As the sweltering Florida sunlight pours through the wood-beam roof on The Refinery porch, beads of condensation form on the cold pint of Angry Chair’s Space Grass in front of me.
I, too, am starting to sweat, but my thighs sticking to iron patio furniture is something I’ve become used to after more than 20 years in Tampa.
I’m curiously awaiting the latest creation from Chef Greg, who will undoubtedly throw together some of the season’s funkiest flavors into a dish that is as Instagram-worthy as it is taste worthy. (I’m secretly hoping for some variation of pan-roasted Florida flounder.)
The thick humidity, the mind-blowing beer, and the artsy brunch spots are all small pieces of the cooler-than-cool puzzle that is Tampa these days.
In America’s collective consciousness, Tampa’s claims to fame have typically been its football team (go Bucs!), its proximity to sandy white beaches, and its annual pirate-themed party parade, Gasparilla. And with the slew of odd news stories that spring out of Florida, it’s no surprise that the incredible growth of Tampa has mostly remained under the radar.
But Tampa, the peninsula’s third most populous city, has slowly been transforming into a hotspot for young professionals, families, artists, and every demographic in between.
With an explosive craft beer scene, plenty of eclectic, independently-owned restaurants and a flourishing art and music scene, Tampa is an ideal city for an enlightening weekend. Here’s your go-to guide for carpe diem in the 813.
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