Things to Do Downtown St. Petersburg at Night: My Wild Evening at Crafty Squirrel
When friends ask me about things to do downtown St. Petersburg at night, I usually just tell them to meet me on Central Avenue and see for themselves. So this July 2026, when my out-of-town cousin came to visit and asked that exact question, I did one better and brought her straight to Crafty Squirrel. Before we even got there, she had a few questions I hear all the time, so let me answer them the way the night actually answered them for me.
IS THERE ACTUALLY ANYTHING GOING ON ON A REGULAR WEEKNIGHT?
This was her first question, and honestly it is the one I get the most. People assume downtown St. Pete only wakes up on weekends. Not true. We rolled up to Crafty Squirrel at 259 Central Ave on an ordinary evening and the place was already humming. The big industrial garage doors were rolled all the way up, so the whole front of the bar opened right onto the sidewalk. That indoor-outdoor thing they do is such a mood — you get the buzz of Central Avenue foot traffic while you are still comfortably parked at the bar with a drink. There was a live DJ working the room, the dance floor already had a few brave souls on it, and the communal seating meant we were chatting with strangers within about ten minutes. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM and weekends from 11AM to 3AM, so there is genuinely no wrong night to show up. If you want to see what is spinning on any given night, their events page is where I always peek first.
WHAT SHOULD WE EAT AND DRINK WHEN WE GET THERE?
My cousin's second question, and the most important one as far as I am concerned. We were hungry, so we started with tacos and a plate of loaded apps to share. The tacos hit exactly right — that kind of handheld, messy-in-a-good-way food that pairs perfectly with a night out. We also split some wings because I have zero self-control, and I regret nothing. If you want to plan your attack before you arrive, the full menu lays out the tacos, handhelds, wraps, wings, and loaded apps.
On the drink front, this is where things got fun. Crafty Squirrel does cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and — the one that made my cousin gasp — fishbowls. We went in on a fishbowl to split, which felt like the correct celebratory move for a visitor's first night in town. I stuck with a margarita after that because it was warm out and a good marg on Central Avenue just feels right. Specials shift around, so I never quote exact prices to friends; I just tell them to glance at the current drink menu and see what is pouring. What I can promise is there is something for every kind of drinker in your group.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
Third question, and my answer depends on what you are after. If you want a deal, aim for Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM. We actually strolled in near the tail end of the weekday window and it stretched us into the evening nicely. Beyond happy hour, Crafty Squirrel runs themed nights all week — Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that I have made a personal habit of. Because these rotate and change, I always tell people to check the live specials page for the current lineup rather than trust my memory. The point is, whatever night you pick, there is a reason to be there.
THE MOMENT THE NIGHT REALLY TURNED
Somewhere between the fishbowl and the second round of the DJ's set, the dance floor filled up completely. My cousin, who swore she was too tired to dance, was out there within the hour. That is the Crafty Squirrel effect. The energy is contagious in a way that is hard to fake, and the mix of live DJ, open garage doors, and a packed room turns a casual drink into an actual night. Meanwhile, there are 16 TVs scattered around, so the sports fans in our group could still glance up and catch the score without missing the party. It is genuinely rare to find a spot that nails both the game-day crowd and the dance crowd under one roof, but that is exactly what they pull off.
WHY DOWNTOWN ST. PETE MAKES IT EASY
Part of what makes a night here work is where it sits. Central Avenue is the beating heart of the downtown scene, and Crafty Squirrel is planted right in the middle of it. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the downtown corridor has become one of the region's top destinations for dining and nightlife, and you feel that walkability the second you step outside. You can drift from spot to spot, and if you are mapping out a bigger evening, the wider downtown St. Pete nightlife scene gives you plenty to string together. For us, though, we barely left. Once we were settled at Crafty Squirrel, we did not want to be anywhere else.
PLANNING A GROUP OR SPECIAL OCCASION
By the end of the night my cousin was already scheming about bringing her whole crew back for a birthday. If that is you — a birthday, a bachelorette, or just a big group that wants a proper setup — it is worth looking into the VIP and group booking options ahead of time so you are not scrambling on a busy night. We were a small party and did just fine walking in, but for anything bigger, a little planning goes a long way.
KEY TAKEAWAY: When someone asks about things to do downtown St. Petersburg at night, Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave answers it in one stop — tacos, fishbowls, live DJs, a packed dance floor, and 16 TVs, open until 3AM every single night.
Come get squirrely with us on Central Avenue and see why my cousin is already planning her return trip. Peek at the current specials before you head down and pick your night — I promise you will not run out of things to do.
FAQ
Q: What time does Crafty Squirrel stay open until?
A: Crafty Squirrel is open until 3AM every night of the week. Weekday hours start at noon and weekend hours start at 11AM, so it works for everything from an afternoon drink to a full late-night out.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel good for both sports fans and people who want to dance?
A: Yes, and that is honestly its superpower. There are 16 TVs for live sports and game day, plus live DJs and a packed dance floor, so mixed groups never have to compromise on the vibe.
Q: Where exactly is Crafty Squirrel located downtown?
A: It is right in the heart of downtown St. Pete at 259 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The garage doors open straight onto Central Avenue, making it easy to find and easy to fold into a larger night out.
