Midst the thriving culinary scene in Tampa Bay, where Michelin-starred establishments continue to emerge, one dining destination stands out by blending historical charm with elevated comfort cuisine.
Gigglewaters, nestled in the quaint town of Safety Harbor, offers an immersive experience that transports patrons to the bygone era of Prohibition. Step inside Gigglewaters and you’ll find a unique atmosphere that pays homage to the 1920s. The speakeasy-style setting, complete with a well-curated cocktail program, offers a glimpse into a time when asking for a “giggle water” was code for ordering an alcoholic beverage.
When Rachel Wilson and her husband Richard, or “Richie,” relocated from the bright lights of Brooklyn, New York to the Sunshine State, they envisioned creating a space that captured the essence of a classic speakeasy.
The extensive buildout transformed a former yoga studio into an elegant, Prohibition-style establishment, with the added twist of having a screening room that seats up to 32 patrons, as they watch classic movies while dining on crave-worthy gourmet comfort food. Rachel pays meticulous attention to every detail, from the reclaimed wood bar, sourced from the dance floor and doors of the historic Belleview-Biltmore Hotel, to the tin ceilings and Edison lighting that exude a modern, speakeasy ambiance. Together, the couple collaborated to create a unique experience that transports their guests to a night of exquisite fun, in another era.
True to the speakeasy tradition, the menu at Gigglewaters is cocktail-centric, with bourbon-based libations taking center stage. The establishment’s top-selling item, from both the food and beverage menu, is The 1919. This pre-prohibition play on the Old-Fashioned features Four Roses bourbon, Demerara, bitters, a Luxardo cherry and a flamed orange peel, served over a large rock of ice. For the craft mocktail aficionado, the Keyser Soze is an excellent choice. This refreshing elixir artfully combines desert pear and pineapple, enhanced by muddled mint and crowned with a ginger beer float. It’s a testament to sophisticated mixology, proving that luxury isn’t confined to alcoholic beverages.
While Gigglewaters may not be aiming for Michelin stars, the plethora of awards adorning the walls is a testament that their food is far from an afterthought. The menu offers an enticing selection of elevated comfort dishes. All burgers are made with Wagyu beef, the American counterpart of Kobe beef, providing a rich, marbled flavor. Likewise, all hot dogs are premium Hebrew National Hot Dogs and every sauce and juice is handcrafted. Bourbon plays a starring role in both the cocktails and dishes, throughout the menu, starting with the Hot Dog Burnt Ends and continuing to the Bourbon Pound Cake dessert.
Even the popcorn is upgraded – the secret to their signature popcorn lies in the use of Amish hulless baby white popcorn, shipped from Illinois. It’s the decadent toppings that earned it the title of Best Gourmet Popcorn. Choosing between the Garlic Parmesan Bread; flavored with butter, garlic and parmesan, the sophisticated Truffle butter; with a hint of citric acid or the Sweet & Salty version, with cookie butter and chocolate-covered peanuts is no easy task.
The menu showcases cleverly named dishes, reimagining classics like burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches with an array of inventive toppings. Among the burger offerings, two standouts reign supreme.
The Commissioner, featured on Cooking Channel’s Man v. Food, boasts Wagyu beef, gouda cheese, bacon strips, a whole pearl sugar waffle, butcher block bacon, onion tanglers and a cookie butter drizzle. For patty melt enthusiasts, the Gigglemelt might just be the world’s finest, featuring sautéed onions, Thousand Island dressing and award-winning pimento cheese, all served on grilled garlic toast.
For those seeking lighter fare, the menu offers delectable alternatives. The Great Goatsby tantalizes taste buds with melted goat cheese, peppadew peppers and tomatoes. Health-conscious diners might opt for the Chicken Salad—a generous scoop of the signature chicken salad atop mixed greens, adorned with crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans, heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, all finished with crisp tortilla strips for a satisfying crunch. To finish the meal, tempt your palate with the Ricotta Cheesecake, a delicate, less-sweet, twist on the classic or succumb to the rich allure of Joey Biscotti’s Bourbon Pound Cake, grilled to perfection and lavished with creamy vanilla ice cream and a bourbon caramel drizzle.
Beyond its elevated comfort cuisine, Gigglewaters offers a unique cinematic dining experience. For a $5 entry fee, guests can enjoy classic films, in a full-service setting, with food and beverages available separately. Due to a capacity of 32, reservations are recommended for Friday through Sunday showings.
The venue’s crown jewel is the Cinema Supper Club series, a passion project curated by Richie and Rachel, with a team of fifteen to execute the performance. This immersive experience pairs carefully selected films with synchronized culinary food cues, such as the iconic “Royal with Cheese” during the Pulp Fiction screenings. Rachel fondly recalls their recent Grease homage, complete with a pie-in-face reenactment with her husband and decadent alcoholic whipped cream served in pie tins for the audience. The cinema also hosts special holiday screenings including Die Hard, for Christmas, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, on New Year’s Eve. For those seeking exclusivity, private buyouts are available for corporate presentations or bespoke team-building events. The truly ambitious can collaborate with the owners to design a personalized Cinema Supper Club experience.
If indulging in expertly crafted comfort food, within a refined Prohibition-era ambiance, while enjoying classic films doesn’t entice you, consider this: Gigglewaters elevates the brunch experience with its daily offerings of a brunch menu and customizable mimosas and Bloody Marys until 2 p.m., letting guests bask in weekend indulgences throughout the week. Inspired by her nostalgia for the vibrant brunch culture of NYC, Rachel has created a haven where the carefree spirit of brunch—complete with bubbly and relaxation—flourishes every day of the week.
For those captivated by this unique concept, there’s an exciting opportunity to become part of the Gigglewaters legacy. The brand is now available for franchise, either as a brick-and-mortar establishment or a food truck. They are excited to announce the sale of the first Gigglewaters food truck, in South Pinellas, to a former employee who, having grown within the company and embraced its core values, has taken the bold step of pioneering this venture.
Gigglewaters isn’t just a cherished local gem in Safety Harbor; each year, it garners a multitude of awards across various prestigious contests including the Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best and Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay. Gigglewaters shines in an array of categories, from Best Hamburger Restaurant to Best Whiskey Bar and proudly claims the title of Best Safety Harbor Restaurant. These accolades are a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and its beloved status within the community. As Gigglewaters continues to captivate, and delight, it remains a pinnacle of local dining, where every visit is not just a meal but an experience, to please even the poshest of palates.♦
