01.22.2025

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53º | 70% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 6:02 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 10:59 a.m. + 8:16 p.m. | Low: 1:04 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 6:04 a.m. + 4:56 p.m. | Low: 9:22 a.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Bring on the romance

Grab a cocktail, lemonade, and a romantic table for two on Pia’s Trattoria’s patio. | Photo by @thetbaytoday

Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to TBAYtoday.

Regardless of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 50+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.

A hand holds chopsticks holding a sushi roll. There is a champagne flute with orange liquid behind, and other food on a wooden table. Greenery is blurry in the background and provides a tropical flair. — Meat Market’s Hyde Park Village patio is a buzzy spot to be.

For the ones who want a night out on the town

Whether you’re fans or not, there’s nothing more electric than a night game at Amalie or Raymond James Stadium —plus, imagine the eats.
Jam out at the historic Floridian Social Club or boogie the night away at retro bars like Good Night John Boy or Lost & Found.

If the way to their heart is through their stomach

Tuck into pistachio crusted cutlets and chicken rigatoni at the ever-cozy Oggi Italian on Davis Islands. Then, pretend you’re actually dining on the Amalfi Coast by grabbing a spritz from walk-up window, Buchette.
Channel old-school Chicago vibes with a meal at Historic Kenwood’s Beau & Mo’s Italian Steakhouse.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

40+ more ideas

Asked

What’s your go-to activity for a memorable date night?

A. Romantic candlelit dinner
B. Cozy movie night at home
C. Adventurous outdoor activity
D. Other

Take your pick

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Get Ready for Gasparilla | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Franklin Street | Free | Grab photos with a pirate, enter a giveaway for a Gaspy boat trip, learn about the history of Gasparilla — the first 20 pirates score a free bead necklace featuring a pirate ship medallion.

TREMBLE on the mat | 5:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Shake your body to its core with this high intensity, low impact, Pilates-inspired workout — bring a mat and water bottle.

Design your Life...a blueprint for your ideal year | 6-8:30 p.m. | Hyde House Public Studio, Tampa | $13 | Craft your vision for the year and manifest your dreams alongside like-minded women with workshops and vision board making.

Thursday, Jan. 23

The Moth Mainstage | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $49+ | Take in the two-act show featuring eight storytellers sharing personal anecdotes, plus the show is recorded for future episodes of The Moth Podcast and Radio Hour.

“Yellowstone” Trivia Night | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Downtown Tampa | Free entry | Face off against fellow ranch hands and “Yellowstone” super fans with a round of trivia over some brews.

Friday, Jan. 24

Waves of Change Women’s Leadership Luncheon with Brooke Shields | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center | $200 | Mingle with other female local leaders at this celebration of actress and mental health advocate Brooke Shields and ophthalmologist and philanthropist Dr. Moira J. Burke.

“Absolute Queen” | 7 p.m. | Palladium Theater | $25+ | Pretend you’re at a Queen concert in the early 1980s with the band’s biggest hits, plus costume changes and other surprises at this tribute show.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Jobs

💼 Find the best local candidates in 2025

Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City

56%. That’s the percentage of full-time employees in the US who want a new job in 2025. Of this, 27% have already started searching. What’s more, the first part of the year sees the largest uptick in job postings + submitted job applications online.

If you’re hiring this year, don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. We created 6AM City Job Board to help you cut through the noise and find top local talent. Share your opportunity with the most connected locals, TBAYtoday readers.

Get started — your first job listing is free

News Notes

Civic

The federal government will give Pinellas County ~$814 million for hurricane recovery. Leaders also allocated ~$586 million for Hillsborough County disaster recovery. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds will be used for housing, repairs, and other efforts. (Tampa Bay Times)

Weather

Snow in Florida? Yeah, it could happen. Some parts of the Panhandle may see flurries this week as a cold front moves through the area. We took a trip back to the last time it snowed in TBAY. (WTSP)

Edu

Should we let the kids snooze? One Florida official filed legislation to reverse the new rule pushing middle + high school start times back. A reminder: The law calls for middle school classes to start no earlier than 8 a.m., while high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

We may see a Natty in Tampa this decade. Right now, reports are circulating that Ray Jay could host the College National Championship Football Game in 2029. We’ll be waiting on the official announcement. (That’s So Tampa)

Announced

You know them, you love them. The famous Budweiser Clydesdales are clomping into Tampa today. Visit Sparkman Wharf from 4 to 6 p.m. for a meet and greet with the horses, plus Budweiser samples for folks 21 and up. (That’s So Tampa)

Opening

Oakberry is opening its doors in downtown St. Pete next week. The Brazilian-founded company will serve acai bowls and smoothies starting Monday, Jan. 27. (St. Pete Rising)

Plan Ahead

Call us the Champa Bay of craft beer. Safety Harbor is hosting its first-ever Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, March 8. Head to Safety Harbor Waterfront Park from 3 to 8 p.m. to check out 30+ brewers. (I Love the Burg)

Sports

When will Nikita Kucherov become the Lightning’s assist king? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Deal

Shop this winter’s top styles at Nordstrom Rack for up to 70% off. We’re eyeing these Sam Edelman ankle booties and this cableknit sweater.*

Finance

Financial grace periods are few and far between these days. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day — time speeds by between them. But these credit cards allow you nearly two years to pay them off (with zero interest), allowing you flexibility in 2025.*

Try This

Ready to level-up your leadership skills? It’s time to enroll in Mastering Leadership — a 15-week leadership development program designed for women leading teams, recently promoted to a new leadership role, or preparing for career advancement. Your journey begins on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Learn more + enroll.*

The Buy

A really good beanie. With 4,000+ five-star reviews, this warm winter beanie is a favorite for a reason: the inside is lined with satin, which absorbs less moisture and causes less friction than other materials, keeping hair nourished and frizz-free.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Wondering if your fellow pirates erhm neighbors are hitting Bayshore for Gasparilla this weekend? About 57% of our readers said they’re skipping this year, but a strong 20% of folks are planning on going.

About 14% of people are taking it a step further, and riding atop a float. Please send us photos. And finally, 9% of readers are going to a house party.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Would you consider starting a Free Little Art Gallery?”

A person cuts a gold ribbon wrapped around a miniature library box with large scissors. — The Palm Harbor Free Little Art Library opened in fall 2024.

Maybe we’ll see some new FLAGS pop up around town, because ~54% of you said you’d love to start one, and ~23% of you said you’d consider it.

Another ~15% of you said you wouldn’t start one, and ~8% of folks already have one.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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