All the Tampa Bay bars and restaurants that closed in 2022

Chatterbox

405 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
After almost 50 years of dishing out homestyle meals and stacked breakfast plates, a Dunedin favorite has closed its doors. Chatterbox Family Restaurant, attached to the Dunedin Lanes bowling alley, served its very last customers on Dec. 12. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Chatterbox's third generation owner Billy Drulias closed the family eatery to retire early. Drulias told TBT that he's considering going back to school, as not finishing college was one of his biggest regrets in life.
Photo via Google Maps

Avid Brewing

1745 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
If you're looking for all-you-can-drink beers to celebrate the new year, Avid Brewing's closing party has you covered. Avid is closing its doors at the end of this year. The brewery is hosting a Grand Closing New Year's Eve Bash to celebrate the end of an era, beginning Dec. 31st at 1 p.m. Since the storefront is shutting its doors, $20 all-you-can-drink beer will be on sale during the event, so you can help the store drain its taps. Avid Brewing began as a storefront for home brewing supplies over 10 years ago, and opened its taproom in 2018.
Photo via Avid Brewing/Facebook

Buffalo Wild Wings

1625 E 7th Ave., Ybor City
After 10 years of business, the Ybor City Buffalo Wild Wings has officially shuttered, and will eventually be replaced with a new bar. Buffalo Wild Wings originally signed a 10 year lease for the space, and at the time, the location was the largest restaurant of the whole chain. No comment has been made on why the company did not renew the lease.
Photo via Buffalo Wild Wings/Google

Two Graces

6001 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Two Graces, a restaurant known for its delectable outdoor garden, quietly shut their doors earlier this year. It is unclear when exactly the restaurant closed, as it made no announcement, but the building's new owners will open a new Red Mesa Mercado at the address.
Photo via Two Graces/Google

Doormét

681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Last November, the "gourmet delivery" restaurant Doormét closed its second location. Owner Jim Huss detailed the restaurant's closure to each customer on its email list, explaining the different reasons why Doormét closed just two years after its debut. “We have had consistent issues in St. Pete, everything from finding help, to growing the business, to increased food costs, to increased labor costs, high rents, and a general difficulty in reaching residences and getting orders from homes at night," the farewell email reads. "Ultimately, these issues caused family issues and were a serious detriment to our quality of life." Its flagship Tampa location has been up-and-running for more than a decade, but as Huss said in the email to his customers, they were "sure that we would replicate Tampa's success. However that did not come to fruition."
Photo via Google Maps

Wilson’s Sports Lounge

3030 4th St. N, St Petersburg
After 50 years, Wilson’s Sports Bar shut down last summer. The beloved dive bar featured indoor smoking, as well as wood paneled walls decorated with sports memorabilia and alcohol posters. The building has since been bought out, and its future is still uncertain.
Photo via SK West

Punky’s Bar and Grill

3063 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg
After seven years of business, Punky’s final day was Wednesday, Aug. 3. The LGBTQ+ hub’s ownership are said to have assisted their employees in finding new jobs, and it is currently unclear what will become of the building moving forward.
Photo via Punky’s Bar and Grill/Facebook

Faedo Family Bakery

5150 N Florida Ave, Tampa
Faedo Family Bakery has closed its doors, opening up room for La Segunda to expand. La Segunda has baked in Ybor City for over a century, and is now expanding with this, a fourth location in Tampa Bay. It is still unsure when this new location will be opening, but the La Segunda in Seminole Heights is fully open.
Photo by Kyla Fields

Tony’s Ybor Restaurant

2001 N 22nd St., Tampa
After 93 years of dishing out hearty Italian dishes, Tony’s Ybor Restaurant has made the decision to close. Larry Scaglione, the most current owner, shares that he intends to continue the Tony’s legacy by opening a catering business, which he is calling Tony’s Ybor Catering, so the Tony’s legacy lives on!
Photo via Tony’s Ybor Restaurant/Google

