A large group of people gathering to cut a blue ribbon in front of the Friendly Tavern's 'Welcome Stranger' archway.
Credit: Courtesy of Pinellas Beaches Chamber

After being closed following damage from the 2024 hurricanes, Friendly Tavern is ready to welcome strangers again.

The historic Reddington Shores bar officially reopened last month with a ribbon-cutting after its soft relaunch on Thanksgiving. Kenny Davis led the restaurant’s revamp, which includes a new front porch and sign reading “welcome stranger,” along with a refreshed menu including a “Friendly Clucker” chicken sandwich and weekend build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

First opening as “The Alabi Eats” in 1947, the spot at 18121 Gulf Blvd. is known as the host of one of Florida’s longest-running karaoke nights. 

Friendly Tavern is open 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-midnight Sunday. For more information, visit friendlytavernflorida.com.

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This article appears in Jan. 22 – 28, 2026.

Selene San Felice is managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to joining CL in 2025, she started the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter and worked for her hometown paper, The Capital in Annapolis,...