7 Reasons the Bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg Start (and End) at Crafty Squirrel
When I wandered downtown this July 2026 looking for a place to land, I ended up doing what half of St. Pete seems to do on a warm night: I followed the music straight to Crafty Squirrel at 259 Central Ave. If you've been sizing up the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg and can't decide where to start, let me save you some scrolling. My night turned into a full-blown favorite, and I jotted down exactly why as it happened. Here are seven reasons this spot earned its place at the top of my list.
1. THE GARAGE DOORS CHANGE EVERYTHING
The first thing that pulled me in was the open front. Crafty Squirrel has these big industrial garage doors that roll up and open the whole place right onto Central Avenue, so you get that indoor-outdoor feel without ever committing to just one. I loved standing near the edge with a drink, half in the buzz of the bar and half in the warm St. Pete night, watching people stroll by. It's the kind of setup that makes you feel like you're part of the street, not hiding from it. On a downtown avenue packed with options, that breezy openness instantly set the mood.
2. THE DJ HAD THE WHOLE ROOM MOVING
I hadn't planned on dancing. Then the DJ dropped a song I hadn't heard in years and suddenly the dance floor was packed and I was very much a part of it. Crafty Squirrel runs live DJs all week, and the energy is genuinely high — not background music, but the kind that pulls strangers into the same rhythm. I glanced at their events page the next morning and realized there's something going on basically every night, which explains why the room never lost steam. If you want a Central Ave bar that actually feels alive, this is it.
3. THE TACOS AND LOADED APPS ARE NO JOKE
Somewhere around the second round, hunger hit, and I'm so glad it did. We ordered tacos and a couple of loaded apps to share across the communal table, and everything disappeared fast. The tacos were the standout for me, but the wings and handhelds making laps around our group looked just as good. I'd tell any friend to browse the full menu before they go, because there's more variety than you'd expect from a place this focused on the party. Good food this late at night is a rare gift downtown, and Crafty Squirrel delivers.
4. THE DRINKS RUN FROM CASUAL TO FULL-ON FISHBOWL
This is where the night got fun. You can keep it simple with a beer or a seltzer, or go bigger with cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, and yes, actual fishbowls made for sharing. We landed somewhere in the middle — a couple of margaritas and one very photogenic fishbowl that made our whole table new friends. Specials shift around, so I always tell people to peek at the drink menu for what's pouring. The range means nobody in your group gets left out, whether they're a one-cocktail person or a fishbowl-for-the-table person.
5. HAPPY HOUR IS THE SMART WAY TO START
If you're planning your route through the Central Ave bars, timing matters. Crafty Squirrel runs Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM, and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, which makes it a great launch pad before the night ramps up. I came in later this time, but I've started evenings here during happy hour before and it's the move — you settle in, grab a bite, and ride the energy as it builds. Check the current specials page for what's running, since deals rotate. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, downtown's Central Avenue corridor is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, and starting here puts you right in the middle of it.
6. THERE'S ALWAYS A THEMED NIGHT WORTH CATCHING
Part of what makes this spot feel like a regular hangout is the weekly rhythm. There's Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that locals swear by. I've done the karaoke night with a group before and it was chaos in the best way. This visit was more of a dance-and-DJ night, but knowing there's a different flavor every day means I keep finding reasons to come back. It's the kind of place that fits whatever mood your crew shows up in.
7. IT'S BUILT FOR SPORTS AND GROUPS ALIKE
Even mid-dance-floor, I noticed the wall of TVs — 16 of them — showing live sports and lighting up on game day. It's a clever balance: you can catch the game and still be in a high-energy party bar, which isn't something every downtown spot pulls off. The communal seating also makes it ideal for big groups, and if you're planning a birthday or bachelorette blowout, they do VIP and group bookings too. Our loose crew of six had no trouble spreading out and pulling in a few new faces, which is exactly what you want from a night on Central Ave.
WHY IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
What stuck with me the most was how effortlessly Crafty Squirrel blends everything — the open-air front, the DJs, the food, the drinks, the sports, the crowd — into one night that never felt like it needed to end. With hours running until 3AM every day, it truly doesn't have to. Of all the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg, this is the one I'd point a friend to first, whether they want to dance, snack, watch a game, or just soak up downtown.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Crafty Squirrel packs live DJs, great tacos, a wide drink range, 16 TVs, and an open-air Central Ave setup into one high-energy spot, making it the easiest first stop on any downtown St. Pete night out.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — roll in for happy hour, grab a fishbowl, and see why this corner of downtown never slows down. Check the latest specials before you head over and make your night one to remember.
FAQ
Q: Where is Crafty Squirrel located on Central Ave?
A: Crafty Squirrel is at 259 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, right in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Its industrial garage doors open directly onto Central Avenue for that indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: They're open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel good for groups and celebrations?
