A St. Pete Sports Bar Featuring 69 TVs Is Closing After 10 Years

After 10 years of service, Thirsty First, a community favorite downtown sports bar to close on July 26.

Written By Saheba Khatun
Streetview image of Thirsty First bar (Image credit: Google Photos @ Daniel Patterson)

Thirsty First, a local sports bar and lounge, will close its St. Petersburg location this weekend. After 10 years of service, the bar will pour its last drink on July 26. The team announced the closure in a social media post.

Thirsty First Announces Closure After a Decade

Thirsty First, a local sports bar and lounge offered a sports-focused atmosphere with arcade games, DJ nights, and events tied to major games. The menu features classic American gastropub fare and craft beer selections. The bar also offers happy hour deals and weekend brunch.

In an Instagram announcement, the bar team shared the heartbreaking news of its closure. The bar confirmed that Thirsty First will officially close its doors after its last day of service on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

“After 10 incredible years, I’ve made one of the hardest decisions of my life,” said the owner of the restaurant.

The team thanked customers, employees, and the St. Petersburg community for their support over the past decade. They said, “To every customer who became a regular, every employee who gave this place their heart, every musician, DJ, entertainer, vendor, and everyone who ever walked through our doors. Thank you.”

The Thirsty First team did not share any official reason for its closure.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

About the Sports Bar

Owned by Greg Mikurak, the space features 69 TVs spread across two floors. The setup allows guests to watch major sporting events across multiple screens.

The community also enjoys regular live DJ nights, music, weekly karaoke, and UFC events. The bar also includes a VIP lounge with comfortable couches and a large screen for a better experience.

The bar combined sports programming with food, drinks, and entertainment events.

Reflecting on the journey, Greg shared a heartfelt message about the bar’s impact on the community. “Over the last decade, I’ve watched first dates turn into marriages, strangers become lifelong friends, championship celebrations shake the walls, and thousands of people choose to spend some of the best moments of their lives with us.”

As Thirsty First winds up its operations, it encourages the community to visit one more time before its closure.

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Saheba Khatun is a journalist and content writer with a strong academic background in English literature and a deep passion for storytelling. She has produced a wide range of work spanning news, features, and human-interest stories, often highlighting the voices and experiences of everyday people. Known for her people-focused, thoughtful, and relatable approach, Saheba aims to inform, inspire, and foster meaningful connections through her writing. With an eye for detail and a commitment to integrity, she believes in the power of words to spark dialogue, shift perspectives, and create lasting impact. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys exploring literature, culture, and community narratives, which continue to fuel her creative process and broaden her worldview.
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