Voodoo Brewing 220 4th St. N, St. Petersburg After announcing the Voodoo Brewing franchise setting up shop in St. Petersburg in 2022, and initially planning to open that same year– and again in 2023— the two-story, punk-rock, pub is finally made it’s debut this month. This location of Voodoo will have a “community-focused atmosphere,” according to a press release, which said that the craft beer will be shipped in from the company’s manufacturing facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania. A full food menu includes a “Voo-dill” pickle pizza, and the St. Pete space also features eight pinball machines. Photo courtesy of Voodoo Brewing Co. Credit: Photo courtesy of Voodoo Brewing Co.

After announcing the Voodoo Brewing franchise setting up shop in St. Petersburg in 2022, and initially planning to open that same year– and again in 2023— the two-story, punk-rock, pub is finally opening this weekend.

The original franchisee backed out causing frequent delays, but Bob Skepnek—who spent three decades in electronic design and manufacturing before a career pivot—stepped in to make the plans come to fruition. Skepnek had been brewing his own beer for decades but decided to take his passion to the professional level when the opportunity came up to partner with Voodoo, which was born in Pennsylvania 20 years ago.

The St. Petersburg location—at 220 4th St. N at the old Orange Blossom Catering—was supposed to be Florida’s first location for the franchise. Since the original announcement and frequent delays, Voodoo opened two other locations in Jacksonville and Fort Myers.

The brewpub initially planned to open on Oct. 19, but Helene and Milton had other plans

Now, the grand opening is tomorrow, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m.

“It’s been a long journey, but the finish line is in reach, and we’re just about there,” the brewery wrote on Facebook. “After a few weeks of uncertainty & anxiety related to the nasty weather season, it was a joy to spend some shared time together and to look forward.”

This location of Voodoo will have a “community-focused atmosphere,” according to a press release, which said that the craft beer will be shipped in from the company’s manufacturing facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania. A full food menu includes a “Voo-dill” pickle pizza, and the St. Pete space also features eight pinball machines.

Voodoo was founded in 2005 but didn’t open up its first brewery until 2012. The franchise now has dozens of locations across the U.S., as far west as Nevada, with more on the way.

Through a a spokesperson, Skepnek told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that 12 Voodoo beers and seltzers—including Oh Mama lager, Love Child tripel, and Lacto-Kooler weiss—will be on tap along with guest beers from Florida Avenue Brewing, Coppertail, 3 Daughters, and more.

UPDATED 10/26/24 11:50 a.m. Updated with tap lists

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This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2024.