Thirsty First will close July 26, ending a decade-long run for one of downtown St. Petersburg’s best-known sports bars.
In an interview with the Catalyst, owner Greg Mikurak said the decision followed an ongoing lease dispute with the building’s owner and mounting financial pressures that have made it increasingly difficult for independent restaurants to stay afloat.
“We’ve been going through a court case with the landlord,” Mikurak said. “They didn’t want to negotiate anything with us on trying to figure out a way.”
He said nearly every aspect of operating a restaurant has become more expensive in recent years.
“Everything has increased …There’s not a general realm of anything that hasn’t increased,” Mikurak said.
Rising labor, insurance, food and occupancy costs, he added, have all cut into margins while customers have become more cautious about spending.
“People just can’t afford these high rents. They can’t afford the operating cost any more,” he said. “You can only do so much if people aren’t out eating and drinking and spending a lot more money.”
Thirsty First opened in 2016 at 119 First Avenue N. before relocating in May 2025 to a nearly 9,000-square-foot, two-story space at 515 Central Ave. (the former longtime home of the Acropolis Greek restaurant).
The move transformed the business from a neighborhood sports bar into a larger entertainment venue featuring 69 televisions, live music, games and room for significantly more customers.
At the time, Mikurak told the Catalyst the expansion was already driving an uptick in clientele and positioning the business for continued growth.
Mikurak said he invested more than $500,000 renovating the new location, including constructing an entire second floor.
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