A new cocktail bar Tequila Daisy will bring over 150 tequilas, mezcals to downtown St. Pete
/Tequila Daisy is coming soon to the ground floor of ONE St.Petersburg at 120 1st Avenue North, across from the Sundial parking garage
Fans of Mexico’s signature liquors — tequila and mezcal — will want to check out Tequila Daisy, a new craft cocktail bar set to open this summer on the ground floor of ONE St. Petersburg at 120 1st Avenue North, across from the Sundial parking garage.
Tequila Daisy — the name was inspired by the margarita, the classic tequila cocktail whose name means “daisy” in Spanish — is the latest concept from the owners of other downtown St. Petersburg hotspots, including Pour Judgement, Whiskey Exchange, and One Night Stand. They envision it as having an upscale neighborhood bar feel during the week, with DJs and dancing on the weekends.
Jose All Day consists of Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver Tequila, Tattersall Orange Crema Liqueur, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Rose, Strawberries, Frozen Raspberries, and a Lime Wheel Garnish
“We’re going to be a craft cocktail bar,” co-owner Monique Grespan tells St. Pete Rising, “but we’re trying to step away from what you traditionally see in a cocktail bar, such as dim lighting, leather, copper, that kind of thing.”
“When you drink tequila, you get this bright, fun buzz,” adds Grespan. “We’re trying to bring that into the space and evoke that feeling at Tequila Daisy. The bar will be vibrant and colorful, with murals from some of your favorite local artists.”
Teals, golds, and purples will decorate the bar, which will include a variety of seating options, such as high-tops, booths, and bar seating, as well as seating on an expansive outdoor patio.
The 3,000-square-foot bar, Grespan says, will stock more than 150 tequilas and mezcals from well-known brands as well as small-batch distilleries. The cocktail menu hasn’t been finalized but she says it will probably feature 10 to 12 different drinks.
Co-Owners of Tequila Daisy, Melissa Powell (left) and Monique Grespan. Also part of the ownership group are Michael Jennings, Miles Duncan, Jerrad Atkin, and Billy Orfanakos.
Grespan will operate the bar with Melissa Powell, who worked at One Night Stand for several years and then Pour Judgment, where she’s a co-owner along with Michael Jennings, Miles Duncan, Jerrad Atkin, Billy Orfanakos, and Joe Moledo. Tequila Daisy is the group’s next exciting venture.
“Our goal is to educate people,” Grespan says. “That’s going to be a big part of our bartenders’ training — making sure that they're educated on tequila. We already have a great relationship with our liquor reps in the area, and they're excited to bring in a lot of education for us. They’ve already sent me books, but we’re also learning as we go along.”
One of Tequila Daisy’s signature drinks will be called The Namaste, which was finalist in Chilled magazine’s Transcend the Ordinary Cocktail Competition and features Santo Reposado tequila, coconut water, black walnut bitters, key lime simple syrup, coconut fruit bar, a toasted coconut rim, and strawberry garnish.
The Namaste features Santo Reposado tequila, coconut water, black walnut bitters, key lime simple syrup, coconut fruit bar, a toasted coconut rim, and a strawberry garnish
“It’s delicious,” Grespan says, “and it’s just a beautiful drink.”
Customers who prefer vodka, rum, gin, etc., will be able to get non-tequila and non-mezcal drinks.
“Our bartenders are already trained craft cocktail bartenders,” Grespan says, “so they know how to make a good Old Fashioned, an Aperol Spritz — all that stuff. We’ll offer everything, but obviously we’re not going to carry 50 different types of vodka. We’ll have the basics and tequila is going to be our main focus.”
Nectar of the Gods contains Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, 1800 Coconut Tequila, fresh Lime Juice, Coconut Puree, Mango Nectar, Dehyrated Orange, and smoked Rosemary
Tequila Daisy also plans on running weekly specials, like Jose All Day on Saturdays and Sundays, and Friday Night Flights.
Grespan, who grew up in Oldsmar, has years of experience in the restaurant industry, including at local establishments like The Melting Pot, Three Birds Tavern, and Toasted Monkey on St. Pete Beach.
“I've always loved tequila, and I was into the idea of a tequila bar,” she says. “We saw tequila as an up-and-coming liquor — it seems to be everywhere, and people are taking tequila shots like it’s the ’90s again. I thought I could take it on, especially with Melissa and her drink-making abilities. The menu she’s already come up with is amazing.”
Follow Tequila Daisy on Facebook to keep up-to-date on new drink offerings, specials, and grand opening plans.
