By Julia Drossel
Tampa is exploding with dining, entertainment, and events. Whether it’s new experiences, annual celebrations, or Michelin-starred dishes, the city is evolving into a diverse hub of attractions for visitors and residents. Here are a few spots to check out for 2024.
The Pearl is one of Tampa’s newest gastropubs located on Water Street. The restaurant offers shareable, seasonal seafood, handcrafted cocktails, an oyster room, and more. The Michelin Star restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating seven days a week. Reservations are recommended and can be made through their website.
“After living here for ten years, my favorite new spot has to be Water Street,” said Steven Newman, a Tampa resident. “It feels like there are new restaurants and pop-up events every week.”
Gasparilla Music Festival on Feb. 16-18 is an annual event featuring Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, Surf Mesa, and countless other artists for the 2024 set. As well as bringing joy through music, the Gasparilla Music Foundation promotes music education through its “Recycled Tunes” program. The event takes place in Julian B. Lane Park.
“I have been to the Gasparilla Music Festival every year for the past five years,” said Donatella Barbero, a long-time festival attendee. “I’ve been to countless festivals all over Florida, and I can happily say no one does it like Tampa.”
Beacon is one of Tampa’s newest rooftop bars on the JW Marriott’s 27th floor. The second-highest rooftop in Tampa features spectacular views, cocktails, and small bites. Beacon offers private events and reservations available for booking on their website. Beacon is open Wednesday – Sunday.
The Gasparilla International Film Festival from March 21-24 is celebrating its 17th anniversary. The festival is Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent film. A wide range of genres and types of films are screened at the festival, including features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, international films, and more.
Sesame is Hyde Park’s newest bagel shop. Sesame operates as a bagel cafe on the surface, but for those in the loop, there’s a chance to access Tampa’s latest secretive speakeasy bar. After making a reservation, the Sesame will give you a code that you repeat at the register.
The code will unveil the hidden speakeasy, Jekyll. The speakeasy serves specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for a fun night in secrecy. Sesame is open Sunday – Wednesday 7-12 a.m. and Thursday-Saturday 7-1 a.m.
“I’ve been to Sesame many times, and I hate to say it, but I’m not happy that the secret is coming out,” said Vinny Vaccaro, Tampa resident. “Every Friday night, it’s one of my favorite places to go with my buddies.”
The annual Florida Strawberry Festival takes place Feb. 29-March 10. Visitors travel from nearby and distant locations to partake in showcases featuring agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. This festival captures the essence of Americana and cultivates a family-friendly atmosphere.
From Michelin-starred delights at The Pearl to the hidden gem of Jekyll at Sesame, Tampa will blossom into a hotspot for dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences in 2024. Please visit their website to learn more about each event and dining experience.