Photos: Backstreet Boys, Flo Rida headline Jingle Ball’s nostalgic return to Tampa

Since COVID-19 shut things down in mid-March 2020, Tampa Bay's megaconcert scene has seen two installments of 97x Next Big Thing, Reggae…

By Josh Bradley

Nick Carter (L) and Howie Dorough of Backstreet Boys at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 16, 2022.
58 slides

All the beautiful people we saw at Rose Dynasty Foundation's weekly bingo night in Lakeland

Less than two weeks after being targeted by neo-Nazis during its LGBTQ+Celebration of the Arts fundraiser, Rose Dynasty Foundation was at Unitarian Universalist Congregation…

By Ray Roa

All the beautiful people we saw at Rose Dynasty Foundation's weekly bingo night in Lakeland
62 slides

Photos: Soundtrack king Kenny Loggins plays Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall

Kenny Loggins is more than the soundtrack king, but he still brought Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall into the danger zone on Thursday…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Soundtrack king Kenny Loggins plays Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall
21 slides

The most popular Tampa Bay homes in 2022, including a Bucs palace, the Bilzerian mansion, Tom Brady's rental and more

Tampa Bay's housing market over the last 12 months was arguably the most insane it's ever been, and through it all some…

By CL Staff

Buccaneers co-owner’s massive Tampa palace
Last April, Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, and her husband Joel, sold their gigantic Tampa mansion, which is literally modeled after a 17th century royal palace.

According to the Multiple Listing Service, the home was sold for $8.3 million.

Located at 706 Guisando De Avila, the home was purchased by Darcie and Joel from former gold dealer and convicted fraudster Mark Yaffe for $5.8 million in 2014.

The 28,295-square-foot Avila estate comes with 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, as well as a ballroom, an executive library, 14 fireplaces, a wine room, an elevator, a pool and spa, and more.
 
Glazer Kassewitz is a co-owner of the Bucs (along with her brothers), and she also leads the Glazer Vision Foundation and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation.

The sale comes a few months after the couple also sold its Palm Beach pad for $53 million.
100 slides

The 25 most-anticipated Tampa Bay bars and restaurants opening in 2023

Without a doubt, 2022 was a great year for new eats in the Tampa Bay area, and it actually looks like 2023…

By CL Staff

Boulon Brasserie 
1001 Water St., Tampa
Boulon Brasserie, the latest concept from Next Level Brands, announced its plan to open at Water Street’s Thousand & One building in downtown Tampa last fall. The French bistro-style restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a three-in-one space featuring a restaurant, bar, and cafe. The Brasserie joins other recently announced projects that are currently in the works—at various stages of development—for the new work-live-play waterfront neighborhood including Ohio-style pizza spot called Small Giant Bar & Restaurant and Wine on Water, a modern neighborhood wine and liquor shop with around 200 wines plus some spirits as well.
Photo via Rockaway PR
25 slides

ZooTampa unveils plans for new $125 million expansion, which includes Hillsborough River water taxis

This morning, ZooTampa announced details for an ambitious plan to add new attractions, and expand the park all the way to the…

By Colin Wolf

South America riverfront area.
8 slides

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All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride

For more than a decade now, Winter Wonder Ride has been the vessel for nonprofit onBikes to raise money so it can…

By Ray Roa

All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride
61 slides

The Tampa Bay mansion of former Jacksonville Jaguars president David Seldin is for sale

A waterfront Tuscan farmhouse built by the guy who helped bring the Jaguars to Jacksonville is now on the market in Tierra…

By CL Staff

The Tampa Bay mansion of former Jacksonville Jaguars president David Seldin is for sale
49 slides

Everyone we saw at Tampa Bay's 2022 Highball craft cocktail competition

Last week, Tampa Bay's top mixologists showed up at Nova535 for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's annual Highball craft cocktail competition. Presented by…

By CL Staff

Everyone we saw at Tampa Bay's 2022 Highball craft cocktail competition
150 slides

The former St. Pete home of Tampa Bay Bucs legend Mike 'A-Train' Alstott is now for sale

A home that once belonged to the greatest NFL fullback of all time is now on the market in St. Petersburg. Located…

By CL Staff

The former St. Pete home of Tampa Bay Bucs legend Mike 'A-Train' Alstott is now for sale
75 slides

