Xmas Bar, Fortu, Concrete Jungle, Beans & Barlour: Restaurant News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Check out the latest St. Petersburg bar and restaurant news:

Christmas-Themed Pop-Up Bar Opening

Xmas Bar, a new holiday-themed pop-up bar, has opened at 260 1st Ave. N., according to St. Pete Rising.

The concept was created by Forward Hospitality Group, which was also behind the nearby 1970s-themed club, Goodnight John Boy.

“We wanted to bring in another place where people can unite, that crosses all age boundaries and provides a great guest experience,” Michael Schwartz, CEO of Forward Hospitality Group, said. “And who doesn’t love Christmas?”

• Also Read: St. Pete Restaurants Open For Thanksgiving Day 2023

Sunshine Kitty Catfe Closes

After three years, the Sunshine Kitty Catfe closed its doors permanently at 1669 1st Ave. S. on Nov. 5.

The cafe allowed patrons to interact and play with adoptable cats.

“After everything it took to get to where we are now, it is surreal to be sharing this news, and I’m sure it is just as surreal to be reading it,” the cafe’s owner wrote in a Facebook post last month.

Concrete Jungle Opening Soon

A Tulum-inspired Mexican restaurant, Concrete Jungle, is opening soon at 475 Central Ave., according to St. Pete Catalyst.

It’s taking over the space that was previously home to Iberian Rooster and has been empty for the past two years.

The restaurant concept was created by Stephen Schrutt, owner of the Hunger Thirst Group, which is also behind Good Fortune, an Asian-fusion restaurant, and Lost and Found bar.

Fortu Sets Opening Date

Pan-Asian steakhouse Fortu will open Nov. 22 in the space that formerly housed Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant at the Ponce de Leon Hotel, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

A Dec. 5 grand opening is planned.

Shan Bakrac, son of the hotel’s owner and former food runner at Ceviche, owns Fortu. He also owns Top Slice Pizzeria and Black Cattle Burger, and all three are part of the Benson Hospitality Group.

Beans & Barlour Closes

Beans & Barlour at 407 Central Ave., known for its craft coffee, New York-style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and boozy-ice cream and other ice cream concoctions, has closed.

The cafe, which opened in 2018, “started as a passion project that served as a creative outlet and culmination of our prior experience in the worlds of coffee and dessert,” the owners wrote in a Facebook post. “Over the last five years we have broken a Guinness World Record, catered a Superbowl and created countless ‘viral’ menu items that have garnered national attention. We’ve also had the privilege of being the setting for many of your first dates, birthday celebrations and even proposals! We’re so appreciative to the St. Pete community that has allowed this business to thrive and allow us to experience things beyond our expectations.”

But business has slowed, they added. “Whether caused by the construction that surrounds our storefront, changes in economic climate or some combination of the two, the shift in demand from our customers toward breakfast has been profound.”