Tampa Bay Nightlife; Boating from your Dock to St. Pete

Looking for nightlife on the water?  Tampa Bay has a huge selection of activities that will leave you feeling energized and happy to be under the moon and stars. Tranquility at its best!

Experience fabulous downtown St. Pete when you can cruise by boat right from your home to your favorite restaurant.

Ok, Parking first…

The two easiest places to park are at the St. Pete Pier.  First come, first serve boat docking for a nominal fee of $2-$2.50 an hour. There is also boat docking outside of Doc Ford’s restaurant as well as some spots next to the marina next to Frisco’s restaurant.  Tie up your boat and go explore.  Yum, I can almost smell the food.

Let’s have dinner at the St. Pete Pier!

St. Pete Pier offers three sit-down dining options that each provide an ambiance and flavor of its own.  On the fourth floor of the Pier Point building is Pier’s destination restaurant called Teak. Teak is a casual upscale eatery with 360 unobstructed views of the bay and skylines of both St. Petersburg and Tampa.  

If you are looking for lighter eating, another option is Pier Teaki also located at the Pier Point Building.  This is the perfect spot for a cocktail, an appetizer, and sit high in the sky as the sun goes down behind the City 

Related: Will your boat fit under these Tampa area bridges?

Want more action? 

Those looking for a little more action should check out Doc’s Fords Rum Bar and Grille, a seafood-focused restaurant named after a character in over 20 Florida-themed novels by Randy Wayne White. Don’t forget to save room for their homemade key lime pie, you’ll love it!.

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro located at the Pier entrance has a wraparound deck right on the water.  

It serves anything from seafood to burgers to pasta and has a full bar.  Both Doc Ford’s and Fresco’s provide views of the open water and boat marinas, making it a true Florida experience.

Attend Events at St. Pete’s Vinoy Park…

Vinoy Park is an 11.6-acre park located on the downtown waterfront of St. Pete.  It’s a popular place to bike, walk, hammock, sit, fish, or hang out with your dog.  Not only does it have an awesome daytime appeal it also provides some of the largest and coolest events around. 

The Tampa Bay’s Blues Festival has been held at Vinoy park every year since 1995.  It has been established as one of the world’s greatest blues music events, having presented over 325 of the world’s best blues performers.   It has featured Buddy Guy, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Irma Thomas, just to name a few.

Reggae Rise Up is one of the biggest and most popular reggae festivals around the country.  You will be highly entertained by performers on multiple stages, large art installations, and interactive activities.  You will see the best names in reggae like Rebelution, SOJA, and Damien Marley.

Here is a local tip…

Don’t want to pay a cover fee for these events?  Anchor your boat just off the seawall of the park and hear all the music for free.  While you won’t be in the park you can still enjoy the tunes.

Pops in the Park has been entertaining both old and young for nearly 30 years. Bring a cozy blanket, and some wine, and have a picnic as you listen to the harmony of the Florida Orchestra.  Blow your mind with familiar tunes like the theme song to the movie Star Wars.  At the end of the performance, watch fireworks light up the sky.  The best part: Pops in the Park is free!

Looking for a food festival?  

Vinoy Park will deliver. 

St. Pete Tacos and Tequila Festival is coming soon.  Fill yourself up with over 25 tacos vendors and authentic margaritas!

Fun at Tampa Bay Rowdies Game

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a professional soccer team based in St. Pete. The Rowdies have been members of the USL Championship in the second tier since 2017.  Wear your green and yellow as you cheer on the team in their beautiful waterfront stadium. Tickets range anywhere from $15-$50.

St. Pete Downtown; Live Show or Concert

Mahaffey Theater is a performing arts center and concert hall that has been located on St. Pete’s waterfront since 1965. Day and night events, It’s a 2,031 seat facility with European box-style seating and ballroom space. 

You can see music from Tina Turner to Leanne Rimes, a comedy show with Wanda Sykes, or watch a performance of Shen Yun. 

Jannus Live is an iconic concert venue that has been hosting an eclectic variety of bands, DJ’s and performing artists since 1984.  

Be up close and personal to the performance in this open-air, quaint venue.  This unique space has hosted artists from Cyndi Lauper toRed Hot Chili Peppers.  (Jannus Live is about one mile from St. Pete Pier).

Low key and free…

The Ale and Witch is serving up live music as well as the greatest selection of American craft beers.  You can sip while you sit outside and listen to the tunes of Jazz, Blues, Rock, Bluegrass, and Folk.  Check their website calendar to see who is performing next…..Applebutter Express is one of my favorites!

Watch a Movie in Straub Park

Every Thursday evening in the month of May and October, Preserve the Burg presents a “Movie in the Park”.  Bring a chair for this first-come-first-serve seating.  

The event will provide live music until the movie begins at dusk.  If you missed grabbing dinner, no problem!  There will be a few vendors selling food and drinks to please everyone's taste buds. 

Halloween week is also very special with a spooky movie and costume contest.  Did you know David Bowie showed up for the movie Labyrinth?

                      What a night!

Arriving at the St. Pete Pier by boat gives you the options to dine, grab a drink, watch the sunset, stroll around, simply sit in the park or do all of the above.  The vibrance of Downtown St. Petersburg is enough to make you keep coming back to this heart-pumping Sunshine City!  You will be glad you did…Hope to see you soon!