On a street otherwise largely lined with chains and car washes lies a historic and hidden gem. Sesh Brewing, located at 2201 4th Street North, is one of St. Pete’s best brewpubs, and it’s also one of our favorite local bars to grab a great meal and have a couple drinks.
Whether you’re walking over from Old Northeast or Crescent Heights, or taking a quick ride from anywhere in St. Pete, Sesh always feels like a neighborhood bar as soon as you walk in. Maybe it’s the historic brick fireplace just inside the front door, maybe it’s the impressive comfort food, or maybe it’s just the feeling of a cold pint in your hand sitting at the indoor/outdoor bar – roughly 30 feet away from where that beer was brewed.
Sesh is St. Pete’s food and drink destination
The team behind Sesh has turned the restaurant into a destination for incredible beer, creative cocktails, and some of the best food specials in town. The drink and food menus are constantly changing, offering something new on every visit and promising something tasty for every palate and craving.
Chef Tyson Williams, who has long been a sensation on the beaches for his creative cuisine at Mad Beach Craft Brewing, has taken his culinary creations to new heights at Sesh. He is constantly debuting seasonal specials, while always tweaking the everyday menu to perfectly cater to his clientele’s tastes.
The holiday themes have garnered widespread attention for Sesh (Halloween inside this historic building is can’t-miss), but regulars in the neighborhood know there’s something great to be found every day of the week. Particularly in the balmy months from March-December, we love getting a taste of the newest beers on tap while enjoying the breeze and sunshine in the beer garden.
Head brewer Alex Garcia and the brewing team behind Mad Beach’s award-winning beers have set up a tremendous and modern brew house in the back of the cottage, creating a tap list of two dozen craft beers of all types and tastes.
Meanwhile, Sesh also has a full liquor bar, and the cocktail list is unlike anything else in town, including “The Evil Eye” which comes with a floating lychee eyeball. The creativity shines through here, as well, with cocktails such as “The Haunting,” “Mezcalmorphosis,” “Fantasma” and “Ghosted.” The bar also offers house sangria, frozen cocktails, and a lengthy wine list.
Sesh is a piece of St. Pete history
Of course, while it’s the food and drink that keep us coming weekly, it’s Sesh’s dedication to embracing all the fun things in life that make them such a destination year-round. Owner Matthew Powers has leaned into the property’s history, which includes incredible Florida lore, as well as nearly a century of paranormal reports.
Historically, the Earl Gresh Cottage was one of the city’s original roadside attractions, built in the early 1930s. Chief among the historic touches is the massive brick chimney built into the wall of the main dining room, which Sesh uncovered and now showcases after it had been paneled over by previous ownership. The chimney itself was built in the 1930s with bricks from Fort Dade, the ruined military fort built on Egmont Key during the Spanish-American War.
In more recent years, however, there have been multiple reports of paranormal activity inside the building. Much of it centers on one item in particular: a gigantic and supposedly haunted old mirror that had been relegated to a backroom under previous ownership.
Staff members of the various businesses housed in the building over the decades have sworn to mystery handprints appearing on the glass after they would walk away from the mirror. In fact, a local group of ghost hunters even made the trek to see the mirror and the cottage for themselves, claiming they found a few energies in the building, but that “they were all quite friendly.”
Today, that mirror is the first thing you see when walking into the door at Sesh. Look at your reflection long enough and you may be surprised by what you see. And if not, at least you’ll have a good meal.
Follow Sesh on instagram to see more, and see the full menu online here.
ADVERTISEMENT
