The Moon Under Water to reopen in Gulfport next week after five years away
/The Moon Under Water opens Monday November 16th in Gulfport, five years after closing their downtown St. Pete restaurant | The Moon Under Water
After five years away, The Moon Under Water is reopening on Monday, November 16th, at 5 p.m., bringing its British pub fare, Indian curries, and extensive beer selection to downtown Gulfport.
The restaurant, which operated for more than two decades on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg, has found a new home at 2832 Beach Boulevard South, formerly occupied by The Drunken Taco, which closed in September 2025.
The reopening will bring back longtime favorites, including fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and a variety of Indian curries ranging from tikka masala to vindaloo.
The Moon Under Water first opened in 1997 at 332 Beach Drive NE. Founded by Alan and Suzanne Lucas, who moved to St. Pete from Wales, the British Colonial pub operated for nearly 25 years before closing in 2021, when the space was converted into Ceviche.
one of the indoor bars at the new Moon Under Water in Gulfport | The Moon Under Water
The restaurant is being revived by Kevin and Jeanne Milkey, owners of Grand Central Brewhouse, along with Mike and Alison Crippin, who both spent two decades working at the original Moon Under Water.
Mike served as executive chef for more than 20 years, while Alison handled human resources and office operations.
The group initially hoped to reopen the pub in downtown St. Pete, near its former location. But after exploring several spaces, they settled on Gulfport.
“We love Gulfport. We initially looked in St. Pete, in the EDGE District and Grand Central District. But nothing felt quite right until the opportunity in Gulfport came along,” Milkey said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising.
In April 2026, Kevin Milkey purchased the Gulfport property for $2.4 million.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot space has been renovated with traditional British pub decor. The restaurant includes a large dining room, two indoor bars, and a covered courtyard with its own bar.
The Moon Under Water’s signature fish N chips | The Moon Under Water
A separate sports area with approximately 20 televisions will show Premier League soccer, Tampa Bay Rowdies matches, NFL games, and college football. The owners also plan to host live music.
In the kitchen, Crippin will bring back many of the dishes served at the original restaurant while adding lighter fare and more vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices.
The drink menu will include British and Irish ales, local craft beers on more than 20 taps, specialty scotches, bourbons, Irish whiskeys, and a London gin bar.
The restaurant plans to serve lunch and dinner daily, with weekend brunch and a late-night menu expected to follow.
For updates, follow The Moon Under Water on Facebook and Instagram.
The Moon Under Water owners Mike Crippin and Kevin Milkey | The Moon Under Water
