My Night on Central Ave: Why Crafty Squirrel Is My Favorite of the Bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg
When my friends and I wandered into Crafty Squirrel this August 2026, I honestly wasn't expecting the night to become the kind you're still talking about at brunch the next day. But of all the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg has to offer, this one just hits different — the second you walk up to those industrial garage doors thrown wide open onto Central Avenue, you feel the energy spill out onto the sidewalk and pull you in. We came for one drink. We stayed for hours. So let me break down, in a handful of tips from my real night out, exactly why this spot earned a permanent place in our rotation.
1. GO FOR THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR ENERGY FIRST
The first thing that got me was the space itself. Crafty Squirrel sits right at 259 Central Ave, and those big garage doors mean there's no hard line between inside and out — the breeze, the street buzz, and the music all blend together. We grabbed a spot near the open front where we could people-watch the whole downtown St. Pete crowd strolling by. If you've ever felt boxed into a windowless bar, this is the antidote. It's lively without being claustrophobic, and on a warm St. Pete night, that open-air feel is everything. You can read more about the vibe and story behind the bar if you want a sense of it before you go, but honestly, you just have to stand in it.
2. TIME YOUR ARRIVAL AROUND HAPPY HOUR
Here's my insider tip: we rolled in during the tail end of Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM. That early window let us settle in, snag good seats, and ease into the night before the dance floor really filled up. Specials change, so I'm not going to promise you a specific deal, but it's absolutely worth checking the current specials page before you head out so you know what's running that day. We saved a little and got the lay of the land — a win on both counts.
3. DON'T SLEEP ON THE TACOS AND LOADED APPS
We were hungry when we got there, and Crafty Squirrel delivered. The menu leans into tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps — exactly the kind of shareable, dig-in food you want when you're bouncing between conversations. We ordered a spread and passed everything around, communal-style, which fit perfectly with the shared seating setup. The tacos were the clear favorite at our table, and the wings didn't last long either. If you want to plan your order ahead, take a peek at the full food menu so you're not agonizing over choices while the DJ's calling your name. Pro tip: order more than you think you need, because someone's always going to reach for that last taco.
4. LET THE LIVE DJ SET THE PACE
This is the part that surprised me most. Crafty Squirrel runs live DJs all week, and by the time we finished eating, the dance floor was packed. There's a reason this place gets the crowd moving — the energy just builds. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the downtown St. Pete scene has become one of the region's standout nightlife destinations, and standing on that dance floor, I completely got it. We didn't plan to dance. We danced anyway. The music pulled us in, and the mix of locals and visitors made the whole floor feel electric.
5. WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE DRINK LINEUP
The drink options here are genuinely fun. We're talking cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers — and yes, fishbowls, which are exactly the kind of thing you order for the table when you want the night to get memorable. We started with cocktails and worked our way toward a shared fishbowl that basically became the centerpiece of our night. Everything felt made for a group. Prices and drink names shift around, so I'd check the drink menu for what's pouring, but the range alone means everyone in your crew will find something. My margarita-loving friend was thrilled; our beer guy was equally happy.
6. CATCH A GAME WITHOUT LOSING THE PARTY
Here's what I didn't expect from a place this high-energy: there are 16 TVs, so you can absolutely catch live sports and game day action while everything else is going on around you. We had one friend keeping an eye on a game between dance breaks, and it never felt like the bar had to choose between sports-bar and dance-floor. It just does both. That flexibility is rare among the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg locals frequent, and it makes Crafty Squirrel an easy pick when your group can't agree on the plan.
7. COME BACK FOR THE THEMED NIGHTS
By the end of the night, we were already scheming about when to return, because the weekly lineup is stacked. There's Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that I'm dying to try. Each night has its own personality, so it's worth browsing what's happening throughout the week to match your mood. And if you're planning something bigger — a birthday, a bachelorette, or a group takeover — the VIP and group booking options are there for that. It's easily one of the most versatile stops on any downtown St. Pete bar crawl.
8. KNOW THE HOURS SO YOU CAN STAY LATE
One of my favorite things? You don't have to rush. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM, and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so whether you're doing an early afternoon hang or a full late-night run, the timing works. We closed our tab far later than planned, and there was still life on the floor. If you need directions or want to double-check hours before heading down, the contact page has everything.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Of all the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg has, Crafty Squirrel stands out because it does it all in one place — open-air energy, great tacos and drinks, live DJs, 16 TVs, and themed nights — making it the easy answer whenever your crew can't decide.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — grab your crew, grab a fishbowl, and see why this corner of downtown St. Pete keeps pulling us back. Start by browsing the menu and current specials, then come find us with the garage doors wide open.
FAQ
Q: Where is Crafty Squirrel located in downtown St. Petersburg?
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 signature indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours and happy hour times?
A: The bar is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM, though specials change, so check the specials page for current details.
