St. Pete’s Downtown Diner 2nd & Second has closed up shop, but those sad to see its diner-style breakfast and brunch go have something to perk them up. Dirty Shirley Bar + Kitchen, a new restaurant and bar concept featuring all-day brunch, is preparing to open in the former 2nd & Second space at 201 2nd Ave N.
“We’ve been thinking about making the change for the last year,” co-owner Raphael Perrier told What Now on Thursday. “We always wanted to be open at night. The spot is great for nighttime, but it doesn’t really work as a diner then. So we decided to keep the brunch aspect, serving a nice breakfast and brunch from ten to five—but at five it becomes a restaurant and bar.”
The new menu stays close to the heart of American comfort food. It will feature bar snacks like pigs in a blanket, wings, and tenders. There will also be a new variety of deviled eggs each week, plus fried goat cheese, Angus beef sliders, shrimp cocktail and more. On the handheld side, expect a big burger, a corned beef Reuben, and po’ boys. This will all be alongside the morning-and-afternoon brunch menu featuring pancakes, benedicts, and other breakfast and brunch classics.
Drinks will include the restaurant’s namesake, a spiked Shirley Temple, plus other cocktails like the Spicy Blood Orange Margarita, and the Espresso Martini with Kahwa Coffee. (Perrier is also the force behind the growing Kahwa Coffee chain.) Perhaps most fun, though, will be Dirty Shiley’s selection of Boozy Milkshakes.
“We want to thank everybody who came to 2nd and Second,” said Perrier. “It was a great ride, and we’re excited about the new concept. We can’t wait to open.”
