OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
Intermezzo will open ‘Bar Mezzo’ cocktail lounge out of St. Pete’s former Independent Bar
A downtown St. Pete favorite is expanding its footprint in the Edge District this year. Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails (1111 Central Ave.) took to social media last week to announce the debut of its sister concept Bar Mezzo, which will boost the cafe’s already-stellar reputation for cocktails and spirits up a notch. While Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails operates as a coffee shop during the day and laid-back lounge with simple beverages at night, the upcoming bar across Central Avenue will focus on upscale spirits, seasonal drinks, housemade syrups, infusions and cocktails on tap. Bar Mezzo will open at 1049 Central Ave. out of the former St. Pete location of Independent Bar, which closed its doors in late 2022.
St. Pete speakeasy The Saint will close, and reopen as new concept
Popular St. Petersburg speakeasy The Saint will be resurrected as something new this fall. “After four years of incredible success and demand, The Saint will be going dark sometime in November,” said Pour Behavior Hospitality owner David Fischer in a press release. Fischer, who also owns the Cocktail St. Pete nightclub and The Wet Spot, said the decision did not come easy, and added that the company will be rebranding the space at 49 24th St. N “within weeks of the concept’s closure.” “Themed bars have become the norm in St. Petersburg and we wanted to make sure The Saint went out on top. The Saint is a completely unique place and the first speakeasy of its kind in St. Pete; we have so many amazing memories and moving on is bittersweet,” said Fischer. “With weekends still seeing a packed, sold-out speakeasy, most owners wouldn’t make this bold move, but we believe that Pour Behavior is known for pushing the envelope and innovating new experiences.” Fisher also stated that no employees will be laid off, and additional staff will likely need to be hired for the next concept. As of now, no details about the next iteration of the space have been released, other than the new bar will be “immersive.”