Today’s Forecast

🤝 Trust us, you’ll make friends

Where to make friends in Tampa Bay, FL

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The We Hate Running Run Club meets weekly at either Sweet Soul, Armature Works, or Hyde Park Village | Photo via @wehaterunningclubtampa

We get it. It can be difficult to make friends as an adult, especially if you’re new to TBAY. We even stumbled upon a Reddit thread about it.

So hey friends, we’re here to help.

Note: this list is generally for people 25 and up.

Go to community events

Head over to our events calendar. It’s updated monthly and there to help you find opportunities to get out in all parts of Tampa Bay and meet new people — there’s probably a lot more going on than you think.

We also recommend joining the Tampa Bay Networking Facebook page, an organization that promotes social growth through happy hour meet-ups.

And for young (or young-at-heart) professionals, we recommend checking out either the St. Pete Young Professionals Group or the Tampa Bay Young Professionals Group. Both groups offer everything from bowling, wine tasting, and volunteering to casual soirées, volunteering and just hanging out.

Tampa Bay Girlfriends is a social group for ladies in their mid 20s to 40s trying out the hottest restaurants, shops, and events. Keep an eye on their page for all kinds of happy hours and outdoor activities.

Find a hobby

One of the best ways to make friends is to surround yourself with people who have similar interests. Whether that’s an artistic hobby like painting, creative writing, or sewing — there’s a class you can join.

One of the most tried and true ways to meet people is through a book club, and lucky for you, we put together a list of clubs around town.

More into spending time outdoors? Join Tampa Bay Club Sport. The adult recreation sports league hosts everything from daily volleyball, kickball (unleash your inner fourth grader), and cornhole tournaments to beach bar crawls.

Cardio kings and queens, there’s plenty of running clubs for you to join too. Locals know running culture runs deep here in TBAY.

Pro tip: For any of this to work, you most likely will need to step out of your comfort zone — but consider us your first new friends.

Events

Today, May 12

Fashion Funds The Cure | Friday, May 12 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $125 | Enjoy a night of fashion, live entertainment, and delicious eats while supporting cancer research.
7th Annual Tampa International Fringe Festival | Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Ybor City, 1700 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa | $0-$15 | Prepare for more than 30 one-hour performances like “Big Dad Energy” — plus comedy, indie music, and shows for kids.

Saturday, May 13

Pups and Pops 2.0 | Saturday, May 13 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hilton Tampa Downtown, 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa | Free | Bring the pups and pals along for adoptions, doggy yoga, gourmet ice pops, plants and flowers, cornhole, and Frisbee.
Mommy, Me, and Mimosa’s | Saturday, May 13 | 1-5 p.m. | Procure by the Women’s Creative, 734 S. Village Cir. Suite. F #734, Tampa | Free | Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with mimosas and mini photo shoots.
St. Pete Tacos and Tequila Festival | Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $12-$45 | Check out more than 30 taco and margaritas vendors, live music, and games — kids 13 and under are free.

Sunday, May 14

Mother’s Day at Imagine Museum | Sunday, May 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $0-$15 | Take ma to see mind-blowingly creative contemporary glass art.

Monday, May 15

Trivia Night | Monday, May 15 | 7-9 p.m. | The Big Catch at Salt Creek, 1500 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Test your knowledge and compete to win prizes.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

Kick back and retire (yes, please)

SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire.

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area.

It’s never too late to work towards more radiant golden years. Take this quiz to see if you can retire comfortably.*

Take the free quiz

News Notes

Number

2,000,000. That’s how many pounds of concrete will be poured at the foundation of The Residences at 400 Central (465 Central Ave.) — the biggest concrete pour in the Burg’s history. It starts today and will last until tomorrow afternoon. Pro tip: Brace for traffic in Downtown St. Pete. (I Love the Burg)

Civic

Tampa officials greenlit a multimillion-dollar improvement plan for Tampa Street + Florida Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The plan include new pedestrian crosswalks, curb modifications, and lighting. Construction is set to begin in October 2025 and finished in 2026. (WTSP)

Development

Pinellas County is adding four affordable housing developments worth $12.5 million — with construction set to start on two of the properties this month. The move will provide over 300 rental units in Burg, Lealman, and Largo. Read up on Pinellas County’s Housing Action Plan. (St. Pete Rising)

Eat

After 50 years, the owner of Tampa’s Mel’s Hot Dogs (4136 E. Busch Blvd.) is looking to sell the business + retire. While there is no news of a sale yet, be sure to visit for a savory chili dog and one of Mel’s spicy conversations. (That’s So Tampa)
Craving authentic New York deli food? Fuggedaboutit. Cousin Vinny’s in Seminole Heights (5214 N. Nebraska Ave.) now offers sandwiches for pickup and delivery only. We recommend the Notorious CBG, a sandwich stuffed with super crispy breaded chicken cutlets + topped with gravy and American cheese. (WFLA)
Get it while it’s hot. LaMeizi Hotpot & BBQ along East Fowler Avenue in Tampa is now open. The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet (starting at $30.99 for adults) featuring sliced beef, pork belly, and even frog legs. Plus, it’s currently 10 percent off throughout the month. (That’s So Tampa)

Holiday

Mother’s Day plans procrastinators rejoice. Treat your mom to the Mother’s Day Reggae Festival this Sunday from 12-5 p.m. at the Tropicana Field parking lot. Enjoy chilled-out tunes, arts and crafts, a vendor market, and more than a dozen food trucks. (I Love the Burg)
How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*

Kids

Let your kids touch the stove

Summer cooking camps for kids in Tampa Bay

Two kids in denim aprons gaze at a counter holding a bowl of flour, chocolate chips, and croissants.

Kids will be whipping up French pastries in no time. | Photo via Sur La Table

Let us explain. We’d only recommend this activity under professional supervision, with detailed instruction and the promise of tasty treats at the end — AKA, everything you get in one of Sur La Table’s cooking camps.

Check out the camps held at Sur La Table (711 South Dakota Ave.), perfect for little chefs who’d love hands-on cooking instruction this summer. Bon appétit.

🧁 For kids ages 7-11

Baking 101
This camp will have kids making everything from chocolate marble banana bread to homemade pizzas. Camps are available July 10 through August 4. Browse four-day camps and five-day camps.

Culinary Excursion
From a chicken dinner to taco night, little chefs will learn a breadth of techniques and recipes they can use again. Five-day camps are available June 12 through July 28. Browse camps and sign up for 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. slots.*

More camps for kids + teens

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brad

From the editor

Have you seen Florida’s new license plate design? The new design features a picture taken by Carlton Ward of a female panther and her baby — just in time for Mother’s Day.

We’re wondering if you’ll be upgrading from the classic Florida orange to the endangered panther version. Let us know.

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