Tampa Bay's 25 best new restaurants of 2022

Tampa Bay's restaurant scene has been serving up great eats for years, but it's safe to say this year has been one…

By CL Staff

 Lucky Tigre  

 1101 S Howard Ave. Ste B, Tampa, 813-761-2088
Lucky Tigre, Tampa's first Filipino 'sari-sari' counter, opened back in October, and has been selling out on a daily basis ever since. Covered in vintage Filipino magazine advertisements, your titas and titos will certainly enjoy the menu, which spans everything from beef and pork dumplings, to steamed bao buns, and traditional rice dishes. 
Photo by Rickey Kim
25 slides

20 bucket list holiday activities in Tampa Bay everyone should do this season

It may not snow in Tampa Bay, but that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of yuletide cheer. Here are a few…

By CL Staff

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum

12210 83rd St. E, Parrish
Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-21
 What is Christmas without trains? Hop aboard the North Pole Express to enjoy a ride from Parrish to the North Pole. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Santa, and have the opportunity to enjoy campfires, activities and entertainment, as well as hot chocolate and cookies which are included with your train ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on date and departure time, but you can get them from $32 and up.
Photo via North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum/Facebook
19 slides

Review: In Clearwater, Chris Isaak let his freak flag fly during sold-out Christmas concert

No matter how quickly you get sick of hearing Christmas music, a number of those who helped lay the foundation of rock…

By Josh Bradley

Chris Isaak plays the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Florida on Dec. 8, 2022.
13 slides

Photos: UK metalcore favorite Loathe plays Tampa Orpheum

Liverpool metal band Loathe was in the states yesterday for a show at Tampa Orpheum where Omerta and Unity TX opened.

By Ray Roa

Photos: UK metalcore favorite Loathe plays Tampa Orpheum
37 slides

This Tampa Bay warehouse home comes with an 8,000-gallon koi pond and a dog-washing station

A home that's loaded with features and also resembles an Ikea is now on the market in Tampa Bay. Located at 435…

By CL Staff

This Tampa Bay warehouse home comes with an 8,000 gallon koi pond and a dog-washing station
67 slides

Review: Machine Gun Kelly, Jack White, and more look back on 2022 projects at 97X Next Big Thing

A commonly used phrase at last weekend’s 21st annual 97X Next Big Thing was “end of an era.” Don’t worry, it had…

By Josh Bradley

Machine Gun Kelly plays day one of the 97X Next Big Thing on Dec. 2, 2022.
117 slides

Photos: Florida trans-rights advocates outnumber anti-LGBTQ rally last weekend

It should come as no surprise at this point, but Proud Boys—including some so proud that they hid their faces—flashed "white power"…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Florida trans-rights advocates clash with Proud Boys at Moms for Liberty rally last weekend
69 slides

The St. Pete home of former Burger King president and UF board member John Dasburg is for sale

Well, you can certainly "have it your way," with this home currently on the market in St. Petersburg. Located at 4987 59th…

By CL Staff

The St. Pete home of former Burger King president and UF board member John Dasburg is for sale
31 slides

Photos: Elvis Presley's old rusty jet will go to auction in Florida next month

A 60-year-old jet once owned by the King himself has been rusting away in a New Mexico desert for years, but will…

By Colin Wolf

Photos: Elvis Presley's rusty pink jet will go to auction in Florida next month
24 slides

27 of the best Florida books to cozy up with this winter

“Cozy” is a complicated concept in central Florida, especially when it comes to the winter. We just don’t have the same touchstones…

By Caroline DeBruhl, Ray Roa

The Dec. 1, 2022 cover of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
29 slides

The best Tampa Bay spots for Christmas trees, sledding, skating, meeting Santa and other holiday experiences

The holiday season is upon us, and its the perfect opportunity to get together with family and enjoy some (fake) snow, holiday…

By Min Craig

Enchant Christmas

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Nov. 25-Jan. 1
Featuring a 100-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree, Enchant Christms presents a holiday event you can get lost in. Tropicana Field is transformed into a decorated story-themed maze where you can enjoy the lights while embarking on a mission to help Santa save Christmas by keeping an eye out for pieces of his broken Magic Timepiece along the way. Find all of the pieces for a chance to win a prize at the end of your visit. The event will also feature ice skating, snacks, activities for kids and cocktails for adults. Tickets range from $20-$30.
Photo via Enchant Christmas/Facebook
27 slides

