The wayward goose offers a full liquor bar and cheap beers | instagram

After nearly 10 years as a neighborhood staple, a well-loved St. Pete bar has announced it will close its doors for good.

The owners of The Wayward Goose, located at 48 Dr M.L.K. Jr Street North, announced the upcoming closure on social media, stating that their last day in business will be Sunday, April 20th.

“It has certainly been a journey. This city was a different place when we began. It’s lost a bit of its soul with all the out-of-state developers putting up condos—but that’s progress,” the owners wrote, sharing a photo of towering construction cranes behind the building.

They also expressed gratitude to their dedicated staff and loyal patrons, who came for the chill vibes, full liquor bar, pool tables, dartboards, and art shows.

“The bar was thriving, the art shows continued to support the community, and the current team is the best mix we’ve had since we started—and we’ve had some good ones,” the post continued.

When The Wayward Goose first opened nearly a decade ago as The Blue Goose, it helped establish the nightlife scene in the EDGE District, now a thriving neighborhood with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and boutiques.

The bar features a laid-back industrial aesthetic with exposed brick walls, taxidermy, and games. According to co-owner Alex Gahhos, the original name came from a luxurious railroad car, the “Blue Goose,” that management would ride in to feel important.

The building’s owner, Belpointe—a Greenwich, CT-based developer—purchased the property in 2021 for $2.4 million.

Belpointe is currently developing Viv St. Pete, a 15-story, 269-unit apartment tower next to The Wayward Goose. The tower is expected to begin move-ins by the end of the year.

The pool tables, art, and edison lights that give The wayward goose its unique underground industrial bar style | instagram

Following news of The Wayward Goose’s imminent closure, residents took to social media to voice concerns about Engine No. 9, a beloved St. Pete staple that has shared the building since its debut in 2012.

However, fans of Engine No. 9 can rest assured. In a conversation with St. Pete Rising, owner Jason Esposito confirmed that he signed a new 10-year lease last year, securing the restaurant’s future in St. Pete for years to come.

As the St. Pete chapter for The Wayward Goose comes to a close, the team invites patrons to "come on out, have some drinks, play some games, tip your bartenders, and send The (Wayward Blue) Goose off with some love."

The bar is open 5 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. Monday through Friday and 3 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

For the latest updates, visit The Wayward Goose’s Facebook and Instagram pages.