A Guide To LGBT-Owned Businesses In St. Pete & Clearwater

Dreamy beach escapes and casinos aren’t the only things you’ll find in Florida. If you’re an LGBTQ traveler, places like St. Pete/Clearwater are full of LGBT-owned businesses you’ll love to support.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to gamble the weekend away or buy loud-and-proud rainbow-colored souvenirs for your flamboyant family, keep these St. Pete/Clearwater LGBT-owned businesses in mind when creating your itinerary.

Where to Stay

It’s not a gay Florida getaway without the right hotels. Here are the best gay-friendly accommodations in lively St Pete/Clearwater.

Casa Del Merman at Gaystpete House
4505 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Casa Del Merman is a small accommodation centrally located in downtown St. Pete that features a heated pool and sauna. It's pet-friendly and has a free continental breakfast and a beer/wine happy hour.

Coconut Inn
113 11th Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

For LGBTQ tourists who want to stay somewhere more tropical, the Coconut Inn is peppered with beautiful pavilions and a waterfall fountain and is just a stone’s throw away from the beach. Take advantage of the complimentary beach cruiser bicycle and pedal through the quaint and historic neighborhood.

Mari Jean
2349 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Mari Jean Hotel will be St. Pete’s premier adults-only gay accommodation. Designed and patronized by award-winning entrepreneur David Fischer, the Mari Jean is set to open its doors to gay travelers in late 2022. Here, you’ll enjoy everything you need for the perfect vacation or staycation, from a dip at the Wet Spot to a night of dancing at COCKtail. Plus, all of St. Pete and Clearwater’s best gay attractions (like The Saint speakeasy and Zazoo’d) are just around the corner.

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Where to Eat

Florida is a melting pot of cultures, so it’s no wonder that St. Pete/Clearwater has an impressive selection of cuisine options. These LGBTQ-owned bars and restaurants have something in store for everyone, no matter your food preference.

The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar
516 Grant St., Dunedin, FL 34698

The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar is Dunedin’s original island-style eatery that uses ingredients from the best local markets. For years, it’s rewritten family recipes, incorporated traditional fresh ingredients and served delicious tiki cocktails. Drop by the Honu’s Village Market every second Friday of the month if you want to take some of its stellar ingredients home.

Let It Be Ice Cream
3127 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707

Owned and operated by couple Janet Impastato and Tina Grello, Let it Be Ice Cream is a classic diner with ice cream, floats, milkshakes and malts that you can enjoy on a warm day. If you’re hosting a get-together, consider getting an ice cream party package or ice cream cake.

Lingr
400 6th St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Run by Chef Jeffrey Jew, Lingr is one of the best upscale restaurants to “linger” in when in St. Pete. Travelers with sophisticated palates will love its innovative dishes, like the hamachi Crudo and soy sauce cured salmon. If you want to treat your family to something special, book Lingr for a private event or sign up for seasonal tastings.

Love Food Central
2057 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Love Food Central is a plant-based haven for breakfast food lovers, serving homemade vegan and gluten-free dishes. We recommend the Love Burger, which is made with fresh beets and black beans. Pair it with on-tap kombucha for a perfectly refreshing and nourishing brunch.

Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill
2451 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

You don't need to travel to the southernmost tip of the United States to get some tropical vibes - Mixers at Old Key West Bay & Grill will take you there. Enjoy sweet, rum-soaked concoctions and delightful bites to eat at this fun restaurant in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.

Pink Daddies Donuts & Delites
449 Central Ave., Suite 102, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

If you have a sweet tooth, you have to try what Pink Daddies Donuts & Delites has to offer. Daddies bakes their pastries fresh daily, including its fully topped Tootie Fruity and PB & Jelly donuts to its delectable donut sundaes. Not to mention, Daddies’ pink and turquoise backdrops are extremely Instagram-worthy – you’ve probably already come across it on your social media!

Salty Nun
2501 Central Ave., St Petersburg, FL 33713

Now part of famed breakfast destination Stella’s, Salty Nun is a local favorite that offers delicious sandwiches, snacks, and build-your-own omelet for creative food enthusiasts. Guests will also enjoy a full liquor bar and head-bobbing live music every night.

