There’s no doubt COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on both the retail and hospitality landscape. Over the past few months, we’ve seen many local shops completely pivot their business model in order to stay afloat. Bars have started selling cocktails to go, breweries have added food menus, and many retailers have opened online stores.

On Wednesday, one of the most well-respected chefs in Tampa Bay, Chef David Benstock of IL Ritorno, will launch a brand new digital butcher case stocked with essentials from beef, poultry, pork, special ‘Butcher’s Cuts’ such as lamb and veal, and an array of specialty provisions including handcrafted seasonings, rubs, salad dressings, cooking oils, and more.

You can’t talk about nightlife in Downtown St. Pete without mentioning the Jannus block. Bound by Central Avenue and First Avenue North between 1st Street and 2nd Street, nearly every business on the block is a bar, except for a handful of restaurants specializing in the drunk food. I’m looking at you Joey Brooklyn’s, Top Slice, and Hoots!

While we are sad to report on the closing of The Tamiami at 269 Central Avenue, we are really excited about what is replacing it. Pour Judgement will be a craft shot bar featuring hundreds of cleverly crafted shots opening later this month.

This new bar concept will be the first of its kind in Tampa Bay and is being brought to life by a group of seasoned hospitality veterans in St. Pete including Michael Jennings, Miles Duncan, Jerrad Atkin, Billy Orfanakos, Joe Moledo, and Melissa Powell. Jennings, Duncan, Atkin, and Orfanakos also own One Night Stand, a lively country bar located a block away at 149 1st Avenue North.