DI Coffee Bar’s Davis Islands location. Credit: Photo via DI Coffee Bar/Gool

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Downtown Tampa’s Melting Pot Social will close this weekend
Less than two years after debuting in downtown Tampa, Melting Pot Social says it will permanently close and retire the concept all together. The last day of service will be Sunday, March 2, says the company in a statement, adding that it already closed the only other Melting Pot Social restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina. “Melting Pot Social was created to bring a fresh and playful twist to the fondue experience in a bar-centric casual setting,” says the press release. “Learnings from the pilot will benefit the continued expansion of the traditional Melting Pot fondue restaurant, which currently has seven locations in development across the U.S.” The downtown Tampa location opened in May of 2023, focused on a more bar-centric dining experience, and featured a new menu with modern fondue classics, plus a variety of American classics and shareables. “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tampa community for their support over the past two years,” said Dan Stone, Chief Melting Officer, Melting Pot Social in the statement. “We have cherished every moment spent serving you and thank you so much for being a part of our journey. We served over 49,000 guests last year and wanted our fans to have the opportunity to dine with us one more time. While not the outcome we hoped, this experience has only reinforced our passion for bringing people together over fondue.” The company says its other more traditional Melting Pot brand locations will remain open, including the new outpost opening in St. Petersburg this April. Melting Pot Social also stated that its 40 employees have been invited to apply for positions at the company’s new St. Pete location.

Davis Islands’ DI Coffee Bar will open new location in Tampa’s Seminole Heights
A Davis Islands staple is coming to higher ground. DI Coffee Bar is set to open its second location in Tampa’s Seminole Heights. The addition to the historic neighborhood comes without an opening date, but there is an address—6114 N Central Ave. in the old Cake Cuties Bakery parcel. The coffee shop co-founded by Ramon Perez 11 years ago is known for its welcoming, buzzing, cafe and back patio which hosts live music like the famed Friday Night Jazz series. The shop serves Miami-based Panther Coffee for all of its coffees, from cappuccinos to americanos and everything in between. Included on the menu at the Davis Islands location are all day foods, with variations of the famous Cuban, like the pesto Cuban, and if you love cheese, the Caprese version. The DI Coffee Bar in Seminole Heights is a welcome addition to a neighborhood where residents currently flock to Corner Club, Spaddy’s, and the soon-to-have-espresso Jug & Bottle for their caffeine fix.—Julia Saad

EVENTS

Breweries from Washington to Georgia come to St. Pete’s fermentation-forward ‘Foeder For Thought’ beer festival
Tampa Bay’s Beer Week (TBBW) is finally here and Green Bench Brewing Co. has something bubbling in conjunction with Webb’s City Cellar. The James Beard-nominated St. Petersburg craft beer haven is back with another Foeder For Thought Festival taking place in March. Fermentation, per usual, is at the heart of this popular gathering, which, for the first time ever will collaborate with BeyLoved Pairings to match food with each of the five breweries bringing beer to the party. The pairings will be provided by pastry chef Aliza Vega from LOKO Cuisine. While the BeyLoved pairing are available to VIP ticket holders only, the festival at large is open to the public, with beer available to purchase by the glass in two tasting rooms. VIP tickets include Yeti hear, unlimited access to beer and panels moderated by Michael Kiser, returning guest and owner of Good Beer Hunting. In total, Green Bench promises 20 beers. From Washington to Georgia, guest breweries coming to 113 Baum Ave. N include American Solera, Barrique Brewing and Blending, Fair Isle Brewing, Monday Night Brewing and Sapwood Cellars Brewery. The event is part of a busy Tampa Bay Beer Week agenda at Green Bench, which includes a woman-centric gathering, a Chad Mize-curated art show, lager night, and more.—Julia Saad

Tampa Bay Beer Week pulls in breweries from all over the globe
Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW) won’t officially start until Saturday, but it soft-launches on Thursday and Friday with fundraisers and parties dedicated to strawberry beers and lagers. All told, there are nearly 70 events happening between right now and Dunedin’s Hangover Day “Hair of the Dog” party next Sunday. Hell, there’s even a golf tournament. And it can’t happen without contributions from breweries across the U.S. “It’s about beer in Tampa Bay, not the beer of Tampa Bay,” Chris Fairchild, Vice President of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance, said, drawing a distinction between the local brewers alliance and the weeklong beer week it helps organize. Sean Nordquist, Executive Director of the alliance, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that beer week’s reach goes even further than that. He pointed to an event at Independent Bar & Cafe next Tuesday—the celebration of Belgian styles is just one of seven TBBW happenings at the Seminole Heights watering hole. “These are the beers that inspired us,” Fairchild told CL about all the speciality and rare beer headed for our neighborhoods. “Some of the spots will bring in some of the best beers from Europe. You may never get another chance to taste some of these beers,” Nordquist added. “Some of the European styles—sours, lagers—historically, are the best in the world. They’ve been emulated, and tweaked, and that inspiration has led to some of the great beers that are now coming out of this area.” And if you are looking for a more regional celebration, the 2025 Brewer’s Ball happening Sunday at Tampa’s River Tower Park is a chance to taste the best Florida has to offer beyond core beers at each brewery. “These are the best of the best in all the different kinds of categories,” Nordquist said about the event that gathers winners of the Best Florida Beer Championships. Judges at the ball, he added, celebrate brewers, their craft and how good they are at what they do.—Ray Roa

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