Get ready to raise a pint of Guinness, St. Pete—there’s a new Irish party bar in town.

Dublin Drop opens today at 6 p.m. at 129 1st Avenue North in downtown St. Pete.

The new bar is from Michael Jennings of The Drink St. Pete Group, the team behind other popular downtown bars, such as One Night Stand, Tequila Daisy, Whiskey Exchange, and Pour Judgement.

Although the 3,000-square-foot bar will feature Irish beers and whiskies, Jennings doesn’t consider it a traditional Irish pub.

“It’s a party bar,” said Jennings. “We won’t serve Irish food or play Irish music. Think more along the lines of Irish Kevin’s in Key West.”

Beloved downtown St. Pete restaurant and bar The Avenue will permanently close its doors this weekend after 13 years in business.

In a conversation with St. Pete Rising, owner Stephen Schrutt says his lease at 330 1st Avenue South is ending soon and he was not able to come to terms on a new lease with his landlord. The Avenue will not relocate.

The downtown neighborhood burger joint and sports bar will host a “Last Call” party on Saturday, February 22nd, for customers to raise a glass one last time before the final goodbye.

The owners behind the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro near Beach Drive, Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, have debuted their newest dining destination in downtown St. Pete — Cognac.

The Parisian-style bistro opened earlier this month at 201 2nd Avenue North, occupying the space formerly home to Dirty Shirley, which closed less than a year after opening in 2023.

Cognac offers a menu inspired by traditional French cuisine, featuring dishes such as caviar and Croque Madame, along with a bar specializing in craft cocktails.

“Cognac will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections,” Guillot said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising.