Summer Vibes

Your Summer Bucket List

by Morgan Cole

While the pandemic has wreaked havoc on virtually every facet of society since its onset early last year, the impact it has had on our social lives is difficult to overstate.

It’s hard to believe, but after more than a year, there are finally events on the local calendar again. With the promise for more later this month and into the summer, there’s a reason to believe summer 2021—though obviously not what any of us would call “normal” in the pre-pandemic sense—will be a hopeful time with plenty of reason and opportunity to get out and hit the town. We’ve gathered a slew of chill summer activities for those looking to get out and, you know, do stuff again. From new bar openings and summer concerts to drive-in movies and farmers markets, here’s a round-up of some of our favorite local happenings making a comeback just in time for summer. Dive in!

Although we encourage you to “let the good times roll,” we ask that you please do so with caution. We want everyone to remain safe, especially those of us not already vaccinated.

Shopping

200 South Small Business Saturday

Come out and shop for one-of-a-kind products and creations made by local vendors just outside Graffiti Pizza on Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. Every month, 200 South features new, up and coming creatives and their one-of-a-kind products. The market features unique jewelry, art, decor and more! The next Small Business Saturday is scheduled for June 5 from 11 am–11 pm. For more on Small Business Saturday and a list of upcoming market dates, check-out their facebook page at @200southpcola.

Uptown Pensacola Market

Spend the Saturday shopping in Uptown. With more than 50 vendors and growing each week, Uptown Pensacola Market is quickly becoming the place to be on Saturdays. Trader Bo’s, along with Uptown Market and Green with Envy, host an assortment of local vendors selling arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles and more. Several of the area’s popular food trucks are on-site as well. So grab some friends, a big shopping bag and head to Uptown for this fantastic outdoor market held at the Dunmire Plaza on 9th Ave. in Pensacola. Markets are held Saturdays from 9 am–3 pm and parking is free. For upcoming market dates, visit uptown.market/events.

Palafox Market

Shop fresh finds at this local outdoor farmers market. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered by vendors at Palafox Market in Downtown Pensacola. Items originate directly from on-site vendors who grow, make, or create the fruits, vegetables, herbs and art for sale. Markets are held on Saturdays from 9 am–2 pm. For more on Palafox Market and a list of upcoming market dates, visit palafoxmarket.com.

Food & Drink

The Well

One positive outcome of the panDrink Drink demic is the collective rediscovery of so many simple joys. Like enjoying a drink with friends at a local bar. So, beat the summer heat with a crafty cocktail or cool sour ale at downtown’s newest watering hole, The Well. This vintage Florida-style taproom and cocktail lounge is located in the East Garden Street District of downtown Pensacola, next door to sister establishments Perfect Plain Brewing Co. and Garden & Grain. Their funky barrel-aged beer program and modern Floridianinspired cocktail menu were crafted by one of the region’s top mixologists. Their signature cocktails are thoughtfully served in unique glassware with festive garnishes. If you’re more into beer, check-out the taproom featuring a select assortment of draft beers from Perfect Plain and four bottled beers (exclusive to The Well), including two sour ales. The Well hosted its official grand opening last month, with plans to launch a food menu (featuring a raw oyster bar) later this year. The interior’s lounge-style seating areas and swanky tropical decor combine to create an inviting space that’s perfect for grabbing drinks with friends.

AJ’s Market & Ice Cream at Southtowne

Satisfy your sweet tooth with an old-fashioned ice cream sundae or boozy Punch Pop from AJ’s Market & Ice Cream at the Southtowne Apartment Complex in downtown Pensacola. This 50s style parlor has a traditional soda fountain style ice cream counter with 16 flavors of Hershey’s ice cream! They also serve malts, frosty A&W root beer floats, banana splits, sundaes and pretty much any other ice cream concoction you can think of. Did we mention the Punch Pops? AJ’s carries some of the best Punch Pops we’ve ever tried…Hands down! If you haven’t heard Punch Pops before, they’re basically booze-infused popsicles packed with some serious punch. You can purchase the pre-packed pops individually or by the box.

Fish House Craft Beer Festival

Cool-off with some local craft brews at the 7th annual Fish House Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, June 19 from 3–6 pm. The event will feature more than 50 types of craft beers with a portion of the event proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Fish House Tackle Shop, located at the front of the Fish House building just at the top of the steps. For tickets and event details, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

Outdoor Activities

Pensacola Beach July 4th Fireworks Show

Head out to Pensacola Beach on July 4th for a fireworks extravaganza. The fireworks will display along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Santa Rosa Sound, so grab your lawn chair, pack the cooler and head out for some fun. The show starts at 8:30 pm, so arrive early to reserve your spot on the sand. For more details, visit pensacolabeachchamber.com.

