Bars & Saloons
Mastrys Bar
233 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL
Mastry's Bar is a St. Petersburg institution that opened in 1935 as The Pink Elephant and has remained a cornerstone of downtown nightlife for nearly nine decades. Located at 233 Central Avenue, this dive bar features one of the oldest murals in the city—a 1914 Coca-Cola advertisement painted by artist Thomas McClusky, whose authenticity has been verified by Coca-Cola representatives. The bar's interior preserves a slice of history where locals and visitors alike enjoy cold beer and classic dive bar simplicity with no food, just drinks at excellent prices.
The venue has hosted legendary figures including Babe Ruth during spring training and pool shark Minnesota Fats. Despite relocating one block west in 1988 when the city converted the original block into a parking garage, Mastry's has maintained its character as an unpretentious neighborhood bar where the focus remains on cold drinks, good company, and the building's historic mural that exemplifies old St. Petersburg.
Common Questions
What is the historic mural at Mastry's Bar?
Mastry's features one of the oldest murals in St. Petersburg—a 1914 Coca-Cola advertisement painted by artist Thomas McClusky. The authenticity of the mural has been verified by Coca-Cola representatives, and current owner J Mastry claims it is older than any other mural in the city.
Why did Mastry's Bar relocate in 1988?
When the city decided to convert the original block on Central Avenue into a parking garage, the bar closed one night in 1988 and reopened the next day at its current location at 233 Central Avenue.
Who were famous patrons at Mastry's Bar?
The bar was frequented by Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees during spring training in the era of Ruth's record-setting baseball career. Legendary pool player Minnesota Fats was also a common fixture, chalking his cue at the tables.