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The 2012 Republican National Convention is coming to Tampa, FL, and the Tampa Bay Times and tampabay.com are covering RNC events, theme parks, attractions, restaurants, beaches and nightclubs that Republican National Convention delegates can look forward to when they convene. This is your site for things to do in Tampa when the Republican National Convention takes place in August 2012.

Find local news about the RNC/Republican National Convention

When is the RNC/Republican National Convention? The week of Aug. 27, 2012.

Where is the RNC/Republican National Convention? The Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, FL

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- Tampa bars get later closing times
  - All Tampa bars and restaurants will be able to stay open until 3 a.m. during the four days of the Republican National Convention, thanks to a City Council vote.
- Our favorite burger joints
  - Ask someone where to find a great burger, and the answer around Tampa Bay varies. Late-night comfort food? Chef-created splurge? Burgers with a creative flair? We cover all those options and more.
- New type of tavern
  - World of Beer and the Brass Tap are trying to revive the drinks-only neighborhood tap room that was declared an endangered species two decades ago.
- Drink more, pay less
  - Five Bucks Drinkery in downtown St. Pete is a typical bustling dive/sports bar with prices that are easy on the wallet.
- Swirl, sip and savor
  - There's been something of a wine bar explosion in Tampa in the past couple of years, a number of them adding very competent food to their lineup to make it a complete night out.
- Irish all year long
  - If you missed any of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations recently, or you're just a fan of a pub atmosphere, you'll want to raise a toast to O'Brien's in Brandon.
- James Joyce Irish Pub returns
  - Just in time for leprechauns, James Joyce Irish Pub opens Monday in the former Eighth Avenue location of Mema's Alaskan Tacos.
- A taste of Jamaica
  - Homestyle Jamaican cooking by day; packed club with big-name international talent by night. That's exactly what's going on at Tampa's Supa D Tropical Bar and Grill.
- Great rooftop bars in Tampa Bay
  - With great views and fun events, taking your nights to new heights is easy to do. And bonus: Many of these are available to rent out for private parties.
- GOP lines up party spots
  - From the vodka bar Czar in Ybor City to Mise en Place to the Dali Museum, the RNC has a list of venues that are seeking to match up with a delegation or event.
- Great places for craft beer
  - As our appetite for microbrews has increased, so have the places for finding these tasty lagers, ales and stouts.
- Drink in the Greek culture
  - If you're headed to one of the top-notch restaurants in Tarpon Springs, don't forget to try a drink too.
- Video: Making Cigar City Beer
  - This relatively new brewery in Tampa has been racking up a lot of accolades. But just what is it that makes it so special? Hint: It's in the name. | Five places that brew their own beer.
- Cheers, Tampa Bay!
  - We sought out the best, biggest, boldest and most off-the-wall drinks being served at local bars and restaurants. Getting thirsty yet?
- Tampa's top cigar bars
  - In a city that was once home to several cigar factories in Ybor City, it's very easy to find a comfortable place to have a smoke and engage in conversation.
- Bar review: Drinks ... heavy on kitsch
  - At Seminole Height's Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe, the drinks are as funky as the food.
- Bar review: Sublime sunset setting
  - The Palm Pavilion considers itself a destination for locals. As it's in the heart of Clearwater Beach, this certainly makes sense.
- Bar review: Splash of creativity
  - Bar Milo, in the former home of St. Pete's Rare Olive, offers a more modern vibe with an emphasis on the unexpected.
- Bar review: A welcome Elixir
  - Ruby's joins the trend of old-fashioned cocktail bars in downtown St. Petersburg. Call us old-fashioned, but this definitely makes us crave a gin rickey.
- Our favorite Bloody Mary bars
  - We wanted to see how many ingredients we could find to make a good Bloody Mary. And these places didn't disappoint. | Relax and sip one at Wahoo's.