Tampa’s fringe (and sequins) gather at annual Repeal Day Gala

This year, the Tampa Bay chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild took its yearly Repeal Day Party in Tampa to the next level, expanding the event from one 1930s-inspired night to four days full of food and drink.

Thursday evening showcased cocktail-pairing dinners with special guests at six area restaurants. And on Friday, seminars on topics such as bitters, distilling and opening a bar were featured throughout the day, with the kickoff Happy Hour and toast at 5:32 p.m., the exact time the Volstead Act was put to rest 81 years ago.

Then, it was Saturday, and time for the Repeal Day Gala (in its fifth year) at Ybor City's Cuban Club. The gala is the Repeal Day celebration's main attraction for those who pack their finest fringe, sequins and bow ties to attend from all over the world.

The four previous Repeal Day parties were held at the historic Don Vicente Inn, and drew more and more guests every year. But I wasn't sure if this year's gathering would fill up the larger Cuban Club.

Turns out, I underestimated drinkers' admiration for craft cocktails. There was a fabulously decked-out crowd of almost 700.
 

The venue's four floors were stocked with bars, and none served the same drink.

The cocktail offerings included gin (not enough, in my opinion), vodka, bourbon, Fernet, whiskey, I could go on. And people danced to big-band tunes while sipping, or snacking on bites from Anise Global Gastrobar.

One of my favorite areas was the theater, where champagne flowed all night. It's also where the aerialists and burlesque performers, who shimmied, danced and sang, took center stage.

And while the event ended at 1 a.m., the party didn't. Guests walked down the steps of the Cuban Club, and merged into nearby bars, clubs and hotels.

Thank goodness for the 21st Amendment.

Editor's note: This story has been updated since its original publication.

This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2014.