Golden Isles Brewing has been a star basically since the day it opened almost exactly three years ago, and it’s with good reason. The brewery-slash-community-hub isn’t so much a bar as it is a slice of St. Pete that’s open to everyone, constantly filled with food, art, music, drink, families, friends, dogs, and perhaps most importantly, smiles. The beer, while great, is secondary to the overall experience.
It’s appropriate that their upcoming anniversary party is less about the brewery, effectively becoming a celebration of all things St. Pete, highlighted by the people and things that have made Golden Isles and the community around it such a gem. The third anniversary celebration is a full weekend of parties taking place Friday-Sunday, October 2-4, indoors and out at the brewery located at 3000 MLK Jr. St. N.
The full weekend reads like a greatest hits list for everything people have loved about Golden Isles. Friday night will welcome the return of the massively popular Lost Coast Oyster team, and the beloved Erika’s Kitchen Mexican, as well as the debut of The Raclette Melted Cheese pop-up and live jazz by the Chaunces Trio. There will also be the debut of a new rose gold lager, complete with a label designed by a local street artist.
Saturday and Sunday is bringing what I believe to be a first for the local food truck scene, as both Tower 10 trucks will be on site at the same, on both days, meaning both of my stomachs are going to be at 100 percent capacity. Tower 10 Burgers and Tower 10 Tacos have become underground sensations, and the weekend also marks the anniversary of the Tower 10 Burgers truck debuting in St. Pete, since becoming a star you can find every weekend at Golden Isles.
More festivities include college football and NFL all day Saturday and Sunday, a King of Pops popsicle pop-up on Saturday, and even a pre-anniversary kickoff party with local sourdough star Franca’s Pizza on Wednesday night during trivia.
Photos courtesy Tower 10 Tacos
And that right there is part of what I love about Golden Isles. It has become an unofficial incubator for local talent. Tower 10 and Franca’s barely scratch the surface of the up-and-coming culinary stars that have been given the platform (and crowd) to shine, alongside the likes of Birria Bros, Vinnie’s Pizza, Erika’s Kitchen, Liberty Smokehouse, Johnny Nevada’s. Lost Coast, and dozens of others. Golden Isles has also been part of the renaissance of the neighborhood, as longtime anchors like Sunset Grille and Pineapple Espresso have been joined by those like 86 Wine Bar (which also celebrates its anniversary that weekend), The Violet Stone, Blush, and Calida Kitchen, among others.
It’s the kind of community that owners Angie and Jonathan envisioned when they opened the brewery three years ago, taking a chance on a converted service station well outside of the downtown and Central Avenue corridors. That gamble has more than worked out, for Golden Isles and locals alike.
And at a time when so much outside investment is hitting various pockets of the city and county, it’s nice to see a local mom-and-pop spot still doing mom-and-pop things. Angie still runs the instagram, in between scheduling trucks and taking kids to volleyball and soccer practice. Jonathan is breaking a sweat building out the 21+ back room and bar (karaoke coming soon!) while keeping beers on tap and making sure kids get to and from summer camps.
It’s appropriate that their anniversary weekend is staying grounded in the community of the bar and neighborhood even while going big.
“It’s not that different from a typical weekend,” Jonathan said, “just hyped up on beer and steroids. At the end of the day, it’s about St. Pete, the people, and the community.”
If you’re into good food, good music, good drink and good people, the Golden Isles anniversary weekend will be a good party to attend. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with the latest.