It’s true: The fact that new-ish downtown St. Pete music-and-events venue SubCentral at The Iberian Rooster is in a basement — a pretty much unheard-of occurrence for west central Florida — does make it both literally and figuratively cooler.
Since opening this past winter, the space below the hip Portuguese-fusion restaurant on the ‘Burg’s 400 block has established itself as a cozy hangout boasting a wide variety of live entertainment several nights a week. The 120-capacity subterranean club features masterfully mixed cocktails, comfortable furniture and conversation nooks, and the atmosphere can vary from poetry-reading quiet one night to punk-rock rowdy the next.
Director of Entertainment Shannon Kelly has worked to ensure an eclectic performance schedule that includes regular comedy and literary nights among the weekly musical performances, and intriguing one-offs like wine tastings, Opera on Tap and burlesque performances.
Last week the contemporary sideshow clown princes of 20 Penny Circus held court, and a few weeks back SubCentral paid tribute to legendary NYC sound-hole CBGBs. Upcoming gigs include the genre-bending acoustic jazz and ambient of Smooth Jamz (May 21) and an edition of the ongoing writers’ series Storytellers (June 3).
No matter what’s going on, though, SubCentral is just a great place to hang out. A hot new spot is always grounds for celebration, but a place where all the elements truly come together — environment, staff, entertainment, boozy deliciousness — is something special, and worth nurturing.
Especially when it could be 10 degrees outside or 100, but it’s always cool inside. (Because the bar is underground, see?)
SubCentral At The Iberian Rooster is located at (under?) The Iberian Rooster at 475 Central Ave. in St. Pete. Check out a full list of events at facebook.com/Iberianroostersubcentral/.
This article appears in May 11-18, 2017.