Ferg’s to open craft cocktail addition

Ferg’s Sports Bar is set to launch a new upscale cocktail bar concept in the space above its main bar on Central Avenue.

The upstairs area, previously known as the “Clubhouse,” will now feature craft cocktails and appetizers not available in the main bar area. The new addition debuts Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

“Even though we are a sports bar, we wanted to kind of have an elevated experience and try something a little different,” said Gabi Mondejar, Events and Marketing Director for Ferg’s. “We don’t offer glass at all downstairs or craft cocktails, so we’re making this a concept where it’s an escape from all the sports madness to a more elevated experience.”

The new cocktail menu will initially offer five specialty drinks, with plans to expand the selection throughout the year. Mondejar said Ferg’s brought in mixologists with craft cocktail experience to help them create the drink menu. There is also a menu of new appetizers only available upstairs will include beef chimichurri, seared ahi tuna, chicken satay skewers and a “charcuterie for two” offering.

The Violet Victory (left) and Caffeine Kickoff, two of the new craft cocktails coming to Ferg’s “Clubhouse Upstairs.”

Mondejar added that the concept was developed to cater to a changing demographic in downtown St. Pete.

“The fact that the Moxy hotel is coming up right next to us and we’re expecting more hotels within the next couple of years, it just felt like the right fit,” Mondejar explained. “We have seen such a shift in terms of the demographic we serve; we’ve seen our 20s to 30s crowd completely skyrocket and take over our market, so we’re appealing to them, keeping with the times and keeping it young, even though we’ll always be our true selves with Ferg’s old-school vibe.”

Owner Mark Ferguson is known for his willingness to try new ideas, as evidenced by previous additions like axe throwing and a pizza ATM that dispenses 12-inch pies 24 hours a day.

“I think that’s one of my favorite pieces, personally, of working here,” Mondejar said. “Although Mark has some really cool old-school concepts that we keep at the core, he will try anything once just to see how it goes.”

The Ferg’s Clubhouse was previously primarily used for private parties and two Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour-licensed simulators, added last summer. The simulators are staying and the upstairs space will continue to be available for private party rentals, which will now include the new cocktail bar menu.

The Clubhouse will be open to the general public Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to closing.