Wednesday, October 12: A Taste For Wine
Taste selections from Santa Rita, one of Chile's oldest wineries, tonight at A Taste for Wine. $12; 6-8:30 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net
Wednesday, October 12: Bianchi's Enoteca
It's "Pasta Wednesday" at Bianchi's and that means they're serving up yet another pasta special. This week, get a dish of butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter and a glass of wine for $19.95. The catch: only 10 orders will be made and it's first come, first serve. 6-8 p.m. 3215 S MacDill Ave. Suite G, Tampa, 813-837-2233, bianchisenoteca.com
Wednesday, October 12: Cru Cellars
Taste through five South American and Aussie wines and then enjoy a glass of your favorite at this tasting. A 10% discount will be offered on the featured wines. Email Jen at jen@crucellarstampa.com to RSVP or call 813-831-1117. $15; $15; 6-8 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Wednesday, October 12: Vintage Wine Cellars
Join Vintage for a special presentation and tasting of the JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery's portfolio by their National Sales Manager, Steve Lister. He will illuminate details on four of his frontline wines and sample four sought-after reserve wines that are limited production and quite exquisite. Seated seminar; RSVP required. $25; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Thursday, October 13: The Roosevelt 2.0
Experience "experimental music and experimental cocktails in a beautiful experimental space in Downtown Tampa," with the Philanthropic Young Tampa Bay (PYT) group. Admission gets you access to an array of all-you-can-drink molecular mixologist cocktails — featuring examples of spherification, solidification, and classic cocktails on trial of fire and ice — as prepared by Tampa's own Left Coast Bartenders Guild, and live experimental music by local performers. Proceeds from the event benefit the Fall philanthropy project of PYT. Purchase tickets here. $15 in advance, $20 day of event, $10 for PYT members; 6-9 p.m. 1812 N 15th St., Ybor, creativityincommerce.com, pytampa.org
Thursday, October 13: Double Decker Tampa
The Double Decker in Ybor is going Deutsch again this year by throwing another Oktoberfest Bash full of beer, music, traditional German games and karaoke. Drink specials include $9 liters of Beck's Oktoberfest and there's no cover charge to get in. Free; 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 1721 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-248-2099, doubledeckertampa.com
Friday-Sunday, October 14-16: The Heights South Tampa
Get out your lederhosen and dust off that giant boot-shaped glass because Oktoberfest Tampa is coming back to The Heights in South Tampa. This three-day beer fest will offer an array of German and domestic craft brews, plenty of brats and jumbo pretzels for sale, "Beer School" for homebrewers and some rather interesting drinking competitions, like stein-holding, keg-tossing, "Carry the Wench", "Schultz" burping contest and plenty more. Bonus for beer geeks: This event is the only spot in Florida to offer the limited Bavarian Royal Wedding Festbier from Warsteiner & Konig Ludwig. Book a VIP table for your crew and never have to leave your table to get beer, as it includes a server, plus you'll get a stein full of Warsteiner Oktoberfest and VIP parking. Purchase tickets and get more information on the event website. $8 pre-sale for drinkers or $15 for a weekend pass, $10 per day at the door, $75 each or $1000 for a group for VIP seating, $5 for designated drivers; 3 p.m.-12 a.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, oktoberfesttampa.com.
Friday and Saturday, October 14-15: Taste Cafe Safety Harbor
Enjoy the cooler weather, beer and wine tastings and live music at Taste Cafe's "beer garden" every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the fall season. Call for more information. 5-7 p.m. 500 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com
Friday, October 14: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample offerings from Piedmont's Fontanafredda Winery along with cheese selections from Bern's 'Cave du Fromage.' Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, October 14: Pour House Tampa
Hop heads rejoice! The Pour House will be tapping a cask of Stone Brewing's Double Dry Hopped Ruination. Get it while it lasts. 7 p.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. Suite #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com
Friday, October 14: Vintage Wine Cellars
Go "Down Under" with Vintage at this tasting featuring three whites, six reds and a tawny port from Australia. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Friday, October 14: The Florida Aquarium
Have you ever seen a scuba diver in lederhosen? If it's something you need to scratch off your bucket list, head to the Florida Aquarium's annual Brews by the Bay event. Put on by Pepin Distributing, this beer fest will feature over 85 different brews from all over the world by both craft and macro breweries to sample for free in cute mini steins — from Beck's and Hoegaarden to Labatt's and Southern Tier. Also in attendance will be an array of Bay area restaurants offering complimentary small plates — 400 Beach, Datz, Taco Bus, Grass Root and many more. You can catch those German scuba dudes making a scene in the Coral Reef Gallery. Purchase tickets on the event's website or at the door (if still available. $50 early admission, $45 for Aquarium members, $60 on day of event; $75 for VIP (includes early admission); 8-11 p.m. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-273-4000, brewsbythebay.com.
