It's good to be independent-minded
The Independent
29 Third St. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 820-9514
Like the name, the Independent does its own thing, defying expectations and boundaries of beer-joint typecasts. It's a little swank but down to earth; pricey but no-nonsense, too.
The extra buck or two you spend is well worth it. Brews live up to the joint's name - independent-label for real - and are mostly imports of Eastern Europe, Germany and Belgium. Owners John and Veronica Vellines have particular tastes when it comes to beer and wine, and they take a lot of pride in offering a selection that lives up to their standards.
Regulars of all ages congregate in after-work confabs, either at sidewalk tables or mingling with other regulars at the bar's long center table bench. Or they just relax solo at the small bar inside.
A visual stunner, the bar counter and the patrons along the bar's farthest inside wall take on a spooky silhouette, backlit in front of a lighted glass shelf of fancy import bottles. Likewise striking are the metallic and canvas pieces of local artist Kevin Kuenzel.
We've never seen folks get rowdy at Independent, but there might be some exceptions we're not privy to. Suffice it to say, a chill mood pervades.
The shotgun room has a pub-style hardwood bench seat in the center, sofa with satiny cushions on a pedestal along the wall, and dim blue and red lighting beaming through square-inset holes in a brick wall along the other. The combination of rustic and modern elements illustrate perfectly the pleasant balance the bar has to offer.
Quick and friendly bartenders serve Delirium (Nocturnum and Tremens) on tap, among a wickedly good assortment of brews with ornate handles cranking them out. Ask to try any of the tantalizing tap pours, which change often. Try as many of the Abbey beers as possible. - Julie Garisto jgaristo@tampabay.com
Also recommended...
The Emerald Bar
550 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 898-6054; cash only, www.myspace.com/emeraldbar
One big difference between Emerald and other old-school hangouts: The crusty vets and codgers rub elbows with punks and hipsters. On entering the Emerald, you flash back to your uncle's crowded VFW Hall. Old lighted beer signs share space with shamrocks and a deer painting hanging majestically on a wood-paneled wall. The kitschy cool extends to the jukebox, where you can select tunes by Judy Garland and The Lettermen - that is, when a local punk or rock 'n' roll band isn't playing. Why the wide appeal? The Emerald does right by locals, all locals - local vets, local drunks, local businessmen, local musicians and local artists. The bar pleases the old-time customers with straight-ahead and cheap beverages. It appeals to younger types with live music and an ongoing art exhibition on its east wall. To sum it up, the Emerald amalgamates the finer points of dive-bar and counter cultures. The Busch on tap comes with a few fine bottled friends. The full liquor bar is also a cheap hit, and the stiff drinks make the pop art pop.
The Garden Mediterranean Bistro/Lobby
217 Central Ave., St Petersburg; (727) 896-3800, www.thegardenbistro.com
Once a plush reception area for the Detroit Hotel, long gone now, the Garden Mediterranean Bistro and its younger metrosexual brother, the Lobby Bar, have become stand-bys for people with refined tastes, seeking a Euro-style sophistication in their night-time entertainment. The Garden is a popular place to enjoy Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, Moroccan and Middle Eastern food. A century-old banyan tree shades the patio, and a small multicolored bar and dining area with original artwork keep you covered on rainy days. Jazz trombonist Buster Cooper, a one-time contemporary of Duke Ellington, plays Friday and Saturday nights. The Lobby Bar, located at the right-hand rear of the property, opens Thursday through Saturday. It's a charming, cozy place to gather with friends and chat over martinis and other great drinks, which are a little pricey, so come on an evening when you're prepared to splurge. The Lobby's stained-glass tables and ornate iron fixtures impart a true sophistication that distinguishes this truly cosmopolitan spot from the wide array of wannabes in the Tampa Bay area.
The Rare Olive
300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 822-7273
The Rare Olive is a dark and lovely place. It's where you might go if you're feeling secret and seedy, escaping from the rigors of workaday life by slinking into a plush leather chair and sipping a dirty martini in a chilled glass. Besides the excellent martini selection - made with top-shelf liquors, like the ultra-pure potato-derived Chopin vodka; concocted with funky flavors, like chocolate or pineapple - Rare Olive has popular singles and ladies nights and live music. We recommend you check the schedule for when percussionist Gumbi Ortiz performs one of his semi-regular gigs. Smoking is permitted, especially cigars, which the establishment sells. Hand-rolled "Cuban-style" cigars are featured, and brands include Sancho Panza, the Montecristo Torpedo and La Gloria Cubana. An ATM is on the premises, but they do accept cards, too.
Cafe Alma
260 First Ave. S., Suite 100, St. Petersburg; (727) 502-5002, www.cafealma.com
A well-reputed eating and drinking spot that recalls hip hot spots in Europe, Cafe Alma transforms from restaurant to night club, with stellar cocktails and late-night eats (kitchen open 'til 1 a.m.). Both the daytime and night-time scenes convey a Euro-coastal vibe, whether you're dining on the robust, garlicky goodness of Italian, French, Turkish and Moroccan cuisine, or lounging with a cocktail. Inside, the earthy elegance of Cafe Alma's brick archways, dim lighting and rustic decor provide a soothing and sophisticated backdrop, particularly on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 10 p.m., when the $3 well drinks, $2.50 import drafts and $3.50 Tuaca shots attract a mix of young hip folks and middle-aged professionals. DJs Andy Mar a (Wednesdays) and Dirty Francis (Thursdays) spin eclectic blends of down tempo, hip-hop & house music. Some folks might consider Cafe Alma too yuppie-fied, but if you're into a swank evening out, then it's your place to get faced.
