Top Five Bars In St. Petersburg, Florida

For the millions of tourists who come through the area each year, and those who call it home, there's no limit to the entertainment opportunities and attraction to the area of St. Pete. Thankfully, the food and drink scene is no exception! Keeping in mind the variety of different experiences involved with going to get a drink, the ECOmersion team shares our top five choices for hitting the town in St. Pete! 

Green Bench Brewing Company 

Right off the bat, I have to mention Green Bench. The truth is this brewery is going to work for just about any situation you throw at it. Looking for a late night on the town? Green Bench is the perfect starting place to grab a few tasty beers and set the tone. Looking for the right place for a casual chat with a friend? Skip the trouble of searching around and head to Green Bench! Upon moving to St. Pete and asking for bar recommendations, you'll hear the name Green Bench over and over again. You'll be grateful to find easy-going, helpful bartenders who are happy to share all the other great spots in town you should also check out. While food is not offered, the bartenders will encourage you to order food across the street at Bodega and bring it in to the brewery. Green Bench’s brews are amazing and you need to check them out for yourself!  

Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill 

No other way to describe Ferg's besides a good ol’ fashioned sports bar! Ferg’s is the place to catch a game, with plenty of TV’s to make sure you’re always front and center for every spectacular play and last second buzzer beater! The beer is cold and cheap and there is a nice selection of bar food available. Ferg’s offers an open-air and energy filled atmosphere that makes the experience of watching your team win even better. 

O’Maddy’s Bar and Grille 

Few drinking experiences will top those at a classic Irish Pub. A few Guinness's and a couple shots of Jameson, and next thing you know you’ve said yes to singing “Livin on a Prayer” for the entire bar on Karaoke night. O’Maddy’s is just the place for you if that sounds like your idea of a great time on the town! In a scenic, open-air location just off Gulfport Beach, you'll experience fresh air and the views of the water while sitting at the bar. O’Maddy’s is located in the downtown district of Gulfport Beach, a quaint, artsy town with no end to the amount of interesting things to see and do. Take a walk through the rows and rows of art exhibits on the main street, and finish with a brew at O’Maddy’s. 

Salty J’s 

Everyone has their preference on which specific type of bar scene is their go-to. It’s a unique experience that takes into account your preferred ambiance, drink of choice, and type of entertainment among many other things. If you ask the ECOmersion team... Salty J’s has it all! Salty J’s is far and away our favorite spot in town! First, the staff are some of the best people in town! I have always been met by a kind and fun loving crew that makes you want to come back. Second, it doesn’t take long of being in St. Pete to find out just how crazy some of the pricing around town can get. Thankfully, it’s Salty’s to the rescue! In opinion, Salty's has normal, affordable prices and a night out won’t bust your entire budget for the week. Finally, the atmosphere and community is superb. Many bars claim to be the locals bar, but at Salty's you can feel it. On a Friday night, or during a big game, this bar is always jam packed with groups of friends hanging out together around a table wearing their team’s jerseys, or friendly couples sitting with their dog. While some bars in St. Pete have wild, unique schticks no one has seen before...Salty J’s is a simple, good old fashioned, down-to-earth atmosphere where you will feel at home! 

St. Pete Brewing Company 

St. Pete is well-known for its local breweries. There are many available to check out, but we would be remiss not to mention this classic. St. Pete Brewing Company is in a prime location near the heart of downtown St. Pete in the Central Arts District. Brews range from slightly sweet citrus brews to rich, hearty oatmeal stouts. Whatever type of brew is the go-to for you, its most likely available at St. Pete Brewing! A unique feature in this brewery is the connected live music room. Since it is not in the bar area itself you get the choice of taking your beer over to enjoy live music or staying at the bar to have an easier opportunity for conversation. It doesn’t stop there...this brewery just added a kitchen with a brand new food menu! Live music, great brews, and a brand new food menu...you won’t want to miss this! 

While there may be more bars in the St. Pete area than one person could ever check out in a lifetime, We hope this list gives you the right place to start. Whatever drinking experience you’re looking for, you can be sure that St. Pete has a place for you!