It’s official: The Channel District is happening. Read on for some of the exciting developments happening in that neighborhood and beyond this season, plus a look at the downtown cultural events in November and December.
Pane Rustica & Cress
Armature Works’ Heights Public Market recently welcomed these two new concepts. Pane Rustica Due is the second location for the South Tampa staple, serving up paninis, pastas (like tagliatelle Bolognese and spinach ravioli), and a variety of pastries. Cress is a health-conscious eatery with custom fresh, seasonal salads and bowls, plus soups.
1910 N. Ola Ave.
(813) 250-3725
armatureworks.com
Union Three
Opening this fall in the Channel District, Union Three is all about building relationships through fitness. Expect good vibes and great music pumping through the studio’s classes, which include indoor cycling and three different hot yoga options (called UFlow, UTone and UBurn, respectively). The studio will offer class memberships and packages, and it will host pop-up classes around town until their location officially opens. Class details are available on the Union Three app.
1221 E. Cumberland Ave. #4
(813) 385-1724
unionthree.com
Gelato-go
A number of new additions will be moving into the storefronts around Grand Central at Kennedy in the coming months, including this dessert spot. Originally opened in South Beach, Gelato-go uses fresh ingredients to make the base for its Italian gelato each day. Beyond gelato, you’ll also find dairy-free sorbetto, coffee, espresso and Italian pastries. Gelato-go is expected to open by year’s end.
1208 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Suite 115
gelatogo.net
La La’s Sangria Bar
Another new addition to downtown’s dining and drinking scene, La La’s is promising salads, tapas and flatbreads, plus a full bar, eight flavors of house-made sangria and craft beer. The lounge is already building out indoor and outdoor seating space at its location on the first floor of the Slade building. Opening is slated for late October.
203 N. Meridian Ave.
lalassangriabar.com
Ground Foods Cafe
Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice. Ground Foods Cafe is an entirely plant-based Italian eatery, with all dishes made vegan by default using olive oil and almond and cashew “cheeses.” Menu options include rigatoni alla vodka, pesto pasta and fusili primavera, plus salads and toasts. The focus on organic and natural foods extends to the wine list, where selections include unfiltered and organic selections imported from small vineyards in Italy.
6428 N. Florida Ave.
(813) 515-7562
groundfoodscafe.com
King of the Coop
This Seminole Heights restaurant recently expanded into its neighboring storefront. The Nashville hot chicken joint is adding more fried chicken options, plus brunch items, to its menu. With the additional kitchen space, King of the Coop will also begin offering delivery through services like UberEats and Postmates later this fall. Finally, restaurant general manager Ryan Deitke will launch his cookie company Pretty Baked exclusively on UberEats out of the Coop’s second kitchen.
6607 N. Florida Ave.
(813) 232-2667
kingofthecooptampa.com
Ybor Beverage Co.
Now open in historic Ybor, this coffee and wine bar serves up the best that Tampa’s local food and beverage businesses have to offer. The cafe’s menu includes coffee drinks made with beans from Zeal Coffee Roasters, breads and pastries from La Segunda, Gulf Coast Sourdough and Alessi, MADE cold brew, Coppertail beers, and more.
1925 E. 6th Ave.
(813) 373-6128
yborbeveragecompany.com
Hockey season is in full swing, and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be spending some significant time at home in November and December. Off the ice, catch holiday shows from Cirque du Soleil and the annual Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance, plus a tour stop by Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. Finally, on November 4, Elton John says goodbye to the Yellow Brick Road on his farewell tour.
Cirque du Soleil presents Axel – Nov 1-3
Elton John – Nov 4
Casting Crowns – Nov 9
Lightning v. New York Rangers – Nov 14
Lightning v. Winnipeg Jets – Nov 16
Lightning v. Anaheim Ducks – Nov 23
Ariana Grande – Nov 24
Lightning v. Buffalo Sabres – Nov 25
Lightning v. St. Louis Blues – Nov 27
Lightning v. Carolina Hurricanes – Nov 30
Lightning v. Minnesota Wild – Dec 5
Lightning v. San Jose Sharks – Dec 7
Bad Bunny – Dec 8
Lightning v. New York Islanders – Dec 9
Lightning v. Boston Bruins – Dec 12
Jimmy Buffett – Dec 13
Lightning v. Washington Capitals – Dec 14
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Dec 15
Lightning v. Ottawa Senators – Dec 17
Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes – Dec 18
Lightning v. Dallas Stars – Dec 19
Lightning v. Florida Panthers – Dec 23
Lightning v. Montreal Canadiens – Dec 28
Lightning v. Detroit Red Wings – Dec 29
Celebrating Pensacola’s importance to Florida history, Pensacola: Florida’s Second City traces the city’s past through maps, pamphlets and illustrations in the Touchton Map Library until April 12. In Brick History (through February 16), 28 LEGO models depict a person, moment or discovery that changed history. The exhibit will also have a hands-on area where kids (and big kids alike) can build their own LEGO models.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
The annual Straz Live! In the Park returns November 3 to kick off the performing arts center’s new season with opera performances, Broadway tunes and family fun. Elsewhere on the schedule, catch the Florida Orchestra, the Nutcracker and recent Broadway hits.
JANE In Concert – Nov 2
Straz Live! In the Park – Nov 3
Fiddler on the Roof – Nov 5-10
Cristela Alonzo – Nov 8
The Florida Orchestra – Deep Field: A Cosmic Experience – Nov 8
The Simon & Garfunkel Story – Nov 9
Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret – Nov 10
Disenchanted! – Nov 14-24
Straight No Chaser – Nov 14
The Florida Orchestra – Winter Dreams: Tchaikovsky & Sibelius – Nov 15
John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons – Nov 17
Tampa Bay Symphony presents Brahms and Barber – Nov 17
Ryanhood – Nov 18
Once on this Island – Nov 19-24
Los Vivancos: Born to Dance – Nov 21
Crime Junkie Podcast Live – Nov 22
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker – Nov 29-Dec 1
The Four Italian Tenors: Viva Italia – Nov 30
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live – Dec 3
Straight Up with Stassi – Dec 5
The Florida Orchestra – Mozart & Tchaikovsky – Dec 6
Nick Offerman – Dec 7
Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Explosion – Dec 8
A Tuna Christmas – Dec 11-22
The Florida Orchestra – Holiday Pops – Dec 13
Kyshona Armstrong – Dec 16
Disney’s Aladdin – Dec 19-Jan 5
A Drag Queen Christmas – Dec 29
The Tampa Museum of Art celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2020, and it’s getting the party started with the opening of The Making of a Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works. The exhibition will showcase 100 pieces from the museum’s permanent collection in eight main categories, including antiquities, paintings, photography, and new media, video and installation art.
Robert Rauschenberg: America Mix-16 – through Jan 5
Jean-Michel Basquiat: One Master Artist/One Masterpiece – through Nov 10
Purvis Young: 91 – through Jan 26
Sacred Diagrams: Haitian Vodou Flags from the Gessen Collection – through Jan 26
The Making of a Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works – Nov 14-Mar 15
