Wednesday, June 1: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits — Largo
Another installment of ABC's tastings featuring over 50 wine selections from around the globe and cigars. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 off any purchase the night of the event. $10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1603 N Missouri Ave., Largo, 727-581-4642, abcfws.com
Wednesday, June 1: Cigar City Brewery
The Tocabaga Red Ale is here! Toast the release of Cigar City's newest brew and the unveiling of the winning label design in the Hampton Arts Management label design competition at this event. The first 80 guests can purchase a bottle of Tocobaga with a limited-edition autographed bottle from the winning label artist. The brew will also be available in bottle or on draft. Cuban/Latin food will be served as well. Free; 7-10 p.m. 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com
Thursday, June 2: Pass-A-Grille Beach
Help clean up and beautify Pass-A-Grille Beach at this event sponsored by Barefoot Wines. All participants can attend the free after party with wine and appetizers at Paradise Grille and watch the gorgeous sunset. Visit Barefoot's Beach Rescue Project page for location and more information: http://republic.barefootwine.com/beachrescue. Free; 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 2: Kona Grill
Enjoy Kona Grill's offerings of sushi, appetizers, cocktails and live music at this charity event benefiting Kids Charity of Tampa Bay, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for foster children and foster families. To pre-purchase tickets, call Kona Grill or email tickets@konagrill.com. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; 6-10 p.m. 4134 West Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-877-5938, konagrill.com
Thursday, June 2: The Grape at International Plaza
Join the Working Women of Tampa Bay and VERTICAL Tampa Bay Magazine at this stylish networking event at The Grape at International Plaza. Connect with like-minded women of Tampa Bay over hors d'oeuvres and wine. Wear your sexiest pair of shoes to take part in the special contest. Please register on the Working Women website: workingwomenoftampabay.com. Members: $5, non-members: $10; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 2223 North WestShore Blvd., Tampa, 813-354-9463, thegrape.com
Thursday, June 2: Grapes & Grains
Join Grapes and Grains for Pour for the Cure benefiting those with cystic fibrosis. Taste 15 wines and enjoy prizes, raffles and food. $25 7 p.m.-9 p.m. 11246 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-448-1083, grapes-grains.com
Friday, June 3: World of Wines of South Tampa
It's French Variety Night at World of Wines, featuring — you guessed it — a variety of delicious French wines as well as delicious hors d'oeuvres. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd, Tampa, 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.homestead.com
Friday, June 3: Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits
At this week's Crush Hour event, taste wines from Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley. Sample wines from their Anderson Valley Pinot Noir project — Goldeneye, as well as Paraduxx — a unique blend of Zinfandel and Bordeaux varietals. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave, Tampa, 813-250-9463. bernsfinewines.com
Friday, June 3: Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy
Chefs Tyson Grant and Gui Alinat join students of the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy at Tarpon High School to prepare a seven-course dinner made with local and sustainable ingredients. Proceeds benefit the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy. Call Chef Katie Stanzione at 727-943-4900 (ext. 187) for information, ticket purchase and sponsorship opportunities. $125; 7-11 p.m. 1411 Gulf Road, Tarpon Springs, 727-943-4900, jacobsonculinaryacademy.org
Friday, June 3: Straz Center
The celebrity baker Buddy Valastro shares stories about his TLC series Cake Boss, talks about his Italian family and gives a live demonstration and takes questions from the audience. Purchase tickets at strazcenter.org. Tickets start at $29.25; 7:30 p.m. 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827, strazcenter.org
Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5: England Brothers Bandshell Park
Have a spicy good time at the Pinellas Pepper Fest this weekend, full of a plethora of spicy foods, salsas sauces, pepper paraphernalia, plants for sale, crafts and more. Witness the jalapeno eating contest on Saturday at 1 p.m. and the "Spicy Lick-a-Thon" on Sunday at 1 p.m. (and try not to cringe). $2, kids 12 and under are free; Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun.: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park, pinellaspepperfest.com
Saturday, June 4: Tampa Theatre
Guests can enjoy an evening of craft beer tasting, sampling some of Tampa Bay’s locally-owned restaurants and participate in a silent auction, while enjoying The Blues Brothers on the big screen at this 'Brews Brothers' event. Beer offerings to include offerings from Chimay Brewery, Cigar City Brewing, Palm Breweries, Shmaltz Brewing Company, Stone Brewing Company and more. Participating restaurants include Bistro Bleu, Café Dufrain, Ella’s Folk Art Café, Mr. Dunderbaks, The Bricks of Ybor, The Independent Bar & Café, and The Refinery. Each guest will receive a commemorative beer tasting glass. Theater members receive a $5 discount on the Grand Tasting and Premium Tasting ticket prices. Purchase tickets in advance at tampatheatre.org. $45 in advance, $55 at the door; Premium Tasting: 7-8 p.m., Grand Tasting: 8-10 p.m. 711 Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org
Saturday, June 4: Dunedin Brewery
Enjoy a a night of hoppy beer, spicy food, and funky jams by The Fritz at The Dunedin Brewery's India Pale Ale Festival. Admission (only available in advance) gets you a commemorative glass, as well as a generous sampling of all available IPAs at the event. Purchase tickets at dunedinbrewery.com. $30; 7 p.m. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com
Wednesday, June 8: Datz
For this week's Chef's Kitchen, keep your cool with these cold dishes. Learn how to make vegetable pops, soba noodles with chili ponzu sauce, and honey ice cream. Register online here. $20; 6 p.m. 2616 South MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000, datztampa.com
Thursday, June 9: Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits
Meet, greet and dine with musical artist, producer and winemaker Denis Degher (a.k.a.: Sleepy Guitar Johnson) of Domaine Degher in Paso Robles, CA. Enjoy a six-course meal prepared by the chefs at SideBern's along with Degher wines. $125; 6:30-10 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave, Tampa, 813-250-9463. bernsfinewines.com
Thursday, June 9: Yuengling Brewery
Martin Schwartz invites you to come out for a night of complimentary beer, appetizers, and a silent auction as he attempts to raise bail money for the MDA North Tampa Executive Lock Up. His bail is set at $3200, which can send 4 children to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp or serve an individual for an entire year. $10; 7 p.m. 11111 N. 30th St., Tampa, 813-971-8529.
Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar
Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday- $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com
Mondays: Peabody’s
Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. 727-502-5002
Tuesdays: Tampa Tap Room
Karaoke night! Half-priced burgers until 8 p.m., $5 domestic and $6 craft/import liters.
13150 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813- 961-BEER, TampaTapRoom.com
Tuesdays: St. Pete Brasserie
Happy hour prices, prixe fixe deals and $5 apps all night! 539 Central Ave, St. Pete. 727-823-3700, stpetebrasserie.com
Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)
Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you’ll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com
Thursdays: Kon Tiki at The Tahitian Inn
$5 SKYY martinis and half-priced bottles of wine. 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 800-876-1397, tahitianinn.com
Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery
Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com
Image via PR Web.
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 1, 2011.