All the bars and restaurants competing at Tampa Bay's 2022 Highball Cocktail Competition

Highball is back on Dec. 8, and this year, we're switching things up a bit by highlighting the namesake drink, the highball…

By CL Staff

Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro
Competing with Haku Vodka
piscessushibistro.com
799 Highland Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
15 slides

Photos: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town

A decade ago, Busch Gardens launched Christmas Town, covering the Tampa theme park with millions of lights, holiday themed shows and displays,…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Photos: Busch Gardens celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town
29 slides

Everyone we saw when Have Gun, Will Travel played a post-Thanksgiving concert in Tampa Heights

Tampa Heights got to soak in the sounds of Have Gun, Will Travel from their easy chairs last Friday when the Americana…

By Ray Roa

Everyone we saw when Have Gun, Will Travel played a post-Thanksgiving concert in Tampa Heights
35 slides

Photos: Enchant Christmas kicks off at St. Pete's Tropicana Field

With a proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg and the flip of a switch to light up a towering tree inside…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Enchant covers St. Pete's infamous indoor baseball stadium during the offseason with millions of Christmas lights.
27 slides

Breaking bread: A culinary history of Tampa in 10 meals

If food defines culture, then what kind of city is Tampa? The answer can be found in these 10 notable meals, which…

By Andrew T. Huse

Tampa Bay Hotel opens, 1891
When tycoon Henry Plant brought his railroad to Tampa in 1884, he found a pathetic hardscrabble town of 700 people. But in the years after the railroad connection, Tampa’s elite clamored for Plant to open a luxury hotel in his latest terminus. On Feb. 5, 1891, Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel opened with a grand ball. At 9 that evening, the capacity crowd enjoyed an opera. Then Mayor Herman Glogowski led a grand procession to the dining room for a reception and dancing. At 11, a buffet offered oysters, fish, cold roasts, salad and desserts. The party didn’t wind down until 1 a.m.; the guests slept on couches and chairs in the lobby, as the bedrooms had not yet been furnished.
The Tampa Bay Hotel frequently made headlines, especially during the Spanish-American war when journalists and generals commiserated from the veranda’s rocking chairs. The kitchen served up lavish meals with menus written entirely in mangled French. But with a short tourist season of just four months, the hotel never really flourished. The old Tampa Bay Hotel is now home to the University of Tampa and the Henry Plant museum.


Photo via Burgert Brothers/USF
11 slides

23 under-the-radar Tampa Bay taco spots you need to try before you die

When it comes to tacos, Tampa Bay has some very classic, well-known haunts. But there are also smaller spots with some cult…

By Alexandria Jones

Hector’s Mexican Food 
3121 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-234-3646
Looking for a midnight snack? Hector’s extensive menu will get you right each and every time. Find this hidden gem close to two other Tampa gems: Sanwa Farmer’s Market and basically across the street from Esther’s Cafe.
   Photo via Hector’s Mexican Food/Google
23 slides

20 legit Hillsborough County dive bars, and why you should get a drink at all of them

The local watering hole has long been a source of comfort for what ails you. There's just something about the sight of…

By Jourdan Ducat

Retreat 
123 S Hyde Park Ave., Tampa, 813-254-2014
At this long-running bar across from the University of Tampa, you’re likely to be sitting next to a service industry worker who’s either just finished a shift or is having some liquid courage before starting one. It can get pretty packed with the college crowd on nights and weekends, so your best bet is grab a seat at happy hour if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience. This is another spot that allows smoking indoors, plus all day specials and bar snacks to soak up that Rumplemintz shot you just did with the bartender. 
   Photo via Retreat/Facebook
20 slides

Built by Sam Schooley, St. Pete's historic 'Spanish Castle' is now for sale

The "Spanish Castle," a historic home in Old Pasadena built by prolific 1920s-era builder Samuel V.  Schooley is now on the market.…

By Colin Wolf

Built by Sam Schooley, St. Pete's historic 'Spanish Castle' is now for sale
63 slides

Photos: Tampa's Amalie Arena absorbs a Finger Finger Death Punch, with help from Brantley Gilbert

Despite his own words, Five Finger Death Punch frontman Ivan L. Moody is not retiring. Last night, Moody—who Creative Loafing Tampa Bay…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Tampa's Amalie Arena takes a Finger Finger Death Punch
36 slides