Relax, eat, and sip is the motto of Pure M­­­­artini Bar, a new downtown restaurant and lounge concept coming this September to the ground floor of Vantage, a 211-unit apartment building at 160 16th Street North. EJ Barkett of Barkett Realty represented the landlord and De’Vone Brownlee of Stofel and Associates Realty represented the tenant in the transaction.

Pure Martini’s menu will feature crafted dry cocktails and martinis paired with delicious tapas.

All nine drinks on the menu have been designed with a unique spin with selections like the Tequila Tini, Strawlito Mojito, Pure Crush, and the Sanibal Sangria.

As for the food menu, owner of Pure Martini and self-proclaimed foodie Ralph Williams has some exciting culinary offerings to look forward to.

“I’ve hired an executive chef who is ambitious and wants to offer something different with a little swag mixed in,” said Williams. “We live in the social media era where we want to be wowed by not only the taste, but by the presentation.”

Expect each dish to be plated with flair and beautiful finishes that are sure to be Instagram worthy.

Starters include items like Feta-Radish Toasts which features thin-sliced radish and fresh feta cheese over crispy toast and drizzled with an herbed olive oil. Another enticing starter is the Shrimp Scampi, a baked shrimp dish with butter, lemon garlic, parsley and thyme.

The food menu will also have entrees like Snapper Escovitch, described as crispy pan-fried gulf snapper with a sweet and spicy pepper sauce, and Shrimp Bagna Cauda with Crudites, an Italian dish consisting of large sautéed shrimp topped with a garlic anchovy sauce called Bagna Cauda. 

Pure Martini will be located in an expansive 3,400 square foot space, which will allow for over 150 indoor and outdoor, bar top, and lounge seats. The lounge will have a stage offering nightly entertainment such as DJ’s and performances from local artists.

The location is conveniently nestled between the Grand Central District and the EDGE District with Tropicana Field as its backdrop. Situated in the middle of St. Pete’s growing nightlife scene, Ralph Williams, is hoping to stand out amongst the rest by using his fifteen plus years’ experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries.

Williams was born and raised in St. Pete and has seen first-hand the evolution of the downtown area, especially the changes that have occurred within the past few years. And with his work in nightclubs, restaurants, and bars on the promotional and management side, he has seen what works and what doesn’t.

“I don’t want to be another space filled in a modern building. I want to create an experience that incorporates great drinks, delicious food, and top-notch entertainment all in a laid-back environment with a lounge vibe,” said Williams.

Pure Martini’s décor will match the sleek art-deco design of the Vantage apartment building to maintain the theme that’s attracting residents between the ages of 25-40.

Pure Martini Bar, a restaurant and lounge hybrid concept will debut at 160 16th Street North in St. Petersburg, FL and will be open daily from 4 PM – 3 AM. A grand opening is planned for early September.

For more information on the grand opening date as well as other updates, follow Pure Martini Bar’s Instagram and Facebook pages.