The Tampa Bay bars and restaurants we’ve lost so far in 2026
We’re halfway through 2026, and in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a brutal six months for Tampa Bay bars and restaurants. Citing everything from a tanking economy, rising inflation, ongoing hurricane recovery costs, changes in drinking patterns, and even GLP-1 weight loss medications, local restaurants have a lot on their plates in 2026. Here…
Here are the best places to play pickleball in Tampa Bay
Pickleball is the talk of the town this weekend thanks to the Major League Pickleball tournament happening in St. Pete from June 17-21, and the action might inspire some to start dinking around Tampa Bay. If you’re pickle curious, your best bet is to just get out there and play. Before you go, read up…
After six years, Tampa’s Rome + Fig is closing
North Hyde Park’s “globally-inspired bistro” Rome + Fig says it will permanently close later this month. The popular NoHo concept, located at 301 N Rome Ave., did not give a specific reason for the abrupt closure, but made the announcement this morning on social media, citing an “industry filled with challenges.” “After six unforgettable years,…
Double Six is Tampa Heights’ new daytime café, and there’s free parking
There’s a whole ass new cafe in Tampa Heights, and there’s free parking, too. Double Six opened inside La Sétima Club—located at 815 E 7th Ave. on the literal edge of Ybor City—this month. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, the concept serves cafe staples, a trio of specialties (go for the coquito latte), and a…
Florida still owes $603 million on immigration enforcement contracts
Florida still owes at least $603 million to 27 companies that helped build the state’s migrant lockups and carry out an undocumented immigration crackdown, according to dozens of contracts reviewed by the Phoenix. This means the majority of immigration contracts remain unpaid — even after the DeSantis administration’s emergency managers spent half a billion dollars…
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law-enforcement bill, warns of state crackdown on ‘teen takeovers’
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a series of law enforcement-related measures Tuesday, with many of them designed to increase penalties for criminals and give police and prosecutors more options to pursue them. The bills range from making it easier for police to identify an individual as a gang member to requiring criminals deemed “career offenders” have…
After 23 years, Pinellas Park’s Quaker Steak & Lube will close
It seems Pinellas Park’s motor oil-themed restaurant Quaker Steak & Lube is out of gas. The chain restaurant’s last day will be Sunday, July 5, according to a social media post from the general manager. The announcement comes as parent company JDK Management is in the midst of closing Quaker Steak and Lube locations nationwide.…
Florida local governments would lose $5 billion the first year if property tax amendment passes
If voters approve the property tax cut on the November ballot, cities, counties and special taxing districts will lose nearly $5 billion the first year, and nearly $12 billion in the fifth year, according to projections developed by state economists Friday. Homestead owners will be the initial beneficiaries of the amendment, but non-homestead owners, including…
Florida AG sues TikTok, saying company is not complying with social media law restricting minors
Attorney General James Uthmeier is seeking damages from TikTok, claiming the tech giant is not complying with Florida’s 2024 social media ban for minors. Uthmeier filed a civil lawsuit against TikTok Monday, asking a state trial court to declare the company a public nuisance for not complying with state law requiring 14- and 15-year-olds to…
Cash Money and No Limit records announce joint tour coming to Tampa this fall
Get your money ready, woady. An entire generation of Americans had its genome reprogrammed in the late-’90s and early-2000s thanks to a bunch of rappers and entrepreneurs from New Orleans, and those legends are coming to Tampa this fall. Yesterday, Cash Money Records and No Limit Records announced a 17-city tour that includes two stops…
Photos: David Jolly supporters pack Tampa Women’s Center
The field in the race to become Florida’s next governor is officially set, and David Jolly, a former Republican, is all most Democrats seem ready to talk about—especially after the 53-year-old former Congressman recently selected former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate. Graham, 63, lost the Democratic primary to Andrew Gillum in 2018…
Ashley Moody joins Rick Scott in push to cancel Tampa’s Kanye West concerts
A bipartisan group of political leaders and Jewish residents are trying to block Kanye West from performing in Tampa. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Naples, labeled the hip-hop artist an “antisemite” and called for the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel his concerts at an event Monday at The Florida Holocaust Museum. “We should never allow antisemitism anywhere,…
