Tampa Bay’s first week of October brings a packed schedule of food and drink events, from sake and chef pairing dinners to pumpkin-themed cocktails and an Oktoberfest celebration at the St. Pete Pier.
One standout is MFA St. Pete’s Art After Dark on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 5-8 p.m. Tampa songwriter Sundé will perform while Café Clementine serves its Thursday L’Apéro menu, featuring sweet pastries and savory selections including items with bacon, brie, goat cheese and pesto. Lost Coast Oyster Co., whose oysters are harvested in Terra Ceia, will shuck Florida oysters harvested that morning. Museum docents will also offer tours. Admission is free for MFA members and $16 for nonmembers.
Other St. Petersburg events include the $80-and-up Sake Block Festival at Morean Center for Clay on Oct. 1; a $95-and-up chef’s table pairing dinner at Birch and Vine that evening; and The Art of Coffee tasting with Mission Grounds Coffee at Imagine Museum on Oct. 2. Piertoberfest begins at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at the St. Pete Pier with no cover charge.
In Tampa, the week’s schedule includes the Freedom Fund Dinner at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street on Oct. 3, Sips, Spirits & Sunday Football at Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel on Oct. 4, and a Pumpkin Spice Espresso-tini Class at The Tampa Edition on Oct. 6. The Best of the Bay Party is scheduled for Oct. 7 at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, with tickets listed from $87.58.
Elsewhere around the region, visitors can find a free Fall Y’all Festival in Clearwater on Oct. 3, a virtual talk with Food Network chef Joe Sasto at Dunedin Public Library on Oct. 6, and a free pumpkin painting and sip event at East Lake Community Library in Palm Harbor on Oct. 7.
