Wednesday, November 23: Cigar City Brewing's Tasting Room
CCB has dedicated a special brew to a local little girl, Abby Melnick, who was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. Her father, Matt, helped brew "Abby's Ale" and they'll be tapping it this Wednesday at the Tasting Room. $2 from every pint sold will benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Free event; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 3924 West Spruce Street, Ste. A, Tampa, 813-348-6363 x206, cigarcitybrewing.com
Wednesday, November 23: Jonny Reno's Waterfront Grille & Watering Hole
To celebrate Thanksgiving Eve, Jonny Reno's is offering two hours of all-you-can-drink fun. That's right, it's an open bar from 4-6 p.m. with free Bud Light drafts, Barefoot wines, Pinnacle flavored vodkas and well cocktails, plus a complimentary buffet. Free; 4-6 p.m. 800 2nd Ave. NE (on the first floor of The Pier), St. Pete, JonnyReno.com
Wednesday, November 23: A Taste For Wine
Taste some gems from the small portfolio of SWS, providing offerings from small production wineries, at this tasting event. $15; 6-8:30 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net
Wednesday, November 23: Palm Harbor House of Beer
It's Bell’s Brewery Night at the Palm Harbor House of Beer and that means they'll be dedicating a few of their taps to this Kalamazoo, Michigan, brewery. Stop by for some seasonal beer offerings from Bell's and giveaways (while supplies last). Free event; 7 p.m.-close. 34970 US Hwy 19 N., Palm Harbor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com
Thursday, November 24: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
Bring a vegan dish to share at ThanksVegan, Tampa's vegan alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. With your dish (that feeds 6+, containing no animal products: including dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin), include an ingredient list or recipe and a serving utensil. Don't cook? No worries, just bring a little more for admission. See tampavegthanksgiving.com for more info, or call 813-863-6319 or 727-656-8368. $5 with a dish, $15 without; 1:30-5:30 p.m. 11400 Morris Bridge Rd., Tampa, 813-988-8188, tampavegthanksgiving.com
Friday, November 25: Ocean Prime
Take a break from the mall madness and get sweet lunch deal at Ocean Prime on the blackest of Fridays. For only $20, score a four-course, prixe fixe meal. Menu items include: Choice of French onion soup or lobster bisque; house salad with goat cheese, Granny Smith apples and walnuts; a half Turkey Club with smoked bacon on toasted Brioche, and carrot cake for dessert. And as even more incentive to dine in, they'll be honoring Happy Hour deals all day long. 2205 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-490-5288, ocean-prime.com
Friday, November 25: Vintage Wine Cellars
What's black and white and red all over? Vintage's two-hour Black Friday wine tasting, of course! Featuring ten reds and whites to sample. RSVP required. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, November 26: Florida Estates Winery
Head up to Land O' Lakes for Florida Estates Winery's Wine Festival. The event will include live music, vendors offering unique gifts and an opportunity to sample the winery's offerings. Meet the winemaker for an educational tasting. Free; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 25241 S.R. 52, Land O' Lakes, 813-995-0393, floridaestateswines.com
Saturday, November 26: Total Wine & More – St. Pete and Tampa locations
Learn about drink recipes and preparation to impress your guests. Total Wine's Cocktail Concierge will teach you all about at-home party planning and share a variety of cocktails that will be a hit at your next party. Featuring Bailey's Irish Cream, Ketel One Oranje Vodka and Don Julio Silver Tequila. Free; 4:30-7:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018; 1720 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com
Monday, November 28 (and every Monday): Red Mesa Cantina
Mondays are now all-you-can-eat tacos night at the Cantina's Lucha Bar. For $10, guests can feast to their heart's desire on the beef, chicken or pork tacos. Bonus: happy hour prices all night — $1 off any beer, $3 Cantina Margaritas, $3 wells, $3.25 sangria and house wines. 6 p.m.-close; 128 3rd St. S., St. Pete, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com
Monday, November 28: Whole Foods Market
Join Whole Foods for a very special and informative evening while tasting the sustainable, local Siberian Osetra as well as other select Marky’s branded American and imported farm-raised caviar. Marky's was able to add the Osetra to their list of caviar due to their partnership with Mote Marine, a Florida based non-profit Aquafarm located in Sarasota. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. $5 donation to Mote Marine; 6:30-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Monday, November 28-Friday, December 2: Melting Pot – St. Pete and Tampa
The Melting Pot is hosting yet another Holiday Sweater Ladies’ Night Out in honor of the holiday season and holiday sweaters. Ladies are invited to wear their loveliest or tackiest holiday sweaters for a chance to win a $50 mall certificate that can be used to purchase a new sweater. Guests can also receive a complimentary small chocolate fondue by bringing in a gently used sweater or coat to be donated to Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa and Pinellas Hope in St. Petersburg. Find out more information on their Facebook page. 13164 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa; 2221 4th Street N., St. Pete, meltingpot.com
This article appears in Nov 24-30, 2011.