Thirsty First, located at 515 Central Avenue. | thirsty first

After serving patrons and sports fans for a decade, the popular local hangout Thirsty First will permanently close its doors.

Thirsty First, which has been a staple of downtown St. Petersburg’s nightlife scene since 2016, announced it will close its bar and restaurant at 515 Central Avenue.

A final celebration amongst friends and loyal guests will be held on Sunday, July 26, owner Greg Mikurak announced on Facebook and Instagram Monday evening.

“When I opened Thirsty First, I hoped to build a great sports bar. What I never expected was to build a community and a family,” wrote Mikurak.

“Over the last decade, I've watched first dates turn into marriages, strangers become lifelong friends, championship celebrations shake the walls, and thousands of people choose to spend some of the best moments of their lives with us,” he continued. “We've celebrated victories, survived difficult times, and made memories that I'll carry with me forever.”

Inside thirsty first during a football game | thirsty first

Mikurak, who co-owns another other Central Avenue bar called Whiskey Exchange, didn’t state a reason behind the closure. He also owned country bar Ride ’Em Cowboy, which closed in January.

However, the sports bar is facing an active eviction lawsuit filed by the landlord, alleging the bar owner has failed to pay rent for multiple months and neglected to cover property taxes and insurance premiums.

The announcement of the closure and lawsuit come just three years after Thirsty First relocated from 119 1st Avenue North to 515 Central Avenue, allowing Thirsty First to triple in size and expand its food offerings.

The expansive space features a 1,400-square-foot kitchen and 69 TVs across two floors, with an upstairs VIP lounge and a 40-inch mini “Jumbotron.”

With several TVs and happy hour specials, the space was often filled with sports fans catching the latest UFC fights, watching football games, or enjoying live music and DJs on weekends.

The Dillinger's Que, a Beef patty with BBQ, bacon, cheddar cheese, and onion straws | thirsty first

“To every customer who became a regular, every employee who gave this place their heart, every musician, DJ, entertainer, vendor, and everyone who ever walked through our doors...thank you,” the social post read.

“These past 10 years have been some of the greatest years of my life because of all of you.
While this chapter is coming to an end, the memories we've created together never will,” the post continued, inviting everyone to enjoy the venue one last time and share stories.

Thirsty First is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.