Everything from a wine-heavy holiday soirée to cooking demos from acclaimed chefs throughout the weekend. Plan accordingly.
This craft cocktail-driven bar hop, titled the Ultimate Bar Pop-Up Party, hits Kozuba & Sons Distillery on Friday in honor of Tampa Bay’s annual Repeal Day Conference. Guests down drinks from 12 distinguished, visiting watering holes — including Anise Global Gastrobar (Tampa), Sabrosa Kitchen + Bar (Sarasota), The Burlington (Chicago) and Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas) — while DJ Kelly Crawford provides the soundtrack from 9 p.m. to midnight. Each bar gets its own one-of-a-kind spirit selection, too, from brands like Beam Suntory, Maestro Dobel Tequila and Jägermeister. Bonus: Tours of Kozuba’s facility take place throughout the event. Tickets are available online. $25 in advance, $40 at the door. 1960 Fifth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-201-9078.
On Saturday, enjoy signature paella, prepared by SoHo’s new Bulla Gastrobar, in an open-air setting during Paella on the Patio. Live flamenco music accompanies the food between noon and 3 p.m., and each guest scores one 8-ounce, take-home glass from Barcelona-brewed lager Estrella Damm. $25. 930 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-773-8626.
Hang with the Bay area’s celebrated chefs, restaurants and breweries during the sixth annual Clearwater Beach Uncorked, a two-day culinary showcase (hosted directly on the sand) that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Guests — all of whom score a limited-edition wine glass, custom tote bag and unlimited samplings — can expect interactive tastings, cooking demos and competitions between eateries and chefs. VIP and general admission tickets are available online. VIP folks get early entry to the Grand Tasting Village and access to Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach’s Spirits Pool Lounge from 1 to 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefits the University of South Florida’s Sarasota Manatee School of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership. $65 for general admission, $95 for VIP. Clearwater Beach, south of Pier 60.
New beer releases and live music help celebrate the end of Prohibition — that nationwide constitutional ban on booze in place from 1920 to Dec. 5, 1933 — at Mastry's Brewing Co. Other highlights of the Prohibition Party, kicking off at 5 p.m. Saturday, include the Hot Butts BBQ truck and a costume party (yep, come dressed for the occasion). Free, money for beer and food. 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, 727-202-8045.
The Ybor City Wine Bar’s Winter WINEderland Tasting is made for the vino buffs in your life. Whether you bring them along for the sampling or use this as a seasonal shopping opportunity, the popular event brings more than 100 wines and various food pairings — including gourmet cheese and desserts — to Centro Ybor from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Attendees nab 25 percent off any wine, basket or holiday item purchase during the tasting; gift bags, tissue and wrap are complimentary. Purchase tickets online in advance. $75. 1600 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-999-4966.
This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2017.