In the news:

The best way to watch from home:

Sports bars to catch the games at:

• American Social | 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., #107, Tampa | Daily, hours vary | Watch the action from the hopping bar’s massive flatscreens, while enjoying the waterfront views, ancho chicken quesadillas, and wings (of course).
• Hattricks Sports Bar | 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Daily, 11 a.m.-as late as 3 a.m. | Lightning fans’ fave bar offers plenty of TVs and daily happy hour deals.
• LightHaus | 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Sparkman Wharf’s own biergarten is a popular spot for watching or pregaming the action-packed games.

The games worth getting tickets to:

• First home game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 5:30 p.m.
• Rival game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 7 p.m.
• Rival game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins | Monday, Nov. 20 | 7 p.m.

Your must-bring stadium items:

• Your ticket. Download the Lightning app to access your mobile ticket, an interactive arena map, and more.
• Lightning gear. If your wardrobe is sorely lacking in Tampa Bay blue and white, shop these official jerseys and this classic hat.

• Oktoberfest TBBC | Friday, Sept. 29 | 4-9 p.m. | Tampa Bay Brewing Co., 1600 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa | Free | Enjoy German style beers + eats, live music, stein holding, best dressed, and axe throwing contests.
• “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller | Friday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., #151, Tampa | $12-$60 | Take in the opening night of the Arthur Miller play that delves into the 17th-century witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts.
• “The Rocky Horror Picture Show": 48th Anniversary | Friday, Sept. 29 | 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $39-$153 | Watch the original movie with a live shadow cast, audience participation, costume contest, and a memorabilia display with artifacts + a real costume from the movie.

• Barre Express w/ Barre Forte | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10-11 a.m. | St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Tone your body with small, precise movements in this 45-minute guided workout class — BYO-yoga mat.
• PTB Road Trip: Ybor City | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa | $25 | Join a 3rd-generation Tampa native for a special tour of the historic neighborhood, including local experts and access to historic buildings and locations.
• Brats, Beers and Cheers | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 12-4 p.m. | Publix GreenWise Market, 555 Channelside Dr. , Tampa | Free | Head to the Water Street spot for games, drink specials, and samples — plus, get a beer + pretzel for $5.
• Vibes of the Bay | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 4-11:59 p.m. | Crowbar Ybor City, 1812 N. 17th St., Tampa | $0-$10 | This one-day festival features 20+ artists, an Indie Flea market, live art, food, and more, all showcasing Tampa’s creative spirit.

• “DUNE” | Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 29 | Tampanians can interact with a landscape of light fibers that react to human movement, exploring the relationship between humans and nature.
• “Waterlicht” | Friday, Oct. 27-Sunday, Oct. 29 | An art installation that creates the illusion of being underwater will be projected along the waterfront of Water St., creating a stunning + thought-provoking spectacle.

• Huge news for TBAY road warriors. Florida will spend $354 million to add two new express lanes to Interstate 275 between 38th Avenue North and Fourth Street North. Construction on the highway project is expected to start in Summer 2025. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Ready for some pumpkin pickin’? Hyde Park Village’s patch returns to the Village Square tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30. This year’s patch features two enchanted pumpkin carriages, all kinds of pumpkin sizes, weekly story time with Mother Boo + Humane Society of Tampa Bay adoption events over the next few weeks. (That’s So Tampa)

• The University of South Florida is getting a nursing simulation lab. Tampa General Hospital just donated $4.4 million to the university for naming rights to the new lab — which will help give future nurses practice and experience in clinical situations. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival kicks off next week. This year’s event runs from Thursday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 8 and showcases a range of queer-focused films and videos. The Tampa Theatre hosts all opening day screenings + all other screenings are at AMC Westshore. Buy tickets. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Yelp just released its 2023 Top Places to Eat in Tampa Bay list. The roundup looked at the eateries’ ratings + includes spots like Tampa’s Florish, St. Pete’s Mazzaro’s Italian Market, and many more. Browse the mouthwatering top picks.

• Halloween on Central is back. This year’s event will shut down 22 blocks (from 9th Street to 31st Street) of St. Pete’s Central Ave. from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29. The massive street party brought in 100,000 people last year for its fun vendors, food trucks, costumes, and music. (St. Pete Rising)

• Borrow from your home — not the bank. Your home value could go down anytime; borrow now while it’s high. Calculate your payment.*

• In yesterday’s story about Oktoberfest Tampa, we mistakenly said that street parking north of Kennedy Boulevard is free on weekends and weeknights after 6 p.m. This is incorrect (guess we haven’t parked there in a few years, huh?).

• 70% of readers said they literally never think about the Roman Empire.
• 15% of you said you think about it every so often.
• 10% said they ponder the era about once a month.
• 5% of readers said they think about the Romans every day.