Five weekend-worthy food and drink things to do around the region on top of Fabrica's 1st birthday bash and the Gaspar's Grotto watch party.
Rum and reggae will help get the weekend going starting at 7 p.m. Friday. At downtown Tampa's Jerk Hut Jamaica Tropicale Grill, the Reggae Island Food Tasting and Rum Festival will offer one free rum drink for anyone who purchases admission, plus unlimited bites of Caribbean favorites like jerk chicken, Jamaican cabbage and fried plantains. Jam out to live tunes from Iruption, Sir Errol and Lady Britney while you sip and snack. $10. 513 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-223-5376.
There's also two beer releases planned for both sides of the bay. Green Bench Brewing Co.'s Easy Rollin' Ale, a session IPA collaboration with Rollin' Oats, will debut during a celebration that kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday in the St. Petersburg brewery's beer garden. In Ybor City, Coppertail Brewing Co. will observe the launch of its Independent Pilsner by offering the Industrial Beer Amnesty Program. The program, which runs throughout the weekend and begins at noon Saturday, allows beer drinks to swap a bottle of Big Beer for a 12-ounce bottle of the new pilsner. Free, money for beer. Green Bench: 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836. Coppertail: 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, do crafts and drink drafts during the Paper & Pints workshop at Print St. Pete Community Letterpress. Attendees will walk away with four handmade coasters, and all materials are included with the class. Letterpress goods by Oma' Darlin Press and The Southern Letterpress will be available for purchase, too. $15. 4903 Eighth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-235-6734.
From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Pokémon trainers will drink their way around the Yborhood, scouting for Pokémon spread out over two gyms and 14 Pokéstops. Check-in will kick off as early as 11:30 a.m. at Florida Cane Distillery (the same place the bar hop ends), where entry cards, Pokémon Go Ybor Pub Crawl passes and other materials will be handed out. Expect drink specials at five participating bars and $500 in prizes. There's another Poké bar hop in store later this month. Free. 1820 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-347-6565.
I scream, you scream! Cool off between noon and 3 p.m. Sunday at Hyde Park Village's Ice Cream Social. Hosted in honor of National Ice Cream Day, the gathering will feature face-painting, balloon animals, giveawas and in-store specials at places such as Buddy Brew Coffee and Sprinkles. Free, money for goodies. 744 S. Village Circle, Tampa, 813-251-3500.
