Holiday note: Localz is open every day during Thanksgiving week for lunch and dinner, with games on, plus a trivia night on Wednesday at 7:30 pm with a $250 grand prize.
The newest spot on Beach Drive has quickly made a name for itself as downtown’s go-to sports bar. Localz Sports Bar & Grill opened this summer at 1 Beach Drive, bringing an expansive restaurant and bar to the neighborhood packed full of TVs, great food, a full bar, and spectacular daily specials.
After spending the summer in a soft opening phase as they completed renovations inside the sprawling space, Localz recently officially unveiled the final product inside the almost unrecognizable bar and dining room. In addition to the 60+ TVs and the big pops of color, ownership also constructed an entirely new second bar in the large back room and gave the restaurant area a long list of updates.
Of course, sports and room to gather with a group are only part of the appeal. Unlike many sports bars that focus mostly on the beverage side, Localz brings a high level of expertise and care to the food side of the experience, as well, dishing out some truly tasty eats for lunch, dinner and anywhere in between seven days a week.
The scratch kitchen pumps out a delicious lineup of burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings, and a drool-worthy array of appetizers. Highlights include the ghost pepper patty melt, Philly cheesesteaks, pulled pork sandwiches, potato skins, and the “Porky Pig Totz” – tater tots covered in shredded cheese, honey BBQ pulled pork, crumbled bacon, scallions, and a bacon aioli drizzle.
There’s even an entire section of the menu dedicated to one of their specialties, a half-pound of “perfectly fried” brussels sprouts tossed in one of their 10 house-made sauces. Sign us up for the bacon balsamic and goat cheese.
Localz is a premier sports bar and events venue
Of course, one of the big draws is the sports viewing experience. More than 60 TVs have been installed in the redesigned restaurant, spread throughout the front and back room alike, giving Beach Drive its only sports bar, and one of the few anywhere in downtown. It’s a key part of owner Peter Czajkowski’s vision for Localz.
“I tell everybody, I just want to be the best,” he said. “We’re going to be the best sports bar in St. Pete. We’re going to have the best food, the best service, and the best televisions. And you really don’t need much more than that.”
With the sports calendar in full swing – everything from college football and NHL to Premier League soccer and the NFL – Localz has already become a hotspot on weekends for watching games of all kinds.
On weekdays, however, the team behind the new concept is giving St. Pete denizens more than enough reasons to come visit, whether there’s a big game on or not. They’re daily food specials are among the best deals in town, especially on a menu as tasty as theirs. We’ve sampled nearly every single item on the daily specials list, and can personally vouch for them all.
- Monday-Friday happy hour, 3-6 pm: Half-off appetizers, $3 draft beer, $4 well drinks, $5 house wines
- Monday: $8 build-your-own burgers with fries
- Tuesday: Specialty tacos every week, served with chips and queso
- Wednesday: $1 chicken wings, and Trivia Night at 7:30 pm
- Thursday: $8 Pulled pork sandwich with fries
- Friday: $10 Philly cheesesteak with fries
It’s worth mentioning that this Wednesday, November 22, Localz is having a special Thanksgiving Eve edition of trivia where the grand prize is $250. If you’re in town, make plans to join, and note that Localz is open every day during the holiday week for lunch and dinner.
While Localz has become a quick star, it’s one we don’t expect to fade any time soon. Czajkowski, who also runs Localz Largo and Jamminz on Clearwater Beach, said he’s in on this project for the long haul. He signed a 25-year lease on the building, built on his belief that the location can truly be special and become one of downtown’s premier venues.
“I mean, look at the address,” he mused. “The address is 1 Beach Drive. It’s like something out of a movie.”
Follow Localz 1 on facebook for more updates, and check out their website for the menu.
ADVERTISEMENT