Southside Coffee Brew Bar
3922 6th St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Coffee lovers have to try Southside Coffee Brew Bar. Upscale and stylish, Southside’s selection of espressos, Americanos, and macchiatos will satisfy any coffee enthusiast. Say hello to owner Sheila Smith while there!

 

2D Cafe
2105 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

2D Cafe is designed to look like its completely two-dimensional. It's a european-based cafe with coffee, pastries and other delights including sandwiches and salads.

 

Stella's
2914 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707

If boozy brunch is your thing, Stella’s has to be on your list of must-sees. Since 2009, Stella’s has become one of Florida’s favorite breakfast go-to's, thanks to its signature homemade corned beef hash and Southern shrimp and grits.

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Where to Party

Are you really having a hot, gay weekend in St. Pete/Clearwater if you’re not going to hit up its loudest and proudest gay bars and clubs? Avid partygoers shouldn’t miss out on these party destinations.

Blur Nightclub
325 Main St., Dunedin, FL 34698

Open since 2007, Blur Nightclub is the best dance club in downtown Dunedin. Here, you can experience lively drag queen shows, karaoke nights, themed parties, DJs and more! Plus, the bold and daring can show off their skills at the Off the Dome Freestyle Hip Hop Open Mic.

COCKtail St. Pete
2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

The COCKtail is a more recent St. Pete addition that will merge with Mari Jean in late 2022. Whip out your pride at the annual PRIDE at the COCK, a part of St. Pete Pride’s lineup of events, followed by an afterparty hosted by a rotating roster of the biggest drag queens, comedians, and musicians in Florida. 

Enigma St. Pete
1110 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Known for its 24/7 happy hour and comedic drag shows, Enigma is St. Pete’s most famous gay club. We recommend dropping by on Mondays for Karaoke Night. If you don’t like being the center of attention, that’s okay – Enigma has something for everyone, including a light show, two full liquor bars, a dartboard area and pool tables.

The Garage
2729 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Run by longtime wedding DJ Bill Kody, The Garage is an alternative gay bar that takes its partygoers back in time. Join in for throwback 70s and 80s nights to refresh with a night of top 40s music with DJ Bill himself. If you’re into something a little more daring, Leather Night might be for you! Don’t miss the 70s, 80s, and 90s showcase held every first Friday, led by Lady Lemont, Autumn Vee and Lilith Black. Do you have pipes you want to show off? Sign up for Karaoke Nights with James Cass every weekend.

The Lady’s Room
9057 Ulmerton Rd., Largo FL 33771

The Lady’s Room is the newest LGBTQ-friendly hot spot in the St Pete/Clearwater area and the only club marketed to the ladies of the region. Although still in its infancy, the bar is already making a reputation for itself as a fun place to dance, drink and watch a drag show. 

Lucky Star Lounge
2760 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Lucky Star Lounge is a local St. Pete watering hole with diner-style seating and colorful interiors, perfect for LGBTQ tourists looking for a more casual setting to drink and dance.

Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Kava Bar
4685 28th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Visit the Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Kava Bar if exotic teas, nitro coffee, boba milk and kombucha pique your interest. Hookah lovers can order shisha service with their drinks daily, from 6 p.m to 2 a.m. Mad Hatters also hosts weekly events such as the SIN Tea Party on Tuesdays and Thursdays – bar-goers will enjoy buy-one-take-one single teas and kava shells. Every Wednesday is the Music Meets Madness open mic, where guests can show off their vocal skills and enjoy a drink or two.

Quench Lounge
13284 66th St. N, Largo, FL 33773

The sexiest “all-welcoming” LGBTQ bar in Largo, Quench Lounge is a party go-to that occasionally hosts fundraising events for the community. Enjoy an upscale experience where you can relax, socialize, and be entertained – all for a good cause.

The Saint
49 24th St. N, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713

If you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, The Saint is an intimate speakeasy that welcomes “sinners” from all walks of life. Enjoy some of the most luxurious-tasting cocktails in the area, served by resident bartenders called the Mischief-Makers. End the night by taking home Saint merch, ranging from signature candles to its own line of glassware.

