Datz Restaurant co-owners Roger and Suzanne Perry are adding the “Burnt Ends” tiki bar to it’s already established St. Petersburg restaurant Dr. BBQ. The spot—located at 1101 1st Ave. S in St. Petersburg—is set to open on March 20.
And before you get up in arms about “another bar claiming to be tiki,” know that beverage director Dean Hurst is running the drink program.
Hurst not only brings his 30-years of spirit-directing from Tampa Bay spots like Bern’s Steak House, Haven and the Epicurean Hotel, he’s also a Tiki-expert. Hurnst ran the bar program for five years at The Hukilau, a weekend party at Ft. Lauderdale’s currently closed Mai-Kai Restaurant and created St. Pete Beach’s Sunset Tiki Party.
Hurst’s menu includes Mai Tais, of course, and the Three Dots and a Dash, “an ode to the famed Chicago tiki bar, which stands out for its use of Rhum Agricole, Martinique and Demerara rums, pimento, falernum, orange and lime juices, honey mix and angostura.”
Hurst isn’t the only maestro bringing an air of legitimacy to the Edge-district bar. John Mulder, of Eekum Bookum, is creating the iconic drinkware and designer Frank Simontics, aka the Tiki Rancher, is creating a exotic-atmosphere, thatch roof and all.
To soak up some of the booze, Burnt Ends has a Polynesian-influenced food menu with Spam sliders, a pupu platter with fresh grilled fruit, fried shrimp, burnt-end bao buns, Hawaiian pork ribs, chili garlic edamame and pork belly satay.
A weekday daiquiri happy hour runs from 3 pm.-6 p.m. and hours for the bar itself will be 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Also, be on the lookout for celebrity guest bartenders and tiki-inspired entertainment happening.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
