Bars Near Tropicana Field St. Petersburg: My Night at Crafty Squirrel
Before I even walked in, I had a few questions rattling around in my head, and I bet you do too. Where do you actually go after a game at the Trop? Are the bars near Tropicana Field St. Petersburg worth the short hop into the heart of downtown? And can one place really do live DJs, a packed dance floor, sports on the TVs, and tacos all at once? When I rolled into Crafty Squirrel this July 2026 with a couple of friends after a long, sun-soaked afternoon, I got all three answered in the best way possible. Let me tell you how the night went.
WHERE IS CRAFTY SQUIRREL COMPARED TO THE TROP?
Here is the thing that surprised me most: from Tropicana Field, downtown St. Pete is genuinely just a quick trip east on Central Avenue. Crafty Squirrel sits right at 259 Central Ave, in the middle of all the action, so it is an easy landing spot when you want to keep the energy going after the last inning. According to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Central Avenue is the beating heart of the city's dining and nightlife corridor, and standing outside Crafty Squirrel with the garage doors thrown open, I completely understood why. Those industrial doors roll up so the whole place spills right onto the sidewalk, giving it that indoor-outdoor feel where you are half in the bar and half in the buzz of the street. If you want to nail down directions or hours before you go, their contact and location page makes it painless.
WHAT'S THE VIBE LIKE WHEN YOU WALK IN?
High-energy is the honest answer. The moment we stepped inside, a live DJ had the room moving, and there was already a little crowd forming on the dance floor even though it was still early evening. What I loved is that it never felt like you had to choose a lane. My buddy immediately clocked the 16 TVs lining the walls and settled in to catch the rest of a game, while I gravitated toward the communal seating where you naturally end up chatting with whoever is next to you. That mix of sports-bar comfort and dance-club pulse is exactly what makes it stand out among the downtown St. Pete nightlife scene. You can read more about how the place came together on their about page, but honestly you feel the personality the second you walk in.
WHAT DID WE EAT AND DRINK?
We came hungry, and that turned out to be the right call. The tacos were the first thing to hit our table, and they did not last long. From there we worked our way through some loaded apps and wings, passing plates around the table the way you do when everyone wants a bite of everything. It is proper bar food that actually holds up, not an afterthought stapled to the drink list. If you want to see the full spread before you go, the Crafty Squirrel menu lays it all out. On the drink side, there is a serious range: cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and yes, fishbowls that are made for sharing. We split one of those between the group and it turned into the centerpiece of the night, complete with everyone leaning in with straws and laughing. You can scope the current drink options to plan your order.
DOES THE TIMING MATTER?
It really does, and this is where a little local knowledge pays off. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so whether you are coming off an afternoon game or starting your night late, the door is open. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, which is a sweet spot if you land there right after the crowd files out of the Trop. Because the specials rotate, I would not quote you exact deals here, so it is worth checking the live specials page before you head over. That is where you will catch what is running, including the themed nights that give each day of the week its own flavor.
WHAT ABOUT THE THEMED NIGHTS?
This is the part that turns a one-off visit into a regular hangout. There is Taco Tuesday if you want your tacos with a little extra fanfare, midweek karaoke and bar games for when you want the night to get goofy and interactive, Saturday bottomless mimosas for the brunch-into-day-drinking crowd, and a Sunday brunch to cap off the weekend. We were there on a night with the DJ going full tilt, but I already made a mental note to come back for karaoke because the room clearly loves a crowd participant. To see what is coming up, the events page keeps a running lineup so you can match your night to the mood you are in.
IS IT GOOD FOR GAME DAY AND GROUPS?
Absolutely, and that is a big reason it belongs on any list of bars near Tropicana Field St. Petersburg. With 16 TVs, you are never straining to catch the action, and the communal setup means a big group can actually stay together instead of splitting across tiny tables. We had zero trouble squeezing in extra friends as the night grew, and the staff kept the pitchers and shots coming without missing a beat. If you are planning something bigger, like a birthday or a bachelorette crew, they do VIP and group bookings you can arrange ahead of time through their VIP page, which takes the guesswork out of a big night.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Crafty Squirrel at 259 Central Ave is one of the easiest and most fun bars near Tropicana Field to hit after a game, blending live DJs, 16 TVs, tacos, and a packed dance floor into one high-energy night.
So if you are wandering out of the Trop wondering where to keep the good times rolling, point yourself down Central Avenue and come get squirrely with us. Check out the menu and the current specials before you go, then come see why this corner of downtown St. Pete stays buzzing until 3AM.
FAQ
Q: How far is Crafty Squirrel from Tropicana Field?
A: Crafty Squirrel is located at 259 Central Ave in the heart of downtown St. Pete, a short trip east from Tropicana Field. It makes for an easy landing spot when you want to keep your game day going into the night.
Q: Can I watch the game at Crafty Squirrel?
A: Yes, there are 16 TVs throughout the bar showing live sports and game day action. It is a great spot to catch a game while still enjoying the DJ, the dance floor, and the food.
