A new beverage bar offering dirty sodas, beer, wine, and coffee is set to open soon at 667 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, according to a June 3 announcement. Idyll Vice will occupy the former Sorrento Sweets location between The Lure and Graphi-ko Gallery.
Owner Witney Dupree said she plans a soft opening for Idyll Vice later this month, with a grand opening celebration scheduled for July. Dupree described the concept as “the sweet spot between a daytime cafe and a bar, a multi-faceted concept serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.” The menu will focus on customizable beverages where customers can choose their base—coffee, espresso, tea or soda—and add flavors or mix-ins.
One of the main features of Idyll Vice will be its “dirty” sodas—a combination of soda, flavored syrups, purees and cream—that have gained popularity through Utah-based chains like Swig and Sodalicious. These drinks have also received national attention from the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. In addition to dirty sodas, guests can access a self-serve wine station featuring 16 rotating wines available in one-, three-, or five-ounce pours.
The food menu will include baked goods such as muffins, scones and cookies alongside lighter fare like salads, flatbreads and sandwiches. The name “Idyll Vice” was chosen after much discussion among Dupree’s family members; it is intended as a play on “idyllic” and “vice,” reflecting simple pleasures with an indulgent twist.
Dupree holds degrees in culinary hospitality management and business management. She moved frequently due to her husband’s military career before settling in St. Petersburg in 2016; after his retirement in 2023, they decided to start this small business together on Central Avenue. Renovations at the space include cosmetic updates such as a small bar attached to the ordering counter and a mural depicting the St. Pete skyline.
Dupree credited her daughter Rene as instrumental in developing Idyll Vice: “I would say this is definitely her brainchild, as far as the concept,” she said. “At first, I didn’t have a solid plan, but she has so many great ideas. She’s been instrumental in the development of this business.”
Once open, Idyll Vice will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., though Dupree said it may close on Mondays.
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