New Open-Air Cocktail Bar Joins Sundial Complex Next Level Brands co-founders Jeff Gigante, Joseph Guggino and Andrew Wright are partnering with Michael Connor, president and CEO of Paradise Ventures, to open Drift Bar at Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg. The 150-seat open-air cocktail bar is set to debut Saturday, November 28. The venue occupies Sundial's outdoor pavilion and marks the second Next Level Brands concept at the shopping and dining complex, following Forbici, which opened earlier this year. Paradise Ventures and Ally Capital Group, led by Wright, jointly own the property at 155 Second Ave. N.

Menu and Beverage Program Bar manager Alex Rosenbleeth oversees a cocktail program built around tropical fruit, citrus and sparkling finishes. Signature drinks include the Pink Flamingo, made with Condesa Gin, lychee, lemon and grapefruit soda, and the Drift Sour, crafted with Sarti, Dutch Barn Vodka, guava, lemon and lime. Chef Jacob Rios, director of culinary, developed a menu of elevated bar fare including wings, sliders and smoked fish dip. The food is designed for sharing over cocktails and incorporates coastal Florida flavors.

Design and Operations Atelier Zébulon Perron designed the space drawing on 1980s Miami Art Deco aesthetics.

The 150-seat layout includes 30 seats at a central bar and 120 across front and courtyard patios. Teal tile, wave-shaped trim, scalloped umbrellas, striped lounge seating and tropical planters accent the outdoor space. Drift Bar will operate Monday through Thursday from 3 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. Hours are subject to change. The bar accepts walk-ins only for regular service and is available for private events.

Grand Opening and Entertainment The public grand opening celebration begins at 3 p.m. on November 28.

Guests will receive complimentary passed bites, and full menus will be available. DJ Fresh (Doug Hensel) performs at 6 p.m., and the Tampa Bay Lightning's road game against the Florida Panthers will be shown on a large screen. No reservations are required. Drift Bar plans to feature live music Thursday through Saturday, football on Sundays and daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. with featured drinks and shareable bites. The full entertainment lineup and happy hour menu pricing will be announced soon. "Drift Bar brings the Sundial courtyard back to life with the easygoing feel of a beach bar, a curated cocktail list and thoughtful small plates," said Gigante. "It's where you meet before dinner, catch a game or hear some live music. And if you're out downtown, it's a great place to finish the night with one more drink. With the waterfront a short walk away and a breeze through the courtyard, it feels like St. Pete at its most relaxed. We can't wait to share it." Connor added: "Next Level Brands has already established a presence at Sundial with Forbici, and Drift Bar gives us an opportunity to collaborate in a new way. The pavilion has tremendous potential as a gathering place, and this partnership allows us to make better use of the outdoor space while adding another option for people visiting Sundial. We're excited to see the property continue to be an active part of downtown St. Petersburg."

Why It Matters

For St. Petersburg operators, Drift Bar represents the continued activation of downtown's dining and entertainment scene. The venue's emphasis on outdoor gathering space, shareable fare and entertainment programming reflects evolving consumer preferences for flexible dining and social venues that blend food, beverage and entertainment.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the seating capacity and layout at Drift Bar?

It's 150 seats total: 30 at a central bar and 120 spread across front and courtyard patios in an open-air pavilion setup. The design by Atelier Zébulon Perron uses teal tile, wave-shaped trim, and scalloped umbrellas to create that 1980s Miami Art Deco vibe.

Who's behind Drift Bar and what's their track record?

Next Level Brands co-founders Jeff Gigante, Joseph Guggino, and Andrew Wright are running this with Michael Connor, CEO of Paradise Ventures. They already operate Forbici at the same Sundial complex and jointly own the 155 Second Ave. N. property through Ally Capital Group.

What spirits are featured in the signature cocktails?

Bar manager Alex Rosenbleeth built the program around Condesa Gin (Pink Flamingo), Sarti, and Dutch Barn Vodka (Drift Sour), with emphasis on tropical fruit, citrus, and sparkling finishes. Everything leans into coastal Florida flavors with minimal ingredient overhead.

What food offering pairs with the cocktail program?

Chef Jacob Rios developed elevated bar fare: wings, sliders, smoked fish dip, and shareable plates designed for cocktail service. It's not full dining—this is intentionally positioned as appetizer-forward, built for turnover during peak service.

What are the operating hours and service model?

Monday–Thursday, 3–11 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 1 p.m.–midnight; Sunday, 1–9 p.m. Walk-ins only for regular service, but they're available for private events, which opens a secondary revenue stream.