Q: What food and drinks does Crafty Squirrel offer?
A: The menu includes tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps, plus a full range of drinks like cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and shareable fishbowls. Since offerings and specials change, check the live menu and specials pages for the latest details.
Back to BlogWHERE IS CRAFTY SQUIRREL COMPARED TO THE TROP?
Here is the thing that surprised me most: from Tropicana Field, downtown St. Pete is genuinely just a quick trip east on Central Avenue. Crafty Squirrel sits right at 259 Central Ave, in the middle of all the action, so it is an easy landing spot when you want to keep the energy going after the last inning. According to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Central Avenue is the beating heart of the city's dining and nightlife corridor, and standing outside Crafty Squirrel with the garage doors thrown open, I completely understood why. Those industrial doors roll up so the whole place spills right onto the sidewalk, giving it that indoor-outdoor feel where you are half in the bar and half in the buzz of the street. If you want to nail down directions or hours before you go, their contact and location page makes it painless.
WHAT'S THE VIBE LIKE WHEN YOU WALK IN?
High-energy is the honest answer. The moment we stepped inside, a live DJ had the room moving, and there was already a little crowd forming on the dance floor even though it was still early evening. What I loved is that it never felt like you had to choose a lane. My buddy immediately clocked the 16 TVs lining the walls and settled in to catch the rest of a game, while I gravitated toward the communal seating where you naturally end up chatting with whoever is next to you. That mix of sports-bar comfort and dance-club pulse is exactly what makes it stand out among the downtown St. Pete nightlife scene. You can read more about how the place came together on their about page, but honestly you feel the personality the second you walk in.
WHAT DID WE EAT AND DRINK?
We came hungry, and that turned out to be the right call. The tacos were the first thing to hit our table, and they did not last long. From there we worked our way through some loaded apps and wings, passing plates around the table the way you do when everyone wants a bite of everything. It is proper bar food that actually holds up, not an afterthought stapled to the drink list. If you want to see the full spread before you go, the Crafty Squirrel menu lays it all out. On the drink side, there is a serious range: cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and yes, fishbowls that are made for sharing. We split one of those between the group and it turned into the centerpiece of the night, complete with everyone leaning in with straws and laughing. You can scope the current drink options to plan your order.
DOES THE TIMING MATTER?
It really does, and this is where a little local knowledge pays off. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so whether you are coming off an afternoon game or starting your night late, the door is open. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, which is a sweet spot if you land there right after the crowd files out of the Trop. Because the specials rotate, I would not quote you exact deals here, so it is worth checking the live specials page before you head over. That is where you will catch what is running, including the themed nights that give each day of the week its own flavor.
WHAT ABOUT THE THEMED NIGHTS?
This is the part that turns a one-off visit into a regular hangout. There is Taco Tuesday if you want your tacos with a little extra fanfare, midweek karaoke and bar games for when you want the night to get goofy and interactive, Saturday bottomless mimosas for the brunch-into-day-drinking crowd, and a Sunday brunch to cap off the weekend. We were there on a night with the DJ going full tilt, but I already made a mental note to come back for karaoke because the room clearly loves a crowd participant. To see what is coming up, the events page keeps a running lineup so you can match your night to the mood you are in.
IS IT GOOD FOR GAME DAY AND GROUPS?
Absolutely, and that is a big reason it belongs on any list of bars near Tropicana Field St. Petersburg. With 16 TVs, you are never straining to catch the action, and the communal setup means a big group can actually stay together instead of splitting across tiny tables. We had zero trouble squeezing in extra friends as the night grew, and the staff kept the pitchers and shots coming without missing a beat. If you are planning something bigger, like a birthday or a bachelorette crew, they do VIP and group bookings you can arrange ahead of time through their VIP page, which takes the guesswork out of a big night.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Crafty Squirrel at 259 Central Ave is one of the easiest and most fun bars near Tropicana Field to hit after a game, blending live DJs, 16 TVs, tacos, and a packed dance floor into one high-energy night.
So if you are wandering out of the Trop wondering where to keep the good times rolling, point yourself down Central Avenue and come get squirrely with us. Check out the menu and the current specials before you go, then come see why this corner of downtown St. Pete stays buzzing until 3AM.
FAQ
Q: How far is Crafty Squirrel from Tropicana Field?
A: Crafty Squirrel is located at 259 Central Ave in the heart of downtown St. Pete, a short trip east from Tropicana Field. It makes for an easy landing spot when you want to keep your game day going into the night.
Q: Can I watch the game at Crafty Squirrel?
A: Yes, there are 16 TVs throughout the bar showing live sports and game day action. It is a great spot to catch a game while still enjoying the DJ, the dance floor, and the food.
Q: What food and drinks does Crafty Squirrel offer?
A: The menu includes tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps, plus a full range of drinks like cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and shareable fishbowls. Since offerings and specials change, check the live menu and specials pages for the latest details.
