The Tampa Bay area is Florida’s largest metro area with Tampa itself, St. Petersburg and the nearby gulf beach towns. Tampa has a thriving nightlife scene in the old town area
“Ybor City”, but alas, the gay scene is more spread out. You’ll find gay bars throughout Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Tampa Bay’s beaches are some of the best in the country. Whether you want coarse or fine sand, and whether you seek a mellow day of shelling or a raucous romp on a crowded stretch of waterfront, this place has it all. Of course, you can choose from a range of water activities, including charter fishing, parasailing, sunset cruises, kayaking, and more.
The region has its share of boutique districts spotted with shops and sidewalk cafés. Tampa’s Hyde Park Village and downtown St. Petersburg’s Beach Drive are among the top picks if you’re looking to check out some upscale shops and dine alfresco while getting the most of the area’s pleasant climate.
Vibrant nightlife tops off Tampa Bay’s list of assets. Ybor City attracts the club set, and barrier islands like St. Pete Beach offer loads of live music and barefoot dancing into the wee hours.
717 South
Hot spot dispatching Italian & Pacific Rim fare in an elegant dining room with a lively bar scene.
717 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL
Bacchus Wine Bistro
Casual eatery offering small plates, charcuterie & French eats, plus truffles & a robust wine list.
124 2nd Ave NE, St Petersburg, FL
BellaBrava
Casual Italian restaurant serves up a traditional menu alongside some American options plus wine.
204 Beach Dr NE, St Petersburg, FL
Cassis St. Pete
Buzzy brasserie & bakery for American & French fare in a Parisian space with outdoor seats.
170 Beach Dr NE, St Petersburg, FL
Datz
Chill eatery providing craft beer & eclectic international fare in unpretentious surroundings.
180 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL
Gratzzi Italian Grille
White-tablecloth bar/restaurant offering classic Italian entrees plus pizza bar selections.
211 2nd St S, St Petersburg, FL
La Terrazza Restaurant
Local mainstay serving homestyle
Northern Italian cuisine & wines in a warm-hued storefront space.
1727 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL
Maestro’s Restaurant
Elegant, contemporary venue for American fare, located in the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa, FL
Malio’s
Elegant space by the Hillsborough River provides high-end American fare, fine wines & power lunches.
400 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL
Mise en Place Restaurant
Chef Marty Blitz presents a New American menu featuring creative plates in a refined space.
442 W Grand Central Ave, Tampa, FL
Noble Crust
Stylish, contemporary destination with a menu of Italian & Southern dishes, craft beer & wine.
8300 4th St N, St Petersburg, FL
Oak & Ola
Hip restaurant with a roof terrace & regular live music crafting cocktails, pizzas & refined mains.
1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL
Stillwaters Tavern
Attractive space for hearty yet elevated American fare, plus a strong beer & cocktail list.
224 Beach Dr NE, St Petersburg, FL
The Galley: A St. Pete Tavern
Lively tavern featuring cocktails, draft brews & American eats in a comfy, nautical-themed interior.
27 4th St N, St Petersburg, FL
Ulele
Rustic-chic site for native Floridian fare, with house-brewed beers.
1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL
Yah Mon Caribbean Restaurant
Cozy eatery with table & banquette seating serving Caribbean dishes & hearty sides, plus drinks.
301 W Platt St Unit C, Tampa, FL
The Witch of all Witches is ready to cast her next great spell! Two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and Broadway breakout star Jinkx Monsoon presents her biggest concert tour to date with “Everything at Stake.” For more info visit:
tinyurl.com/4xhfbe8d
Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival presents The Evolution of Drag – Drag Through the Decades! Glamazon and drag performer/producer Daphne Ferraro brings her smash hit multimedia drag extravaganza to St. Pete. A unique mix of comedy, dance productions, history lesson and dazzling drag costuming, the show takes audiences on an exhilarating voyage through ten decades (through the eyes of a drag queen). Ferraro will be joined by Florida’s top female impersonators.
