Velvet Coupe, a new wine lounge, will open this spring in the edge District of downtown St. pete | St Pete Rising

A new intimate wine lounge is coming soon to the EDGE District in downtown St. Pete.

Velvet Coupe is set to open this spring at 25 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South, bringing a cozy, lounge-style wine bar to a 1,450-square-foot space formerly occupied by Baked in the Burg.

Owner and operator Dina describes Velvet Coupe as a “sexy, cozy hangout” designed for settling in with a glass of wine rather than rushing in and out.

The lounge will seat roughly 30 to 35 guests in total, including an eight-to-ten-seat bar, with a mix of low tables, stools, and lounge-style seating throughout the space.

While the wine list won’t be tied to a single region, Dina says every bottle will be sustainably produced with an emphasis on quality over quantity, reflecting Velvet Coupe’s “Luxury by Omission” tagline.

Guests can also expect a strong Italian influence as Dina holds dual citizenship in Italy and travels there frequently.

“I’ll definitely have Italian wines on the list,” she said. “But overall, everything will be high-quality and responsibly made.”

In addition to wine, the bar will offer a limited selection of champagne and beer.

A small menu of rotating plates will be offered, though food will play a supporting role to the wine-forward experience.

Dina relocated to St. Pete from Sarasota just months ago after first visiting the city last year on vacation.

Owner of Velvet Coupe, Dina | Velvet Coupe

“When I came to St. Pete for the first time, I thought to myself, ‘Why am I not here?’” she said. “It felt so lively, and I really loved the small, local spots. It feels like there’s something for everyone.”

Before moving to St. Pete, Dina owned and operated Wine House Social in Delray Beach, a boutique wine shop and bar.

Velvet Coupe is a more streamlined take on that concept, designed to feel intimate, relaxed, and neighborhood-driven.

“I wanted to do something similar to what I’ve done before, but with a few changes,” Dina told St. Pete Rising. “I want it to be more of a loungy wine bar instead of just a retail store.”

Although bottles will be available to purchase to-go, Dina says Velvet Coupe will function primarily as a bar and lounge, not a retail wine shop.

Once open, she plans to host occasional tastings and small, wine-centric events.

Velvet Coupe is targeting a soft opening in April, following light interior updates and decor work.

The lounge is expected to open daily at 5 p.m. and close before midnight.

Follow Velvet Coupe on Instagram for updates as the EDGE District’s newest wine bar prepares to open this spring.