Music has been a key aspect of the effort since day one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaye has been a vinyl collector for most of his life. Before opening his own concepts, the businessman was a disc jockey in downtown St. Petersburg. In his free time, he would attend punk rock concerts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eventually, Kaye would move to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts. He would bring his records and turntables with him. This allowed the entrepreneur to \u201csupplement\u201d his income.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been a part of this industry for my entire life,\u201d Kaye said. \u201cMusic is such a part of the ambience of the night and the feel of the space.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Owner Matt Kaye commissioned artwork from New York-based Erik Jones, who was born in St. Petersburg, for the new project.<\/p>\n
Curated playlists have been an aspect in all of his ventures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The goal with Easy Tiger was to \u201cfoster a creative, sound-focused experience,\u201d Kaye explained. Design elements such as \u201ccurved soft corners\u201d and \u201csleek seating\u201d were intentional. Kaye and Stone collaborated with architectural and design studio Oliver Shaw to create the space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tampa-based Justin Layman, known professionally as DJ Casper, serves as Easy Tiger\u2019s music director. He will be \u201ccurating a rotating roster of local and traveling DJs who focus on vinyl record sets and long musical journeys,\u201d Kaye added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The EDGE District building, which also houses the Bends, was the right fit for the project. He explained that the \u201chistoric\u201d property was once owned by the late Sanford Goldman, an architect who worked directly with Frank Lloyd Wright. It was originally purchased by Goldman\u2019s father.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a great relationship with Sanford,\u201d Kaye added. \u201cHe would come to every one of my projects once they were developed and check them out. He was like a grandfather figure and was always impressed and kind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This relationship with Goldman made it possible to acquire the building in 2023. After a real estate developer made an offer, Kaye decided to explore financing opportunities and purchase the site.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He preferred that the property \u201cgo to someone like myself that would help grow the community as a local,\u201d Kaye said. The developer had plans to tear the building down and create \u201cmicro apartments.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Easy Tiger\u2019s cocktail selections are curated by Wild Child beverage director Chris Trull. The bar and lounge will be open Thursdays through Sundays.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Easy Tiger Instagram page\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6021-1024x705.jpeg\")
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