A new neighborhood wine bar called Nightwatch is set to open at 2817 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District, owners Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton announced on May 28. The venue is expected to launch before the end of the year and will feature an extensive wine list, a large backyard patio, and a casual atmosphere.
Kennedy and Knowlton also operate Neighborhood Wine Shop nearby at 2875 Central Avenue. Nightwatch will offer approximately 250 to 300 wines by the bottle and around 20 to 25 options by the glass. Beer, non-alcoholic cocktails, and low-alcohol cocktails will be available as well. “The focus will be on wines in the $70 to $120 range,” Kennedy said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “That’ll make up the bulk of the menu. That being said, if you want to come in and order an expensive Burgundy or old Bordeaux, we’ll have that too. It just won’t be the focus.”
The food menu will include cheeses, charcuterie, and bar bites. Kennedy said there are plans for occasional food pop-ups and backyard events while maintaining a neighborhood-oriented experience. “We want it to feel like Cheers, right?” Kennedy said. “You walk in and see familiar faces. You know somebody there. That’s the whole idea.”
Nightwatch joins other recent arrivals such as Cheeky’s, Slim Charmer, Tampa Bay Drinkery, and Coastal House Vintage along with established businesses like Bandit Coffee Co., Baba, Casita Taqueria, Wild Child, Mutts & Martinis, Cappy’s Pizza, and Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe.
Kennedy described Nightwatch as complementing their existing shop: “The shop is kind of the daytime component,” he explained. “You grab a bottle, head home, go to the beach, whatever. Nightwatch is what happens after dark.” He added that they aim for an approachable environment: “We want people to feel comfortable interacting with wine however they want,” Kennedy said. “You don’t have to get dressed up or feel intimidated to enjoy it.”
St. Pete Rising enriches community ties through stories on local growth; it operates independently across St Petersburg with coverage focused on urban development news including articles about new businesses such as Nightwatch, according to its official website.
