Plus, potential changes to the Westshore Interchange plans.
 
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Today’s Forecast

63° | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:07 a.m. | Set: 5:34 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 9:38 a.m. + 11:04 p.m. | Low: 4:31 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:05 a.m. + 6:58 p.m. | Low: 12:39 p.m.

 
It’s patio season
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The adjacent Ulele Spring brings a taste of nature and vibrant wetland wildlife to your experience. | Photo via @uleletampa
Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?

Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these 17 Tampa Bay area patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.

Restaurants

Columbia Cafe, 801 Water St. #1905, Tampa | Partially covered

Nestled in the the Tampa Bay History Center, enjoy Riverwalk views and legendary Cuban eats from your perch at the Columbia Cafe. This is just one of the brand’s handful of TBAY locations.

Ulele, 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa | Some cover

It’s a Tampa staple for a reason. The Floridian (and Michelin Guide lauded) spot boasts a large dining room, but the real star is the outdoor space — where bars and tables sit directly beside a soothing spring.

Parasol, 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Some cover

The Vinoy’s recently opened poolside restaurant menu is packed with Latin cuisine and colorful cocktails. Plus, you can take in Downtown St. Pete views from the rooftop bar.

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Once you’re finished grabbing drinks or eating at LightHaus, roam the rest of the Wharf.

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Photo via @lighthaustpa

Bars and breweries

LightHaus Beer Garden, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Partially covered

Located right in the heart of Sparkman Wharf, this outdoor beer garden is the perfect spot to grab drinks and light bites before heading to a Lightning game, or watching it on the big screen.

Southern Brewing & Winery, 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | Partially covered

Stop by this Seminole Heights gem to try a range of beers, ciders, and sodas, to pick up homebrewing supplies, or for the night market featuring plant vendors, jewelry, and more.

3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Partially covered

Located right off the hustle + bustle of Central Avenue, this laid-back brewery has plenty of covered space and outdoor tables to watch live music, chow down on food truck pizza and other eats, listen to live music, and of course, sip on sours and other brews.

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Order your brew of choice from the walk-up window at Spaddy’s.

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Photo via @spaddyscoffee

Coffee shops

Spaddy’s Coffee Co., 5206 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | Some cover

The outdoor, community-driven coffee shop brews + roasts tons of coffee options, plus teas and a few nosh choices. Pro tip: This spot is cashless.

Bandit Coffee Co., 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Some cover

Enjoy hand-crafted lattes and pastries — and a full menu — at the Central Avenue watering hole’s outdoor patio — featuring brand-new seating.

Caffeine Roasters Tampa, Multiple locations | Some cover

This local beanery has three Tampa locations — and the Kennedy location is the perfect spot for an outdoor coworking date complete with specialty coffees and a little breakfast or lunch.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.
 
Asked
 
On which occasions do you prefer outdoor dining? (Select all that apply)
A. Weekday lunches
B. Weekend brunches
C. Dinner dates
D. Family gatherings
E. Special celebrations (birthdays, anniversary, etc.)
F. None of the above
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, Nov. 15
  • Thanksgiving Flower Arranging Workshop | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $70 | A floral designer leads you in using seasonal flowers, foliage, and other decorative elements to build your own arrangement.
  • Florida Conversations: Florida in the 1920s | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | Free with registration | Historians Brad Massey and Rodney Kite-Powell share the happenings that catapulted Florida into the modern era in the 1920s — from bootleggers to flappers.
Thursday, Nov. 16
  • Comedy Nights featuring Jay Legend | Thursday, Nov. 16, Thursday, Nov. 30 | 8-9 p.m. | The Tampa EDITION, 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $25 | Chuckle the night away under a constellation of mirror balls at The Tampa EDITION’s Arts Club.
Friday, Nov. 17
  • Winter Wonder Wharf | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-10 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Watch as the area transforms into into Winter Wonder Wharf with the lighting of a 35-ft tree + colorful tree forest.
Saturday, Nov. 18
  • Ben Rector: “The Old Friends Acoustic Tour” | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 8 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $38+ | The American singer/songwriter known for hits like “Brand New” and “Living My Best Life” performs for the first time at the Clearwater hall.
  • Picnic Land | Saturday, Nov. 18 | Flora Wylie Park, 13th Ave. NE and North Shore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $40 | Take part in the quest to break the World Record for Longest Picnic Blanket — ticket includes a blanket with space for four people.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Community
 
How you can support TBAYtoday’s 2024 vision
City Editor Bailey on the beach during golden hour.
Help us keep writing the stories that connect you closer to our city. | Photo by TBAYtoday
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a wrap on 2023 — and what a year it’s been. We’ve been privileged enough to bring you incredible Tampa Bay news stories straight to your inbox.

