The Winfield, a 22-seat cocktail parlor, is now open in the basement of Central Park in Downtown St. Pete | Blok Design Group

The Winfield, a 22-seat cocktail parlor hidden beneath downtown St. Pete's sprawling Central Park food hall, opens today.

While Central Park occupies nearly 27,700 square feet over five stories at 551 Central Avenue, its newest concept seats just 22 guests, offering an intimate experience unlike the bustling food hall above.

Director of Operations Robert Castellon describes both the menu and ambiance as “an homage to old Florida,” with dark-toned wood, floral wallpaper, and colorful accents.

The approximately 1,000-square-foot cocktail parlor pairs lesser-known spirits with Asian and Latin ingredients while incorporating modern mixology techniques like forced carbonation and clarification.

Beverage Director Silvia Fridegotto said bartenders have historically played an important role in introducing the public to emerging spirits, and The Winfield hopes to continue that tradition by helping guests discover unfamiliar bottles in an approachable setting.

“A lot of people know of tequila and mezcal, but we wanted to introduce guests to these less known spirits through our signature cocktails,” Fridegotto said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “...we want to create that similar experience of education without pretension.”

Among the featured spirits are Bolivia's national liquor, singani, distilled from Muscat of Alexandria grapes; raicilla, an agave spirit from western Mexico; and sotol, made from the Mexican desert spoon plant.

A few drinks toasted during the soft opening of The Winfield | Nate Ogborn

Signature cocktails include the Ay, Chihuahua, made with sotol, guajillo pepper, and sweet potato; and the Pa'Arriba, featuring aged rum, barley shochu, apricot, and a jello shot.

Supporting the beverage program is a small menu of shareable dishes, including wagyu carpaccio, Japanese sea bream crudo, homemade pork rinds, and glutinous rice crackers topped with madai, toro, and caviar.

“It's really delicious, crispy, salty bar food that complements your drink, but there's also a few dishes on the menu that really stand alone,” Castellon said. “The intention for both the food and beverage menus is to feel very international.”

Most cocktails range from $16 to $19, while dishes are priced between $14 and $32.

The speakeasy-inspired bar is named after Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth retail chain that occupied the Central Avenue building throughout much of the 20th century.

Sarasota-based Hi Hospitality Group purchased the building for $3.75 million in 2018 and spent several years redeveloping the property, which previously housed The Dome Grill before being transformed into Central Park.

Guests looking for a more casual drink can also visit Central Park's ground-floor main bar, which features a self-service beer wall.

The bar is named after Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth retail chain that occupied the Central Avenue building throughout much of the 20th century | Blok Design Group

The food hall itself is now fully operational following months of phased soft openings.

Seven food concepts are currently serving guests: Constellation Burger, Park Pie Pizza, Palm Avenue Deli, Strawberry Fields, Don Ricardo's Taqueria, Speaks Pasta, and Kojo Wok.

Customers can order from any concept through self-service kiosks or on Central Park's website.

Still to come are the tropical-inspired Bar Hana and Kojo, a full-service Asian restaurant that will anchor the building's third floor. Both are expected to open by mid-September.

“With Bar Hana, the space is so big that we can make it a big experience,” Castellon said. “Knowing that The Winfield was limited on space, we knew that the experience had to be different, more refined. It gives us the opportunity to be more detail oriented and to control every moment of the guest experience, so you're transported somewhere else when you walk in.”

On the main floor's mezzanine, three additional concepts are also nearing their debuts, according to Castellon: The Meadows, the food hall's dessert café; 27 North, a specialty frozen cocktail bar; and Worth, a retail shop.

Beyond The Winfield, the building's basement houses restrooms and a commissary kitchen that supports Central Park's various food concepts.

If you plan to visit The Winfield, walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Following today's debut, The Winfield will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday, with the last seating at 11:45 p.m.