Six of us came to this speakeasy on a Saturday at 11:24p when Bodega was closing. No password needed, you just wander right in behind a sliding large door (see pic). Once inside you see how little this place is, which is one of the reasons for 3 stars. Other downfalls was service being slow, so much that we left without getting any drinks after standing by the bar for about ten minutes without much moving. The place was crowded, probably because earlier today was the pride parade. Another reason for the lower score is only one bathroom stall from what we could tell. And not enough tables because of how small the venue is. There were a couple small tables with drinks on them but no one busing the floor. Liked the decorations in the corner with old record albums... Kiss, Robert Palmer, Chuck Magione, Ricki Lee Jones, Adam Ant. The music playing was good. After Bodega closes the only entrance/exit is a door that dumps to the side alley. It isn't hidden so found it pretty easily. A loose entrepretation of a speakeasy. Might try this again on a less busy night where the bar service can keep up with the patrons. Recommend this place to smaller numbers of 2-4 people. Anything larger and they just can't accommodate properly. In my picture you can see how small all the tables are... Bodega closes several hours before Bar Chica, so if the Central Avenue door is locked then entrance is down the alley to the right. They close at 1a on Saturdays... read more

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This feels like a Hemingway dive bar with sophisticated taste in libations but also delivered straight Cole tails with the backbone of dive bar. Service was terrific -- they made us feel like it was our bar! Ambiance was in point with suggestive dark, moody lighting. Laughter came easy here and my only gripe was that I missed some of the fun conversation because the music, while excellent, was night club level which made it difficult to talk without yelling. read more

I'm definitely late to the party when it comes to The Bar Chica on Central Ave in St. Petersburg, though not for lack of trying! In fact, I've been wanting to check this speakeasy out since I first heard about it years ago, but I could never get over there when they were open. Now that I've had the chance, I can say it was worth the time and the wait. Few important things to know before you go: The Bar Chica is located in the back of Bodega, whose storefront sits facing Central Avenue. There's construction going on currently right next door, but they've put up signs with arrows pointing to the entrance for the bar -- just walk past the entrance to Bodega, take a left at the end of the building, and walk down the narrow alley until you reach the door on your left with the porthole. As with any downtown St. Pete night spot on Central, parking can be tough depending on the day and time. There's street parking in front of Bodega and its neighboring businesses, but that's two-hour parking only. There's a paid lot close to Green Bench Brewing a block over that uses the ParkMobile app--that might be your best bet for parking for longer stretches. Finally, The Bar Chica is strictly a cocktail speakeasy. If you're looking for food, you've got Bodega in the front of the building (same owners) and lots of other options on the block and across the street. On our visit last week, we filled up on tapas and small plates at nearby Copa, then made our way over to Bar Chica for a nightcap. Once you're inside, it's easy to see what some of the fuss is about. The place has a sultry, romantic vibe to it with its intimate size and lighting. No big crowds here -- they can't fit them! The bar sits maybe 10 people, and there are a few additional tables, but it's not meant for big groups. And then there's the drinks. We were very fortunate to have the bar manager, Matt, there on our visit to handle our orders with speed, skill, and charm. My favorite that night? "Coffee and a Smoke": George Dickey Rye Whiskey, Senorio Joven Mezcal, Averna, Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Pineapple Vanilla Cream, and House Made Bitters. Perfect for the coffee lover in need of a kick after dinner and drinks. The Bar Chica is definitely worth checking out if you love exemplary mixology and speakeasy style. We'll definitely be back. read more

Bar Chica - Bar - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

Dope lil bar we spotted outside of our hotel window, great tunes, great people and great drinks! read more

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A delightful little speakeasy downtown. You'll have to figure out where to find it first! I've had some delicious drinks here. The setting is intimate and romantic. The Mary Pickford comes with amoretto cherry! read more

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Drinks were great and the bartenders were kind and helpful. Especially when we didn't know what we wanted to drink

Best kept secret in downtown A hidden speakeasy in the back of Bodega. Most drinks are $10-12 They also have a small menu. Food: I tried the hummus and the pork belly. Hummus was creamy with onions. I would recommend asking for a spoon. Plenty of hummus left after the garlic crostini were gone. 9/10 The crispy pork belly was my favorite cut up and fried into bite sized bits served with agave honey mustard. 10/10 Drinks: I got the lions den and the Hemingway daiquiri The lions den was my favorite a sweet bourbon drink. 10/10 The Hemingway daiquiri was good a little sour for my taste. 8/10 My friends enjoyed their drinks the mary pickford and the love bird. I got to try them both. Both were good Mary pickford was my favorite 10/10. Lovebird 9/10. read more

