Voting for Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of the Bay is now open

WMNF's Big Gay Radio Show hosts holding up their 'Best of the Bay 2025' award certificates at Creative Loafing's annual event. Credit: Nick Cardello

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 2026 Best of The Bay is finally here, which means the nominations are in and the polls are now open! It’s time to show some love to your favorite local bars, food trucks, musicians, artists, and everything and anything you think makes Tampa Bay exceptional.

Voting is open between Thursday, July 23 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30. Readers can vote once per day across nine categories, including Arts, Beauty & wellness, Drink, Entertainment, Food, Goods, People, Places, and Services.

Winners will be revealed at Creative Loafing’s big Best of the Bay party on Oct. 7, where nominees, winners, local celebrities and more get to mingle, shuffle, eat and drink, and get a first look at Creative Loafing’s annual Best of the Bay-themed issue.

A limited number of pre-sale tickets for the party are on sale for a limited time at a discounted price. Prices increase on July 26.

Every year, CL asks the public for help with this gigantic issue, and once the polls close, we comb through millions of readers’ poll votes to bring you the best people, places or things that help Tampa Bay thrive, all chosen by you, the public. So, happy voting!

To see previous winners, and for more information on Creative Loafing’s annual Best of The Bay issue and party, visit botbtampabay.com.

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This article appears in July 23 – 29, 2026.

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