Back to BlogIS THERE ACTUALLY ANYTHING GOING ON ON A REGULAR WEEKNIGHT?
This was her first question, and honestly it is the one I get the most. People assume downtown St. Pete only wakes up on weekends. Not true. We rolled up to Crafty Squirrel at 259 Central Ave on an ordinary evening and the place was already humming. The big industrial garage doors were rolled all the way up, so the whole front of the bar opened right onto the sidewalk. That indoor-outdoor thing they do is such a mood — you get the buzz of Central Avenue foot traffic while you are still comfortably parked at the bar with a drink. There was a live DJ working the room, the dance floor already had a few brave souls on it, and the communal seating meant we were chatting with strangers within about ten minutes. Crafty Squirrel is open Monday through Friday from noon to 3AM and weekends from 11AM to 3AM, so there is genuinely no wrong night to show up. If you want to see what is spinning on any given night, their events page is where I always peek first.
WHAT SHOULD WE EAT AND DRINK WHEN WE GET THERE?
My cousin's second question, and the most important one as far as I am concerned. We were hungry, so we started with tacos and a plate of loaded apps to share. The tacos hit exactly right — that kind of handheld, messy-in-a-good-way food that pairs perfectly with a night out. We also split some wings because I have zero self-control, and I regret nothing. If you want to plan your attack before you arrive, the full menu lays out the tacos, handhelds, wraps, wings, and loaded apps.
On the drink front, this is where things got fun. Crafty Squirrel does cocktails, margaritas, pitchers, shots, beers, seltzers, and — the one that made my cousin gasp — fishbowls. We went in on a fishbowl to split, which felt like the correct celebratory move for a visitor's first night in town. I stuck with a margarita after that because it was warm out and a good marg on Central Avenue just feels right. Specials shift around, so I never quote exact prices to friends; I just tell them to glance at the current drink menu and see what is pouring. What I can promise is there is something for every kind of drinker in your group.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
Third question, and my answer depends on what you are after. If you want a deal, aim for Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM and weekends from 3PM to 6PM. We actually strolled in near the tail end of the weekday window and it stretched us into the evening nicely. Beyond happy hour, Crafty Squirrel runs themed nights all week — Taco Tuesday, midweek karaoke and bar games, Saturday bottomless mimosas, and a Sunday brunch that I have made a personal habit of. Because these rotate and change, I always tell people to check the live specials page for the current lineup rather than trust my memory. The point is, whatever night you pick, there is a reason to be there.
THE MOMENT THE NIGHT REALLY TURNED
Somewhere between the fishbowl and the second round of the DJ's set, the dance floor filled up completely. My cousin, who swore she was too tired to dance, was out there within the hour. That is the Crafty Squirrel effect. The energy is contagious in a way that is hard to fake, and the mix of live DJ, open garage doors, and a packed room turns a casual drink into an actual night. Meanwhile, there are 16 TVs scattered around, so the sports fans in our group could still glance up and catch the score without missing the party. It is genuinely rare to find a spot that nails both the game-day crowd and the dance crowd under one roof, but that is exactly what they pull off.
WHY DOWNTOWN ST. PETE MAKES IT EASY
Part of what makes a night here work is where it sits. Central Avenue is the beating heart of the downtown scene, and Crafty Squirrel is planted right in the middle of it. According to Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the downtown corridor has become one of the region's top destinations for dining and nightlife, and you feel that walkability the second you step outside. You can drift from spot to spot, and if you are mapping out a bigger evening, the wider downtown St. Pete nightlife scene gives you plenty to string together. For us, though, we barely left. Once we were settled at Crafty Squirrel, we did not want to be anywhere else.
PLANNING A GROUP OR SPECIAL OCCASION
By the end of the night my cousin was already scheming about bringing her whole crew back for a birthday. If that is you — a birthday, a bachelorette, or just a big group that wants a proper setup — it is worth looking into the VIP and group booking options ahead of time so you are not scrambling on a busy night. We were a small party and did just fine walking in, but for anything bigger, a little planning goes a long way.
KEY TAKEAWAY: When someone asks about things to do downtown St. Petersburg at night, Crafty Squirrel on Central Ave answers it in one stop — tacos, fishbowls, live DJs, a packed dance floor, and 16 TVs, open until 3AM every single night.
Come get squirrely with us on Central Avenue and see why my cousin is already planning her return trip. Peek at the current specials before you head down and pick your night — I promise you will not run out of things to do.
FAQ
Q: What time does Crafty Squirrel stay open until?
A: Crafty Squirrel is open until 3AM every night of the week. Weekday hours start at noon and weekend hours start at 11AM, so it works for everything from an afternoon drink to a full late-night out.
Q: Is Crafty Squirrel good for both sports fans and people who want to dance?
A: Yes, and that is honestly its superpower. There are 16 TVs for live sports and game day, plus live DJs and a packed dance floor, so mixed groups never have to compromise on the vibe.
Q: Where exactly is Crafty Squirrel located downtown?
A: It is right in the heart of downtown St. Pete at 259 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The garage doors open straight onto Central Avenue, making it easy to find and easy to fold into a larger night out.
