The Mandarin Hide
Best Surf Shop
Suncoast Surf Shop
Best person to help get your art on walls for free
TERI NAVAJO OF FRINGE CREATIVES
Best Mini Doughnuts
Mini Doughnut Factory
Best “all it needs is a soda fountain and a penny candy bin” general store
GULFPORT BEACH BAZAAR
Best Doughnuts
Mini Doughnut Factory – Tampa
Best Trivia Night
Original Bandingo
Best fake news
TAMPA NEWS FORCE
Best Local Hip-Hop Act
Jon Ditty
Best pirate ship in a history museum
TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER
Best Health-Food Market
Rollin’ Oats
Best Hair Salon
Auracle Salon
Best caterer without limitations
KIM BAILEY
Best bands on ice
JOSHUA CRUZ (AND EVERY LOCAL ACT) AT THE NHL ALL-STAR GAME
Best Garden Store/Nursery
Willow Tree Nursery
Best Dog Walker/Pet Boarder/Pet Sitter
Jaime McKnight
Best hip-hop Jesus
THE ROOTS AND JEREMY ELLIS AT GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Best Sex Shop
The Todd
Best Organized Bike Ride
Tweed Ride – St. Pete Bicycle Co Op
Best Local Coffee
Kahwa Coffee
Best better than nachos
NACHO CHEESE FRIES at CENTRAL MELT
Best Grilled Cheese
Central Melt
Best dentist who won’t ask you to bend over before he gives you the bill
DR. ROBERT KEENAN
Best Photographer
Amy Fitch K&K Photography
Best reaction to a really bad situation
HEIGHTS UNITES MUSIC FESTIVAL
Best Stand-Up Comic
Catherine Maloney
Best Public Artwork
“768 Days of Sunshine” by Derek Donnelly, St. Petersburg
Best online grocery shopping
ROLLIN’ OATS
Best Greek Restaurant
Hellas
Best use of concrete in St. Pete
ST. PETERSBURG REGIONAL SKATEPARK
Worst Sports Coach
The Bucs coaching staff
Best Bank
Suncoast Credit Union
Best Barista
Dana Tate, Kahwa Coffee
Best Thai Restaurant
Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Best Choreographer
Tiffany Oscher
Best New Business
Assistant Pro
Best Poolside Bar
H2O at The Hollander
Best local labor of love
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Best challenge
ELIZABETH BAKER/SEAN HAMILTON
Best Neighborhood Bar, Pinellas
Dunedin Brewery
Best muse (and news)
MACEY SUN KOBER
Best rustic dessert
APPLE GALETTE at PLATT STREET BOROUGH BAR & EATERY
Best Recording Studio
Cleartrack Studios
Best Local Gourmet Popcorn
Chef Inspired Popcorn Company
Best Cocktails
Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club
Best Visual Art Curator
Katherine Pill, The Museum of Fine Arts
Best Wine Bar
Annata
Best Indian lunch combo platter
FLAMES INDIAN CUISINE
Best welcome to Ybor
ZYDECO BREW WERKS
Best Brewer
Steve Buyens, 3 Daughters Brewing
Best Draft Selection
3 Daughters Brewing
Best Local Experimental Act
Billy Mays III (Infinite Third, Mouth Council)
Best Release By A Local Band
To You I Pray by Jah Movement
Best Sushi Restaurant
Hook’s Sushi Bar and Thai Food
Best Cold-Pressed Juice
Bodega
Best Hotel Restaurant
Birch & Vine
Best Local Blogger
Drew Garabo
Best Local Farm
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm
Best Bar Food
Dunedin Brewery
Best Margarita
Red Mesa Cantina
Best Stand-Up Comedy Venue
The Improv
Best Open Mic Night (Comedy)
Side Splitters Comedy Club
Best Beach Bar
Frenchy’s Original Cafe
Best mollusk marriage
SCALLOP at STEELBACH
Best Local Bookstore
Haslam’s
Best heartbreaking performance by an actor
STEVE GARLAND IN MARJORIE PRIME
Best Second Civil War letter
RICK KRISEMAN
Best Realtor
Wade Lucas
Best Local Afternoon Radio Show
Drew Garabo Live, 102.5 The Bone
Best calamari
SALT AND PEPPER CALAMARI at YUMMY HOUSE SOUTH CHINA BISTRO
Best Stage Director
Sean Paris
Best historian to walk through downtown Dunedin with
VINCENT LUISI
Best keep Tampa Heights weird
GRAM’S PLACE
Best Burlesque Act
Mayven Missbehavin (Amanda Jay)
Best Food Festival
Ribfest
Best No Wave violation of personal space
REALITY ASYLUM
Best Devil Crab
Brocato’s Sandwich Shop
Best Networker
Isham Harris from MerchantSide Marketing Group
Best General Contractor
Ferrill Construction Co.
