St. Pete’sThere’s This Placeby Aaron Drake

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With gay marriage finally coming to the Sunshine state, it’s high time LGBT travelers take a closer look at what the state has to offer outside of the familiar LGBT hubs like Fort Lauderdale and Key West. On Florida’s west coast, St. Petersburg is a warm, inviting city that adds a rich history to the usual white sandy beaches and crystal waters.

Growing up in white-wintered Ohio, Florida always had the appeal of warm weather and busy beaches. No secret that it’s the vacation spot for folks from the Midwest and Northeast. However, I was happy to find St. Pete as a little diamond in the usual tourist trap. It is a place that gays and lesbians have fully immersed themselves in order to make a beach paradise that is in turn very welcoming of everyone. When I first arrived in St. Pete and drove through downtown, I knew this was going to be quite a different experience than other places I visited in the state. Downtown St. Petersburg is lined with buildings from the 1920s, giving the city an older vibe. The detailed architecture and brick-paved streets add character and a respect for the town’s history and obvious European influences.

Close to downtown is Beach Drive Inn, a cozy bed and breakfast in the city’s Waterfront District. The inn’s six rooms are individually themed, each providing a unique experience suitable for different travelers. Janna, the innkeeper, sweetly told me I had a sunny disposition, so would do well in the inn’s Montego Bay room. Of course, the Montego room has its own storied past—the room has a reputation of being haunted. “Montego Mary”

named by paranormal experts on the A&E show Psychic Kids, likes to make her presence known by moving the rocking chair in the room. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I haven’t quite decided which), I didn’t encounter Mary during my short stay. Another room is dubbed the Key West Suite, named for Ernest Hemingway, it’s said he would regularly stopover here during his travels to and from Key West. The inn has a light continental breakfast each morning on the first floor, a chance to mingle with other guests there, and wine in the evenings. There’s off-street parking, which is helpful in an area with limited parking and it is pretty much essential to rent a car in St. Pete to get around.

One way to get around Downtown quickly and efficiently is to take the Downtown Trolley Loop. Fifty cents will get you a full tour if you go the whole loop. The trolley drivers narrate, each driver giving their own personified spin on the city’s history, or you can jump off at any of the stops. You’ll pass many of downtown’s historic buildings, the St. Pete pier, shopping including the Sundial

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shops that are in the first stages of opening, a variety of restaurants like Red Mesa Cantina and Bella Brava, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the world-renowned Dalí Museum. The Dalí is a must-visit: a Picasso exhibit was on display while I was in town, providing a provoking look at the connection between Salvador Dalí and Picasso’s works.

There isn’t necessarily a “gayborhood” in St. Pete because LGBTs live throughout the city, which speaks volumes about it’s friendliness. Although, the Central Avenue District is home to a smattering of gay-owned shops and restaurants, and the city’s new LGBT Welcome Center which hosts community events and provides resources for the city’s LGBTs. One of the restaurants in the neighborhood, Queenshead Eurobar, was consistently one of the most highly recommended eateries when talking with locals. The restaurant is owned and operated by a gay British couple who transformed the restaurant from its former days as a gas station into a popular eatery with a lovely patio and menu of British fare. Another delicious spot in the neighborhood that came highly recommended is Urban Brew & BBQ. It may not look like much from the outside, but this hole-in-the-wall joint pairs delicious barbecue and Southern-style comfort food with an extensive menu of craft brews. I recommend ordering up the bacon s’more for dessert, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll notice craft breweries are something St. Pete takes seriously.

Not far from the Central Avenue District is the city’s sole gay bed and breakfast, Gay St. Pete House. It’s a regular gathering spot for visitors and locals in the community, with a clothing-optional pool and hot tub area. It’s the only spot to brown your buns, but if you’re after a gay spot to soak up some sun, Sunset Beach is St. Pete’s gay beach. Located on the gulf side of the city, visitors can come here any day of the week and no doubt see same-sex couples walking along the shore holding hands, relaxing together in the sand, and frolicking in the waves. If you do venture out to Sunset Beach, Woody’s is a popular spot to have

lunch on the water—the fish tacos are delicious.Gulfport, on the south side of the city, is another

interesting neighborhood to visit in St. Pete. You may notice various rainbow-colored objects if you look around. Take a walk by the water, or venture down on a Tuesday morning to explore the Fresh Market set up on the street. The Gulfport Merchants Association welcomes a collection of local restaurants, businesses, live music, and artists every Tuesday. It’s an ideal time to get a taste of St. Pete’s culture and insight into the collection of folks who make the city their home.

As for gay nightlife, St. Pete doesn’t skimp on that either. The gay bars are a bit scattered around the city, with several around the Central Avenue District. It depends on what your scene is—pick from the divey Lucky Star Lounge or the Garage, neighborhood hangout Georgie’s Alibi, the more upscale Enigma, or the busier Flamingo Resort. Flamingo is a popular hangout spot on Sunday afternoons that caters to pretty much everyone

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in the LGBT community. The resort features three different bar areas (one is the Code Bar, which can get a bit raunchy at night), a courtyard swimming pool, main bar, poolside paradise bar, diner menu, a stage for drag and live entertainment, and of course hotel rooms.

Really, no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it in St. Pete. It’s a lovely place to relax, have some fun in the sun, and just be yourself.

Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine. He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride. When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you

can find him at the beach, at the movies, or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake.

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Beach Drive Inn: www.beachdriveinn.com 532 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 822-2244

Bella Brava: www.bellabrava.com 204 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 895-5515

Dali Museum: www.thedali.org 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 823-3767

Enigma: www.facebook.com/enigmastpete 1110 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 235-0867

Flamingo Resort: www.flamingoresort.com 4601 34th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711 (727) 321-5000

The Garage: www.garageoncentral.weebly.com 2729 Central AveSt Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 258-4850

Gay St. Pete House www.gaystpetehouse.com 4505 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 365-0544

Georgie’s Alibi: www.georgiesalibi.com 3100 3rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 321-2112

Gulfport Tuesdays Fresh Market:www.gulfportma.com/gma-events/tuesday-fresh-market

LGBT Welcome Center: www.facebook.com/LGBTWelcomeCenter 2227 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 201-4925

Museum of Fine Art: www.fine-arts.org 255 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 896-2667

Queenshead Eurobar:www.thequeensheadeurobar.com 2501 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 498-8584

Red Mesa Cantina: www.redmesacantina.com 128 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 896-8226

St. Petersburg Trolley: www.loopertrolley.com

Sundial St. Pete: www.sundialstpete.com 153 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 851-9500

Urban Brew & BBQ: www.urbanbrewandbbq.com1939 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 822-8919

Woody’s: www.woodyswaterfront.com 7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 (727) 360-9165

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