Whether you like your craft brews paired with barbecue, wine tasting for a cause or hopping from bar to bar in an ugly holiday sweater, these are seven places to commune over drinks and eats Friday.
Join the St. Petersburg Museum of History for beer and city history at Beers on the Pier. For $35 in advance, and $40 the day of, you'll sip 20 local brews throughout the museum, as well as other offerings from states like Colorado and California. Admission includes unlimited tastes and a commemorative sampling cup. 5-9 p.m. 335 Second Ave. NE , St. Petersburg, 727-894-1052.
It's time to celebrate 3 Daughters Brewing's 1st birthday. The brewery's one-year anniversary bash will feature special beer releases, music by the Spazmatics at 8 and food from Maggie on the Move and Urban Brew and BBQ. At 7:30, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will toast to the party with 3 Daughters' Black Tip, a barrel-aged porter. 5 p.m. 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-495-6002.
Wine tastings, food samples and art exhibits will be showcased at downtown Dunedin's Wine/Art Walk, which happens every second Friday of the month. There will also be live entertainment and an 8:30 prize drawing, valued at $150 or more. A $10 wristband gets you discounts throughout the event and entered into the drawing. 5:30 p.m. Main Street and Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, 727-647-8181.
The Barley Mow Brewing Company crew will bring its four-hour Brews, Bites & Beats bash to The Ale and the Witch. You'll enjoy beer-infused grub, six Barley Mow taps (as well as a cask) and tunes from the Wholetones. 6-10 p.m. 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-821-2533.
Check out West Bay Public House, one of the region's newest beer bars. They're set to hold a tap takeover with beverages from California's Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Plus, you get to keep the pint glass. Southern Smoke BBQ will serve up fare from its food truck, too. 7-9 p.m. 80 Clearwater-Largo Road S., Largo, 727-588-4444.
With a $20 tasting ticket, you'll sample five Italian wines paired with fresh fruit and cheeses for a cause. Hosted at Cappuccino's Fine Wine and Espresso Bar, the event's proceeds will be donated to the Homeless Emergency Project. Reservations are recommended. 7 p.m. 733 Broadway St., Dunedin, 727-738-8009.
Don your ugliest holiday sweater, or holiday-themed costume, during the SoHo Ho Ho Pub Crawl. Starting at Sunova Beach, this four-stop pub hop benefiting Toys for Tots gets you specials at each bar. Tickets cost $10 in advance (with an unwrapped toy), and $20 cash the day of. 8 p.m. 208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0304.
This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2014.