While it’s not officially a Harry Potter beer festival, the “Wizards of Beer” party is all but guaranteed to turn into one. The traveling event—put on by the same people behind Ybor’s new haunted speakeasy experience—comes to Orpheum in Ybor City on April 3.
Ryan Wieczorek—Director of Marketing for VBG Group, which runs the Rock Star Beer Festival Brand—told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the limited-capacity event has potion shots, alcoholic buttered beer on tap and an onstage “sorting” ritual planned, along with trivia, a wand shop and vendor alley. “Plus we got a red head party band, sexy slythern sisters duo, and DJ DumbleD,” he added.
Because of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of what the hell local coronavirus ordinances and enforcement are even going to look like next month, Wieczorek said that only 300 people will be admitted into Orpheum—that’s just a one hippogriff hair above 40% of the venue’s normal capacity.
“I believe the owner of the venue is in constant talks with the city on regulations for Ybor City and we are making sure we are abiding by everything that is being asked of us,” Wieczorek added.
For now, until ordinances change, that means masks required when not seated to eat or drink and no gathering on the dance floor.
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