Day Drinking Downtown St. Petersburg FL: My Afternoon at Crafty Squirrel
When I wandered into Crafty Squirrel this July 2026 on a warm Saturday afternoon, I honestly wasn't sure whether day drinking downtown St. Petersburg FL was really its own thing or just a quieter version of the nighttime chaos. So I decided to settle the debate the only responsible way possible: by grabbing a stool, ordering a round, and staying long enough to watch the whole place shift gears. What I found surprised me, and it made me a fan of the daytime scene at 259 Central Ave more than I expected.
Let me walk you through it, because I ended up mentally comparing two totally different experiences under one roof.
THE DAYTIME VIBE VERSUS THE NIGHTTIME RUSH
Here's the thing about Crafty Squirrel: the same bar that turns into a packed, DJ-fueled dance floor after dark is a genuinely chill hangout in the early hours. When my friends and I rolled in around 1PM, those big industrial garage doors were rolled all the way up, and the whole front of the bar opened right onto Central Avenue. The breeze came through, the sun hit the communal tables, and it felt more like a laid-back Florida porch than a nightclub.
Compare that to the last time I was here on a Friday night — shoulder to shoulder, a live DJ spinning, and every one of those 16 TVs glowing over a roaring crowd. Both are great. But if you've only ever done the night version, you're genuinely missing the softer, sunnier side. Day drinking here means you actually get to hear your friends talk, snag a good seat, and take your time. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, downtown St. Pete's Central Avenue corridor has become one of the region's most walkable stretches for food and drink, and honestly, starting your crawl in the daylight is the smartest way to enjoy it.
THE DRINKS: PACING YOURSELF THE RIGHT WAY
Now, day drinking is an art form, and the trick is variety and pacing. I started light — a cold seltzer while we figured out our plan — but the table quickly escalated. Someone ordered a fishbowl, which felt gloriously ridiculous at 2 in the afternoon, and we passed it around like it was a group project. From there we bounced between margaritas and a pitcher to split, which is really the move when you're settling in for a long, leisurely session.
What I appreciated is how the drink lineup covers every daytime mood — cocktails when you want something crafted, beers and seltzers when you want something easy, and shots for when the group energy peaks. Since it was a Saturday, the bottomless mimosas were also in play earlier in the day, which is basically day drinking on training wheels in the best way. I'd just say check the current specials before you go, because the deals rotate and you'll want to know what's running the day you show up.
THE FOOD THAT KEEPS YOU IN THE GAME
If there's one rule of day drinking downtown St. Petersburg FL, it's this: eat, or the afternoon will end you. Luckily, Crafty Squirrel makes that easy. We started with a couple of loaded apps to share — the kind of thing that disappears in about ninety seconds when four hungry people are involved — and then moved into tacos, because it just felt right with the margaritas.
I also grabbed a handheld wrap that traveled well between conversations, and we split an order of wings that I'd happily order again. The whole food menu leans into exactly the stuff you want when you're drinking in the sunshine: shareable, handheld, and built for grazing over a few hours rather than one big sit-down meal. That's another point for the daytime crowd — you can order in waves, keep the table stocked, and never feel rushed.
THE LITTLE MOMENTS THAT MADE THE AFTERNOON
What sold me on the daytime version was all the small stuff. Around mid-afternoon a game came on, and a handful of us drifted over to the TVs while the rest of the table stayed out near the open garage doors watching Central Ave roll by. That indoor-outdoor split means your group never has to agree on one single mood — sports fans, sunshine lovers, and dance-floor people can all coexist happily.
There was also this gentle transition I got to witness firsthand. As the afternoon wore toward evening, the music crept up, more people filtered in, and you could feel the place stretching awake for its nighttime self. Sitting there with a drink, watching the shift happen in real time, felt like a little insider secret. We essentially got two bars for the price of one visit. If you want to plan around the energy, the events calendar is worth a peek so you know whether you're landing on a mellow afternoon or the front edge of a big night.
WHY DAYTIME WINS FOR A CHILL SESSION
So, comparison settled: for a relaxed, no-pressure hang, daytime at Crafty Squirrel beat my expectations. You get the seats, the sunlight, the easy conversation, and the full menu without the crowd. For a high-octane night out, the evening obviously delivers — but you can genuinely have both by simply arriving early and letting the day roll into night. It's part of why this spot fits so well into the wider downtown St. Pete nightlife scene. It flexes to whatever kind of day you're having.
The bar opens at 11AM on weekends and noon on weekdays, and Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, so you can literally build your afternoon around the best window. My advice? Get there before the crowd, grab the open-air seats, and pace yourself with food and water between rounds.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Day drinking at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave gives you the relaxed, sun-soaked, open-air version of a bar that turns into a high-energy nightspot after dark — arrive early, eat well, and you get the best of both worlds in one visit.
Come get squirrely with us at 259 Central Ave, where the garage doors are open and the afternoon is yours for the taking. Swing by, check the menu, and let your day drinking session roll right into a legendary night.
FAQ
Q: What time can I start day drinking at Crafty Squirrel?
A: Crafty Squirrel opens at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday and at noon Monday through Friday, so you can get an early start any day of the week. Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, so plan your afternoon around that window.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel a good spot for daytime groups?
A: Absolutely. The communal seating, open garage doors onto Central Ave, shareable apps, tacos, and pitchers and fishbowls make it ideal for a relaxed group hang, and you'll have your pick of seats before the evening crowd arrives.
