Openings
511 Franklin Downtown Tampa has a new late-night hotspot—and the bar's name will literally lead you right to it. Located at 511 N Franklin St. in downtown Tampa, 511 Franklin describes itself as “a neighborhood cocktail bar with zero pretenses.” Tampa’s newest cocktail bar and lounge debuted on Sunday, Jan. 22 to large crowds, although you have to be at least 23 years of age to enter the new cocktail bar. Customers can order quirky drinks like "The Big Guava," with Teremana Tequila, Aperol, guava, lime agave and black salt or its "I Ain't F*ckin Leavin," complete with Ketel One Vodka, Buddy Brew cold brew, coffee liqueur and vanilla. The new bar will also start dishing a variety of small plates out of its kitchen once its soft opening phase is finished. A representative of 511 Franklin tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that its kitchen will serve cold plates to start and eventually expand the menu. 511 Franklin is now open from 3 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday and noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. When its kitchen opens soon (possibly next week), it will close at 10 p.m. daily. 511 N Franklin St., Tampa. @511franklin on Instagram
Lukumaki Greek Donuts Tampeños have been patiently waiting for these little pillowy, fried balls of dough to head their way, and lucky for them the highly-anticipated Lukumaki Greek Donuts food truck finally opens this weekend. This new food truck will reside at 500 N Florida Ave. in the heart of downtown Tampa adjacent to Lykes Gaslight Park, but it’s unsure if that will be its permanent location. Traditional Greek donuts or loukoumades are sweet balls of dough that are deep fried, tossed in honey and typically garnished with different nuts, but Tampa’s newest food truck will dish out several varieties of the beloved dessert. Sneak peaks from its social media depict its doughnuts drizzled with Nutella, dark chocolate and crushed pistachios, honey and cinnamon and cookies and cream. To complement its freshly-fried doughnuts Lukumaki also sells a variety of drinks like iced lattes and milkshakes. 500 N Florida Ave., Tampa. @Lukumaki.fl on Instagram
Deviant Libations Nearly three-and-a-half years after getting the keys to his Ybor Heights brewery, longtime Tampa brewer Tim Ogden is ready to open the doors to his very own temple of beer, Deviant Libation. Ogden told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the taproom and brewery—located on the southern end of the future Crab Devil compound at 3800 N Nebraska Ave.—will welcome the public inside starting Friday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. For now, hours at Deviant Libation will be Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. While that means there are now at least seven great bars to help you escape the Gasparilla day parade madness next weekend, the “inglorious opening” is more importantly the next phase in Ogden’s storied career. His 17 taps may not all be full on day one, and may have limited quantities of Deviant beer, but Ogden promises solid guest taps nonetheless. “This room is way too sweet to enjoy by myself,” he said.—Ray Roa 3800 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Deviant Libations on Facebook
511 Franklin Downtown Tampa has a new late-night hotspot—and the bar's name will literally lead you right to it. Located at 511 N Franklin St. in downtown Tampa, 511 Franklin describes itself as “a neighborhood cocktail bar with zero pretenses.” Tampa’s newest cocktail bar and lounge debuted on Sunday, Jan. 22 to large crowds, although you have to be at least 23 years of age to enter the new cocktail bar. Customers can order quirky drinks like "The Big Guava," with Teremana Tequila, Aperol, guava, lime agave and black salt or its "I Ain't F*ckin Leavin," complete with Ketel One Vodka, Buddy Brew cold brew, coffee liqueur and vanilla. The new bar will also start dishing a variety of small plates out of its kitchen once its soft opening phase is finished. A representative of 511 Franklin tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that its kitchen will serve cold plates to start and eventually expand the menu. 511 Franklin is now open from 3 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday and noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. When its kitchen opens soon (possibly next week), it will close at 10 p.m. daily. 511 N Franklin St., Tampa. @511franklin on Instagram
Deviant Libations Nearly three-and-a-half years after getting the keys to his Ybor Heights brewery, longtime Tampa brewer Tim Ogden is ready to open the doors to his very own temple of beer, Deviant Libation. Ogden told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the taproom and brewery—located on the southern end of the future Crab Devil compound at 3800 N Nebraska Ave.—will welcome the public inside starting Friday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. For now, hours at Deviant Libation will be Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. While that means there are now at least seven great bars to help you escape the Gasparilla day parade madness next weekend, the “inglorious opening” is more importantly the next phase in Ogden’s storied career. His 17 taps may not all be full on day one, and may have limited quantities of Deviant beer, but Ogden promises solid guest taps nonetheless. “This room is way too sweet to enjoy by myself,” he said.—Ray Roa 3800 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Deviant Libations on Facebook