The Wet Spot
2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Right next to COCKtail is The Wet Spot, a soon-to-be daytime pool club where the gays and straights alike can enjoy being under the sun with a drink in hand. Float to head-bopping tunes from a live music cabana and enjoy cocktails at the three-sided bar. 

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Where to Shop

There’s nothing like taking home a little piece of your trip. Make sure to drop by these LGBTQ-owned shops when souvenir shopping around gay St. Pete/Clearwater.

Atlas Body + Home
919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33705

For classic and graphic men’s apparel, curated goods, and home furnishings, shop Atlas Body + Home. Browse a selection of hundreds of eclectic shirt prints – looking for something tropical? Atlas Body + Home has it. Are you looking for something to hit the beach in? You’ll find plenty in stock!

Paw Paw’s Pet Boutique 
3129 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707

If you’re traveling with your pet, don’t forget to pick up a special something (whether it’s a treat, a brand-new beach-themed collar, or pet-safe pastries) at Paw Pet’s Pet Boutique of Gulfport. Paw Pet also gives back to local shelters and advocacies.

Tombolo Books
2153 1st Ave S. Saint Petersburg, FL 33712

Bookworms worry not – you can get your reading fix at Tombolo Books, located in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Enjoy a curated selection of books from all over the world, including LGBTQ picks for younger readers.

Zazoo’d
631 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

Offering a mix of new and vintage furnishings, Zazoo’d speaks to every eccentric shopper’s heart. Take home unique home decor pieces or treat your family to a beach-inspired gift. You might even find something in store for your dog or cat!

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Where to Relax, Connect & See Art

St. Pete/Clearwater’s gay scene can get rowdy, so you may want to set aside some time to unwind or enjoy quiet time. Consider adding these calmer activities to your itinerary.

The Body Electric Yoga Company
3015 7th St. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

Take one of 21 weekly classes of yoga at The Body Electric Yoga Company. You can even go beyond yoga and use the sauna or an ice bath to really take your recovery to the next level.  The Body Electric Yoga Company began as the lovechild of Katelyn Grady and Jenny Miller, yoga teachers, business and life partners who hatched a plan to create the kind of space in which they would like to practice and teach. 

Ensō
2300 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Come to Ensō and let your tension melt away. Ensō Clinic focuses on therapeutic modalities, stretching, and specific body work care. They take a holistic approach to health and wellness, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit.

St. Pete Massage Therapy
1211 1st Ave. N, #211, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

There’s nothing like a bit of self-care in the middle of an activity-filled holiday. Head to St. Pete Massage Therapy for anything from a beach-ready hot wax, rejuvenating facial, or deep tissue massage. Head therapist James Thomason has experience in musculoskeletal kinesiology, so you can rest assured you’ll get any strain corrected and rejuvenated.

Unity of Gulfport
5500 Shore Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707

If you’re in St. Pete/Clearwater and want to connect with like-minded others, take part in the Unity of Gulfport. Join daily meditations, sound bath healings, and sacred resets to get in touch with your inner self. In addition, Unity’s LGBT-led Sunday Celebration, held in the Gulfport Casino, is the perfect space for being your unique self without judgment. For visitors interested in alternative healing, consider the seasonal Gulfport Body Mind Spirit Expo, where you’ll meet holistic healers and metaphysical guides.

Woodfield Fine Art Gallery
2323 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Fine art enthusiasts can feast their eyes on curated collections from over 30 artists at the Woodfield Fine Art Gallery. If you’re an artist living within 50 miles of St. Petersburg, you can even participate in future collections. Make sure to attend the Woodfield gallery’s seasonal events, like the Saturday Art Walk, Dreamscapes, and Call to Artists.

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The Bottom Line

When you think of LGBTQ Florida, St. Pete/Clearwater offers an endless amount of experiences for queers of all ages.

Want to learn more about the best of what the St. Pete/Clearwater area has to offer LGBTQ visitors? Explore OutCoast.com.

Content by Rachel Covello. Covello is the Publisher of OutCoast.com, an LGBTQ-focused destination marketing travel blog highlighting inclusive destinations in Florida in which to visit, celebrate, and live. Explore LGBTQ Florida on OutCoast.com to find the best rainbows in the Sunshine State.