Weekend Events
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (129031)
Gainesville, Florida
September 15, 2026 8:02pm CST
I'm a couple days late on this because I have been so busy at work, and also because I've been a complete slacker lately, but I had a really fun weekend in Tampa, Florida crossing a few things off my bucket list.
I will start off with something I discovered quite by accident in downtown Tampa. We were exploring some fancy areas around downtown, and I came across a flyer posted on a pole. It was for a hidden speakeasy pirate bar. The flyer gave a clue to a location I had to find, which was a restaurant a few blocks over. On the sidewalk in front of the restaurant was one of those little A-frame sign boards, and on that there was clues to another location, which took me to an alley. A sign in the alley then directed me to a bookstore, and I had to find some books that when pulled off the shelf opened a secret door that led down a hallway that led into the speakeasy. It was so awesome once I found the place, and we enjoyed a couple of pirate themed drinks before heading out.
The main reason we were in Tampa was because Bruno Mars was in concert at Raymond James stadium, the football stadium where the Tamp Bay Bucs play home games. Bruno actually had two sold out shows in the stadium (about 60,000 each night). Bruno Mars has been around for quite a long time, but I did not realize he was still that popular.
Anyway, even though our seats were up in the nosebleed section, we had a great time at the concert. It was a beautiful night, it wasn't too hot, and no rain or thunderstorms anywhere to be found. We were even treated to a gorgeous sunset over Tampa Bay since our seats were so high up. It only took a couple of beers before I started dancing to his music! lol
How was your weekend?
11 people like this
11 responses
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep
It's been a few weeks, maybe even more than a month, since I last went to Disney. I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms!
3 people like this
@dfollin (27618)
• United States
16 Sep
@moffittjc Lucky! I have not been to Disneyworld in 14 years. I have thought everyday since on how to afford to get back!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep
@dfollin I probably go about 25 times a year, since everyone in my family are pass holders. I've been going all my life and still don't get tired of the theme parks.
1 person likes this
@dfollin (27618)
• United States
16 Sep
@moffittjc I have a friend that lives in Tampa. I have never been there yet. I am too old to climb that high and have been unable to do that and even some stairs because of getting a ruptured ear drum that makes me dizzy.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep
@dfollin You should visit your friend in Tampa, even if you don't climb any stairs. Tampa is such a beautiful city.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep
It took forever to reach our seats that high up, but we did get a pretty decent view of the greater Tampa area. And I thought going down (leaving) at the end of the night would be easier, but it was just as difficult.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (57831)
• Canada
20 Sep
@moffittjc Oh I am so glad that everything was just so for this outdoor event.
When we went to see Bryan Adams the end of August, it was one of the last warm evenings in our region,
since then the evening temperatures have been cool, and it wouldn't have been comfortable waiting outside the venue.
Any plans on another concert in the near future?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
@Juliaacv I have reservations to see the Beach Boys again at Epcot at Disney World on November 11th. It will be the second year in a row that I have seen them there. This year, I paid for a dining package, which guarantees seating in the first three rows of the venue. And you’ll appreciate this…the dinner reservation is at a steakhouse at the Canada pavilion in Epcot!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
It was a great show! I was worried about it being too hot, too humid, or storming (all common in Florida at this time of year), but the weather ended up being nearly perfect. It was warm, but not unbearably so.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
He's been around forever it seems. I was quite surprised that he is still relevant in today's times, and that he sold out two concerts in a row in a football stadium.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Oct
@TheHorse Nah, if it was a Trump rally, everyone would have been wearing MAGA hats. lol
@TheHorse (241038)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Oct
@moffittjc When I glanced at the photo, I thought it was a Trump rally.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (51317)
• Staten Island, New York
16 Sep
It was a bit of an adventure for you to find that speakeasy. I’ve never been to a Bruno Mars concert but I like his music though.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
The speakeasy was fun, especially following the clues to find it. I've always been a fan of Bruno's music, but never in a million years did I ever think I would go to one of his concerts.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
@lovebuglena Definitely. I’ve only been to a handful of stadium concerts in my life, so each and every one of them was memorable
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (51317)
• Staten Island, New York
20 Sep
@moffittjc it was an experience I’m sure you will remember for a long time.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
I've always been a fan of speakeasy's and hidden places that you have to search to find. It's like a little adventure that you are rewarded for at the end if you find the place.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
It was very fun. I love when a speakeasy does things like that. We have a speakeasy here where I live, but to find it you just have to call a series of phone numbers. And the final clue is just the code to get into the place. I think it's more fun when you have to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (39092)
• Philippines
16 Sep
Bruno Mars is still so popular! I can imagine the energy with 60,000 people in the stadium. His songs are definitely the kind that make you want to get up and dance, especially after a couple of drinks lol. What was your favorite song he performed?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
I was surprised that he is still so popular in today's times, considering he's been around for so long. My all-time favorite song of his is Uptown Funk, but I also like songs like Just the Way You Are, Locked Out of Heaven, 24K Magic, That's What I Like, and Grenade.
@JESSY3236 (22629)
• United States
6 Oct
There is a pirate speakeasy event happening this month near here. I told Chris about it, but I doubt he will come down this month.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Oct
I love when cool events like that happen. I'm willing to travel to participate in such cool things. I would say about 2 hours away from my home is about as far as I would travel, unless it was something major.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
It was an amazing weekend, and I had such a great time. I love when I go to a city and discover that they have a speakeasy. I always enjoy the adventure of finding the hidden locations.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (126437)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
16 Sep
I enjoyed my weekend working at home sharing news stories and completing surveys.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129031)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep
I need a relaxed weekend where I can just sit at home and do nothing but complete surveys and interact on myLot.
1 person likes this
