The Best Game Day Bars in St. Petersburg FL? My Loud, Loaded Night at Crafty Squirrel
When I rolled into Crafty Squirrel this August 2026 with a couple of buddies and a serious craving for wings and a big game, I honestly wasn't expecting the night to turn into a full-blown story worth writing about. But here we are. If you've been hunting for the best game day bars St. Petersburg FL has to offer, let me save you some scrolling and just walk you through everything that made this night click. I jotted these down as they happened, so consider this my honest, slightly wing-sauce-stained list of reasons Crafty Squirrel earned a spot in my regular rotation.
1. THE 16 TVS MEAN YOU NEVER MISS A PLAY
First thing I noticed walking in: TVs everywhere. Sixteen of them, to be exact, and they're angled so no matter where you land, you've got eyes on the action. We grabbed a spot at the communal seating and somehow had three different screens in our sightline. I didn't have to crane my neck or fight for the one good booth like at some other places. For a real game day bar, this is the whole ballgame — you want to actually see the game, and Crafty Squirrel gets that. When the big play happened, the entire room erupted at once, and that collective roar is exactly the energy I show up for.
2. THE GARAGE DOORS OPEN RIGHT ONTO CENTRAL AVE
Here's the little detail I fell in love with. Crafty Squirrel sits at 259 Central Ave, right in the heart of downtown St. Pete, and it's got these industrial garage doors that roll up and open the whole place onto the street. So you get this indoor-outdoor thing where you're watching the game with a drink in hand but still feeling the buzz of downtown St. Petersburg walking by. That August Florida evening air came right in, and it made the whole thing feel less like being cooped up in a dark sports bar and more like being at the center of the action. You can read more about the vibe and story here if you want the full picture.
3. THE FOOD ACTUALLY DELIVERS ON GAME DAY
Game day food can be an afterthought at a lot of bars — not here. We went hard on the loaded apps and wings, and then someone at the table ordered tacos and the rest of us immediately regretted not doing the same. There are also handheld sandwiches and wraps if you want something a little less messy while you're mid-cheer. Everything came out fast, which matters when you're trying to time your food around a nail-biter. I'd genuinely recommend browsing the full menu before you go so you can strategize, because trying to decide in the middle of overtime is a losing game.
4. THE DRINK LINEUP KEEPS THE TABLE HAPPY
We're a group that never agrees on drinks, and somehow everyone found their thing. One friend went pitcher, I stuck with a cocktail, someone grabbed a seltzer, and then — because it was that kind of night — we split a fishbowl. Yes, an actual fishbowl. It became the centerpiece of the table and possibly the reason we made new friends two seats over. There are margaritas, beers, shots, and more on the drink menu, so whatever your game day fuel of choice is, it's covered. Just know the offerings rotate, so it's worth peeking at the live menu for what's pouring right now.
5. THE HAPPY HOUR TIMING IS PERFECT FOR PREGAME
We got there early to claim our seats, which happened to line up beautifully with happy hour. It runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, so if you plan your arrival around it, you can settle in and warm up before the crowd rolls in. I won't quote specifics because deals change, but you can always check the current specials page to see what's running the day you go. Getting in early also meant we snagged prime TV real estate, which, as I mentioned, is everything.
6. THE ENERGY SHIFTS INTO A FULL PARTY AFTER THE GAME
This is the part that surprised me most. When the game wrapped, the place didn't empty out — it leveled up. The live DJ took over, the dance floor filled, and what started as a sports crowd turned into a genuine downtown St. Pete party. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the Central Avenue corridor is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, and I felt that firsthand as Crafty Squirrel flipped from game day HQ to dance floor without missing a beat. They've got live DJs all week plus themed nights like Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and Sunday brunch, so there's always something happening. It's easily one of the standouts on the wider downtown St. Pete bar scene, and you can see what's coming up on the events page.
7. IT WORKS WHETHER YOU'RE SOLO OR A BIG GROUP
Because it's open until 3AM every single day (they open at noon on weekdays and 11AM on weekends), you never feel rushed. We stayed way longer than planned, and the late hours meant we could stretch the night into something memorable. The communal seating makes it easy to roll in with a big crew, and if you're planning a birthday or a bigger celebration around a game, there's a VIP booking option worth looking into. Solo, duo, or a whole rowdy squad — it just works.
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want the best game day experience in downtown St. Pete, Crafty Squirrel nails the trifecta — 16 TVs so you never miss a play, seriously good food and drinks, and a post-game party that keeps the night going until 3AM.
So come get squirrely with us at 259 Central Ave and see why this is my go-to game day spot in downtown St. Petersburg. Check out the menu and current specials before you head over, and I'll see you on the dance floor after the final whistle.
FAQ
Q: What makes Crafty Squirrel a good game day bar in St. Petersburg?
A: Crafty Squirrel has 16 TVs positioned so you can catch the action from just about anywhere, plus loaded apps, wings, tacos, and a big drink lineup to keep you fueled. The indoor-outdoor space on Central Ave and the high-energy crowd make watching the game feel like an event.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Those late hours mean you can settle in for the game and stick around for the DJ and dance floor afterward.
