“Love Island USA” is Tampa Bay’s hot new sport

st. PETERSBURG – Later Tuesday night, new entertainment drank about 200 people, jeered, screaming at Ferg’s sports bar and grilled in unison.

The mostly female crowd was packed into folding chairs and metal bleachers, and watched the drama unfold on an 18 x 12-foot screen. They defeated beer and chicken wings while they applauded and clenched their faces. Sometimes they booed. After all, this is a sports bar.

Sorry about the Tampa Bay Rays, but there’s a new game in town. “Love Island USA” Fever goes beyond bars, restaurants and clubs in Tampa and St. Pete. It was helpful that the local guy, Tampa University alumni, Airbumb host TJ Palma, flew to Fiji to take part in the show mid-season.

Inspired by the original British series, the seventh season of Love Island USA was streamed 1.2 billion minutes over nine days this month, breaking records. According to Deadline, the show was the second most seen streaming show on television.

For beginners, this real-life dating show shares many similarities with organized sports. Instead of a stadium, the action takes place in neon-soaked villas of the South Pacific. There are players who are rooted in the form of bikini-covered “islanders” who fight and make up for finding a partner. Or, as you know, social media fame.

Just like in major league baseball, there are hours of content. The episode will air every night for almost two months, but on Wednesday.

The biggest link between sports and “Love Island”? Both are most consumed in a cohort of like-minded individuals.

At the same time as Fiesta in Ferg on Tuesday night, fans coordinated with Water Street Pizza Joint, a nightclub at a University Mall in Tampa and a glamping themed bar in downtown St. Petersburg.

At 511 Franklin in Tampa, the woman throttled from shoulder to shoulder and displayed an action that unfolded onto the wall of the screen. They defeated half-drink and themed cocktails like “Soul Ties Spritz” and “Shoulda, Huda, Werna.”

“The Women’s NFL,” the caption of an Instagram story that Barr reposted.

“It sounds like Game 7 here,” read another person. This shows hordes of screams, applause and cuckling during the throw-off of surprise.

Carrollwood-based influencer Zavier Torrence credits his accomplishments to make this happen. Torrence grew his followers at Tiktok by uplifting Tampa Bay’s business and events. The video he posted last week has more than 30,000 views, urging local bar owners to consider a themed watch party.

“Love Island is like the hottest TV show on television right now. Everyone is talking about it,” Torrence, 25, says in the video. “I don’t think bars understand the power they have if they just post a Love Island themed night.”

Torrence told the Tampa Bay Times that several businesses, including three corner pizza and American Social, reached out to schedule the event after watching the video. He spent Tuesday nights soaking up the show with Ferg’s and Friends.

“It’s definitely a sport,” said Torrence, who compared the “Love Island” finale to the Super Bowl. “You have an opinion. You are locked up.”

Ten days ago, Mark Ferguson had no idea what “Love Island USA” was. The phone call then began.

“A lot of my friends said, ‘Hey, my girlfriend wants to see this, do you want to show it?” Ferguson, who owns Fergs.

Ever since Tropicana Field lost the top, Ferguson has been looking for creative ways to compensate for the revenues of lost game days. Behind the patio area, which once housed a pirate ship, Ferguson added a Jumbo Screen concert stage. His event calendar includes farmers markets, fishing tournaments, 1980s cover bands and “Midget Wrestling.” Over the next few weeks, there will also be “Love Island USA.”

“On a normal Tuesday, it doubled our sales,” Ferguson said.

At Ferg’s, the crowd was mostly women in their 20s and 30s, and men who supported it.

Together, they rolled their eyes on a cheesy pickup line and shrunk as one islander hanged her legs into the swimming pool without removing her high heels. Among the seltzers, others were thinking how much filler and Botox should be allowed to inject into the face.

Some shook their heads at Parma, Tampa rival who committed a fake PA in a recent kiss contest.

“I think what was messed up with him was that he was strictly assessing the girls’ kiss,” Torrence explained.

Maybe Parma can turn it around with the next watch party.

What if not? He returns to his home in Tampa and returns to many “Love Island USA.”

Where to see “Love Island USA” near Tampa Bay

“Love Island USA” airs every night on Peacock at 9pm except Wednesdays.

Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge: Tampa Bar airs “Love Island USA” today.

Lala’s Sangria Bar in Tampa serves drinks from 8pm to 11pm today. The first 20 guests will receive a free themed cocktail.

Parma CEIA’s patio hosts weekly parties on Thursday nights. The first 50 guests today get a complimentary espresso martini.

American Social: Tampa Restaurant will host a watch party until 8pm on June 30th, featuring “Love Island USA” food and drinks.

Irish pub in McDington, Soho: Love Island USA airs here every Monday night. Drinks are free from 8pm to 9pm. A bottle of champagne costs $10.

St. Petersburg Grunper: Love Island USA nights will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The special includes a $8 “bomb shot.”

3rd Corner Pizza: Tuesday night at Water Street Restaurant, with themed island cocktails and “villa menu”. The festival begins at 8pm and begins with a pre-show challenge. Stick to give and debriefing.

Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill: “Love Island USA” airs on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays where the performance is not used for concerts. Ferguson says the themed drinks are coming soon.