Saturday, October 15: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
It's going to be a day full of soulful blues music, mouthwatering barbecue and great locally brewed beer at the 2nd Annual Bluz and BBQ event at Curtis Hixon Park this Saturday. Enjoy finger lickin' 'cue and more from Holy Hog BBQ, Big Papa's, Press Box Sports Bar, Slice Pizza and BBQ, Smokin Oaks and Beachwood BBQ, and wash it all down with brews from Cigar City and Yuengling. Best of all, this event is free to attend and lawn chairs are welcome (no coolers, though). See the event's website for the full music lineup. VIP tickets can be purchased for $125 from the event's website and include free food and drinks, special seating in a covered area, musician meet-and-greets, Tampa Water Taxi Cruise on the Hillsborough River during event, and a complimentary goodie bag. Free; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at the Tampa Riverwalk (Kennedy and N. Ashley Drive), bluzandbbq.com
Saturday, October 15: Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
In honor of World Farm Animals Day, the Tampa Bay Veg Fest is coming back to Downtown Tampa to educate and entertain attendees through exhibits and activities about local food producers, healthy eating and humane animal treatment education. Local vendors will offer an array of delicious animal-free fare, there'll be healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, live music, activities for the kids, animal adoption groups and nationally known and local guest speakers — like comedian and former writer for Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld, Carol Leifer. Whether a longtime vegetarian, vegan, food or animal lover, this free event will have something to please all interests and walks of life. Bring along leashed pets to enjoy the event, too! Visit tampabayvegfest.org for more information. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park: 601 Old Water St., Tampa.
Saturday, October 15: The Fresh Market – Clearwater and South Tampa
Check out this free, step-by-step presentation at The Fresh Market stores in October. Guests are invited to drop in any time during the event and learn how to prepare Garlic Sage Pork with Butternut Squash Sauce, Fall Fennel Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette and Pure Dark Hot Drinking Chocolate. Free; Clearwater: 1-4 p.m. 25961 US Hwy 19 N., 727-669-6111; Tampa: 3-6 p.m. 3722 Henderson Blvd., 813-875-7400, freshmarket.com
Saturday, October 15: Cafe Cafe on the Bayou
Cajun Cafe's second annual Wine Festival is back for another event featuring more than 100 wines from nine different countries, delicious Cajun food, prize drawings, and live jazz music by Bobby Tess. Wine selections include Robert Mondavi, Simi, Franciscan, Wild Horse, Ruffino, Kim Crawford, Estancia, Clos du Bois, Hogue Cellars, Ravenswood and more. Proceeds to benefit the Abilities Foundation. Call to RSVP. $35, $15 for designated drivers; 3-7 p.m. 8101 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, 727-546-6732, cajuncafeonthebayou.com
Saturday, October 15: Grand Central, St. Pete
Showing that St. Pete can throw an Oktoberfest bash just as good as the ones on the other side of the bridge (and that 'Burgers, too, have great taste in beer), the 'Burg will play host to the Second Annual St. Pete Oktoberfest, taking place in the Grand Central District. This event will feature dozens of complimentary craft beer samples from local and national breweries. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Purchase tickets in advance on the festival website. Free parking. $30, $50 for early entrance (gets you and extra hour of drinking); 5-9 p.m. 2100 Central Ave., St. Pete, stpeteoktoberfest.com.
Saturday, October 15: Palm Harbor House of Beer
Grab a few friends and compete in drinking games galore at the Wounded Warrior Beer Games Fundraiser this weekend. Games include but are not limited to speed cornhole, beer pong, flip cup, redneck horse shoes, slow pour, belly bust, and various team relays. A team of four to compete and one designated driver is required. Entry into the games is $10 per person ($40 per team); teams can earn 10 extra points for every $100 they raise for the event. Sign up at the bar or as late as 7 p.m. day of event. Contact aurora1176@hotmail.com for more info. $40 per team; 8-11 p.m. 34970 Us Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com
Every Sunday, October 16-May: Corey Avenue
Attend the new Corey Fresh Market's grand opening and see the new look and vendors it has to offer. This open-air market will feature local vendors, including Brady Johnson "Mr I Got 'em BBQ", who will have their wares set up for sale along with Corey merchants open during market hours for shopping and dining, as well as live music by local musicians. Free; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Corey Avenue: Between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St Pete Beach, 727-461-7674, coreyave.com
Sunday, October 16: Carmel Café & Wine Bar – Clearwater and Carrollwood Locations
Attend this interactive wine tasting and pairing event with blending at both Carmel Cafe locations, complete with demonstrations by wine experts complemented by the restaurant's "Mod Med" dishes selected to pair with the Magnificat wine that will be served. Guests will also get to create their own custom blends to mix and attempt to match with the Magificant wines. Call 727-724-4228 to RSVP $49.95 (plus tax and tip); 6 p.m. 2548 McMullen Booth Road (Northwood Plaza), Clearwater; 14306 North Dale Mabry (Landmark Plaza), Tampa, carmelcafe.com
This article appears in Oct 6-12, 2011.