Next Level Brands plans to open Drift Bar, a 150-seat outdoor cocktail bar at Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg, on Nov. 28, adding a second concept to the shopping and dining center after opening Forbici earlier this year. Co-founders Jeff Gigante, Joseph Guggino and Andrew Wright have partnered with Michael Connor, president and CEO of Paradise Ventures, to open the bar in Sundial’s outdoor pavilion. Paradise Ventures and Wright’s Ally Capital Group jointly own the property.
Drift Bar will have 30 seats around a central bar and another 120 across two patios. Heather Rivas, Next Level Brands’ director of operations, has guided the project from its initial concept through preparations for the opening. The bar will serve cocktails and small plates, with live music and sports broadcasts planned throughout the week.
The design comes from Atelier Zébulon Perron, which based the look on 1980s Miami Art Deco, using teal tile and wave-shaped trim to frame the bar. Scalloped umbrellas shade the patios, where striped lounge chairs sit among tropical plants, and lights beneath the canopy will illuminate the courtyard after dark alongside a reddish-pink DRIFT sign. The central bar opens onto the surrounding patios, with seating arranged throughout the outdoor space.
Bar manager Alex Rosenbleeth will serve cocktails including the Pink Flamingo, made with Condesa Gin, lychee, lemon and grapefruit soda, and the Drift Sour, which combines Sarti, Dutch Barn Vodka, guava, lemon and lime. Chef Jacob Rios, the company’s culinary director, is overseeing the food menu, which includes wings, sliders and smoked fish dip, with dishes meant for sharing.
“Drift Bar brings the Sundial courtyard back to life with the easygoing feel of a beach bar, a curated cocktail list and thoughtful small plates,” Gigante said. “It’s where you meet before dinner, catch a game or hear some live music. And if you’re out downtown, it’s a great place to finish the night with one more drink.”
The opening follows Next Level Brands’ introduction of Forbici at Sundial earlier this year and gives the group another restaurant and bar operation at the property. Connor said the partnership will make greater use of the outdoor courtyard and give visitors another place to gather.
“The pavilion has tremendous potential as a gathering place, and this partnership allows us to make better use of the outdoor space while adding another option for people visiting Sundial,” Connor said.
Drift Bar plans to host live music Thursday through Saturday, show football games on Sundays and offer a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., although the company has not yet announced the entertainment lineup or happy hour prices. The grand opening starts at 3 p.m. Nov. 28, with complimentary appetizers and the full food and drink menus available. DJ Fresh, also known as Doug Hensel, will begin performing at 6 p.m., and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s road game against the Florida Panthers will be shown on a large screen.
The bar is located at 155 Second Ave. N. and expects to operate from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Drift Bar will welcome guests of all ages, operate on a walk-in basis and offer the space for private events. Hours may change.