The Wet Spot Pool Bar coming soon to the Grand Central District
/The Wet Spot Pool Bar will be located at the historic Mari-Jean Hotel at 2355 CEntral Avenue in the Grand CEntral District
There’s nothing more relaxing than lounging by the pool with a drink in hand on a hot summer day. For years, the Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Pete has hosted popular events at their outdoor pool bar. And now, owner Michael Andoniades hopes to replicate his success in the Grand Central District.
Permits were approved earlier this week and construction will soon begin on St. Pete’s newest pool bar, The Wet Spot, located at 2355 Central Avenue in the historic Mari-Jean Hotel.
David Fischer, owner of the Wet Spot Pool Bar, Cocktail, The Saint, and Zazoo’d.
The new watering hole will be operated by David Fischer, who also owns two other bars on the property – Cocktail, St. Pete’s newest gay bar, and The Saint, a sinful speakeasy. Fischer is also owner of Zazoo’d, a home decor shop, in downtown St. Pete.
Although The Wet Spot will be open to the public, the pool will also be an amenity of the hotel, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations.
Andoniades purchased the struggling hotel in 2018 with a plan to bring it back to its former glory by renovating the hotel rooms, plugging in exciting retail on the ground floor, and constructing a beautiful pool complete with a three-sided outdoor bar.
Once complete, the hotel will be marketed as an LGBTQ hotel, likely drawing LGBTQ vacationers from all over Florida. Construction on the hotel is slated to be complete next summer.
The 9,000 square foot outdoor space will have a set-up similar to the Hollander Hotel, with The Wet Spot Pool Bar abutting the hotel, a resort-style pool on the far side of the property, and seating in between.
The Wet Spot Pool Bar will be built on a 9,000 square foot lot adjacent to the Mari-Jean Hotel.
Fischer is plans to host events, such as tea dances and leather parties, reminiscent of what The Flamingo Resort offered before their closure in 2019. The Wet Spot will also include an outdoor pergola stage that will be perfect for poolside drag shows, DJs, and musical acts.
The drink list at The Wet Spot has not been finalized but will focus mostly frozen beverages.
A brand-new kitchen will allow The Wet Spot to offer a full menu of food, featuring selections like burgers, sandwiches, and light bites. Additionally, the kitchen will serve Cocktail, which doesn’t offer food right now, and The Saint, which currently sources their food from Lolita’s Wine Bar.
