By Taylor Gaudens and Amanda Pretulac
With posh restaurants located three blocks from campus, there is no excuse not to hit up happy hour with friends. The fancy atmosphere makes dining much more special than half off appetizers at Applebee’s. Check out these deals at upscale downtown St. Petersburg restaurants.
Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant
10 Beach Drive
727-209-2302
www.cevichetapas.com
Dive into the Spanish atmosphere with tapas and sangria. Dining areas include the upstairs dining room, outside overlooking Central Avenue or downstairs at the flamenco bar. With 50 percent off featured tapas and cocktails, the sizzling summer menu (through Sept. 30) you will leave with a full stomach.
Drink and tapas happy hour specials are Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., including $3 wine, $3 sangria, $3 domestic beers and a half price selected tapas menu. For a mid-week outing, try $4 Tapas Tuesdays, which include $4 sangria and $6 mojitos.
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Café Alma
260 1st Ave. S, #100
727-502-5002
www.cafealma.com
At this charming European café, indulge in the daily 2-for-1 drink deal, along with half priced tapas from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays guarantee the best deal, featuring happy hour from 4:30 p.m. until close with half priced tapas and wine by the glass.
The mayor of Café Alma on FourSquare receives a free draft beer. Couples can enjoy date night without breaking the bank by participating in the cafe’s “Relationship Stimulus Program,” which offers deals to couples on Friday and Saturday nights. After your first experience, take Café Alma’s survey, located at the bottom of its website, and receive a coupon for $5 off on your next visit.
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Cassis American Brasserie
170 Beach Drive NE
727-827-2927
www.cassisab.com
This French comfort food restaurant and bakery has happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Specials include $2.50 for select house wine, domestic beers and wells, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. You’ll have a great time indoors or outdoors with pleasant inside dining and covered, outside dining on Beach Drive.
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Red Mesa Cantina
128 3rd St. S
727-896-8226
www.redmesacantina.com
This hip Mexican restaurant has comfortable outdoor courtyard seating and an upscale dining room, and both keep the party going. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Drink specials include half off margaritas and sangria, $3 off house wines and $1 off domestic beer.
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Z Grille
104 2nd St. S
727-822-9600
www.zgrille.net
Z Grille’s happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Drink specials include $1 off all premium cocktails, $3 classic house margaritas, $4 classic house mojitos, $1 off all draft and bottled beers, and $2 off glasses of house wine. Order an awesome happy hour dinner at the bar; with choices ranging from $6 wtf fries, $5 for two Dr. Pepper ribs, chicken tacos and more. Or walk about five blocks from school for lunch and enjoy a $7 blue plate, the daily special.
Top picture courtesy of Ceviche