2021 Firecracker 5K Run

Heat things up by kicking-off your 4th of July weekend with the Firecracker 5k run on July 3 from 7–9 am at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola. Celebrate with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of NWFL for this 4th of July themed race by gearing-up in all things red, white and blue. Event proceeds directly benefit RMHC of Northwest Florida. The race starts and ends at Seville Quarter. Both runners and walkers are invited to join in the fun. Following the 5k is the Kids Fun Run. Don’t forget to grab a cold drink at Seville after the race and pick up your finisher’s medal! Visit rmhc-nwfl.org for registration and event details.

Red, White & Blues Week & Pensacola Beach Airshow

This three-day event features the worldfamous Blue Angels Airshow on Pensacola Beach and will be held July 7–10. Locals and visitors from all over look forward to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show held in the summer. Red, White & Blues Week will celebrate our very own hometown heroes—the Blue Angels—the U. S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. Hit the beach, grab a spot in the sand and kick-back while enjoying one Penacola’s most iconic annual events. For complete details on this year’s Red, White & Blues Week and the Pensacola Beach Air Show, check out visitpensacola.com.

Grand Fiesta Parade

It’s Fiesta time in Pensacola! Come catch some beads, hear the sounds of local high school marching bands and enjoy watching beautiful floats parade through the streets of downtown Pensacola June 4, from 7–10 pm. Bring the entire family to one of Pensacola’s favorite annual Fiesta events. In addition to the dozens of local krewes parading, special appearances will be made by a masked DeLuna LXXI, his queen and their court. For complete event details, visit fiestapensacola.org.

Music & Entertainment

Bands on the Beach

Grab your chair and cooler and head-out to Pensacola Beach for some chill tunes and good times at Bands on the Beach summer concert series. This free outdoor concert features a line-up of performers for every musical taste. Held weekly on Tuesday nights at the Gulfside Pavilion, the series features regional artists performing a wide variety of music genres. Concerts start at 7 pm, so be sure to get there early and set-up your chair to snag a good spot. Check-out visitpensacola.com for the complete line-up.

Timewarp Theater Drive-in Movies

Load-up the car and head out to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola for a good old-fashioned drive-in movie. The founders of Timewarp Theater previously hosted a series of “pop-up” drive-in movie nights at locations throughout Pensacola, but have recently set-up a permanent home for their giant pop-up movie screen. So, gather some friends and head on out to the Speedway for an evening with the stars from your cars. This series of family-friendly drive-in movies runs Thursday–Sunday. Check out Timewarp Theater’s Facebook page @timewarptheaters for upcoming movies and showtimes.

Blues on the Bay

Come wind-down at this free outdoor concert series held at the Community Maritime Park’s Hunter Amphitheater. Blues on the Bay is one of the most popular events for locals and visitors to spend the final hours of their weekend enjoying fantastic live music with family and friends in a great atmosphere. Concerts are held at 6 pm on select Sunday evenings and are open to the public. Visit cityofpensacola.com for summer concerts dates and scheduled performers.

Performing & Visual Arts

Downtown Pensacola Gallery Night

Pensacola’s infamous Gallery Night will officially return July 16! Gallery Night will once again host its monthly art centric event on the third Friday of every month from 5–10 pm in downtown Pensacola. Grab a drink and hit Palafox street as the galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars open their doors to the night air and welcome visitors and locals for an evening of lively music, fantastic art and tasty cuisine. The party officially wraps up at 9 pm, but most restaurants, bars, and local businesses extend their hours to promote the excitement of late-night crowds. Visit gallerynightpensacola.org for the complete 2021 Gallery Night schedule.

Gallery 1060 at First City Arts Center

Check-out the latest Gallery 1060 art show at the First City Art Center in downtown Pensacola. Local artists have put together an Urban Remix Show which is currently on display and includes street art design with iconic Pensacola points of interest. In addition to Gallery 1060, First City Arts Center hosts an extensive variety of workshops with everything from glassblowing to pottery and clay; drawing and painting; to metal casting; Shakespeare; Zumba and yoga. The center also welcomes visitors to drop-in on other events, such as Free Verse Friday Open-Mic Night, where guests can come to hear or be heard; or Life Drawing events, the drawing of a live model, open to the public every Monday night. For more information on prices, workshops, classes and schedules, visit firstcityart.org.