Backfin Blue Cafe

2913 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport
After 25 years in business, one of Gulfport’s staple seafood restaurants shut down earlier this year after having been drastically affected by the pandemic. Backfin Blue Cafe faced with supply shortages, which affected prices and hours of operation, leading to the decision to close permanently. However, according to his daughter Carly Russell, owner Harold Russell plans to open up a food truck or catering business in the future.
Photo via Backfin Blue Cafe/Facebook

Sunday Delicatessen

1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City
The era of popular sandwich shop Sunday Delicatessen has come to a close. Owners Dave and Gina Sunday decided to call it quits after they took their first vacation in seven years. They reached out to a local broker and decided to sell. The future of the building is still up in the air, but it looks like 7th+Grove next door at least took over the address in Google listings.
Photo via Photo by Shanna Gillette

Smokin’ J’s BBQ

5145 Gulfport Blvd. S, St. Petersburg
The popular Texas-style barbecue joint closed on July 24 after owner John Riesebeck took some advice from his doctor who said that it was time to retire. The restaurant was known for its giant four-pound $49 sandwich, which guests could win for free if they were able to eat it in under an hour. ILovetheBurg shared that a new barbecue spot may be taking its place.
Photo via Smokin’ J’s BBQ/Facebook

Independent Bar St. Pete

1049 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Independent Bar closed on Oct. 2 after six years of business in the Edge District. The establishment was sold to a partnership including Ryan Griffin, who is involved in Trophy Fish and The Mandarin Hide, two successful St. Petersburg concepts.
Photo via Independent Bar/Facebook

The Loft

1909 N 15th St., Ybor City
Ybor City bar The Loft—a recent victim of the show "Bar Rescue"—closed down earlier this year and was replaced by SpookEasy Lounge, a kava bar with spooky and mysterious themes. SpookEasy originally opened over a year ago, and is now back in Ybor, sharing kava, kratom, and gothic vibes.
Photo via The Loft/Facebook

Ybor City Vegan Deli

1903 N 19th St., Ybor City
Ybor City’s Vegan Deli is closing at the end of this month. The local chain's Brandon, Orlando and Sarasota locations have already closed, and the Dunedin location is up for sale, as well. The owners have announced that “there’s a very slim chance” that a Wesley Chapel location may open eventually.
Photo via Ybor City Vegan Deli/Facebook

Sea Critters Cafe

2007 Pass a Grille Way, St. Pete Beach
The longtime seafood restaurant changed ownership to make room for a new eatery, Red White & Booze, which maintains the ocean-themed bar-and-grill style dining while putting some new touches on the menu.
Photo via Sea Critters Cafe/Website

Dharma Southern Kitchen

1910 N Ola Ave. Suite 113, Tampa
Armature Works’ vegan spot closed in early August, and their Orlando location is temporarily closed as well. The Armature Works location will soon be replaced by a DalMoros Fresh Pasta, which is a pasta-centric fast-casual concept. The opening date has not yet been released.
Photo via Dharma Southern Kitchen/Facebook

The Poor Porker

801 E Main St., Lakeland
The Poor Porker closed its doors on July 4, and is being replaced with Unfiltered Lakeland, a new concept featuring restaurantures, artists and businesses. Its sister locations in Bartow and Punta Gorda are currently up and running, featuring a variety of different vendors and providing a good idea of what to expect from this upcoming opening.
Photo via The Poor Porker/Google

MacDinton’s St. Pete

242 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg
The St. Pete’s MacDinton’s location abruptly shut down earlier this year. A new country bar, "Welcome to the Farm" is moving in.
Photo via MacDinton’s St. Pete/Googlentr

El Gallo De Oro Restaurante

4007 Fiesta Plaza, Tampa
After 35 years, the popular Cuban spot El Gallo De Oro Restaurante closed on March 18. Owners are considering reopening in areas such as Jacksonville or Crystal River.
Photo via El Gallo De Oro Restaurante/Facebook