Whether you’re into sipping Rum Runners, IPAs or a PBR, the region’s summer drink festivals have something for everyone. Except for Margarita Wars, which happens on a Thursday, all of the events below take place on Saturdays.
May 23: Tampa Bay Margarita Festival. Ranging from classic to extreme, drink your way through an impressive lineup of margaritas at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Smash Mouth, the fest’s headlining band, and others will showcase live tunes throughout the day, and later the gathering will come to a close with a massive fireworks show. A VIP tasting experience, tequila sampling and food will also be featured. Tickets are available in advance through Ticketfly. $17-$85. Noon-11 p.m. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8615,
tampamargaritafest.com.
May 23: Burgatory Fest 2015. Fourteen bands, including New Cathedral, Wolf-Face and Sunshine State, and Pabst Blue Ribbon will invade Downtown St. Pete’s 600 Block Memorial Day weekend. The event’s PBR Burger Bash will provide festgoers with soul-satisfying beef and beer. Daddy Kool Records has tickets online and in store. $15.75. 4 p.m.-midnight. Central Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, St. Petersburg, 727-822-5665, daddykool.com.
June 6: Dunedin Brewery’s 7th Annual IPA Festival. Held the first Saturday in June annually, the Dunedin Brewery IPA Festival, now in its seventh year, celebrates hoppy beer, Indian street grub and live music. Texas’ Roxy Roca and Fresh Hops out of Indiana will entertain the crowd alongside 30-plus local and national craft drafts. Entry comes with a commemorative tasting glass and access to the food. The event’s limited to 350 people, and tickets are available via Eventbrite. $45 for general admission, $15 for designated drivers. 7-11 p.m. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com.
June 20: BeerFest 2015. This year’s movie-themed Tampa Theatre beer festival — O Brewer, Where Art Thou? — will highlight offerings from local breweries like Six Ten Brewing and Coppertail Brewing Co. as well as bites by New World Brewery, Ichicoro Ramen and many more Bay area food-slingers. While the limited premium sampling gets you in an hour early, grand sampling ticket holders enter at 8 p.m. If any tickets (which may be purchased online or at the box office) are left, they’ll cost $5 more at the door. Guests are welcome to arrive dressed as their favorite character, or don O Brewer-style costumes. $45 for grand sampling in advance, $70 for premium. 7-10 p.m. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org.
July 30: Creative Loafing’s Margarita Wars. Watch 15 bartenders go head to head for the title of Tampa Bay’s Best Margarita and vote for your favorite during this annual CL event. Hosted at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, the cocktail battle will also feature Mexican and Mexican-inspired eats from local restaurants. VIP admission grants guests early entry at 6 p.m. for an additional hour of sampling, along with two house drafts and a Margarita Wars tote bag. All guests will receive 15 tasting tickets. General admission: $40 for early bird (until May 30), $50 in advance (June 1-July 29), $60 at doors; VIP: $65 for early bird (until May 30), $75 in advance (June 1-July 29), $85 at doors. 7-10 p.m. 4121 N. 50th St., Tampa, 813-367-0040, cltampa.com/margaritawars.
Aug. 16: Summer of Rum Festival. It’s National Rum Day! Party at The Cuban Club with other regionites while downing an array of rum-fueled, fit-for-summer drinks, including frozen daiquiris, piña coladas and Rum Runners. The island-themed extravaganza will also offer live sounds and dancing. $10-$95. 2-11 p.m. 2010 Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa, 813-248-2954, summerofrumfest.com.
Aug. 22: Creative Loafing’s Beer Fest. More than 30 local and national breweries will showcase their suds throughout the MOSI science museum. Though VIP and general admission will enjoy unlimited beer samples, VIP gets you an extra hour of tasting at 7 p.m. and complimentary fare from four Bay area eateries. General admission: $45 early bird (until June 12), $55 in advance (June 13-Aug. 21), $65 at doors; VIP: $75 early bird (until June 12), $85 in advance (June 13-Aug. 21), $95 at doors. 8-11 p.m. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-987-6000, cltampa.com/beerfest.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2015.