Local Tampa beer on tap before security spits you to the airsides
Cigar City Brewing sits in the Main Terminal, post-security, before you branch off to the individual airsides. It’s one of the few spots at TPA Main where you can get a real sit-down meal plus a proper draft beer. Figure mid-range pricing: burgers and sandwiches mostly in the $14–$20 range, pints a couple of dollars less than what you’d pay in a stadium but more than a downtown bar.
The draw is the beer list. Expect their Jai Alai IPA, Florida Cracker Belgian-style white, and usually a seasonal or limited release, all actually brewed under the Cigar City label out of Tampa. If you only have time for one drink, Jai Alai is the local classic and runs around the 7.5% ABV mark, so pace yourself before a long-haul. They also pour lighter options for people who don’t want a hop bomb before boarding.
Food runs standard American pub: burgers, flatbreads, wings, and salads, again mostly in that $14–$20 band, with appetizers under $12. Portions lean generous for an airport, enough that one main can carry you through a 3–4 hour flight. Service speed varies with bank times, so build in 30–40 minutes if you’re hitting it around the top-of-the-hour departure waves.
The space sits in the open concourse of the Main Terminal, so you’re eating in full view of the central hub and tram lines. That makes it easier to keep an eye on departures screens without dashing back and forth. Being post-security in the Main Terminal, you still need to allow 5–10 minutes to ride the correct tram to your specific airside after paying the check.
Tip: If your connection at TPA is under 60 minutes, skip a full meal here and just grab a quick beer at the bar; plan at least 15 minutes to close out, walk to the tram, ride to your airside, and reach the gate.