Temple Terrace’s award-winning Hartley House is now for sale
A 1980s home designed by architect Mark S. Hartley as his personal residence is now for sale in Temple Terrace. Located at 312 S Riverhills Dr., the Hartley House sits directly across from the Hillsborough River and was completed in phases, beginning in 1982, because as Hartley and his wife Deborah previously stated—they weren’t sure…
Florida Supreme Court refuses to suspend lawyer convicted of trying to overturn 2020 election results
The Florida Supreme Court has declined to suspend the Florida law license of Kenneth Chesebro, convicted in Georgia of filing a false list of electors there to undermine Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Instead, the justices issued a reprimand over the objection of Justice Jorge Labarga, the sole member of the court not…
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidates blast party’s decision to not hold debate
The Republican Party of Florida confirmed Friday that there will be no “full” gubernatorial debate later this month when the party holds its annual summer confab in South Florida. The reason? Party officials say that only Byron Donalds of Naples has met the established criteria to qualify, consisting of three metrics: “In a state as…
Q&A: Before Tampa show, Josh Groban talks new album and ‘Sweeney Todd’
In terms of his stage life, just before Christmas last year, Mr. “You Raise Me Up” took to “The Jennifer Hudson Show” to help announce a limited, co-headlining tour with the EGOT host of the talk show. And based on how well his baritone and Hudson’s soprano blended together on “Unchained Melody”—which also appears on…
In Tampa, ‘Just Freedom’ author will discuss Florida’s long history of denying voting rights
With another round of loaded elections imminent, it’ll be easy for pundits and the public at large to make like the attorney general and sidestep questions not just about restoring felons voting rights. Not with Daniel Rivero around. Late last year, the WLRN reporter and producer released “Just Freedom,” a deep dive into Florida’s long…
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening June 12-18
Tampa Bay’s live music is here, and it feels like the fourth and final part of a series of concept albums (hi, Displace). Check out this listing of the best concerts and live music happenings in Tampa Bay between June 12-18. Don’t see your show here? Help us out by submitting it to Creative Loafing…
St. Pete’s Brutique bar and clothing store is closing next month
Nearly a decade ago, Megan and Austin Garcia-Cooper moved into a storefront in a much smaller downtown St. Pete to blend local fashion, drinks, live music, and community events all under one roof. Now, Brutique closes its doors at 648 Central Avenue next month. “This decision breaks my heart, but as much as St. Pete…
How ‘The Sapphic Sun’ is made
On average, four lesbians and sapphics touch each physical copy of The Sapphic Sun by the time it reaches your doorstep in an orange envelope. That’s not including the writing, editing or designing, which is all done on computers. It also doesn’t account for lesbian mail carriers, who we assume make up about half of…
In debate, Mayor Ken Welch says St. Pete Police agreement with ICE is mandatory. It’s not
During a mayoral debate last Tuesday, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch incorrectly said that the city’s partnership with federal immigration authorities was mandatory. This misconception was circulated by officials in Pinellas County last year after Sheriff Bob Gualtieri gave local police chiefs confusing instructions that threatened removal from office for anyone who didn’t “do certain…
St. Pete vegan favorite Good Intentions to close this summer
There’s some very bad news about Good Intentions. The St. Petersburg restaurant and occasional hardcore concert hall at 1900 1st Ave. S will close this summer, with no specific end date set. On social media, the perennial Best of the Bay winner for Best Vegan Restaurant, told followers that after four years, despite various attempts…
Tampa Bay’s ‘House of Hennessy,’ which comes with a massive pirate ship, is back on the market for $6 million
The most piratey pool in Tampa Bay is once again for sale. Located at 19165 Geraci Rd., the home was built in 2007, and for years was a well-known party house, attracting celebrities like DJ Khaled, Cuba Gooding J, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. According to the Tampa Bay Times, in 2009 the home hosted a notorious Super…
Funky, soulful, Florida expat Fast Preacher is back in Tampa on Thursday
Most any visit from Daniel Hanson includes an appearance from Katara, and that’s what is happening this week when the Florida-Illinois songwriter brings his Fast Preacher project back to town. For fans of “damn that boy can sing” soul and pop, Wilson and Katara are in good company on the support bill thanks to Anthony…
Hillsborough property appraiser will discuss the ‘State of the Market’ on Wednesday
