It’s time to shine up your cowboy boots, St. Petersburg! Ride ‘Em Cowboy quietly opened on Sunday at 2451 Central Avenue, in the heart of the city’s Grand Central District.

The country bar occupies the 3,420-square-foot space that was formerly the home of Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill, which closed in June.

“We will have live music here Thursday through Sunday,” said Owner Greg Mikurak in an interview with St. Pete Rising. “We have live bands and DJs lined up for the next two weeks.”

Sea Hags Bar & Grill, a popular waterfront establishment located at 9555 Blind Pass Road in St. Pete Beach — just across the bridge from Treasure Island — closed its doors in June, much to the dismay of the pub’s extremely loyal customer base.

But in a few short weeks, the space will reopen under new ownership as the Hippie Shack, which bills itself as “an eatin’, drinkin’, and dancin’ kind of joint.”  

According to General Manager Mallory Chernesky, who landed a bartending job at Sea Hags after moving to St. Petersburg in autumn 2022, the Hippie Shack, true to its name, will have a 1960s/1970s vibe.

The owners of Mullet’s Fish Camp & Market, located at 3901 6th Street South, are opening a dessert bar at 3910 6th Street South, formerly the home of Coquina Meat Market, directly across the street from their seafood restaurant.

In an interview with St. Pete Rising, Brian Rose and Nick Brown said they wanted to expand their business because it’s in an underserved part of the city where families need more options for doing things together.

“We have a very kid-friendly restaurant,” Rose said. “We have families coming in constantly. ‘Let’s go get ice cream’ — that’s one of the most straightforward family functions.”