A Rosie the Riveter-themed restaurant and bar to replace The Avenue in downtown St. Pete
/Riveters, a Rosie the Riveter-themed restaurant and bar, will replace The Avenue in downtown St. pete
A new restaurant and bar inspired by the cultural icon Rosie the Riveter is coming to downtown St. Pete, replacing The Avenue, which closed in February after 13 years in business.
Tampa’s Riveters, a concept celebrating female empowerment and the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, will bring its historical theme and made-from-scratch menu to 330 1st Avenue South later this year.
The 3,925-square-foot space will be transformed into a sports bar featuring World War II memorabilia, including Rosie the Riveter posters, veteran patches, and wings from crashed bomber jets mounted on the walls.
The female staff, called “Rosies,” wear red bandanas and denim tops inspired by the iconic poster, while the male staff wear military and tactical-style uniforms.
“We have always wanted to open a Riveters in St. Pete. We looked for over a year, saw new construction, but timing never seemed to work until now,” Riveters owner Andres Farfan said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising while giving a tour of the existing Tampa restaurant at 2301 North Dale Mabry Highway.
The female staff, called “Rosies,” inspired by the iconic poster | Riveters
Farfan, who was just handed the keys today, toured the space in February just weeks after The Avenue’s closing.
Harrison Gault and Jay Billings of St. Petersburg-based Commercial Partners Realty Inc. represented the landlord in the lease.
“I’ve been in the area for 30 years and have always been a big believer in St. Pete. The city has a rich culture and is known for being supportive of small businesses,” said Farfan, who lives in Pinellas County.
“When we opened the Tampa location in 2022, I wanted to create something unique. I’m a history buff, and my wife is a big fan of Rosie. This place is designed to feel like a museum, so what better city than St. Pete, which is full of museums?”
Originally from Colombia, Farfan has worked in the restaurant industry for over 25 years, starting out as a dishwasher to eventually working at some of the finest establishments in New York City.
Riveter’s Bomber Burger with Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, house made BBQ sauce, and crispy onion straws | Riveters
In addition to owning the Riveters, Farfan previously served in leadership roles at Bonefish Grill in Belleair Bluffs and Hops Grill and Brewery in Clearwater.
Jason McGarry, who works alongside Farfan as the Riveter’s General Manager in Tampa, will be the managing partner for the St. Pete location.
McGarry, who painted the Rosie mural at the Tampa location, will create a similar mural in St. Pete. Walls and beams will be painted blue, yellow, and red, the colors associated with the original Rosie the Riveter poster.
The restaurant will include a covered outdoor patio with bars serving both indoor and outdoor customers.
The bar will offer a selection of local beers and mixed drinks, while the kitchen serves made-from-scratch meals, including burgers, beer-brined wings, grilled salmon, and prime rib.
Inside Riveters in Tampa | Riveters
Popular menu items include the Reuben sandwich made with beer-braised corned beef, Bavarian-style pretzels with house-made beer cheese, prime rib sandwiches, tacos, and the Catalina Chicken plate featuring grilled chicken breasts topped with goat cheese, spinach, sundried tomatoes, and lemon butter.
Riveters recently opened a microbrewery inside its Tampa location. Several tanks are housed in an enclosed area near the dining room, producing a sour, a seltzer, an IPA, a lager, and a red ale.
“It’s another unique draw like how we make everything in-house,” McGarry said. “We are using it in our beer cheese and cooking.”
The St. Pete location will not have an on-site brewery, but Farfan hopes to begin distributing their beers before it opens.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Riveters to St. Pete, offering the same welcoming atmosphere as we do in Tampa,” McGarry and Farfan said. “We hope this will also help educate people about the history of World War II and leave a lasting impact.”
Be sure to follow Riveters on Facebook and Instagram for the latest announcements and offerings or visit the Tampa location at 2301 North Dale Mabry Highway.
