Tampa Bay Margarita Festival
One of the defining flavors of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine State in general would have to be that of a well-made margarita. Nothing says you’re on vacation in a subtropical paradise than a sip of this sometimes-slushy tequila concoction.
Staying with us in the heart of Tampa Bay at the Westshore Grand, you have no trouble tracking down a good margarita any time of year. But in May, Tampa actually dedicates an entire festival to the cocktail, and—as you might well imagine—it’s always a blast.
This year’s Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, the fifth iteration, takes place at downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park on May 27 from noon to 11 PM. That’s an easy trip east from the Westshore Grand!
Some Mean Margaritas
At the heart of the festival, of course, are margaritas: topnotch versions handmade by elite bartenders in the multiple margarita bars studding the grounds. There’s a whole galaxy of margaritas available: a dazzling spread of different styles, flavors, and colors. It’s a genuine Margaritaville (with apologies to Mr. Buffet).
The Grand Tequila Tasting
Besides the cocktails, the Margarita Festival also celebrates their starring liquor with the Grand Tequila Tasting, which runs from 2 to 6 PM at the Tampa Museum of Art. A ticket to this special event gives you five tastings, selected from better than 30 varieties of tequila available: from Don Julio to Hornitos.
Margarita Fest Entertainment: From Barenaked Ladies to World-class Pyrotechnics
It’s not a festival without some live music, naturally, and the margarita madness comes well soundtracked for its entire duration. This year’s headliners? Try Barenaked Ladies. And then there are the fireworks, which close out the festival in a massive, suitably stirring pyrotechnic display. What more could you ask for?
The Margarita Run
Directly preceding the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, meanwhile, is the 2.5-mile Margarita Run, the finishing line for which (appropriately enough) is the Zignum Mezcal Margarita Bar.
Be Safe
Of course, the only way to enjoy the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival is with safe transportation. Enlist a designated driver or take advantage of public transit! (We can help you plan your route from our hotel.)
The Westshore Grand & the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival: An Unbeatable Combination
Have we convinced you yet of how fun the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival is? How could it not be? Well, come stay with us at the Westshore Grand this May and treat yourself to a big, lively margarita soiree!