There’s big news in downtown’s dining and nightlife scene with a new restaurant and bar now open on one of the area’s most frequented corners. Dirty Shirley soft opened this week at 201 2nd Avenue North, replacing longtime diner 2nd & Second.
The new restaurant and bar – named for the Dirty Shirley cocktail – showcases a variety of American bar staples and shareable dishes, as well as a stellar cocktail program inside the beautiful and colorfully reimagined space. Brunch service is offered seven days a week from 9 am – 4 pm, while dinner is served from 5-11 pm. From open to close, guests can select from a wide range of beer, wine, craft cocktails, and even boozy milkshakes.
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The re-imagined space is a lively and relaxing spot for food and drink all day and well into the night. In addition to the renovation of the interior, owners have also created an outdoor lounge area to complement the corner’s liveliness. This new restaurant and bar is being opened by the same ownership team who ran 2nd & Second, and they’ve brought in a new executive chef to lead the creation of Dirty Shirley’s menu.
Dirty Shirley will showcase elevated bites, craft cocktails
The dinner menu features some elevated takes on a mix of popular dishes, with everything from filet mignon, vanilla brined pork chops and Gulf shrimp scampi, to chicken wings, mac and cheese bites, and even pigs in a blanket. Shareables include blue crab dip, Gulf oysters and prawns, fried chèvre goat cheese, angus prime smash burgers, meatballs, pizza bites and much more.
A long list of sandwiches is available all day, as well. Options include a tuna melt, waygu burger, blackened shrimp poboy, grilled chicken pretzel sandwich, and “Florida’s best crunchy grouper.”
One of the things they are most proud of is the cocktail program. They have their takes on classics, such as old fashioneds, mules, Manhattan, mojitos and the Kahwa espresso martini. And alongside them, necomers include the Caliente, The Elvis, Through The Dragon, and their boozy milkshakes. We’re already eying the Kahlua White Russian made with espresso, vodka and vanilla ice cream.
Of course, some small vestiges of 2nd & Second will remain, as brunch is available every day. Highlights include shrimp and grits, donut French toast, deviled eggs, and New York-style bagel breakfast sandwiches. We also won’t say no to the sweet cream pancakes, and the build-your-own omelet leaves plenty of room for creativity.
Raphael Perrier, Jeremy Duclut and Renaud Cowez ran 2nd & Second together for years, and while they were sad to see the diner go, they believe the time is right for a different concept in the property, which they have spent months and months planning and designing.
“We want to thank everyone who supported us all those years,” Perrier said. “It’s been a fun ride. It’s not that 2nd & Second wasn’t working, we just don’t think it’s the right concept anymore over there. We think having something that is more of a bar style will be a better fit.”
With bright colors on the walls – and a gigantic cherry on the roof – Dirty Shirley’s design is true to its name, bringing some ‘70s style funkiness alongside a fun and modern interior bar. With painting and renovation now finished, the new space is truly an escape into a different time.
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