Nightwatch, a neighborhood wine bar, is coming to 2817 Central Avenue in the Grand central District | St. PEte Rising

A new neighborhood wine bar is coming to the Grand Central District, with an expansive wine list, a large backyard patio, and a casual, laidback vibe.

Nightwatch is expected to open before the end of the year at 2817 Central Avenue.

The concept comes from Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton, the owners behind Neighborhood Wine Shop, which recently celebrated its first anniversary a few doors down at 2875 Central Avenue.

The 1,200-square-foot bar will offer a large wine selection, with roughly 250 to 300 labels planned for the bottle list, alongside around 20 to 25 wines by the glass at any given time.

Beer, non-alcoholic cocktails, and low-ABV cocktails will also be available.

“The focus will be on wines in the $70 to $120 range,” Kennedy said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “That’ll make up the bulk of the menu. That being said, if you want to come in and order an expensive Burgundy or old Bordeaux, we’ll have that too. It just won’t be the focus.”

The food menu will stay simple with cheeses, charcuterie, and bar bites offered.

Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton, owners of Nightwatch | Photo courtesy of Nightwatch

Kennedy added that the team hopes to host occasional food pop-ups and backyard events, while keeping the day-to-day experience casual and neighborhood-focused.

“We want it to feel like Cheers, right?” Kennedy said. “You walk in and see familiar faces. You know somebody there. That’s the whole idea.”

Nightwatch will be part of what Kennedy sees as a growing pocket of Grand Central, with newer arrivals like Cheeky's, Slim Charmer, Tampa Bay Drinkery, and Coastal House Vintage joining established neighborhood spots like Bandit Coffee Co., Baba, Casita Taqueria, Wild Child, Mutts & Martinis, Cappy's Pizza, and Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe.

“We’re definitely betting on this neighborhood,” Kennedy said. “It really is just like an extension of Kenwood. Most of the people that hang out on this stretch of Central Avenue live nearby.”

According to Kennedy, the plan was always to eventually open both a wine shop and a separate bar.

“The shop is kind of the daytime component,” he explained. “You grab a bottle, head home, go to the beach, whatever. Nightwatch is what happens after dark.”

Kennedy said the goal is to create a place that feels approachable.

Kennedy and Knowlton, owners of Nightwatch, opened Neighborhood Wine Shop last year | Neighborhood Wine Shop

“We want people to feel comfortable interacting with wine however they want,” Kennedy said. “You don’t have to get dressed up or feel intimidated to enjoy it.”

The design will follow a similar philosophy as the wine shop, with a modern look that still feels warm and lived-in.

A backyard patio is also planned, adding another 1,000 square feet of outdoor seating with picnic tables, benches, and shaded areas.

Music will range from hip-hop to outlaw country depending on the night, though Kennedy said the focus will stay on conversation rather than loud entertainment.

“It’s a place for people to hang out and talk,” Kennedy said.

The name Nightwatch itself came after months of brainstorming. Kennedy said inspiration partially came from Edward Hopper’s famous painting Nighthawks, though the final name evolved into something that reflected both the nighttime nature of the concept and its neighborhood focus.

“At first I hated the name,” Kennedy joked. “But now I like it.”

Kennedy said he hopes to open Nightwatch before the end of the year.

Be sure to follow Nightwatch on Instagram to stay up to date on a grand opening date and the latest wine selections.