Seffner’s Soulful Flavor After a year in the ‘burbs, Chef Andre Warren is moving closer to the customers clamoring for his southern cooking. Soulful Flavors is now open in Tampa’s University area in the plaza next to Champs. Warren opened doors last weekend at 2001 E Fowler Ave Unit B in Tampa, showing off a menu packed with southern favorites. The spot serves wings, fries plus chicken and waffles every day. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the menu includes smothered turkey wings, fried or smothered pork chops, roasted chicken and oxtails. There’s also barbeque ribs and smoked chicken available exclusively on Friday-Saturday. Things change on the Saturday-Sunday, when Soulful Flavors serves weekend brunch that includes shrimp, catfish or lobster tail with grits, plus a variety of alfredos including catfish, salmon and lobster tail. Tampa’s Soulful Flavors is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday, and closed on Tuesdays. 2001 E Fowler Ave., Unit B, Tampa. soulfulflavorsseffner.com—Tyana Rodgers
Coming Soon
The Melting Pot Almost three years after the closure of its flagship St. Pete restaurant, an interactive dining experience is finally ready to return to The Burg' (lactose intolerant folks, please look away.) Safety Harbor-based developer Paradise Ventures will transform a 100 year-old Central Avenue building into the posh new fondue restaurant. St. Pete’s new Melting Pot is slated to re-open at its new location, 695 Central Ave., sometime in early 2024. When it debuts, it will be neighbors with Floridan Social, Morean Arts Center and The Lure. Its menu will remain the same, and guests can opt for its a la carte fondue menu or one of its four course pre-fixe dinners, which also includes a fondue appetizer. The chain restaurant is known for its wide variety of liquified cheese and chocolate that folks can dip fruit, bread, meat and more into. 695 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. meltingpot.com
Closings
Main Course Chef Ashley "Ai" Suttle took to Instagram earlier this week to announce the closure of her South Tampa restaurant, Main Course, known for its stacked soul food plates, weekend brunches and signature mimosas. “We have been honored to serve you for many years and are grateful for your support. Unfortunately, due to current market conditions and other factors, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors at our South Tampa location,” a post from Main Course’s Instagram reads. However, an Instagram account for a Main Course food truck says that a Riverview location is “coming soon,” with no other information listed. Main Course was a featured eatery during 2022's Black Restaurant Week and made waves again last year after being highlighted on the popular Netflix show "Selling Tampa." For the latest information on Chef Ai and her latest culinary journey, make sure to follow her Instagram at @theofficialai. 205 S MacDill Ave., Suite H, Tampa. @Maincoursetampa on Instagram
Events
Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival The Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival has been operating as a drive-thru event since 2020, and this year’s rendition is no different. Although you can’t enjoy your full spread of Jewish fare at the event itself, driving home with a carful of babka, pastrami, knishes, matzah ball soup and stuffed cabbage is totally worth it. This Best of the Bay-winning foodie fest happens on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but orders must be placed by this Sunday, Jan. 29. Folks will pick up their pre-orders at Temple B'nai Israel in Clearwater, located at 1685 Belcher Rd. S. The festival’s menu is chock full of Jewish goodies like corned beef, chopped liver, seeded rye bread, noodle kugel and different types of knishes, in addition to sweet treats like NY-style cheesecake, lemon bundt cakes, and chocolate and cinnamon babkas. The Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival’s full menu can be found at tbiclearwater.org, where you can place your pre-order as well. 1685 Belcher Rd. S, Clearwater. Tbiclearwater.org
The Galley’s 6th anniversary party Everyone knows its Gasparilla weekend, but this nautical-themed St. Pete watering hole has even more to celebrate. There’s a full weekend of partying and food and drink specials happening from Jan.27-29 to honor the bar and restaurant’s 6th year in downtown St. Pete. There will be live music all weekend, karaoke competitions, some of the cheapest drink deals in The Burg’, and BOGO Cuban sandwiches. And of course, pirate costumes are encouraged. 27 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. Thegalleystpete.com
ICYMI
Six Tampa bars where you can escape Gasparilla It’s no surprise that Gasparilla will absolutely take over Tampa Bay’s bar and nightclubs this weekend, but sometimes you need a safe space to escape the pirate craze. If you’ve had your costume ready since last year and are already planning your Drizzly order, then this list probably isn’t for you. Here are the best Tampa bars if you need to escape the nautical madness and don’t have the option to get out of town for the weekend. Local watering holes in this list include Tampa’s New World Brewery, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Independent Bar and Cafe, Corner Club and more. — Jourdan Ducat
And on the flip side, if you are looking for parties or celebrations to attend during Gasparilla weekend, we also have a full list of those, too.
