Sip on a brew or two in the sun-soaked Mad Dogs & Englishmen dining room. | Photo by Collins PR Group
Some people make to-do lists — we make to-dine lists. Many hot new Tampa + St. Pete restaurants have opened over the past several months, from palate challengers to homey comforts.
To satisfy those who are really hungry for fresh dining options, we’ve got details on TBAY restaurants coming soon, too. Grab your forks as we dig right in.
Newly open
Kinjo, Tampa | Wafu-Italian | Reservations: Yes
The new restaurant from the Koya team will serve Italian recipes with Japanese ingredients. What’s on the menu? Ready your bellies for crudo, pasta, sake, wine, and cured meats.
Lara, Tampa | Drinks, small plates | Reservations: No
The Tampa Bay Times called this new Ybor City restaurant, apothecary bar, and marketplace the “most exciting restaurant to open this year.” Renowned local chef Suzanne Lara dreamed up a menu with Spanish, Italian, and Cuban influences.
Coming soon
The Moon Under Water | British | Opening date: TBD Talk about a comeback kid. The longtime Sunshine City British pub is reopening just four years after its 2021 closure — and just down the block from its former Beach Drive location.
“Oh Yeah?!” With David Downing | 6:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater | Free | Tuck into the historic venue for the launch + live taping of America’s only regional late night talk show, featuring a nine-piece funk sensation The Oh Yeah-Yeahs (a.k.a. the Black Honkeys).
Plunge and Pour | 6:30-9 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf | $20+ | Cycle through 15-minute workouts, cold plunges, and guided sauna sessions all set against the backdrop of Sparkman Wharf.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
1 Million Cups | 9-10 a.m. | The Greenhouse, St. Petersburg | Free | Sip on strong local brews and listen in as entrepreneurs share their startups to the thriving peer network of founders.
Fall Flower Workshop | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $45 | Create a beautiful bouquet of flowers to share with a loved one — or keep for yourself.
OSO OSO | 7 p.m. | Crowbar Ybor City| $13+ | You’ll still be “Basking in the Glow” Thursday morning after the Long Beach rock band’s "$10 Bill Tour” show.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Suncatcher Fused Glass Class | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement | $65+ | Summer’s rays are waning, so make your own suncatcher to catch every fleeting ray by fusing colored glass into your own work of art.
Vegetable Gardening | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Free | Kick start your fall gardening journey with tips from a master gardener on tried and true techniques to grow vegetables, herbs and small fruit trees in our challenging Florida climate.
Friday, Sept. 12
Hop-toberfest featuring Weihenstephaner | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Epicurean Hotel | $85 | Experience five crafted beer tastings from the world’s oldest brewery — Weihenstephaner — paired with gourmet bites.
Election Day for Tampa’s District 5. Head to the polls or drop of your vote by mail ballot today in the 2025 City of Tampa Special Municipal Election to fill the late Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson’s seat.
Announced
The Florida Holocaust Museum reopens today after a year-long renovation. New artifacts include Thor, a 10-ton Danish fishing boat used to secretly evacuate Jews from Denmark to Sweden. (WUSF News)
Announced
She didn’t forget us. Doechii just added a Tampa show to her “Live From the Swamp Tour” at the Yuengling Center on Saturday, Oct. 25. Sign up for the Friday, Sept. 12 presale to score tickets to our homegrown, Grammy-winning rapper’s show. (That’s So Tampa)
Trending
Adam Sandler? Yep, one of America’s favorite comedians and Vanilla Ice played some pickup with the Bulls yesterday. Check out the pic Coach Bryan Hodgson shared on X. (That’s So Tampa)
Number
54. That’s how many days are left until daylight saving time ends and the clock falls back one hour. Translation: It’s time to take advantage of golden-hour hangs after work while you still can. Might we suggest a sunset stroll through one of Tampa Bay’s parks?
Eat
Four new Pringles flavors will be popping onto shelves this month: Smoky Bacon, Smoky Cheddar, Smoky Mesquite BBQ + Sharp White Cheddar. You can also look for two new varieties of Pringles Mingles puffs, but we’re anxiously waiting for the day the brand turns the Cuban sandwich into a chip. (Parade)
Gallery
Sometimes, a picture-perfect moment happens. Even rarer than that is for someone to catch it on film. Lucky for us, those moments are portrayed in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. This is your sign to bring your camera to ZooTampa at Lowry Park to hone your craft.
Fun Fact
The world’s oldest hotel has been welcoming guests since 705 A.D. under the ownership of the same family for 52 generations — Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan. Over 1,000 years later, The Tampa Bay Hotel opened, becoming Tampa Bay’s oldest hotel.
Listen
Calling all Eagles and Bucs fans. Grab your beach chairs and head to Whiskey Joe’s for a Talons vs. Cannons rivalry beach party on Saturday, Sept. 27. Mingle with former players while enjoying a buffet, family-friendly activities, and fireworks. Snag tickets.*
Giveaway
Have you entered our Party on Us Giveaway in partnership with Graingertainment? There’s still one week left to grab your chance to win a DJ + event experience package, valued at $1,000. Enter on our Instagram.*
Sports
The Buccaneers were able to overcome some sloppy play and a slow start to get a win in Atlanta to start the season. Break down the win with local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Watch
College football Saturdays, NBA playoffs, championship golf — it’s all included on ESPN Unlimited, plus Disney+ and Hulu for your first 12 months. Stream everything for $29.99.*
The Buy
We’ve built your new go-to fall outfit. Grab the complete look below for under $200.
🍁 We love this high-rise denim maxi skirt, featuring a stylish front slit for an effortlessly chic look.
🍁 Pair it with this basic ribbed tee with flattering 3/4 sleeves and comfortable, high-stretch fabric.
🍁 Add dimension and layers with this caramel-hued cardigan complete with deep pockets.
🍁 Slip on these memory foam platform clogs for all-day comfort + style.
🍁 Accessorize with this top-rated crossbody featuring vegan leather and a practical design with multiple pockets.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Yesterday, we asked “What is the oldest music venue in the Tampa Bay area?”
Before it became The Ritz Ybor.
Photo via the State Archives of Florida
About 47% of folks correctly guessed The Ritz Ybor. The brick building first opened on Seventh Avenue in 1917 as the Rivoli Theatre, showing the latest silent movies.
In putting this quiz together I fell into a research hole — one of my favorite places — on the Blue Note Bar. The since-shuttered Tampa venue apparently once hosted legends like James Brown, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr., Fats Domino, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner, The Supremes, and The Temptations.
Did you ever catch a show at the Blue Note or have some info you can share for a future story? Please share your intel.
The Wrap
The Wrap
When I’m not actually at work, I’m hard at work building (and working my way through) my own monthly reading curriculum. For those who haven’t seen the trend going around on TikTok, you basically create your own custom learning plan focused on whatever subjects you’re interested in.
My September curriculum includes reading on grilling and sailing, plus a couple books by Toni Morrison.
Need some inspo to build your own? Consider adding a read from a local author to your September, October, or fall curriculum.