Q: Are there daytime drink specials?
A: Specials rotate regularly, including Happy Hour deals and weekend bottomless mimosas, so it's best to check the live Specials page for what's running the day you visit rather than assuming a set lineup.
Back to BlogLet me walk you through it, because I ended up mentally comparing two totally different experiences under one roof.
THE DAYTIME VIBE VERSUS THE NIGHTTIME RUSH
Here's the thing about Crafty Squirrel: the same bar that turns into a packed, DJ-fueled dance floor after dark is a genuinely chill hangout in the early hours. When my friends and I rolled in around 1PM, those big industrial garage doors were rolled all the way up, and the whole front of the bar opened right onto Central Avenue. The breeze came through, the sun hit the communal tables, and it felt more like a laid-back Florida porch than a nightclub.
Compare that to the last time I was here on a Friday night — shoulder to shoulder, a live DJ spinning, and every one of those 16 TVs glowing over a roaring crowd. Both are great. But if you've only ever done the night version, you're genuinely missing the softer, sunnier side. Day drinking here means you actually get to hear your friends talk, snag a good seat, and take your time. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, downtown St. Pete's Central Avenue corridor has become one of the region's most walkable stretches for food and drink, and honestly, starting your crawl in the daylight is the smartest way to enjoy it.
THE DRINKS: PACING YOURSELF THE RIGHT WAY
Now, day drinking is an art form, and the trick is variety and pacing. I started light — a cold seltzer while we figured out our plan — but the table quickly escalated. Someone ordered a fishbowl, which felt gloriously ridiculous at 2 in the afternoon, and we passed it around like it was a group project. From there we bounced between margaritas and a pitcher to split, which is really the move when you're settling in for a long, leisurely session.
What I appreciated is how the drink lineup covers every daytime mood — cocktails when you want something crafted, beers and seltzers when you want something easy, and shots for when the group energy peaks. Since it was a Saturday, the bottomless mimosas were also in play earlier in the day, which is basically day drinking on training wheels in the best way. I'd just say check the current specials before you go, because the deals rotate and you'll want to know what's running the day you show up.
THE FOOD THAT KEEPS YOU IN THE GAME
If there's one rule of day drinking downtown St. Petersburg FL, it's this: eat, or the afternoon will end you. Luckily, Crafty Squirrel makes that easy. We started with a couple of loaded apps to share — the kind of thing that disappears in about ninety seconds when four hungry people are involved — and then moved into tacos, because it just felt right with the margaritas.
I also grabbed a handheld wrap that traveled well between conversations, and we split an order of wings that I'd happily order again. The whole food menu leans into exactly the stuff you want when you're drinking in the sunshine: shareable, handheld, and built for grazing over a few hours rather than one big sit-down meal. That's another point for the daytime crowd — you can order in waves, keep the table stocked, and never feel rushed.
THE LITTLE MOMENTS THAT MADE THE AFTERNOON
What sold me on the daytime version was all the small stuff. Around mid-afternoon a game came on, and a handful of us drifted over to the TVs while the rest of the table stayed out near the open garage doors watching Central Ave roll by. That indoor-outdoor split means your group never has to agree on one single mood — sports fans, sunshine lovers, and dance-floor people can all coexist happily.
There was also this gentle transition I got to witness firsthand. As the afternoon wore toward evening, the music crept up, more people filtered in, and you could feel the place stretching awake for its nighttime self. Sitting there with a drink, watching the shift happen in real time, felt like a little insider secret. We essentially got two bars for the price of one visit. If you want to plan around the energy, the events calendar is worth a peek so you know whether you're landing on a mellow afternoon or the front edge of a big night.
WHY DAYTIME WINS FOR A CHILL SESSION
So, comparison settled: for a relaxed, no-pressure hang, daytime at Crafty Squirrel beat my expectations. You get the seats, the sunlight, the easy conversation, and the full menu without the crowd. For a high-octane night out, the evening obviously delivers — but you can genuinely have both by simply arriving early and letting the day roll into night. It's part of why this spot fits so well into the wider downtown St. Pete nightlife scene. It flexes to whatever kind of day you're having.
The bar opens at 11AM on weekends and noon on weekdays, and Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, so you can literally build your afternoon around the best window. My advice? Get there before the crowd, grab the open-air seats, and pace yourself with food and water between rounds.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Day drinking at Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave gives you the relaxed, sun-soaked, open-air version of a bar that turns into a high-energy nightspot after dark — arrive early, eat well, and you get the best of both worlds in one visit.
Come get squirrely with us at 259 Central Ave, where the garage doors are open and the afternoon is yours for the taking. Swing by, check the menu, and let your day drinking session roll right into a legendary night.
FAQ
Q: What time can I start day drinking at Crafty Squirrel?
A: Crafty Squirrel opens at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday and at noon Monday through Friday, so you can get an early start any day of the week. Happy Hour runs Mon–Fri 3PM–7PM and Sat–Sun 3PM–6PM, so plan your afternoon around that window.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel a good spot for daytime groups?
A: Absolutely. The communal seating, open garage doors onto Central Ave, shareable apps, tacos, and pitchers and fishbowls make it ideal for a relaxed group hang, and you'll have your pick of seats before the evening crowd arrives.
Q: Are there daytime drink specials?
A: Specials rotate regularly, including Happy Hour deals and weekend bottomless mimosas, so it's best to check the live Specials page for what's running the day you visit rather than assuming a set lineup.
