Five places to hang with food and drink in Tampa Bay throughout the weekend.
Kick off First Friday St. Pete at downtown's Locale Market. Guests of the recurring First Friday Tasting Tour will sample a variety of chef-curated dishes from the market's food stations from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Beverage pairings can be added for an additional price, and the upstairs FarmTable Kitchen will also offer an extended happy hour. Tickets are available online. $19.99 in advance, $24.99 at the door. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6300.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, browse soaps, clothing, plants and other artisanal goods from area makers and merchants while noshing on Localtopia's featured eats. More than 12 local food trucks will line the old bus lane on Fourth Street North, while other dining options (and craft beer) can be found at "Restaurant Row" along Second Avenue North. The Williams Park event will also have activities and games for kids — a 3D art maze created by Bloom Art Center among them. A $5 donation is suggested. Free, money for food and drinks. 350 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, learn to make affordable, nutritious snacks worthy of Sunday's big game. Participants of the Tailgate Treats cooking class, led by whole food plant-based chef Michelle Odiorne and hosted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, will get to whip up simple bites like buffalo cauliflower at Nature's Food Patch. Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703.
Check out c.1949's Motorworks Brewery Tap Takeover, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. Special brews from the Bradenton craft brewery will invade the draft lines of the Florida beer bar, including the exclusive Chocolate Datil Pepper Imperial Porter (made with datil peppers grown in St. Augustine). Patrons, who get to keep their pint with a Motorworks beer purchase while supplies last, will even get to meet the brewery's award-winning head brewer Bob Haa. Grab some prizes, swag or grub at the on-site PaniniRiffic food truck while you're at it. Free, money for beer. 6905 N. Orleans Ave., Tampa, 813-990-8883.
Another way to celebrate the football face-off? A Super Sunday Crawfish Boil. Ox & Fields will host the culinary watch party that's set to showcase drink specials from 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday. Expect $1 PBRs, $2 domestics, $4 wells and $5 house classic cocktails, plus 1- ($12.99) or 2-pound ($29.99) servings of the crawfish boil — and $1 oysters (!) — on the patio. Items like wonton tacos and loaded tots are also planned for the Super Bowl menu. Free, money for food and drinks. 7701 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-443-6125.