Check out some of City Editor Bailey’s favorites:
We’re asking for your support to bring you even more stories like these next year.

We’re passionate about our approach to local news. In 2024, you can depend on us for newsletters free of divisive political content. Instead, we’ll deepen your Tampa Bay roots, celebrate our city, and tell you ways to get involved with our community.

Joining our membership club is a powerful way to support our mission and keep our free newsletters hitting your inbox. Join and support us today.
 
News Notes
 
Environment
  • Attention Hillsborough + Pinellas homeowners. Southwest Florida water officials just voted to issue a water shortage due to the ongoing drought. Starting in December, residents will be limited to one day of outdoor watering per week. (Tampa Bay Times)
Transit
  • Big changes might be on the way to South Tampa’s Westshore Interchange’s local street connections. Officials are considering reconnecting Reo and Trask streets with overpasses instead of underpasses in an effort to make construction easier. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Announced
  • Mr. Worldwide (aka Pitbull), Ricky Martin, and Enrique Iglesias are coming to the Cigar City. The talented Latin performers will play Amalie Arena on their “The Trilogy Tour,” at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 10. Tickets start at $56.20 and go on sale Friday, Nov. 17. (Tampa Bay Times)
Seasonal
  • Ready the cookies, Santa’s on the way to Tampa Heights. The Miracle Bar, a holiday-themed pop-up bar, is transforming Strandhill Public Tampa Heights (309 W. Palm Ave.) for the holiday season. Stop by for themed cocktails and decor from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve. (That’s So Tampa)
Eat
  • It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s Chick-fil-A. The East Brandon/Valrico location (1504 E. Brandon Blvd.) is now delivering your chicken minis and sandwiches via drone. The eatery started offering free drone delivery options via DroneUp to customers within a 1.2-mile radius. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Plan Ahead
  • First Night St. Pete is returning for its 30th year this New Year’s Eve. The party takes over North Straub Park from 4 to 8 p.m. with music, sing-alongs, dance performances, giant lit-up sculptures, improv theatre, and arts + crafts. (I Love the Burg)
Biz
  • Tampa’s Meacham Urban Farm (1108 E. Scott St.) is now offering delivery services. The farm offers a wealth of options like daikon radish, arugula, raw yogurt, purple potatoes, organic free range eggs, ribeye, chuck roast, strawberry jam, and honey. Set up an order. (That’s So Tampa)
Pets
  • Say goodbye to fillers and weird ingredients in your dog’s food. Get 50% off your pup’s first order of Nom Nom for fresh, recognizable ingredients they’ll love.*
Eat
  • Bellies beware, Sparkman Wharf at Water Street Tampa is getting a sweet + savory upgrade with the arrival of two new hot spots: “Everglazed Donuts and Chicken,” now open, and “Gorditos Tampa,” making its grand debut this week. Dive into donuts, fried chicken, empanadas, shaved ice, and munch more.*
 
 
City
 
Reduction junction, what’s your function?
An aerial shot of people walking on a crosswalk next to a bike lane
Funding will go toward projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions. | Photo by Omar Elsharawy via Pexels
Did you know that as of 2021, 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US come from transportation?

Yeah, we know… kind of a bummer, and maybe not the news you want to start your morning with. So let’s get to the good stuff: The Carbon Reduction Program, an effort to reduce transportation emissions through local and statewide projects that are federally funded.

What is the Carbon Reduction Program?

In an effort to reduce transportation emissions across the US, the Carbon Reduction Program was created in 2021 to distribute $6.4 billion in formula funding over a five-year period.

What’s driving the news?

By Wednesday, Nov. 15, states and designated metropolitan planning organizations are tasked with unveiling their strategies to reduce emissions through the program.

They’ll also need to disclose which projects will be funded by the program — whether that be installing protected bike lanes in one city, creating a new bus rapid transit system in another, or a different project that helps reduce carbon emissions.

Our question for you while we await funding news: How would you like to see this grant used in the Tampa Bay area? Let us know using the link below.
 
Asked
 
What kind(s) of projects in the Tampa Bay area would you like to see funded by the Carbon Reduction Program?
A. Public transportation
B. Pedestrian-friendly roads and facilities
C. Fuel alternatives
D. Traffic management/road diet projects
 
The Buy
 
The cutest to-go containers to make sure everyone walks away with leftovers this Thanksgiving. Pro tip: Remove the lid and heat them right in the oven.
 
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The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
In other holiday-related news, Hyde Park Village is hosting its tree lightning this Thursday, Nov. 16. Head to the Village from 5 to 9 p.m. to take part in the fa-la-la-festivities.
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