Best Seminole Heights Restaurant
Rooster & the Till
Best brunch for omnivores
CALLALOO
Best evidence that art is in the eye of the beholder
THE REACTION TO CATHY SALUSTRI’S COLUMN ON THE JAMES MUSEUM
Best Burgers
Engine No. 9
Best free musical history
ROCK THE RIVERWALK AT STRAZ CENTER
Best local catamaran charter
SAILING KUMA TOO
Best Food Blogger
I Love the Burg
Best Wings
Hooters
Best proof an old story deserves telling properly
SHEILA COWLEY
Best Local Band (Original)
Jah Movement
Best Kava Bar
Bula Kafe
Best new restaurant
BULLA GASTROBAR
Best Acupuncturist
St. Pete Community Acupuncture
Best Neighborhood, Hillsborough
Seminole Heights
Best Frosé
Franklin Manor
Best Local Brewery
3 Daughters Brewing
Best Country Act (Original)
Soul Circus Cowboys
Best Farmers’ Market Vendor
The Urban Canning Company
Best Spa
Safety Harbor Spa
Best Indian Restaurant
Gateway to India
Best history book come to life
TIMMY THOMAS AND JOHN CAPOUYA AT UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
Best Local Cookies
Publix
Best bad national optics for Tampa Bay
TRUMP SUPPORTERS BEING DIRTBAGS TO JIM ACOSTA AT FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
The Cider Press Café
Best Tea Shop
TeBella Tea Company
Best hood shit
CARROLLHOOD
Best one-stop neighborhood shop for gift givers
URBAN BUNGALOW
Best meaningless, regressive legislation
RE-MERGING USF CAMPUSES
Best byeeeee
RICHARD CORCORAN’S DEPARTURE FROM ELECTED OFFICE
Best surprisingly underutilized transit infrastructure
WATER TAXIS IN PINELLAS COUNTY
Best theatrical guide through the spirit realm
SCOTT SWENSON
Best Art Party
GASP!
Best new low-key strum-punk get-together
SINGER/SONGWRITER NIGHT AT ELLA’S AMERICANA FOLK ART CAFE
Best crying with Grandpa
PAUL SIMON AT AMALIE ARENA
Best uninvited audience participation
CONCERTGOERS TALKING OVER FLEET FOXES AT THE RITZ
Best Local Literary Event
Times Festival of Reading
Best attempt to bring culture to Palm Harbor
GENE COPPOLA AT PALM HARBOR LIBRARY
Best Local Blues Act
Betty Fox Band
Best gluten-removed beer
GOOD FOR LIFE KOLSCH at PAIR O’ DICE BREWING COMPANY
Best Local T-Shirt Company
Dark Cycle Clothing
Best Local Singer/Songwriter
Derrick Williams
Best Tapas/Small Plates
Ceviche
Best Record Store
Daddy Kool Records
Best Community Garden
Sunken Gardens
Best Public Golf Course
Fox Hollow
Best City: Tampa, St. Pete, or Clearwater?
St. Petersburg
Best Local Crafts Festival
Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival
Best show you wished you could’ve gotten into
SZA AT ORPHEUM
Best Cuban Restaurant
Columbia Restaurant
Best Farmers’ Market
Saturday Morning Market, St. Pete
Best Customer Service
Publix
Best Auto Repair Shop
Rico Paint & Body Co.
