This is some local news we’ll happily raise a pint to. Webb’s City Cellar, the specialty bar at Green Bench Brewing Co., has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Awards, a tremendous accolade for the St. Pete watering hole.

The nomination comes in the “Outstanding Bar” category, where Webb’s City Cellar is up against an impressive list of standouts from New York, D.C., San Francisco, Charleston, New Orleans and more. Webb’s City Cellar is the only Florida bar to be named a semifinalist, and the cozy tasting room is the only Tampa Bay restaurant or bar to be named a semifinalist in any category.

For the uninitiated, Webb’s City Cellar is the home for Green Bench’s specialty creations. The cool space is home to barrels full of brews of various types, and the bar serves up a deep selection of sours, meads, wild ales, wines, and more, both on tap and in bottles.

For beer nerds – or just those with a curious palate – Webb’s City Cellar is a haven for unique craft brews you won’t find anywhere else. Some are one-time experiments, some are consistent favorites, and some are part of collaborations with other breweries, restaurants or companies. While a few of the Green Bench IPA and lager staples are on tap and available in Webb’s City Cellar, it’s the funky and creative concoctions that keep regulars coming back.

In addition to housing great beer, the two-story bar is also an excellent event space. Green Bench regularly hosts live music, and having a party or reception underneath barrels full of beer is one of the neighborhood’s more popular activities. Webb’s City Cellars is on the same property as Green Bench Brewing Co., with the two sharing a beautiful beer garden. On a nice day, the second floor balcony at Webb’s City Cellar overlooking the beer garden and Baum Avenue is a hotly-contested seat.

Webb’s City Cellar is located at 1133 Baum Avenue North in St. Petersburg. While the Green Bench tasting room is open daily, Webb’s City Cellar is open Thursday-Sunday only, opening at 4 pm on Thursday and Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday.