A familiar lakefront restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach is preparing for a new chapter. Pusser’s Bar & Grille is being renovated and will take on a new name, Craig’s Beach House, with plans for an expanded menu and a stronger focus on sports viewing.
The restaurant, located at 816 A1A North in Sawgrass Village, will remain open during the renovation, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. Restaurateur Craig Miller is leading the transformation in partnership with current owner Gary Rogalski.
The changes will go beyond the name. Plans include an expanded food and beverage menu, new cocktails, seasonal specials and audiovisual upgrades designed to improve the sports bar experience. A completion date has not yet been announced.
Pusser’s has built its identity around waterfront dining with British-Caribbean influences. Its existing menu features Florida seafood and island-inspired dishes, including crab dip, jumbo lump crab cakes, grilled mahi and coconut shrimp. The restaurant is also known for its Painkiller cocktail, made with Pusser’s Rum, pineapple, orange and cream of coconut.
The setting has been another part of its appeal. Guests can dine indoors or on the lakefront patio, while the restaurant also offers a bar area and private spaces for parties and group events. Its regular programming has included happy hour, daily specials and weekend live music.
Under the new name, Craig’s Beach House is expected to build on that coastal atmosphere while offering a broader dining and beverage selection. The planned sports bar upgrades will add another draw for guests looking to watch games while meeting friends for food and drinks.
Miller brings substantial restaurant industry experience to the project. He has held leadership roles at Ruth’s Chris Steak House and other restaurant businesses, and previously served as chairman of the National Restaurant Association, according to the media outlet.
The rebranding comes as the restaurant looks to refresh its identity while retaining its waterfront location in Sawgrass Village. Further details about the menu and the completion of the renovation are expected in the coming months.
For now, Pusser’s remains open while work continues. Customers can check the restaurant’s website and Facebook page for updates as the transition to Craig’s Beach House moves forward.
