Thirsty First will close July 26, ending a decade-long run for one of downtown St. Petersburg\u2019s best-known sports bars.<\/p>\n
In an interview with the Catalyst, owner Greg Mikurak said the decision followed an ongoing lease dispute with the building\u2019s owner and mounting financial pressures that have made it increasingly difficult for independent restaurants to stay afloat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been going through a court case with the landlord,\u201d Mikurak said. \u201cThey didn\u2019t want to negotiate anything with us on trying to figure out a way.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said nearly every aspect of operating a restaurant has become more expensive in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything has increased \u2026There\u2019s not a general realm of anything that hasn\u2019t increased,\u201d Mikurak said.<\/p>\n
Rising labor, insurance, food and occupancy costs, he added, have all cut into margins while customers have become more cautious about spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople just can\u2019t afford these high rents. They can\u2019t afford the operating cost any more,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can only do so much if people aren\u2019t out eating and drinking and spending a lot more money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thirsty First opened in 2016 at 119 First Avenue N. before relocating in May 2025 to a nearly 9,000-square-foot, two-story space at 515 Central Ave. (the former longtime home of the Acropolis Greek restaurant).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The move transformed the business from a neighborhood sports bar into a larger entertainment venue featuring 69 televisions, live music, games and room for significantly more customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n