The spooky season is a little different this year, but the Tampa Bay food scene is trying its best to get festive. From holiday treats to pumpkin patch photo ops, locals can still get their Halloween fix - while social distancing, of course. Here’s where you can safely celebrate with your witches throughout the entire month of October.
Bake’n Babes: Always down to celebrate holidays with themed treats, Bake’n Babes is serving up a Halloween Freak Shake served in a skull mug, topped with a cupcake and other spooky decorations. The bakery is also serving a special cheesecake stuffed cookie with a pink inside and donating a portion of proceeds to The Giving Girls a local non-profit organization. 103 W. Jackson St., Tampa. bakenbabes.com
Brass Tap: The Tampa location of Brass Tap is hosting boozy pairings with Halloween candy classics. Twix bars are paired with Lavender Lemonade (Butterfly pea flower-infused Drumshanbo Gin, lavender house-made simple syrup, Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes, fresh lemon juice). Sour Patch Kids team up with a glass of pinot grigio, while Butterfingers pair with a hoppy pale ale. 10047 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa. brasstapbeerbar.com
The Cake Girl: The Cake Girl is celebrating by serving up Halloween Crave'n Cups throughout the month of October. Festively colored with black, orange and green, guests can snag either an all vanilla cup or a vanilla and chocolate combo. "It is our hope that this spooky sweet treat will lift up a lot of peoples spirits," said Kirby Lavallee, Chief Success Coach at The Cake Girl. Packages of 4 or 8 are available for purchase online at thecakegirl.com by calling the bakery at 813-360-0909.
Chocolate Pi: The Seminole Heights bakery is hosting seasonal specials as well as pumpkin-flavored treats like coffee, cake and macaroons. Guests can also choose from a rotating selection of Halloween candy-inspired desserts. 5207 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. sweetchocolatepi.com
Fall Fest at Two Shepherds Taproom: The 21 and up indoor/outdoor dog park is hosting a costume contest with the help of 4 Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue. There will be a red carpet, complete with music and a judges’ table. Guests are encouraged to dress up with their pup to walk (or perform a dance routine) on the red carpet. There will be drink specials to give you a little liquid courage, and a polaroid photo booth to commemorate the event. October 24.1-5 p.m. 4813 N. Grady Ave., Tampa. linktr.ee/twoshepherdstaproom
Haunted Wharf: This year, Haunted Wharf will feature an interactive spook-tacular maze among other activities. This event is family-friendly, but be sure to bring a mask, avoid crowds and adhere to social distancing regulations. Just a heads up, tickets for the Haunted Wharf maze are $10 and must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable. Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17. Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa. sparkmanwharf.com/hauntedwharf
Hyde Park Pumpkin Patch: Need some gourds to carve and a few more for photo ops? Hyde Park is bringing back its pumpkin patch throughout the month of October. If it looks a little jumpin’ when you arrive, take a lap around Hyde Park Village to look at the shops and even grab an espresso from Buddy Brew. All proceeds from pumpkin sales will benefit The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Hours are noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 1602 W. Snow Ave, Hyde Park. INFO
Metro Diner: This fall the restaurant is serving up pumpkin-style croissant french toast. Diners can also choose to drizzle their french toast, pancakes or waffles with pumpkin cream cheese, cinnamon butter and topped with candied pecans. For dessert, you can snag homemade pumpkin bread pudding drizzled with pumpkin cream cheese icing. Making sure you squeeze every drop of use out of your costume, guests are welcome to dine in costume. Multiple locations. metrodiner.com
Undr:wtr Fridays: Don’t want your costume to do to waste? Wtr Tampa (stylized “wtr”) is hosting an adult costume party. The Halloween Edition of Undr:wtr Fridays will have resident DJs Lyndon Uy and Jason Kitchen on the turntables. Oh, and a costume contest with over $1000 dollars in cash and prizes. Call 813-265-1234 or text 813-786-1300 to reserve a table or private cabana or couch, up to six complimentary tickets included when booking. 6 p.m.-midnight. underwtrworld.com/ticket/halloween2020
Wandering Whisk: The bakery is hosting a fall/Halloween-themed pop-up. Just a heads up, the line for WW’s pop-ups usually forms outside about 30-45 minutes before the opening and are prone to sell out. The pop-up is doubling as the one-year anniversary of the bakery’s storefront. Follow the bakery on Facebook or Instagram to get a peek at what will be in the pastry showcase. Wandering Whisk is typically open by appointment only, so this is your chance to visit the bakeshop. Saturday, October 24. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or until sold out. 4505 Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park. wanderingwhiskbakeshop.com
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