By Nanette Wiser
Quench your summer beach fun with a visit to these new DTSP cool hangouts, as they slowly migrate from partial capacity, take-out and delivery to the “new normal” safe distancing and protocol service with a smile behind the mask!
Wondering who is painting the sunflower murals downtown? Alyssa Marie and husband Braden Everly and their band of local artists launched their Happy Mural Project, which makes PN very, very happy.
ENTERTAINMENT: As a music buff, I’m bummed to miss out on concerts at The Palladium, Duke Energy Center for the Arts and other concert venues as well as my Sunday pilgrimage to The Independent for the 3pm jazz jam, followed by serious Asian grazing at Hawkers. But love seeing the outdoor pop-up concerts at DTSP’s Flute & Dram, The Hideaway as well as St. Pete Beach’s Chills, Bongo’s and Horse & Jockey. Double love the St. Pete Catalyst’s artist series, featuring fave local artists. Like them on Facebook to see weekly live/virtual events. Can’t wait to see what the newly imagined The Floridian (formerly State Theatre) looks like!
Hats off to FreeFall Theater, Studio@620 (book discussions, virtual yoga, Tiny Bedtime Stories for Kids by phone) and American Stage (Live/Laugh Tuesday 6-7pm, classes and improv) for their creative virtual offerings.
EAT / DRINK: A new wine bar opens, joining Lolita’s and other DTSP denizens in the Edge District. Cellar Master boasts a revolving eclectic list by glass and bottle with a focus on organic/natural wines and beers, accompanied best by charcuterie, fromage and appetizers.
Coming soon is Central Avenue’s Whiskey Exchange Cocktail Bar, a stock market themed bar/restaurant, featuring charcuterie and small plates and still looking for their chef at presstime.
The creative owners of Lolita’s recently launched Sophia’s Cucina & Enoteca, airy and bright, in the Grand Central District. The menu features farm fresh inventive dishes “traditional with a modern twist” such as tomato basil soup, eggplant parmigiana, limoncello cheesecake and wagyu beef carpaccio. Try the grouper cheeks with smoked gouda polenta, watermelon radish and hazelnut-butter sauce. The meatballs and mussels are the perfect surf and turf.
American Distillery’s entertainment space + restaurant + tasting room + two bars will feature craft cocktails and new American fare. Urban Stillhouse is slated to open early June, a beautiful 16,000 square foot space presented by the award-winning Horse Soldier Bourbon on 5th Ave. S features leather sofas, wood-burning grills, copper stills and vast bourbon library.
Uptown Eats takes over the Banyan Café location on 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, just a kiss away from the MIZE Gallery, Barkett Realty, a yoga studio and Gypsy Souls Coffee House.
Sea Salt St. Pete is now serving weekend lunch.
THE HIGH LIFE: Vantage Lofts in the Edge District is luxe and in the heart of DTSP’s fun zone showcasing industrial chic interiors, expansive balconies, a roof-top pool deck, sky lounge and bar, pet spa, fitness and yoga studio, an Uber-Lyft pick-up lounge, and bike storage and repair
SHOPAPALOOZA: NeAt NEAt NeAT plays interesting and unusual vinyl records around town. Central Avenue’s The Merchant St. Pete purveys local funky and functional goods and gifts including small-batch soaps, apothecary items, art, well-crafted housewares, artisanal local food, handmade chocolates, barware and more. Holistic market Petworks offers free, same day, no contact delivery from their curated dog and cat food, treats, toys and accessories.
LocalShops1 Ester Venouzou launched a new online market for Tampa Bay Makers, www.buylocaltampabay.com, an ETSY-meets- Amazon small business website. Shop it often!
Glass Solutions launched Safely Sanitize, to super COVID clean and disinfect cars, fitness gyms, offices, schools and more. One Plant, a new, boutique-style medical marijuana company and licensed medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) featuring premium and rare strands of cannabis flower, is hitting the St. Petersburg market at 150 22nd St. S, offering in-store customer service, home delivery, curbside pickup and CanPay.
DTSP NEWS: The Pier’s major construction is almost complete, the naming rights ($50,000 to $1 million for 10 years) up for grabs. The immersive arts experience Fairgrounds in the Warehouse Arts District has a new benefactor, The Viniks. The Firestone Grand Prix may take place in October 2020 and SHINE is scheduled for Nov. 7-14. St. Pete Pride has cancelled all large in-person events for 2020. Walk and bike Bayshore Dr NE between the Vinoy and 2nd Ave.