The venue may be gone, but the music is still thriving. Hideaway Café, a staple for live music in St. Pete for over a decade, is still finding ways to put on incredible shows in the Burg.

Following its closure earlier this year after 13 years on Central Avenue, Hideaway Café has transitioned into a couple different projects, the most notable of which for live music lovers is Hideaway Café Presents. Through this new series, dubbed “the sequel to Hideaway Café,” the magic of local live music lives on in some of St. Pete’s best (and most underrated) venues.

Launched by John Kelly, the founder of Hideaway Café and its recording studio, Hideaway Café Presents is exactly what it sounds like. Basically, they’ve taken the show on the road, bringing in the area’s best musical acts to venues around St. Pete and putting on the same types of shows that made Hideaway Café such a treasured spot.

The new project got a huge boost last month with a series of shows at Bayboro Brewing’s new music venue, The North Hall. The August nights at the North Hall showcased live, local, and completely free music every Wednesday of the month, continuing in the tradition of Hideaway Café’s beloved Wednesday nights in its former home.

And because the series was such a huge success, it’s been renewed, as it were, with free shows by Kid Royal and Josh Nelms every Wednesday in September at 8 pm. Remaining shows this month take place September 21 and 28, featuring original music as well as traditional blues music from some of the area’s best musicians.

We’re told the Wednesday night series at Bayboro will continue indefinitely in the coming months as the demand for live music continues. Hideaway Café Presents is also launching a monthly open mic night at Bayboro Brewing on the first Monday night of every month.

Hideaway Café lives on

Looking for some weekend fun? Hideaway Café Presents is bringing big ticket shows to the Burg on weekends, as well. A particularly popular pair of shows are coming this October, with Leify Green and The Various Vikings taking over The North Hall at Bayboro Brewing on October 8, followed up by Ellis Paul performing at Seven C Music on 22nd Street South. If you haven’t checked out the combo café, guitar shop, and music venue, add it to your list immediately.

The same goes for Bayboro Brewing, an I Love the Burg favorite for great craft beer, tasty food, and a beautiful beer garden (plus plenty of live music, of course.) If you don’t make it to the show this Wednesday, be sure and stop by their Oktoberfest celebration this Saturday, September 24.

After the sad news that Hideaway Café had to shut its doors due to future development of the property, we’re excited to see a hometown favorite back in action, now spread all over town. Follow Hideaway Café Presents on facebook for more updates and to keep on top of upcoming shows.

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