Q: Does Crafty Squirrel have happy hour and food specials?
A: Yes, happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM, and there are themed nights like Taco Tuesday throughout the week. Since specials change, check the specials page for the current offerings before you go.
Back to Blog1. THE 16 TVS MEAN YOU NEVER MISS A PLAY
First thing I noticed walking in: TVs everywhere. Sixteen of them, to be exact, and they're angled so no matter where you land, you've got eyes on the action. We grabbed a spot at the communal seating and somehow had three different screens in our sightline. I didn't have to crane my neck or fight for the one good booth like at some other places. For a real game day bar, this is the whole ballgame — you want to actually see the game, and Crafty Squirrel gets that. When the big play happened, the entire room erupted at once, and that collective roar is exactly the energy I show up for.
2. THE GARAGE DOORS OPEN RIGHT ONTO CENTRAL AVE
Here's the little detail I fell in love with. Crafty Squirrel sits at 259 Central Ave, right in the heart of downtown St. Pete, and it's got these industrial garage doors that roll up and open the whole place onto the street. So you get this indoor-outdoor thing where you're watching the game with a drink in hand but still feeling the buzz of downtown St. Petersburg walking by. That August Florida evening air came right in, and it made the whole thing feel less like being cooped up in a dark sports bar and more like being at the center of the action. You can read more about the vibe and story here if you want the full picture.
3. THE FOOD ACTUALLY DELIVERS ON GAME DAY
Game day food can be an afterthought at a lot of bars — not here. We went hard on the loaded apps and wings, and then someone at the table ordered tacos and the rest of us immediately regretted not doing the same. There are also handheld sandwiches and wraps if you want something a little less messy while you're mid-cheer. Everything came out fast, which matters when you're trying to time your food around a nail-biter. I'd genuinely recommend browsing the full menu before you go so you can strategize, because trying to decide in the middle of overtime is a losing game.
4. THE DRINK LINEUP KEEPS THE TABLE HAPPY
We're a group that never agrees on drinks, and somehow everyone found their thing. One friend went pitcher, I stuck with a cocktail, someone grabbed a seltzer, and then — because it was that kind of night — we split a fishbowl. Yes, an actual fishbowl. It became the centerpiece of the table and possibly the reason we made new friends two seats over. There are margaritas, beers, shots, and more on the drink menu, so whatever your game day fuel of choice is, it's covered. Just know the offerings rotate, so it's worth peeking at the live menu for what's pouring right now.
5. THE HAPPY HOUR TIMING IS PERFECT FOR PREGAME
We got there early to claim our seats, which happened to line up beautifully with happy hour. It runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and on weekends from 3PM to 6PM, so if you plan your arrival around it, you can settle in and warm up before the crowd rolls in. I won't quote specifics because deals change, but you can always check the current specials page to see what's running the day you go. Getting in early also meant we snagged prime TV real estate, which, as I mentioned, is everything.
6. THE ENERGY SHIFTS INTO A FULL PARTY AFTER THE GAME
This is the part that surprised me most. When the game wrapped, the place didn't empty out — it leveled up. The live DJ took over, the dance floor filled, and what started as a sports crowd turned into a genuine downtown St. Pete party. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the Central Avenue corridor is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, and I felt that firsthand as Crafty Squirrel flipped from game day HQ to dance floor without missing a beat. They've got live DJs all week plus themed nights like Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and Sunday brunch, so there's always something happening. It's easily one of the standouts on the wider downtown St. Pete bar scene, and you can see what's coming up on the events page.
7. IT WORKS WHETHER YOU'RE SOLO OR A BIG GROUP
Because it's open until 3AM every single day (they open at noon on weekdays and 11AM on weekends), you never feel rushed. We stayed way longer than planned, and the late hours meant we could stretch the night into something memorable. The communal seating makes it easy to roll in with a big crew, and if you're planning a birthday or a bigger celebration around a game, there's a VIP booking option worth looking into. Solo, duo, or a whole rowdy squad — it just works.
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want the best game day experience in downtown St. Pete, Crafty Squirrel nails the trifecta — 16 TVs so you never miss a play, seriously good food and drinks, and a post-game party that keeps the night going until 3AM.
So come get squirrely with us at 259 Central Ave and see why this is my go-to game day spot in downtown St. Petersburg. Check out the menu and current specials before you head over, and I'll see you on the dance floor after the final whistle.
FAQ
Q: What makes Crafty Squirrel a good game day bar in St. Petersburg?
A: Crafty Squirrel has 16 TVs positioned so you can catch the action from just about anywhere, plus loaded apps, wings, tacos, and a big drink lineup to keep you fueled. The indoor-outdoor space on Central Ave and the high-energy crowd make watching the game feel like an event.
Q: What are Crafty Squirrel's hours?
A: Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3AM and Saturday through Sunday from 11AM to 3AM. Those late hours mean you can settle in for the game and stick around for the DJ and dance floor afterward.
Q: Does Crafty Squirrel have happy hour and food specials?
A: Yes, happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM, and there are themed nights like Taco Tuesday throughout the week. Since specials change, check the specials page for the current offerings before you go.