A: Absolutely — the communal seating, DJs, and 16 TVs make it great for big crews, game day, and celebrations alike. They also offer VIP and group bookings, so you can reach out ahead of time for birthdays or bachelorette parties.
Back to Blog1. THE GARAGE DOORS CHANGE EVERYTHING
The first thing that pulled me in was the open front. Crafty Squirrel has these big industrial garage doors that roll up and open the whole place right onto Central Avenue, so you get that indoor-outdoor feel without ever committing to just one. I loved standing near the edge with a drink, half in the buzz of the bar and half in the warm St. Pete night, watching people stroll by. It's the kind of setup that makes you feel like you're part of the street, not hiding from it. On a downtown avenue packed with options, that breezy openness instantly set the mood.
2. THE DJ HAD THE WHOLE ROOM MOVING
I hadn't planned on dancing. Then the DJ dropped a song I hadn't heard in years and suddenly the dance floor was packed and I was very much a part of it. Crafty Squirrel runs live DJs all week, and the energy is genuinely high — not background music, but the kind that pulls strangers into the same rhythm. I glanced at their events page the next morning and realized there's something going on basically every night, which explains why the room never lost steam. If you want a Central Ave bar that actually feels alive, this is it.
3. THE TACOS AND LOADED APPS ARE NO JOKE
Somewhere around the second round, hunger hit, and I'm so glad it did. We ordered tacos and a couple of loaded apps to share across the communal table, and everything disappeared fast. The tacos were the standout for me, but the wings and handhelds making laps around our group looked just as good. I'd tell any friend to browse the full menu before they go, because there's more variety than you'd expect from a place this focused on the party. Good food this late at night is a rare gift downtown, and Crafty Squirrel delivers.
4. THE DRINKS RUN FROM CASUAL TO FULL-ON FISHBOWL
This is where the night got fun. You can keep it simple with a beer or a seltzer, or go bigger with cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, and yes, actual fishbowls made for sharing. We landed somewhere in the middle — a couple of margaritas and one very photogenic fishbowl that made our whole table new friends. Specials shift around, so I always tell people to peek at the drink menu for what's pouring. The range means nobody in your group gets left out, whether they're a one-cocktail person or a fishbowl-for-the-table person.
5. HAPPY HOUR IS THE SMART WAY TO START
If you're planning your route through the Central Ave bars, timing matters. Crafty Squirrel runs Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM, and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, which makes it a great launch pad before the night ramps up. I came in later this time, but I've started evenings here during happy hour before and it's the move — you settle in, grab a bite, and ride the energy as it builds. Check the current specials page for what's running, since deals rotate. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, downtown's Central Avenue corridor is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, and starting here puts you right in the middle of it.
6. THERE'S ALWAYS A THEMED NIGHT WORTH CATCHING
Part of what makes this spot feel like a regular hangout is the weekly rhythm. There's Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that locals swear by. I've done the karaoke night with a group before and it was chaos in the best way. This visit was more of a dance-and-DJ night, but knowing there's a different flavor every day means I keep finding reasons to come back. It's the kind of place that fits whatever mood your crew shows up in.
7. IT'S BUILT FOR SPORTS AND GROUPS ALIKE
Even mid-dance-floor, I noticed the wall of TVs — 16 of them — showing live sports and lighting up on game day. It's a clever balance: you can catch the game and still be in a high-energy party bar, which isn't something every downtown spot pulls off. The communal seating also makes it ideal for big groups, and if you're planning a birthday or bachelorette blowout, they do VIP and group bookings too. Our loose crew of six had no trouble spreading out and pulling in a few new faces, which is exactly what you want from a night on Central Ave.
WHY IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
What stuck with me the most was how effortlessly Crafty Squirrel blends everything — the open-air front, the DJs, the food, the drinks, the sports, the crowd — into one night that never felt like it needed to end. With hours running until 3AM every day, it truly doesn't have to. Of all the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg, this is the one I'd point a friend to first, whether they want to dance, snack, watch a game, or just soak up downtown.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Crafty Squirrel packs live DJs, great tacos, a wide drink range, 16 TVs, and an open-air Central Ave setup into one high-energy spot, making it the easiest first stop on any downtown St. Pete night out.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — roll in for happy hour, grab a fishbowl, and see why this corner of downtown never slows down. Check the latest specials before you head over and make your night one to remember.
FAQ
Q: Where is Crafty Squirrel located on Central Ave?
A: Crafty Squirrel is at 259 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, right in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Its industrial garage doors open directly onto Central Avenue for that indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: They're open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel good for groups and celebrations?
A: Absolutely — the communal seating, DJs, and 16 TVs make it great for big crews, game day, and celebrations alike. They also offer VIP and group bookings, so you can reach out ahead of time for birthdays or bachelorette parties.
