In St Petersburg Florida, life does not come to rest when the sky dims over the city. Rather, it is known to thrive when the streetlights shine brightly and the ocean air settles into a cool nighttime breeze. Night owls from all over the city come out to enjoy all that St. Petersburg's nightlife has to offer. The subtropical climate and gentle evenings alongside miles of coast provide the perfect backdrop for escaping the daily grind and seeking relaxation, entertainment and fun in some of the most prominent nightlife hot spots that coastal Florida has to offer. Here are some of St. Petersburg's most popular nightlife hot spots:
PUSH Ultra Lounge
This trendy 10,000-square foot upscale nightclub consists of three distinct sections: a dance floor where DJs spin pop and hip-hop records, an outdoor covered patio where guests can smoke, and a rooftop deck with a nice city view which spins music all of its own, often more laid-back trance or house tracks. Taking into account its 15 private tables with full table service, PUSH Ultra Lounge truly offers something for everybody, whether they want a wild night on the dance floor or an evening discussion with friends over a bottle of wine. Many celebrities have paid a visit to PUSH in the past, including actor John Travolta, socialite Paris Hilton, and race car driver Danika Patrick.
Jannus Live
In 2009, businessman Jeff Knight purchased Jannus Landing, a run-down courtyard in downtown St. Petersburg which had long been an outdoor music venue catering to punk rock and reggae bands. After pouring capital into a renovation alongside several business partners, in May 2010 Knight reopened the much-improved venue under the name Jannus Live. With a resurfaced floor, reinforced railings and new stucco on the walls, Jannus Live can now accomodate an impressive 2,000 concertgoers, up to 200 of whom can watch the music from the balcony's Crystalhead Vodka Lounge or private VIP suites. There are few better places in St. Petersburg to enjoy live rock music than Jannus Live.
The Independent
Billing itself as “St. Petersburg's Original World-Class Beer Hall,” the Independent is the kind of place that likes to get right down to business: good company and quality drinks in a welcoming atmosphere. With an impressive beer selection that includes Rochefort B, Schneider Weisse, Val-Dieu, Kolsch, Duvel, Oud Beersel, and many more, the Independent is a must-visit destination for beer connoisseurs in St. Petersburg. Perhaps the most popular beer available at this venue is Delirium, a “golden ale with purported hallucinogenic qualities” which promises that those who drink four will “dream of the pink elephant” like the classic Disney character Dumbo. While the hallucinogenic claims may be a little more fiction than fact, Delirium is nevertheless a very fine ale worthy of anyone's attention.
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Old Northeast Tavern
This homely venue is an effort to bring a little bit of New England's tavern culture down into sunny Florida, and on that basis it has been a resounding success. Whether you're looking for a game of pool, a tasty meal, or a chance to watch the big game with your friends, Old Northeast Tavern is well-equipped to meet your needs. While most popular as a place for dinner with drinks, Old Northeast Tavern also offers great meal selections for lunch, and – best of all – its kitchen accepts take-out orders for those who'd rather eat at home, or otherwise have other engagements.
Crowley's Downtown Grill & Bar
As its name suggests, this venue is located right in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg at 269 Central Avenue North, making it a convenient meeting place for night on the town with friends. Crowley's beer selection includes a number of domestic and imported staples, such as Miller Lite and Guinness, as well as less-conventional local beers like Cigar City Jai Alai (brewed in nearby Tampa Bay, Florida). Not to be outdone, their food selection is equally diverse, with everything from 6oz.-patty hamburgers to traditional Irish lamb stews. Just remember: Irish meals call for Irish beer!
The Moon Under Water
Situated on Beach Drive and overlooking North Straub Park, The Moon Under Water is an old-fashioned British-style pub that strives to bring a bit of Old World charm to the beautiful shores of St. Petersburg, Florida. The tavern's culinary section is headed by a highly-accomplished chef named Michael Crippin, who was educated at Leigh Culinary College in England and graduated with cooking qualifications from City & Guilds of London. Crippin has years of experience preparing food in the UK, Spain, the Canary Islands and the English Channel Islands, and is renowned throughout town for his fantastic Indian-style curry dishes.
Whether you're looking for a high-energy night on the dance floor with your friends, or a romantic candlelight dinner for two, St. Petersburg's vibrant and diverse nightlife options will be sure to please you.
Martin Wynn
