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<\/p>\nNightwatch is a new wine bar set to debut in late 2026 in the Grand Central District.<\/p>\n
Fresh on the heels of Neighborhood Wine Shop\u2019s one-year anniversary, owners Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton are set to open this new wine bar.<\/p>\n
They activated an Instagram account for it last week.<\/p>\n
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Nightwatch will offer 20 to 30 revolving wines by the glass with a deep by-the-bottle list of 250 to 300 selections with some crossover from Neighborhood\u2019s library. Beers, wine-based amaros and non-alcoholic beverages will round out the drinks list.<\/p>\n
The wine bar will have a small food menu of picnic sides for snacking. Expect items like a rotating curated cheese and charcuterie selection and a tartare dish.<\/p>\n
The space will be almost equal parts back patio and indoor space. On the patio, the duo plans to host food pop-ups with occasional live music.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be a wine bar first,\u201d Knowlton said at the shop.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe focus on honest winemakers, smaller production and we\u2019re always going to carry that ethos with us wherever we go,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With an easygoing philosophy of approachability and reading the room as seasoned bartenders, Knowlton has found that the questions that make people the most comfortable are: \u201cWhat are you in the mood for?\u201d and \u201cWhat do you like to drink?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the idea, trying to get people where they want to be,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally our main goal, the core of what we\u2019re trying to do between here (Neighborhood) and there (Nightwatch) is we\u2019re trying to get people to drink wine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Kennedy credited CellarMasters, which opened in 2020 and closed last year<\/a>, for accelerating the growth of the wine scene in St. Petersburg. Neighborhood, 86 Wine Bar, Small Bar<\/a>, the soon-to-open Spitz Wine Bar<\/a> and the forthcoming Mozza Paninoteca<\/a> are all wine-focused spots with a similar bent contributing to the scene\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n \u201cThis city\u2019s kind of been bitten by the bug, at large, which is really nice,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n \u201cDrinking wine to us is a very communal thing,\u201d Knowlton said. \u201cIt\u2019s just like eating food, it\u2019s best if shared.\u201d<\/p>\n 2817 Grand Central Ave., St. Petersburg. @nightwatchwine<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019d love to know where you go to drink wine. Tell us in the comments.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n The Tampa Bay Times Food Hub launched in 2026, a four-person team covering Tampa Bay\u2019s dynamic and expanding food scene. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Want food news weekly in your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Top 50 Restaurants: Check out our food critic\u2019s list<\/a> of the area\u2019s best spots.<\/p>\n Follow our updates on the local restaurant landscape on Instagram at @tampabaytimesfood<\/a>.<\/p>\n