Bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg: My Night Getting Squirrely at Crafty Squirrel
When I wandered down Central Avenue this July 2026 looking for somewhere with real energy, I landed at Crafty Squirrel and honestly didn't leave for hours. If you've been scrolling through the endless list of bars on Central Ave in St. Petersburg, let me save you some time. This spot has a way of pulling you in the second those garage doors roll up onto the street. So instead of a rambling recap, I put together my top tips from the night — the little things that made it click, and the stuff I'd tell any friend before they head down.
Here's how my evening broke down, tip by tip.
1. GO FOR THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR MAGIC
The first thing I noticed at 259 Central Ave was those industrial garage doors flung wide open, blurring the line between the bar and the sidewalk. On a warm St. Pete evening, that indoor-outdoor feel is everything. You get the breeze off Central Avenue, the buzz of people strolling by, and the pull of the music inside all at once. I grabbed a spot near the edge where I could people-watch and still feel the DJ's bass in my chest. If you love a patio-meets-party energy, this is the layout you want. Most of the classic bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg lean one way or the other — Crafty Squirrel refuses to pick a lane, and I respect it.
2. TIME YOUR ARRIVAL AROUND HAPPY HOUR
My smartest move all night was showing up during Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and 3PM to 6PM on weekends. It's the sweet spot — the crowd is still building, you can actually hear your friends, and the deals are easy on the wallet. I always tell people to check the current specials page before heading out, because the offers rotate and I never want you quoting me on last month's deal. We eased in with a round, claimed our spot, and let the night ramp up around us. By the time the dance floor filled in, we were already comfortable and three steps ahead of the rush.
3. ORDER THE TACOS (AND THE LOADED APPS)
I came in hungry and left very much not. The food here is built for a night out — tacos, handheld sandwiches, wraps, wings, and loaded apps that are made for sharing. We split a pile of wings and a stack of tacos, and passing plates around the communal seating just made the whole thing feel social. If you're the type who likes to plan your bites before you arrive, the full Crafty Squirrel menu lays it all out. My tip: order more than you think you need, because everyone at the table will reach for the tacos. And if it's a Tuesday, you already know what the move is — Taco Tuesday is a whole thing here.
4. DRINK LIKE YOU MEAN IT (FISHBOWLS INCLUDED)
The drink lineup is where things got fun. Cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers — and yes, fishbowls, which are exactly the kind of shareable chaos a group night calls for. We went with margaritas early and worked our way up to a fishbowl once the energy got going. I love that you can keep it casual with a seltzer or commit fully with a pitcher for the table. Peek at the drink menu if you want to plan your first round, but honestly, half the fun was just pointing at what the next table had and saying we'll take that too.
5. STAY FOR THE LIVE DJ AND THE DANCE FLOOR
This is the part that turned a good night into a great one. There are live DJs all week, and once the dance floor packed in, the whole place transformed. The music, the crowd, the open doors letting the sound spill onto Central — it's high-energy in the best way. St. Petersburg's downtown scene has been getting national attention for its walkable, artsy nightlife; Visit St. Pete Clearwater has long highlighted the district as one of the region's liveliest after-dark destinations, and standing in the middle of that dance floor, I got it. We danced way longer than I planned. If you want to see what's spinning on any given night, the events calendar is the place to look.
6. CATCH A GAME ON THE 16 TVS
Even with the dance floor going, I clocked the 16 TVs scattered around, and it hit me how well this place pulls double duty. You can catch live sports and game day action without missing the party vibe. I watched a few folks posted up cheering at the screens while the DJ kept the room moving — a rare combo. If you're the friend who refuses to miss a game but still wants a real night out, you don't have to choose here.
7. KNOW THE HOURS AND MAKE IT A LATE ONE
Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so this is a genuine stay-out-late spot. We didn't feel rushed, and there was always more night to lean into. If you're building a wider downtown St. Pete bar crawl, I'd anchor it here — start early, eat, dance, and let the 3AM close carry you. For directions, hours, or to plan a visit, the contact page has everything you need.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Of all the bars on Central Ave in St. Petersburg, Crafty Squirrel stands out for doing everything at once — open-air street energy, live DJs, a packed dance floor, tacos, fishbowls, and 16 TVs for game day, all in the heart of downtown St. Pete.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — grab your crew, check the latest specials, and let's turn your night out into a story worth telling. I'll see you on the dance floor.
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. The industrial garage doors open straight onto Central Avenue for that signature indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: It's open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. That makes it a great pick whether you want early day drinks or a proper late night on Central Ave.