Q: What kind of food and drinks does Crafty Squirrel serve?
A: The menu features tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps, plus a full drink lineup of cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and fishbowls. Offerings and prices change, so check the live menu pages before you visit.
Back to Blog1. GO FOR THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR ENERGY FIRST
The first thing that got me was the space itself. Crafty Squirrel sits right at 259 Central Ave, and those big garage doors mean there's no hard line between inside and out — the breeze, the street buzz, and the music all blend together. We grabbed a spot near the open front where we could people-watch the whole downtown St. Pete crowd strolling by. If you've ever felt boxed into a windowless bar, this is the antidote. It's lively without being claustrophobic, and on a warm St. Pete night, that open-air feel is everything. You can read more about the vibe and story behind the bar if you want a sense of it before you go, but honestly, you just have to stand in it.
2. TIME YOUR ARRIVAL AROUND HAPPY HOUR
Here's my insider tip: we rolled in during the tail end of Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM. That early window let us settle in, snag good seats, and ease into the night before the dance floor really filled up. Specials change, so I'm not going to promise you a specific deal, but it's absolutely worth checking the current specials page before you head out so you know what's running that day. We saved a little and got the lay of the land — a win on both counts.
3. DON'T SLEEP ON THE TACOS AND LOADED APPS
We were hungry when we got there, and Crafty Squirrel delivered. The menu leans into tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps — exactly the kind of shareable, dig-in food you want when you're bouncing between conversations. We ordered a spread and passed everything around, communal-style, which fit perfectly with the shared seating setup. The tacos were the clear favorite at our table, and the wings didn't last long either. If you want to plan your order ahead, take a peek at the full food menu so you're not agonizing over choices while the DJ's calling your name. Pro tip: order more than you think you need, because someone's always going to reach for that last taco.
4. LET THE LIVE DJ SET THE PACE
This is the part that surprised me most. Crafty Squirrel runs live DJs all week, and by the time we finished eating, the dance floor was packed. There's a reason this place gets the crowd moving — the energy just builds. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the downtown St. Pete scene has become one of the region's standout nightlife destinations, and standing on that dance floor, I completely got it. We didn't plan to dance. We danced anyway. The music pulled us in, and the mix of locals and visitors made the whole floor feel electric.
5. WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE DRINK LINEUP
The drink options here are genuinely fun. We're talking cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers — and yes, fishbowls, which are exactly the kind of thing you order for the table when you want the night to get memorable. We started with cocktails and worked our way toward a shared fishbowl that basically became the centerpiece of our night. Everything felt made for a group. Prices and drink names shift around, so I'd check the drink menu for what's pouring, but the range alone means everyone in your crew will find something. My margarita-loving friend was thrilled; our beer guy was equally happy.
6. CATCH A GAME WITHOUT LOSING THE PARTY
Here's what I didn't expect from a place this high-energy: there are 16 TVs, so you can absolutely catch live sports and game day action while everything else is going on around you. We had one friend keeping an eye on a game between dance breaks, and it never felt like the bar had to choose between sports-bar and dance-floor. It just does both. That flexibility is rare among the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg locals frequent, and it makes Crafty Squirrel an easy pick when your group can't agree on the plan.
7. COME BACK FOR THE THEMED NIGHTS
By the end of the night, we were already scheming about when to return, because the weekly lineup is stacked. There's Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that I'm dying to try. Each night has its own personality, so it's worth browsing what's happening throughout the week to match your mood. And if you're planning something bigger — a birthday, a bachelorette, or a group takeover — the VIP and group booking options are there for that. It's easily one of the most versatile stops on any downtown St. Pete bar crawl.
8. KNOW THE HOURS SO YOU CAN STAY LATE
One of my favorite things? You don't have to rush. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM, and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM, so whether you're doing an early afternoon hang or a full late-night run, the timing works. We closed our tab far later than planned, and there was still life on the floor. If you need directions or want to double-check hours before heading down, the contact page has everything.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Of all the bars on Central Ave St. Petersburg has, Crafty Squirrel stands out because it does it all in one place — open-air energy, great tacos and drinks, live DJs, 16 TVs, and themed nights — making it the easy answer whenever your crew can't decide.
Come get squirrely with us at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave — grab your crew, grab a fishbowl, and see why this corner of downtown St. Pete keeps pulling us back. Start by browsing the menu and current specials, then come find us with the garage doors wide open.
FAQ
Q: Where is Crafty Squirrel located in downtown St. Petersburg?
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 signature indoor-outdoor feel.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours and happy hour times?
A: The bar is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM, though specials change, so check the specials page for current details.
Q: What kind of food and drinks does Crafty Squirrel serve?
A: The menu features tacos, handheld sandwiches and wraps, wings, and loaded apps, plus a full drink lineup of cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and fishbowls. Offerings and prices change, so check the live menu pages before you visit.