Best Local News Story (any medium)
Tampa Bay Lightning 2017-18 season and playoffs
Best Outdoor Dining
Ulele
Best Consignment Shop
Curv Exchange Plus Size Resale
Best actress encouraged to misbehave onstage
JENNY LESTER
Best “magic hands” massage therapist
LORI ZWISSLER
Best Theater Production
Side Show (Howard W. Blake High School)
Best local curator
KATHERINE PILL
Best Local Punk Act (Original)
Car Bomb Driver
Best Steakhouse
Bern’s Steak House
Best Breakfast
First Watch
Best meet your (mural) maker
CAM PARKER AND LADY GAGA AT AMALIE ARENA
Best Place to Volunteer
Creative Clay
Best Local Nonprofit
Apple A Day
Best buggin’ out
JPM PEST CONTROL
Best Skate Spot That’s Not A Skatepark
Downtown Tampa
Best taxidermied bar
THE BLUE GOOSE
Best actress for a script I haven’t written yet
BECCA MCCOY
Best Visual Artist
Chad Mize
Best Local Metal/Hardcore Band (Original)
The Absence
Best Doctor for a Nip and Tuck
Joseph Castellano, MD. Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center
Best place to get high on tile
CEMENT TILE SHOP
Best Dance Company
St.Petersburg Ballet Company
Best cheat day meal
HOUSE OF CARBS
Best crapshoot
THE RAYS’ NEW STADIUM IN YBOR CITY
Best Ybor City fire starter
BURN RUBBER
Best Dancer
Lyla Menkhaus
Best unintentional frat party
PARK & REC
Best I think I hate this guy
“I’M NOT RACIST” BY MAXX FORMAN
Best Waitstaff
Rooster & the Till
Best Waterfront Dining
Ulele
Best CrossFit Box
CrossFit Tampa Bay
Best Local Scandal
Seminole Heights Serial Killer
Best Skatepark
Skatepark of Tampa
Best Actress
Heather Mendoza
Best Ramen
Ichicoro Ramen
Best poof, it’s gone (and will be missed)
NICKO’S FINE FOOD
Best album release show
CAREER AT CL SPACE
Best Mover & Shaker
Jeffrey Vinik
Best Personal Trainer
Nina Nyiri
Best Hotel
The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg
Best place to just be yourself
LUCKY YOU TATTOO
Best Local Jazz Ensemble
Derrick Williams
Best Public Library Branch
St. Petersburg Main Branch Library
Best first show ever
CALEBORATE AND ART & SOUL BAND
Best Performing Arts Center
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Best major label live recording that’s still in bootleg mode
CHICK COREA AT SAINT PETERSBURG COLLEGE
Best marriage of fine art and social media
THIS IS NOT A SELFIE
Best docu-drama
CHARLES LINDBERGH: A LIFE IN FLIGHT
Best Handcrafted Jewelry
Stoned and Charming
Best Mexican Restaurant
Casa Tina
Best Dog Park
Fort De Soto
Best fun run that was actually a crapload of fun
BOYD HILL 5K
Best way to get whiskey’d away
KENTUCKY CHAMPAGNE AT THE COLLECTION
Best Pet Boutique
Health Mutt
Best Local Morning Radio Show
The Miguel and Holly Show
Best Local Maker
The Urban Canning Company
Best taste of New Orleans
RAMOS GIN FIZZ at CW’S GIN JOINT
Best Southern Cooking
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Best evidence St. Pete’s not “there” yet
ILLEGAL ALLEY DUMPS
Best Small Concert Venue (Under-2,000 capacity)
Skippers Smokehouse
Best show we weren’t allowed to take photos of
BRUNO MARS AT AMALIE ARENA
Best Hotel Bar
The Canopy
Best Tattoo Artist
Evil Don
Best Museum
The Dalí Museum
Food & Drink
Feast on this massive celebration of local comestibles and imbibables.
Best All-Around Restaurant
Bern’s Steak House
Goods & Services
Local business is good business.
People, Places & Politics
Movers. Shakers. Scandal-makers and fun spots.
Arts & Entertainment
Join us in recognizing outstanding Bay area artists, actors, musicians and more.
