St. Petersburg Distillery Opens Speakeasy in Warehouse Arts District

St. Petersburg Distillery unveiled a 45-seat speakeasy called 31 South on May 2 at 6 p.m. It sits inside the campus at 800 31st St. South. The spot occupies the second floor above the production area where visitors wrap up their tours.

Dim lights fill the lounge. Vintage furnishings dot the room alongside gold and green touches. Jazz plays throughout. Marketing coordinator Meridian Joy-Piper worked with VP of Operations Kiley Judge to transform the area, sourcing furniture and decor from nearby shops and sellers.

"This is when people want to come together and socialize, from six o'clock to midnight," CEO Evan Brownstein said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Nine drinks fill the cocktail menu, each crafted with house-made spirits. Tippler's Espresso Martini blends Banyan Reserve vodka with coffee roasted nearby, house-made spiced vanilla syrup, and a Tippler's orange cold foam topped with cocoa and a dark chocolate truffle. The Maple Old Fashioned pairs Old St. Pete Sunshine Whiskey with real maple syrup and house-made bitters.

Visitors can choose four- or six-flight tastings featuring whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum. Chef Johnathan Rodriguez comes from Tampa's Sal Y Mar and is building a menu of small plates to match the drinks.

"The tours are all about educating our guests. We want this space to be where they can socialize and relax," Brownstein said. "It'll be a hidden gem within a hidden gem."

The speakeasy runs Thursday through Saturday evenings. Daytime tours and tastings keep going as usual.

Plans are underway to shift production and canning operations, making room for a 350-person event venue. That space will welcome private and public gatherings when it debuts later this year.

New products arrive in 2026. The Tippler's line will grow to include strawberry, grapefruit, and passionfruit flavors after strong sales with Tippler's Orange Liqueur, a 52-proof craft liqueur made with Florida Temple oranges. Two new whiskey lines are brewing, including a Muralist Series with limited releases designed alongside local artists.

The 28-acre campus holds monthly Makers + Shakers Market events. The site wants to become a meeting spot for artists, makers, and business owners.