Q: Does Crafty Squirrel have food and happy hour deals?
A: Yes — the menu includes tacos, wraps, sandwiches, wings, and loaded apps, plus cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, and fishbowls. Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, and you can check the specials page for current offers since they rotate.
Back to BlogHere's how my evening broke down, tip by tip.
1. GO FOR THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR MAGIC
The first thing I noticed at 259 Central Ave was those industrial garage doors flung wide open, blurring the line between the bar and the sidewalk. On a warm St. Pete evening, that indoor-outdoor feel is everything. You get the breeze off Central Avenue, the buzz of people strolling by, and the pull of the music inside all at once. I grabbed a spot near the edge where I could people-watch and still feel the DJ's bass in my chest. If you love a patio-meets-party energy, this is the layout you want. Most of the classic bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg lean one way or the other — Crafty Squirrel refuses to pick a lane, and I respect it.
2. TIME YOUR ARRIVAL AROUND HAPPY HOUR
My smartest move all night was showing up during Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and 3PM to 6PM on weekends. It's the sweet spot — the crowd is still building, you can actually hear your friends, and the deals are easy on the wallet. I always tell people to check the current specials page before heading out, because the offers rotate and I never want you quoting me on last month's deal. We eased in with a round, claimed our spot, and let the night ramp up around us. By the time the dance floor filled in, we were already comfortable and three steps ahead of the rush.
3. ORDER THE TACOS (AND THE LOADED APPS)
I came in hungry and left very much not. The food here is built for a night out — tacos, handheld sandwiches, wraps, wings, and loaded apps that are made for sharing. We split a pile of wings and a stack of tacos, and passing plates around the communal seating just made the whole thing feel social. If you're the type who likes to plan your bites before you arrive, the full Crafty Squirrel menu lays it all out. My tip: order more than you think you need, because everyone at the table will reach for the tacos. And if it's a Tuesday, you already know what the move is — Taco Tuesday is a whole thing here.
4. DRINK LIKE YOU MEAN IT (FISHBOWLS INCLUDED)
The drink lineup is where things got fun. Cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers — and yes, fishbowls, which are exactly the kind of shareable chaos a group night calls for. We went with margaritas early and worked our way up to a fishbowl once the energy got going. I love that you can keep it casual with a seltzer or commit fully with a pitcher for the table. Peek at the drink menu if you want to plan your first round, but honestly, half the fun was just pointing at what the next table had and saying we'll take that too.
5. STAY FOR THE LIVE DJ AND THE DANCE FLOOR
This is the part that turned a good night into a great one. There are live DJs all week, and once the dance floor packed in, the whole place transformed. The music, the crowd, the open doors letting the sound spill onto Central — it's high-energy in the best way. St. Petersburg's downtown scene has been getting national attention for its walkable, artsy nightlife; Visit St. Pete Clearwater has long highlighted the district as one of the region's liveliest after-dark destinations, and standing in the middle of that dance floor, I got it. We danced way longer than I planned. If you want to see what's spinning on any given night, the events calendar is the place to look.
6. CATCH A GAME ON THE 16 TVS
Even with the dance floor going, I clocked the 16 TVs scattered around, and it hit me how well this place pulls double duty. You can catch live sports and game day action without missing the party vibe. I watched a few folks posted up cheering at the screens while the DJ kept the room moving — a rare combo. If you're the friend who refuses to miss a game but still wants a real night out, you don't have to choose here.
7. KNOW THE HOURS AND MAKE IT A LATE ONE
Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so this is a genuine stay-out-late spot. We didn't feel rushed, and there was always more night to lean into. If you're building a wider downtown St. Pete bar crawl, I'd anchor it here — start early, eat, dance, and let the 3AM close carry you. For directions, hours, or to plan a visit, the contact page has everything you need.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Of all the bars on Central Ave in St. Petersburg, Crafty Squirrel stands out for doing everything at once — open-air street energy, live DJs, a packed dance floor, tacos, fishbowls, and 16 TVs for game day, all in the heart of downtown St. Pete.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — grab your crew, check the latest specials, and let's turn your night out into a story worth telling. I'll see you on the dance floor.
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. The industrial garage doors open straight onto Central Avenue for that signature indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: It's open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. That makes it a great pick whether you want early day drinks or a proper late night on Central Ave.
Q: Does Crafty Squirrel have food and happy hour deals?
A: Yes — the menu includes tacos, wraps, sandwiches, wings, and loaded apps, plus cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, and fishbowls. Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, and you can check the specials page for current offers since they rotate.
