Brunch is something that falls into the category of things that I never truly appreciated until I was a parent. Added to the list of things like naps, silence, and having the privilege of going to the bathroom with the door closed, brunch is an adult activity that combines breakfast, lunch, and day drinking. What parent couldn’t use a little of all three on a weekend morning? Great food and drink specials are even better especially at boozy brunches in Tampa Bay. On quiet mornings when the kids are staying over at their grandparent’s house, or just on a day when the other parent – or your teenager – is going to be doing the driving, check out some of the great boozy brunches that Tampa Bay has to offer.

1. Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City

Gaspar’s Grotto Booze Cruise Brunch is a 50-foot long brunch buffet that includes a raw bar, a carving station, unlimited mimosas and a carafe of vodka for the Bloody Mary Bar for $42.95 (10 and under are $17.95 and 5 and under are free). Plus they have live music! This is a great restaurant because you can order a la carte off the menu so that everyone in your party can get what they want.

2.The Rusty Pelican in Rocky Point

I think the best boozy brunches include champagne in some way. The brunch buffet at Rusty Pelican includes traditional breakfast fare such as omelets and waffles as well as a raw bar and complimentary champagne and bottomless mimosas. This elegant dining restaurant has special treats on its menu like Bananas Foster for $34.95 for brunch on Sundays from 10 am – 2:00 pm.

Marchand’s Bar and Grill located in The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg is a five star Best of the Bay Brunch winner! The Sunday buffet is $28.00 per adult, not including alcohol, but they feature a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. Starting at $12.00, the bar includes a variety of condiments, mixers, cheeses, and meats. Bottomless Mimosas and Bellini’s can be added for $15.00.

4. Nueva Cantina with locations in St. Pete and Tampa

A boozy brunch with a Mexican twist. Nueva Cantina offers a great menu plus a $12 Bloody Mary bar and unlimited mimosas! Try the Tachoes (tater tot nachos – yum!). With locations in both South Tampa and St. Petersburg, it is a great spot on either side of the Gandy bridge.

5. Another Broken Egg Cafe in South Tampa

This the breakfast spot that my spouse and I frequent when we want to have a reasonably priced breakfast and some yummy boozy cocktails. With a southern-style menu, they have selections both sweet (chocolate stuff Belgian waffle) and savory (shrimp and grits) on their brunch menu. While they do not offer bottomless mimosas, they do offer boozy cocktails by the pitcher.

6. Grill 54 in Citrus Park

Brunch is available on both Saturdays and Sundays at Grill 54 with live cooking stations, crab legs, a raw bar, sushi fruits and dessert for $35.95 a person. This might be the ultimate boozy brunch in the Bay because it includes bottomless mimosas, margaritas, sangria, and vodka martinis!

My spouse and I love Ella’s Folk Art Cafe so much that we actually had our wedding reception there. It is an eclectic art gallery/restaurant which features delicious dishes and unique cocktails that are not available anywhere else. Soul Food Sunday is an a la carte menu with boozy brunch themed cocktails. Their menu features everything from biscuits and gravy to Kansas Style BBQ. Try the chicken and waffles with an Ella’s Old Fashioned cocktail.

8. Jackson’s Bistro on Harbor Island

Jackson’s Bistro offers quite a boozy cocktail selection to accompany their brunch buffet. Located on the water, it is a relaxing spot for a great meal. Brunch includes traditional breakfast items, as well as a carving station and hand-rolled sushi for $29.95 per adult, but the price does not include their delicious handcrafted cocktails. You can enjoy a walk down Bayshore Boulevard afterward.

9. Oxford Exchange in Downtown Tampa

I have been a fan of Oxford Exchange’s Instagram feed for a long time, fantasizing about their sophisticated menu and the cocktails while having goldfish thrown into my hair. Served both Saturdays and Sunday from 9 am – 4 pm, the reviews for brunch are nearly perfect. The second I had a child-free weekend, I told my spouse this is where I wanted to go. We arrived to find a four-hour wait. Please, whatever you do, make a reservation!

10. Armature Works in Seminole Heights

The Heights Public Market located in Armature Works is considered a magnet for foodies. Graze 1910 has refined breakfast and serves it all day. Combined with just about anything from smoothies at Swami Juice, deli sandwiches at Inside the Box or Cuban food at Hemingway’s, there is no one way to do brunch at Armature Works. Just make sure that you check out the cocktails that BAR at Armature has to offer, and then the coffee bar Union by Commune + Co.

What’re your favorite boozy brunches in Tampa Bay? Share your brunch traditions with me!