I'm not playing Pokémon Go. But if I were, a beginner's list on where to find the little critters would be helpful.
While Pokémon and their trainers have infiltrated places like parks and the streets of downtowns since the beginning of the month, there's also a cornucopia of local food and drink spots that the game recognizes as "Pokéstops" (where trainers catch Pokémon) and "Gyms" (where they train or battle Pokémon).
This dining guide isn't comprehensive. It is, however, enough to get you going. Happy hunting!
Bamboozle Tea Lounge A Channel District restaurant, merging French style and Asian flair, flagged as a Gym by a player via the Pokémon Go Tampa subreddit. 109 N. 12th St., Tampa, 813-228-7500, bamboozletealounge.com.
BAR@548 Downtown, this full-liquor Pokéstop offers drink deals during happy hour like two-for-one drafts and $3 Fireball, plus themed beverages on Mondays that include the $5 Pikachu cocktail or Charizard shot. 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-7424, bar548.com.
Buddy Brew Coffee Caffeine lovers should be happy to know that the local roastery's flagship is a stop for all their Poké pleasures. 2020 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-258-2739, buddybrew.com.
Cigar City Brewpub Is there really anything better than a Pokéstop with beer? 15491 Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-962-1274, cigarcitybrewpub.com.
Coppertail Brewing Co. This Florida-inspired craft brewery and tasting room is a Gym. Take a tour, order a beer and challenge your friends to a friendly competition. 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500, coppertailbrewing.com.
Cycle Brewing Though there's a Pokéstop next door at BAR@548, players can seize their finds while downing a brew in the Cycle tasting room. 534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-320-7954.
Datz Visit between 4 and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week to win deals on beverages and bites (with the purchase of another food or drink item). The offers, ranging from half off a draft beer to a free entree, get sweeter the higher a player's Pokémon Go level is. To redeem, show your app ranking to a server or bartender. 2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000, datztampa.com.
Dunedin House of Beer "Apparently, this is a good thing?" HOB posted to their Facebook page with a screenshot of a captured Magmar. It is, indeed. 927 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-216-6318, dunedinhob.com.
Florida Cane Distillery This craft distillery was a starting point for a Pokémon pub crawl that drew 235 trainers to Ybor City last weekend. Stop in for a taste while looking for your next catch. 1820 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-347-6565, floridacane.com.
Fly Bar Another Gym mentioned in the Pokémon Go Tampa subreddit. Sip and snack at the downtown bar and restaurant in between training. 1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-275-5000, flybarandrestaurant.com.
Hamburger Mary's The neighborhood bar and grill invites players to its Ybor digs with a Facebook poster depicting Mary dressed like the Pokémon Jynx with the words, "Who wore it better?" 1600 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-241-6279, hamburgermarys.com.
Keel & Curley Winery In addition to its sibling concept, Two Henrys Brewing Company, Keel & Curley is also a Pokestop where gamers can use its lure modules (these attract Pokemon to a Pokestop) to collect 'em all. 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, 813-752-9100, keelandcurleywinery.com.
Lazy Brew Here, lures are turned on at designated times: 5 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Each Pokémon Go team — Instinct, Valor and Mystic (players choose which to join when they reach level five) — has a designated night, while Saturday is open to all teams. Those who show up to support their team will receive 15 percent off, and depending on what you catch, you could land a half-price appetizer. 11401 56th St. N., Temple Terrace, 813-983-9000, lazybrewbar.com.
Nature's Food Patch A Pokéstop that regularly sets up lures at its health-focused market and cafe.1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.
O'Brien's Irish Pub Down-home Irish-style fare, live tunes and cold drinks at this Pokéstop. 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, 813-661-9688, obrienspubsbrandon.com.
Red Mesa Cantina Come for the two Pokéstops (plus lures and incense), but stay for the solid selection of Latin flavors — everything from tacos to sangria to ceviches. Show your Facebook check-in to a server or bartender for a free Pokémon mini action figure. 128 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com.
Red Star Rock Bar This Tampa spot was discovered early on as a Gym (thanks, Twitter!). Come have a beer. 5210 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-237-0012, redstarrockbar.com.
Spaghetti Warehouse Below our CL offices, an Italian restaurant chain with two Pokéstops inside. 1911 N. 13th St., Tampa, 813-248-1720, meatballs.com.
Southern Brewing & Winemaking Three (yep, you read that right) Pokéstops can be found throughout this Seminole Heights beer and wine supplies shop. Head here to discover 'em for yourself. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-7800, southernbrewingwinemaking.com.
Tampa Beer Works You'll snag Pokémon in front of this cozy brewery. Take advantage of happy hour specials on pints while refilling your Pokéballs. 333 N. Falkenburg Road #407, Tampa, 813-685-1909, tampabeerworks.com.
Tokyo Drop a lure or incense (a "mysterious fragrance" that attracts Pokemon) at this Chinese and Japanese restaurant, then share a meal out on the patio. 7911 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-888-8808, tampatokyo.com.
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2016.