Bar Chica - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

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So I am not sure if I should be posting this as this place is pretty hush hush but I won't tell you how to get in. Just figure it out. I found this reading some local websites and had to find it. It is a small room and we were lucky to score a table. Open ceiling, intimate. The drinks are very good. Their menu offerings are tequila centric but the bartender will make you what ever you want. Food options are pretty nice. We got some cracklings. Yummy! Little cubes of pork belly and a Smokey mustard dipping sauce. This is a really cool spot to have a cocktail. My hint to find it is if it looks like a door you can't enter, try anyway. read more

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Billy was the most amazing bartender. Very knowledgeable, personable, and cool. Billy made the best drinks and provided great service. I will be coming back to visit him! Best experience ever. read more

Really cool little spot in the back of bodega. It's one of the better speakeasy's in town that isn't really advertised as much which adds a level for me of authenticity, unlike a different bar pretending to be a speakeasy pretending to be a laundromat. Nice spot in the back, let's you out a side door which is great for a clean exit for the evening. Definitely a smaller space so would not recommend for large groups. Good casual cocktails with some forgotten classics and newly imagined. The lovebird and hibiscus were really well done with simple enough ingredients done in a nice balanced way with vibrant colors and quality tequila. The one thing I'll say is maybe get some lighter chairs or figure a way to quiet them. People drag those steel ones on concrete and the sound is horrendous. Other than that really well done 5/5 would recommend to a friend. read more

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Almost don't want to tell you about this- such a reprieve from the masses on a Friday or Saturday night. I can see this place becoming overcrowded some nights as there's maybe enough seating for about 20 people. The vibe is so adorable and the drink menu is pretty great. This is my favorite speakeasy, love that I don't need a password. I like to go in after bodega is closed, you don't have to look very hard to figure out your way in. One negative is the tables, they're wobbly and my drink was sloshing around everywhere. read more

Bar Chica at the Bodega restaurant. Way in the rear or through a side door in the alley read more

Bar Chica - Bar Chica ally entrance on a Saturday night - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

This speakeasy is wonderful. Right behind Bodega with a small little bar and maybe room for about 20-25 ppl. There are 2 bartenders and no table service. Cocktails are just plain wonderful! We got the cafe martini, the join with hibiscus and the tequila with hibiscus. All super delicious. Bartenders wetter very friendly. Cool local place! Will be back for sure! read more

Well hidden place (inside Bodega) with great signature cocktails! Mostly rum based. This could be a great spot to hang with friends. No food that you can order, which is odd especially considering where its located. The vibe. Unfortunately it misses the mark. Very dark, the furniture is mixed mess of things and not very comfortable. The walls are practically bare. Even the shelves behind the bar is lacking. I was expecting a cool cuban bar but sadly what you get is a dark green storage room with some tables and chairs. So much potential, just need rich and vibrant cuban touches. read more

Bar Chica - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

A decent speak easy located at the back of Bodega. I went with some friends Saturday night for a night cap and didn't know this was behind Bodega! We walked towards the bathroom and found this small bar behind a sliding door. The drinks were good and I got the airmail. It was a little crowded and not a lot of seating so I recommend coming with a smaller social group. Overall it was kind of cool to find this hidden spot! read more

Bar Chica - a menu and a drink on a table - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

Visiting from San Francisco with my bearded Frenchman. We found Bar Chica to be a hidden gem and close to downtown St Pete. We enjoyed several carefully crafted cocktails from a well curated cocktail menu. The decor was charming. The bartender friendly. We will definitely return! read more

Bar Chica - a glass of cocktail with ice - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

Decided to check out Bar Chica when we were walking by Bodega and saw some people go into a "secret" door. The ambiance was very intimate and warm, but the drinks were average at best read more

Bar Chica - Rosy Cheeks - Speakeasies Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

Really nice little speakeasy with great ambiance! It can get a bit packed though. Drinks are great however!

A hidden gem of downtown! The atmosphere is great and typically a pretty chill crowd. I felt like the drinks were reasonably priced, especially for a craft cocktail downtown. The menu isn't huge but all the drinks I've tried were delish! read more

Can they post a damn phone number? Post their hours? Not good on Google, couldn't even call them.