Nostalgic summer camp-themed bar coming to the Grand Central District
/Remember when the days were longer and the summer seemed endless? When your parents would send you off to summer camp and the only worry in the world was whether your team would win color wars?
Well, you may have outgrown your camp years, but a new restaurant and bar is coming to St. Pete that will allow you to channel all those summer camp vibes again.
Camp is in session this fall when Summer Camp debuts at 2060 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District.
The concept is being brought to life by Founder and CEO of Hunger Thirst Group Stephen Schrutt, who operates seven other exciting restaurants and bars around the Sunshine City including The Avenue, No Vacancy, Park & Rec, Dirty Laundry, Good Fortune, and Lost & Found.
Schrutt said he’s been developing the Summer Camp concept for the past four years.
“I’m really excited about finding the right place for this concept,” says Schrutt. “Ironically, during the summer of 2019, I was looking at a space and what I was really interested in about the location was the outdoor area. That outside space really was the driving force to creating Summer Camp.”
Schrutt continued, “While I didn’t end up in that space, the concept has been on my mind ever since and I’ve been working almost every day since then to bring Summer Camp to St. Pete.”
Get ready to explore the great outdoors with Summer Camp’s nostalgic campground feel, inspired by retro summer camps. The expansive 11,000-square-foot outdoor patio will be set up to resemble an actual campground with custom-made tents that can be reserved for parties, campfires (i.e. fire pits), and an outdoor stage for live music, DJs, and other entertainment featuring weekly, monthly, and annual events.
A 2,300-square-foot building will serve as the “cabin” and will include indoor seating and a large bar, helmed by Niall McCourt, the bar manager at Lost & Found. Summer Camp will also offer a camp-themed food menu.
“I think it’s unique because it’s something a lot of people can relate to,” says Schrutt. “Growing up we got to experience different types of summer camps–the cabins, the campground, the friends, the events and sports, hanging around the campfires, the fun times and the memories we made. I’ve lived here over a decade and I’m always excited about making a place for people to enjoy, and just bringing them together to have a good time.”
Once Summer Camp debuts this fall, the restaurant and bar will open their doors at 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends.
Hunger Thirst Group management is currently looking for outgoing, hardworking camp counselors (i.e. team members). Those interested are encouraged to send resumes to mgmt@summercampstp.com.
