Founded in 2016, Thirsty First is a popular St. Petersburg bar—so popular that co-owner Greg Mikurak says it has plans to move to a larger location.
“We’ve been there for seven years,” Mikurak told What Now on Monday. “We created that from scratch. It’s been awesome, the community loves it, everybody has good time. Brunch is always packed with people watching football. We’ve just outgrown the size of the space.”
That space currently has room for 138 guests, an already considerable capacity. But it’s moving on to a space nearly triple the size, opening in January or February 2024 in the former home of Acropolis Greek Taverna, at 515 Central Avenue. There, Thirsty First will occupy two floors, featuring two full bars and seating for nearly 300.
The upgrade will also free Thirty First from the limitations of its current kitchen, which, along with concomitant limitations in its food menu, have been the one thing guests have wanted to see change, Mikurak says.
“Being inside a parking garage, there wasn’t a kitchen that was meant to do what we’ve been doing. But at the new location, it will be a full kitchen, with full dinner plates, lunch, and breakfast. We’ll have sports, food, drinks, and one of the best happy hours around. It’s something for everybody.”
Mikurak says there are plans for another restaurant concept that will take over the current Thirsty First space, but that it’s too early to share any details yet. Stay tuned for more on that when information becomes available.
In the meantime, follow @thirstyfirst on Instagram.
