Spring is the best time in Tampa Bay to enjoy your favorite sport or recreation. Here, you’ll discover the best bets, from golf to baseball. Stay tuned next month for our water sports guide.
PLAY BALL
The Tampa Bay Rays, 2018 season kicks off with the home opener against the Red Sox March 29th. There’s lots to celebrate including new talent, giveaways and Trop eats.
The Hunger + Thirst Group, responsible for successful local eateries and recreational venues (Avenue, Park & Rec, and Kings Street Food), will be opening at the Trop on the Porch while they introduce a new indoor and outdoor concept/space aptly named, Ballpark & Rec. It will be bringing the fun and games atmosphere of Park & Rec and serving up typical ballpark food (burgers, hotdogs and milkshakes) from counter style diner Kings Street Food and burger joint the Avenue.
Many of the 30 collectibles for game attendees are tied to the 20th anniversary celebration (a 20th anniversary cowbell!). We like the Steven Souza Jr. wristband (April 15), the Kevin Kiermaier lunch box (Aug. 5) and the deejay Kitty slippers (Aug. 26). raysbaseball.com/flex; 888-FAN-RAYS
SPORTS BARS
Looking to watch the Rays or your hometown baseball or basketball team? Catch the fever here:
Guy Harvey Outpost: Catch Rays Watch parties on a big screen TV beachside April 8, June 17, July 29 and Aug. 12. Get there early and enjoy cool cocktails and apps at Rumfish Grill and ogle the award-winning aquarium.
Gulf Beaches: Slyce, Caddy’s, The Wharf, Sea Hags, Players Sports Bar, Sea Dog Brewery, Angry Pepper (Madeira), Brown Boxer and any of the tikis – mix music and sports.
Pinellas: The Getaway, Courthouse Grille, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sports Bar, Hooter’s or Outback Steakhouse, Miller’s Ale House (in Tampa, too!)
Downtown St. Pete: Ferg’s, The Tap House (Hollander Hotel), Thirsty First, Green Bench, 3 Daughters, Park & Rec.
Tampa: Hattrick’s, Prime Time Sports Grill, North 20th Sports Pub & Grille, The Press Box, Brick House Tavern & Tap, MacDinton’s.
WHEELED ADVENTURES
We love a good car show. On April 2nd, the 13th Annual of Speed rolls into Vinoy Park, showcasing vintage and contemporary vehicles from Corvettes to exotic supercars, vintage motorcycles and even watercraft. There’s jazz, food and vendors along Beach Drive.
On the 3rd Saturday of every month, enjoy duPont REGISTRY’s Cars & Coffee from 7 am – 9 am. The May 19th show is at Peter O’Knight Airport on Davis Island, instead of its usual location at 3051 Tech Drive, St. Pete. Want to go fast? Grab a go-cart and channel your Jimmy Johnson at Tampa Bay Grand Prix of Tampa or St. Pete/Clearwater. tampabaygp.com
FORE FUN
From Top Golf to local golf courses, Tampa Bay is a golfer’s dream. Valspar at Innisbrook is the highlight of the spring season, but you don’t want to traipse the tees without the right clothes, clubs and bags. Luckily, The Golf Locker Superstore features popular brands such as FootJoy, Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Oakley, Puma, Travis Mathew, J.Lindeberg, Dunning and Titleist. From shorts to shoes, they’ve got it all, especially the most stylish, technologically advanced fabrics for golf shirts, and that every-handy item, rain gear tailored for the golf aficiando. 6200 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. golflocker.com.