When all taxing authorities are considered, roughly $478 million dollars in taxes are on the line for Hillsborough County residents as they—along with voters across the state—decide on whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 the first year, and then up to 250,000 after the second…
Florida is turning away shelter dogs from other states due to concerns over flesh-eating screwworm
To prevent the New World Screwworm from infesting Florida, the state is blocking rescue dogs and cats coming from Texas and New Mexico. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issued an emergency rule Wednesday prohibiting the importation of shelter and rescue dogs and cats from states with confirmed screwworm detections. “We will…
Nicole Hoffer plays Tuesday jazz jam at Tampa’s Black History Museum
Nicole Hoffer could probably sing her way out of a hostage situation, and this week she plays a show on Central Avenue, a part of Tampa that’s seen performances from some of the greatest American vocalists of all time. Her sound is familiar to local jazz fans who’ve seen her at DI Coffee Bar, or…
Young Australian rock duo Old Mervs lands in Tampa this weekend
Old Mervs is playing a young man’s games and doing it well. The Australian indie-rock duo of David House and Henry Carrington-Jones go back to childhood and their sound harkens back to a golden age of American Apparel-cloaked indie-rock. Indie Night creator Rohna plays support at Crowbar alongside another Australian rock outfit Ra Ra Viper.…
A Jay-Z tribute comes to Water Street Tampa on Sunday
Jay-Z is one of a handful of rappers on New York Times’ list of the Greatest Living American Songwriters, and this Alter Ego set from Wild 94.1-FM’s Joey Franchize could be the ultimate tribute. It’s been three decades since Reasonable Doubt dropped, and we hope to hear not just cuts from Hov, but some from…
Jacksonville anarcho-punk band Dogsmiles plays birthday concert in Tampa this weekend
Raging against the machine doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you’re listening to Dogsmiles. The Jacksonville anarcho-punk outfit—which was just in town last March—plays joyous, raucous and sometimes infectious art-rock. It alsoplays visitor on this show celebrating a birthday in the camp of Tiger 54, the St. Pete punk band fresh off the release…
Öona Dahl kicks off Serious Soul-Hallucienda residency in St. Pete
The Serious Soul team helps keep the underground dance music scene alive in the Bay area, and this year has something of a residency at The Nest. In connection with the Hallucienda label and ahead of fall shows from DJ Three and Doc Martin, Öona Dahl—a producer and DJ who spent a lot of time…
Applebutter Express headlines concert benefiting Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper
Gulfport’s Gabber Newspaper says “the paper is done” if a July fundraising goal is not met, and with just about three weeks left, it still needs about $36,000 in recurring donations to hit its mark. The town’s local hippie hangout, The Blueberry Patch, is doing its part and hosts bluegrass favorite The Applebutter Express for…
Deviant Libation hosts bluegrass jam for Tampa mandolin player Andy Karpay
In many ways, Andy Karpay’s life was a song. A member of bluegrass band Florida Mountain Boys, the 73-year-old mandolin player and mechanical engineer died last November, but not before touching lives across the Americana scene. Musicians who crossed paths with Karpay will jam in the courtyard outside this Ybor Heights brewery and distillery then…
Florida AG says kids participating in ‘teen takeover’ events could legally be run over, tried as adults
Mobs of teens rioting to “takeover” Florida cities can legally be run over and also charged with racketeering, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday. “You do not have the First Amendment right to stand in the middle of the street, obstruct traffic, and threaten violence,” Uthmeier said during Largo press conference, speaking days after…
Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice,’ Rowdies Pride Night and more
There’s a ton of stuff to do in Tampa Bay this week, including the end of “La Boheme” at St. Pete Opera, the “Beetlejuice” Broadway tour, Rowdies Pride Night, the end of Jesi Cason’s ‘Alt Tampa’ and a talk by Democratic Congressional candidate Brandt Robinson and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney. Plus,…
Displace releases ‘Necessity’ at the band’s final Crowbar show
Fresh off a short tour of the South, Bay area jam scene favorite Displace is back home and ready to funk up Crowbar one last time. The famed venue closes in less than two months after two decades in the district, and Displace has a new LP to share. If Necessity is anything like “All…
Cousin Vinny’s gets the Triple D treatment, Hattricks comes to South Tampa and all the top food news and events
This is just the latest in a whirlwind couple weeks for Cousin Vinny’s, which is located at 1331 W Cass St, Tampa. Just last month it was listed as a “recommended” restaurant in the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide.
