Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL - Gulf to Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL
DIVERSITY
2021-05-06 03:11:47
LGBTQ+ PRIDE VisitSPC.com/LGBTQ
St. Pete/Clearwater has a long and triumphant history of celebrating rich and diverse cultures throughout its treasured history. For years it's consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride, including Florida's largest Pride celebration, St Pete Pride; and recently, it has become more widely known for celebrating the unique culture, spirit, and determination of the African American community.
Rated as one of America's most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, the welcome mat is out and the rainbow flag flies for all. From St. Pete's 15-block Grand Central District aka the "gay-borhood" - to the Pro Shop Pub in Clearwater, there are dozens of LGBTQ+ hot spots throughout the area to enjoy.
Startyour day by grabbing a cup of St. Pete's own Kahwa Coffee at the METRO LGBTQ+ Welcome Center in St. Pete. You'll find friendly people and timely resources to help you make the most of your stay. Notfar down the road are two popularspots for bites and beverages. For dinner, drinks and - oh , yeah! - a drag show, try Punky's Bar & Grill on Central Ave. For outdoor dining, enjoy a salmon bowl at Swingers Patio Bar & Grill (formerly The Queens Head) where your chair can be a swing!
In Clearwater, stop by Hamburger Mary's for bar food and drag queen-hosted trivia, bingo and shows. Nearby, in Largo, have cocktails at Quench Lounge or drinks at Blur Nightclub in Dunedin.
Looking for sun and fun? Spend the afternoon basking in rays along the white sands of Sunset Beach, the "unofficial" beach of the LGBTQ+ community. It's located at the southern tip of Treasure Island and is more secluded than other beaches in the area.
Once the sun goes down, kick up your heels in St. Pete at Enigma Bar & Lounge or Garage on Central or make new friends at the low-key neighborhood bar Lucky Star Lounge.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE VisitSPC.com/Heritage
In the 1960s, 22nd Street in St. Pete - nicknamed The Deuces - was home to more than 100 businesses, retail stores, professional offices, and entertainment venues that were predominately Black owned and operated. It was a refuge for the African American community to find solace, courage, faith, and hope during a time of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Today, the Deuces Live District celebrates and honors that rich history and culture of the community by bringing it back to life with new shops, murals, restaurants and an African American Heritage Trail, which has 19 markers covering a dozen city blocks and educating on the people and places of the Black community.
No visit to the Deuces is complete without stopping into the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. You'll discover even more rich history of the local, regional and national Black communities, including where greats including Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong all performed. Near "The Woodson" is a new Black Lives Matter street mural that draws you in to each letter with scenes created by 16 local artists.
After working up an appetite, enjoy some of the local favorites. For breakfast or brunch there's Rush Hour Chicken and Waffles. Give your taste buds a spicy kick with a Louisiana-inspired lunch at Chief's Creole Cafe or grab a fish platterthat's to die for from Lorene's Fish House.
For an afternoon coffee break head a few blocks over to Central Ave. for a cup of liquor-infused coffee from Hogg Batch, a local brew with a kick from twins David and Duane Hogg. As the day winds down, top the night off with some late-night wine and tapas at the Black-owned Copa, located a short-scooter ride from Hogg Batch in St. Pete.
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