Cocktail St. Pete is making a bold entrance into the Grand Central District with “stiff drinks, hard liquor, and raging good times”. They will be opening this Friday at 2355 Central Avenue on the ground floor of the historic Mari Jean Hotel. Cocktail will be neighbor to Mateo’s Trattoria & Pizzeria, which is replacing Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca.

Thanks to neighborhood newcomers like the Grand Central Brewhouse and Hatchet Hangout, as well as long-time favorites such as Dog Bar and Right Around the Corner, the Grand Central District is livelier than ever — especially on the weekends. And Cocktail will only add to the excitement. 

When you walk through the front door at Cocktail or take a peek into the open-air bar, you will immediately recognize that the decor, vibrant colors, seating, and overall vibe set the stage for more than just a hangout spot, it will be an experience worth talking about.

The decor has been curated by owner David Fischer, whose unique approach to design has already been on display at his other two downtown businesses — Zazoo’d, an eccentric home interiors store, and The Saint, a sinful speakeasy.

While Cocktail is branded as a gay bar, it is both a gay and straight-friendly establishment that mirrors the open-minded atmosphere that St. Pete has become known for.

“I wanted to create a space that was comfortable and fun, where anyone and everyone could come to relax, hang out with friends, meet new people, and leave feeling better than they came,” said Fischer.

The size of the bar is large enough to accommodate multiple spaces that serve different functions based on the needs of the customers. At the front of the bar, there is a dance floor for those coming to have a more active evening. This is also where many of the nightly live entertainment events will take place.

There is open seating at the bar and large, plush couches lining the wall for those wanting to enjoy the music videos playing on big screens throughout the bar.

“I grew up during the age of the video bar, so I wanted to re-create that environment with music videos playing throughout the day that provides both the audio and visual experience of music.”

Offset with low but colorful lighting and spacious sectionals, a quieter evening can be had at the lounge seating areas in the back of the bar. There will also be sectionals and other comfortable seating outside for those perfect St. Pete evenings.

Cocktail St. Pete’s happy hour will be six days a week between noon to 7 pm. Purchase a drink and you’ll get a “woody”, a wooden token good for one free drink.

Select from an extensive menu of martinis, wine, beer, and more with drinks like the “Banana Hammock”, which consists of Bacardi spiced rum, banana liqueur, lime juice, and Demerara syrup.  Or check out the “Cradle Robber”, which contains Larceny Whiskey, Pama, lemon juice, and simple syrup. You can also enjoy bottomless mimosas on Spritz or Swallow Sundays from noon to 5 pm.

There won’t be a food menu available right away, but small appetizers will make their way onto the menu soon.

Cocktail St. Pete will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 3 am, with the energy being turned up for the night crowd. One of the most exciting additions that this bar brings is the creative entertainment that will be featured on stage every night.

Fischer enlisted the expertise of entertainment director Adrianna Sparkle who will help spearhead themed nights that will include aerialists, art shows that highlight LGBTQ+ artists, go-go dancers, karaoke, drag queen bingo, leather nights, and so much more.

With a degree in architectural design, David Fischer never imagined himself in the bar business. In fact, owning a cocktail bar wasn’t on his radar until a few years ago.

After working in the corporate world for over 25 years as the vice president of training for Orlando-based Darden Restaurants Corporation, he decided to retire. While living in Orlando, he found himself visiting St. Pete frequently and even purchased a condo on Treasure Island.

Two years into his retirement, he had the opportunity to open Zazoo’d at 531 Central Avenue, and within a short time, his roots in design started to flourish. With the popularity of Zazoo’d and his reputation working on other design projects, such as the Hollander and the Avalon, he had the opportunity to own and design The Saint, which is now one of the most popular nightlife spots in Downtown St. Pete. On the weekends, The Saint often has a waiting list to get in. Needless to say, Fischer has found his calling. 

As the grand opening quickly approaches, Fischer admits that he’s going a little crazy, but his love for St. Pete, the inclusivity of the community, and the support his businesses continue to receive are what keep him going. “This city lets me bring out the edgy side of my design, and I wanted to create yet another space that St. Pete residents can enjoy.”

For their grand opening on May 7th, clear your calendars, get dressed up (or don’t), grab your friends, and come to Cocktail St. Pete at 2355 Central Avenue. In the meantime, give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook.