Margarita Wars is coming – Get your tickets here!

Get a sneak peek inside Tampa's Sparkman Wharf before its grand opening

By CL Staff on Tue, Nov 27, 2018 at 4:36 pm

In case you haven't heard, Tampa's Sparkman Wharf will formally debut to the public Friday, Nov. 30. CL explored the new Channel District destination for casual drinks and dishes earlier this week, and now it's your turn. The anticipated gathering place's mixed-use, park-like grounds, which are also open to pooches, offer everything from recreational activities to waterfront views. Oh, and before you go, here are the top five things you need to know.

Photos by Chris Fasick http://crave.digital/

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Sparkman Wharf houses its street food stalls  including chef-restaurateur BT Nguyen's BT in a Box and Gallito Taqueria from Rooster & the Till owners Ty Rodriguez and chef Ferrell Alvarez  in 10 recycled shipping containers.

Sparkman Wharf houses its street food stalls — including chef-restaurateur BT Nguyen's BT in a Box and Gallito Taqueria from Rooster & the Till owners Ty Rodriguez and chef Ferrell Alvarez — in 10 recycled shipping containers.

Gallito puts its own modern spin on Mexican street food.

Gallito puts its own modern spin on Mexican street food.

Craving Spanish wine and tapas? Head to Montados by Mise en Place.

Craving Spanish wine and tapas? Head to Montados by Mise en Place.

From restaurateur Dave Burton, Flock and Stock does American roadside grub like burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries.

From restaurateur Dave Burton, Flock and Stock does American roadside grub like burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries.

Foundation Coffee Co. owners Emily and Jason Smith provide the cups of specialty coffee.

Foundation Coffee Co. owners Emily and Jason Smith provide the cups of specialty coffee.

Many of the mural-adorned shipping containers  which embrace the area's history as a working waterfront and were conceived in partnership with design shop Pep Rally  feature local references. This one is decorated with the latitude and longitude of Sparkman Wharf.

Many of the mural-adorned shipping containers — which embrace the area's history as a working waterfront and were conceived in partnership with design shop Pep Rally — feature local references. This one is decorated with the latitude and longitude of Sparkman Wharf.

The dining garden is an al fresco setting that overlooks the spacious event lawn and the shaded Fermented Reality biergarten.

The dining garden is an al fresco setting that overlooks the spacious event lawn and the shaded Fermented Reality biergarten.

Go to the lawn for friendly competition (think shuffleboard, jumbo chess and cornhole), or enjoy the large LED screen slated to project Tampa Bay Lightning games.

Go to the lawn for friendly competition (think shuffleboard, jumbo chess and cornhole), or enjoy the large LED screen slated to project Tampa Bay Lightning games.

edison's swigamajig is a dive bar and fish kitchen occupying two shipping containers.

edison's swigamajig is a dive bar and fish kitchen occupying two shipping containers.

"I think you're gonna see something very unique, although very familiar because it is a fish kitchen," said chef-owner Jeannie Pierola, who's also behind Edison: Food+Drink Lab. "I think we've all eaten fried fish or something like that. But we're doing our own little spin, our own little 'je ne sais quoi' so to speak."

"I think you're gonna see something very unique, although very familiar because it is a fish kitchen," said chef-owner Jeannie Pierola, who's also behind Edison: Food+Drink Lab. "I think we've all eaten fried fish or something like that. But we're doing our own little spin, our own little 'je ne sais quoi' so to speak."

With 30 taps, the biergarten focuses on craft beer  specifically Florida craft beer.

With 30 taps, the biergarten focuses on craft beer — specifically Florida craft beer.

The recently updated bowling alley, Splitsville Southern + Social, is another tenant at Sparkman Wharf. Its doors reopened earlier this month.

The recently updated bowling alley, Splitsville Southern + Social, is another tenant at Sparkman Wharf. Its doors reopened earlier this month.

Whatever Pops & Bowls, which carries acai bowls, popsicles and house-made gelato, was one of the first stalls to be announced.

Whatever Pops & Bowls, which carries acai bowls, popsicles and house-made gelato, was one of the first stalls to be announced.

"I mean, just look at the names around us," said Whatever Pops owner Steve McGlocklin. "We're very honored to be a part of it, and we're very honored to be able to present our desserts and our acai bowls and the things we've been doing for seven years to, hopefully, a new crowd that comes to visit downtown. We really couldn't ask for more."

"I mean, just look at the names around us," said Whatever Pops owner Steve McGlocklin. "We're very honored to be a part of it, and we're very honored to be able to present our desserts and our acai bowls and the things we've been doing for seven years to, hopefully, a new crowd that comes to visit downtown. We really couldn't ask for more."

SaltBlock Hospitality Group founders Ryan Conigliaro and Scott Roberts serve raw bivalves and chargrilled varieties at Boat Run Oyster Company, plus seasonal eats like Florida shrimp and stone crab.

SaltBlock Hospitality Group founders Ryan Conigliaro and Scott Roberts serve raw bivalves and chargrilled varieties at Boat Run Oyster Company, plus seasonal eats like Florida shrimp and stone crab.

Expect a menu of craft cocktails and Florida seafood from swigamajig, billed as a "modern seafoodie dive."

Expect a menu of craft cocktails and Florida seafood from swigamajig, billed as a "modern seafoodie dive."

Jumbo chess is one highlight of the lawn.

Jumbo chess is one highlight of the lawn.

There's also shuffleboard.

There's also shuffleboard.

Strategic Property Partners manager Sam Stein (L) discusses Sparkman Wharf's consistent music programming alongside David Cox, executive director for Gasparilla Music Foundation.

Strategic Property Partners manager Sam Stein (L) discusses Sparkman Wharf's consistent music programming alongside David Cox, executive director for Gasparilla Music Foundation.

The lawn's stage, where a regular bill of local live tunes is planned on weekends.

The lawn's stage, where a regular bill of local live tunes is planned on weekends.

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