# Best of the Bay 2026 — Tampa Bay's Readers' Choice Party

## Site
- Name: Best of the Bay 2026
- Publisher: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
- Site URL: https://botbtampabay.com
- Coverage & winners: https://www.cltampa.com/best-of

## Event
- Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Doors: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Venue: The Coliseum, St. Petersburg, FL
- Format: 21+ cocktail-style party with food and drink samples, local entertainment, and award pickup

## What is Best of the Bay?
Best of the Bay is Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's annual Readers' Choice awards celebration, recognizing the best people, places, and things in the Tampa Bay area as voted on by the public. The event features two award categories: Readers' Picks (chosen by public vote) and Critics' Picks (curated by Creative Loafing staff). Winners are announced at the Best of the Bay party and published in the annual Best of the Bay issue. The event is open to the public — not just finalists and winners.

## Key Dates
- Open Nominations: May 14, 2026 – June 10, 2026
- Voting Round: July 23, 2026 – August 30, 2026
- Party: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

## Links
- Vote / Nominations ballot: https://vote.cltampa.com
- Buy tickets: https://www.eventticketstampabay.com/e/best-of-the-bay-party-2026/tickets

## Sponsorship & Advertising
- Sponsor inquiry contact: leigh@cltampa.com
- Sponsorship and advertising packages are available for businesses wanting to reach Tampa Bay's engaged readership and party attendees.

## Contact
- Publisher: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
- Website: https://botbtampabay.com