The Downtown Concierge By Nanette Wiser
Summertime, and the living is sultry. We like to explore local museums and galleries, especially The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art (which will host a Warhol’s West exhibit this fall) and have lunch on the adjacent Datz patio.
DRINK
Hand-crafted cocktails and riffs on classic martinis and Manhattans are all the rage. New to downtown: The Cordova Inn will host The Scott, a bar/coffeehouse serving appetizers, artisan cocktails and local Hogg Batch Coffee beans, aged in barrels from various distilleries, making each batch unique right in DTSP. Get your mixology fix at Sinners’ Paradise, Swingers Patio & Bar, Mandarin Hide, Crafty Squirrel and Tryst. Tea bar and retail shop TeBella Tea Company will open on Central Ave’s EDGE District later this summer. If your pup is thirsty, take him for a walk (on a leash) to The Pier which features several doggie fountains. Java lovers are thrilled to welcome Paradeco Coffee Roasters (111 2nd Ave. off Beach Drive) in June and their innovative new zero emission coffee bean roaster and good-for-you snacks and drinks.
DINE
Chef Rui Borges will open Fado, Portuguese restaurant, at 435 5th Ave. North St. Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen is coming to St. Pete this fall with healthy bowls/bols for all. Taste test newcomers The Twisted Indian, Job Site Burgers, The Crumb Factory, Bright Ice small batch ice creams, Pin Café and Sushi Sho. Rumor has it that 400 Beach Seafood & Taphouse may have a new owner, and we look forward to Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant joining the Beach Drive restaurant row.
We’re very excited about 22 South Food Hall in the historic Manhattan Casino, which now hosts an event space, co-work-space, coffee shop and commissary kitchen, especially Chef Ray Milton’s Ray’s Vegan Soul Plant Based Shack. Joining Ray is St. Pete Bowl Co. organic fruit bowls, Swah-Rey’s baked goods, Three Generations Food Truck, sushi from Sake 23’s former chef and Ire Mon Jamaican Restaurant.
SHOP/TOUR
New to The St. Pete Store & Visitors Center is Miss Johnny Squirrel – prints and hand towels. The boutique features St. Pete artisan-made clothes, décor, gifts and more Mon.-Sat. 10 am – 5pm. You can pick up the newest issue of Paradise News while you’re browsing. Sign up for a Sip Snip and Arrange flower class with The Roaming Petal May 26th at Bayboro Brewing Co. for a craft beer and all the flowers you need to create a beautiful arrangement. RoamingPetal.com
May is Bike Month, so why not book a bike tour of downtown murals with St. Pete Biking Tours. Or notch up your ride with a scooter or 4 wheeled adventure. New to downtown are street legal golf cart rentals, locally owned and operated. StPeteGolfCarts.com
FUN
On May 21, St. Pete Shuffle offers a masked, socially distanced member Meet, Greet & Shuffle. American Stage will host in-person performances with Pop-Up! Performances “Uncaged” at The Factory St. Pete’s outdoor venue, May 14-16 at 7pm, an evening of songs, comedy and scenes. Mark your calendars for Sept. 4-5 when the St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix from across the U.S. compete downtown.
St. Pete Pride is back in June, with four themed weeks celebrating LGBTQIA+ community in various outdoor locations in conjunction with local restaurants, shops and cultural venues.
6/1 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴. St. Pete City Hall, 175 5th St N, St. Pete. 10am.
6/3 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. 6-9pm. $10/ticket.
Outdoor Adventure Week
6/5– 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲. Vinoy Park. 7am-2pm. $5/ticket. Waterfront Festival highlighting St. Pete’s Great Outdoors!
6/5 – 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲: 𝟱𝗞 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗵. Starts/Ends at Vinoy Park, run along the city’s magnificent waterfront. 7-10am.
Family Week
6/12 – 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆. St. Pete Pier, North Straub Park, South Straub Park. 11am – 5pm. $5/ticket.
Arts & Music Week
6/19 – 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 + 𝗤𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. The Factory, 2622 Fairfield Ave S, St. Pete. (Afternoon event.) $5/ticket.
Taste of PrideFest Week
6/26 – 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰. North Straub Park, South Straub Park. 2pm – 9pm. $5/ticket. Food trucks, festival vendors, Pride Fireworks by Trulieve at dusk (~9pm)!