graphic memoir follows Rebecca as she navigates her asexual identity and mental health in a world obsessed with sex. From school to work to relationships, this book offers an unparalleled insight into asexuality. Tombolo Books Queer Comic Book Club is centered on creating an lgbtq-driven inclusive safe space in our community through the reading & discussion of graphic novels. We meet every second Saturday at 12pm. All ages are welcome! For more info visit: tombolobooks.com/events
SEP 9
TOMBOLO’S QUEER COMIC BOOK CLUB READS: US
Us is Sara and Diana’s love story, as well as the story of Diana’s gender transition. Full of humor, heartache, and the everyday triumphs and struggles of identity, this graphic memoir speaks
OCT 14
TOMBOLO’S QUEER COMIC BOOK CLUB READS: I HATE THIS PLACE
Tombolo’s Queer Comic Book Club Reads: I HATE THIS PLACE
After inheriting a farmhouse, Trudy and Gabby are ready to start the next chapter of their lives together...except it’s already home to a mysterious force that’s attracted ghosts, aliens, and all kinds of supernatural beings for decades. Now, Gabby and Trudy must play by the “house rules” in order to survive living amongst frightening creatures in this new series from Kyle Starks. The Queer Comic Book Club will meet at The Speakeasy space within The Factory. The address is 2606 Fairfield Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL.
For more info visit:
tombolobooks.com/events
A young Fran Lebowitz once was expelled from school for “nonspecific surliness.” By the time she began chronicling New York City for Interview and Mademoiselle, she had honed that surliness to a fine, lethal point. Her books, such as Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, are magnificent collections of malicious humor. Frequent appearances on talk shows and public speaking engagements helped build an audience who consider her the spiritual descendent of Dorothy Parker. For more info visit:
tinyurl.com/bdvh3yuw
DEC 1-3
FUNNY GIRL
Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this
Blur Nightclub
Upbeat nightclub featuring DJ-fueled dance parties, plus live bands, karaoke nights, drag shows & themed events.
325 Main St, Dunedin, FL
Bradley’s on 7th
Festive gay bar with a pool table, happy hours & live entertainment in a dimly-lit setting.
1510 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL
City Side
LGBT cocktail lounge with TVs & an outdoor area, plus billiards, karaoke & cabaret shows.
3703 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL
Enigma
Lively, gay-friendly lounge with several rooms, a cozy dance floor, drag shows & sidewalk tables.
1110 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL
Pro Shop Pub
Enduring gay bar serving drinks in simple, down-to-earth, roadside environs with sports on TV.
840 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL
Quench Lounge
Festive, trendy gay nightspot with drag shows, karaoke, DJs & dancing, plus happy hours.
13284 66th St N, Largo, FL
Southern Nights TAMPA
Festive LGBT nightclub featuring drag queens, DJs, go-go-dancers & cocktail specials.
1401 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL
The Castle
Multilevel dance club with music from new wave to pop.
2004 N 16th St, Tampa, FL
Balance Tampa Bay
A volunteer organization promoting Fellowship, Fun and Philanthropy throughout the LGBTQ+ community. balancetampabay.org
EPIC
Expanding Life-Changing HIV Services in Tampa Bay. myepic.org
4703 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL
Equality Florida
The largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community. eqfl.org
GLSEN
A national organization fighting for every student’s right to a safe, supportive education. glsen.org
Prism PRISM aims to provide LGBTQ+ youth in South Florida and beyond with the education and support they need to live a happy, healthy life. prismfl.org
Rainbow Recovery Club
Served thousands of community members in various Recovery Groups by providing them with a safe, inclusive, and supportive place for meetings and fellowshipping. rainbowrecoveryclub.org
308 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Ste C, Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
TIGLFF showcases a selection of compelling films and videos by, for, or about the LGBT community that Entertains, Enlightens & Empowers.
