Five ways to make the most of your weekend with food and drink.
In Seminole Heights, the Hurricane Party has already started at Fodder & Shine. All day Friday, patrons hiding out from Hurricane Matthew will enjoy food and drink specials with yatch rock as their soundtrack. Expect $5 Cat 5 cocktails, $6 wines, $4 drafts and $3 single-mix drinks. The restaurant's full menu is featured from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., when the late-night lineup kicks in till 1 a.m. (Fodder & Shine's neighbor, Mermaid Tavern, also has a celebration planned.) Free, money for food and drinks. 5910 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-234-3710.
Treat yourself to craft beer and live music at Craft Life Brewing between 8 p.m. and midnight Friday. The new Land O' Lakes brewery will feature its own chocolate vanilla stout on tap, plus new brews from locals like Angry Chair Brewing and Hidden Springs Ale Works. Michael Maverick's tunes and grub from A Little Bite of Love food truck will also be showcased. Free, money for beer and food. 2624 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O Lakes, 813-575-8440.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will make a local appearance at Tampa's International Plaza. Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, grab adorable treats from the truck while supplies last. The mobile cafe will be parked on Bay Street, across from Urban Outfitters. Free, money for food. 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-342-3790.
Come and get it! Travis Justen, who's set to show off his charcuterie wizardry at Seminole's Rapp Brewing Company, will offer up house-made sausages throughout Oktoberfest Gourmet Sausage Night. Score one for free with a beer purchase. Free, money for beer and food. 10930 Endeavor Way #C, Seminole, 727-544-1752.
Southern food and coffee? You betcha. Swing by Bandit Coffee Co. in St. Pete for the True South Brunch with BCA BBQ. Guests will chow on brunch favorites during this Southern-style street food soirée from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, then head inside for cold brew and more. The Lemmy (a buttermilk biscuit with smoky potatoes, chorizo gravy and egg) and a waffle with espresso whipped cream are among the menu items. Free, money for food and drinks. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-836-0817.
This article appears in Oct 6-13, 2016.