Lawsuit claims language in Florida’s proposed property tax amendment is ‘biased’
A week after the Florida Legislature placed a constitutional amendment aimed at reducing homestead property taxes on the statewide ballot, a nonprofit group has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration that the ballot language is “unconstitutionally biased, misleading and inaccurate.” The action also asks the court to direct Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to redraft…
How to celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay
Benjamin Haith, the veteran, activist and designer who created the nation’s Juneteenth flag a quarter century ago, is the City of Tampa’s special guest at its Juneteenth Flag Raising and Wellness Fair.
Cursive songwriter Tim Kasher comes to Tampa on Friday
Sometimes people write an entire album in just one long weekend. Tim Kasher does at least. The 51-year-old Omaha songwriter, best known for leading indie-rock band Cursive, spent four days last Memorial Day weekend creating Sponges Of Experience. He comes to New World Tampa to share the tunes in person after opening sets by The…
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office named in lawsuit after department used AI to make false arrest
A Fort Myers man and the ACLU of Florida are suing Jacksonville Beach for relying too heavily on an artificial intelligence program that fingered him as a suspect in a now-dropped 2023 child luring investigation. The ACLU said in a 66-page federal lawsuit that Robert Dillon had been arrested “for a crime he never committed in a…
Paul Wilborn shares excerpt from his new novel about Tampa mobster Charlie Wall
Born and raised in Temple Terrace, Wilborn, a King High School grad and alum of University of the University of South Florida, didn’t discover Ybor City until after he was hired at the since-shuttered Tampa Tribune. The district is where Wilborn, 74, lived his misspent youth—and it’s the backdrop of “The Everlasting Life of Charlie…
Clearwater Jazz Holiday’s 2026 lineup includes Sheila E., Chris Botti, Larkin Poe, Wood Brothers, Dumpstaphunk and more
As it nears a half-century of festivals, Clearwater Jazz Holiday has set the table for its big party happening this fall. Today, the nonprofit Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation shared the 2026 lineup which includes almost two dozen acts like trumpeter Chris Botti, Prince collaborator Sheila E., Cuban-American multi-instrumentalist and composer Arturo Sandoval, sibling roots-rock band…
Florida Supreme Court keeps new congressional districts in place for 2026 elections
The new congressional district map will remain in effect for the midterm elections, after the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a push to block the new configuration. In a 6-1 ruling, the court determined the First District Court of Appeal should consider the merits of the case before it weighs in on the matter.…
Grant from TJ Maxx parent company could buy confidential ‘tactical equipment’ for St. Pete police
Is this copsmaxxing? St. Petersburg’s city council will decide Thursday if it will accept a police grant from TJ Maxx’s parent company. Other cities have used the grant to buy controversial cameras and GPS trackers. The St. Petersburg Police Department won’t say how they’d spend the money. The item allowing the mayor to accept a…
It’s Tampa Bay Restaurant Month, and two Meet The Chefs events are coming to both sides of the Bay
Tampa Bay Restaurant Month is in full swing and runs through June 30, offering special prix-fixe menus at nearly 60 restaurants and cafes across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. To mark the occasion, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay—together with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and Visit Tampa Bay—hosts two “Meet The Chefs” events, bringing readers and food scene supporters…
All the Tampa Bay food scene stars coming to Meet The Chefs on June 18 & 25
Tampa Bay Restaurant Month is in full swing, offering special prix-fixe menus at nearly 60 restaurants and cafes across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. To mark the occasion, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay—together with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and Visit Tampa Bay—hosts two “Meet The Chefs” events, bringing readers and food scene supporters face-to-face with the bright minds…
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s big, air-conditioned beer festival returns this summer
There’s nothing much better than cold-air conditioning during the Florida summer, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have always found a way to level up while saying “hold my beer.” Bolts Brew Fest returns in July for its ninth year inside the hockey rink now known as Benchmark International Arena. Seasoned Bolts Brew Fest know the…
