Christian’s on the Water will replace Harbor Master Tiki Grille at Bay Pines Marina | St. Pete Rising

The once-popular Harbor Master Tiki Grille may have never reopened after Hurricane Helene, but a brand new concept is taking its place instead.

Christian’s on the Water, an outdoor restaurant and tiki bar overlooking Bay Pines Marina, will soft open this Saturday, May 16th at 11am at 4999 Harbor Lights Drive in Seminole.

The restaurant and bar will serve drinks only during opening weekend as it awaits final approval to begin food service on site.

The concept is the newest venture from Marc DeRusso and his wife Amelia, owners of DeRusso’s Pizzeria in Tierra Verde and St. Pete. The St. Pete pizzeria is located just down the street from the new restaurant.

DeRusso’s first restaurant, Bourbon Street Grill in Colonie, NY, has been open for 27 years.

Christian’s on the Water will offers beer, wine, and frozen, wine-based cocktails, including margaritas.

The outdoor restaurant plans to host live acoustic music seven days a week | St. Pete Rising

“Every day, people pass by the food trailer and ask when we’re going to be open,” DeRusso says with a laugh. “I've been in business for a long time, but this has been one of the most difficult places to get open, just because of the unique nature of both the tiki bar and food trailer.”

Last summer, Bowline Marinas purchased the 7.9-acre Bay Pines Marina property for $5.2 million.

Its new owners approached DeRusso about taking over the former Harbor Master Tiki Grille space, which sustained damage during 2024’s back-to-back hurricanes and never reopened.

Over the last five months, DeRusso has refreshed the property with new furniture, air-conditioned portable bathrooms, renovations to the 22-seat tiki bar and shaded dining area, and landscaping upgrades to the turfed courtyard, which includes adding Adirondack chairs and cornhole.

The outdoor restaurant plans to host live acoustic music seven days a week. A small retail area will sell branded t-shirts, koozies, hats, sunscreen, and towels.

A new 20-foot food trailer will serve what DeRusso describes as “coastal-inspired” dishes.

The property has recently received landscaping upgrades to the turfed courtyard, which includes adding Adirondack chairs and cornhole | St. Pete Rising

While DeRusso’s other restaurants focus on pizza, Christian’s on the Water will offer a range of casual dishes, including grouper sandwiches, peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked fish spread, smash burgers, and rice bowls topped with pulled pork, beef, or chicken.

The restaurant also plans to offer a “hook and cook” service, allowing fishermen to bring their catch to be grilled or fried.

Once fully operational, Christian’s on the Water plans to launch weekend breakfast service starting at 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays, offering egg bowls and breakfast sandwiches.

The restaurant is accessible by car, by bicycle (due to its proximity to The Pinellas Trail), and by boat, offering a dozen slips for its customers to use while they dine and drink.

Following its soft opening period, Christian’s will be open from 11 am to 10pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.

DeRusso tells St. Pete Rising that the restaurant is named after his late son Christian, and the business’ soft opening coincides with the anniversary of his passing.

He hopes the business will not only provide great food, drinks, and hospitality, but will serve as a living tribute for his son.