November 12, 2021

Here are the Tampa Bay restaurants and bars that closed in 2021

By CL Staff

The restaurant industry has never been easy, but the last couple years created a whole new host of challenges. While plenty of new and exciting concepts popped up in 2021, this past year Tampa Bay also lost a few iconic bars and restaurants. This is by no means a complete list, but here are all the significant closures we know of.—Stephanie Powers

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Iberian Rooster 475 N Central Ave., St. Petersburg Iberian Rooster was a staple in downtown St. Pete since it’s opening a little over four years ago thanks to its three-in-one space with a bar, restaurant—which became Avo’s Kitchen in 2020—and SubCentral, the basement event space. “I’m just really happy to give St. Pete a place that was really special,” owner Russell Andrade told CL.

Iberian Rooster

475 N Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Iberian Rooster was a staple in downtown St. Pete since it’s opening a little over four years ago thanks to its three-in-one space with a bar, restaurant—which became Avo’s Kitchen in 2020—and SubCentral, the basement event space. “I’m just really happy to give St. Pete a place that was really special,” owner Russell Andrade told CL.
Coney Island Sandwich Shop 250 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg We’re still holding on to hope that this iconic restaurant will reopen at some point. It’s hard to imagine a St. Pete without the family-owned hot dog spot run by 85-year-old Hank Barlas—whose father opened what was then-called Coney Island Grill back in 1926.

Coney Island Sandwich Shop

250 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg
We’re still holding on to hope that this iconic restaurant will reopen at some point. It’s hard to imagine a St. Pete without the family-owned hot dog spot run by 85-year-old Hank Barlas—whose father opened what was then-called Coney Island Grill back in 1926.
Brass Tap (Pinellas) 2438 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg The beer-centric chain closed it’s only Pinellas location, at Tyrone Square Mall, in February. Not to fret; Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass, and close-to-Midtown locations are still open.

Brass Tap (Pinellas)

2438 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg
The beer-centric chain closed it’s only Pinellas location, at Tyrone Square Mall, in February. Not to fret; Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass, and close-to-Midtown locations are still open.
Grillsmith (Carrollwood) 14303 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa The Carrollwood location of the national chain closed in May because of fire damage. According to the refined-casual restaurant’s Facebook page, remodeling is in the works but no reopening date is listed.

Grillsmith (Carrollwood)

14303 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
The Carrollwood location of the national chain closed in May because of fire damage. According to the refined-casual restaurant’s Facebook page, remodeling is in the works but no reopening date is listed.
Fermented Reality Biergarten Sparkman Wharf Strategic Property Partners, which operates Sparkman Wharf, chose not to renew the lease of this mainly-beer spot. A relocation is in the works, but in the meantime their second concept is planned for Seventh Avenue in Ybor City.

Fermented Reality Biergarten

Sparkman Wharf
Strategic Property Partners, which operates Sparkman Wharf, chose not to renew the lease of this mainly-beer spot. A relocation is in the works, but in the meantime their second concept is planned for Seventh Avenue in Ybor City.

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