Durty Nelly's Irish Tavern
By Jessica Brady
Published October 26, 2007
Vitals: 661 Central Ave., Downtown St. Pete. (727) 824-8884. Sunday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Credit cards accepted.
The spot: The green walls, wood paneling, neon shamrock and giant map of Ireland scream Irish Tavern. Durty Nelly's is a long, narrow bar with two TVs, foosball, and darts. There's high-top tables, a bench along the wall, small tables and decent bar to mingle. The close quarters make it a nice spot to chill with friends and meet new ones - at least for the night.
Bonus for the ladies: It may be a stereotype, but women do like a large restroom. Durty Nelly's provides just that. It can accommodate at least six women comfortably. It's equipped with a large mirror and plenty of space for the entire entourage to gossip or touch up their lipstick before heading back into the bar.
Prime location: Durty Nelly's is located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, a few doors down from The State Theater. However, if you want to get a decent parking spot, I suggest getting there a bit early.
The crowd: Fun and friendly best describe the Irish Tavern's crowd. Because of its small size, the place can get quite loud, but it makes for a good time. The staff is talkative and friendly as well. The average age is around 25 and the attire is comfortable.
Juice: Beer, liquor and a bit of wine make-up the menu at Durty Nelly's. Imports are the only beers on tap and bottles are a mix of domestic and import. The bar is fully stocked with the necessary liquor to make a stiff drink and the wine is minimal.
Music: The last thing that comes to mind when thinking about an Irish Tavern is hip-hop. However, on Fridays and Saturdays a live DJ spins just that. It may seem odd at first, but everyone's having a good time. All other nights, patrons determine the music by feeding a jukebox full of dollars.
Grub: Well, there isn't any. This a place to drink, not eat. So, I suggest you show up full.