Sweet Vegas dive bar vibe. I love the random ass music. You can smoke and bring your dog!!!! I randomly found this place and I'm Irish so yeah total win. read more

The Emerald is exactly what it is supposed to be... a dirty dirty local rock bar. Hipsters, Punk, Scenesters, Rockabilly and more. If you are looking for exemplary bar service, this place isn't for you. It is non pretentious in a very pretentious sort of way. Old Skool scene, typically great music, strong drinks and a bartender who will serve you with a cig' hanging out of their mouth. It isn't a a fancy place.. if you are seeking that, go somewhere else. If you want punk rock, then come here and have fun or don't. read more

Great dive bar to chill and have cheap drinks. Giving it 4 stars bc all of the smoke gives me a headache, but if you're into that you'll be fine. read more

slammin & fun dive bar! great music on Thursdays where the dj plays only records from the past! Simple bar where the drinks & goodtimes talking are the focus, not some huge tv screen playing sports games. Back to basic bar for the people that want to get away from the mainstream pubs/corporate sports bars. read more

I used to frequent this bar regularly. There is a male bar tender with glasses that works there, he has served my friends and I several times. I will not be going back. During his shift I was beat up by three guys, he condoned this. He said "I had it coming". read more

With wood paneling like some 70's porno and cheap drinks, it is hard to go wrong. I've been to a few one off parties here and it's always been a ton of fun even if it does it hot as balls when the place gets packed! read more

I'm all for a dive bar but this place takes it to another level. The walls are old wood panel, the whole place smells disgusting, the drinks are tiny...I don't feel any need to ever go there again. read more

Monique is the hottest greatest bartender ever. She's worth the ticket. Go drink here

This is a great dive bar. I had the good fortune to be sent for work to Saint Petersburg for three and a half weeks and I must say, the Emerald became my home away from home. I met several very cool people there who I am happy to call "friend". I have always wanted to spend some time in the Saint Petersburg/Tampa area, and I'm happy that the Emerald was among my first stops. Great, CHEAP drinks, great DJs and the occasional band, a great jukebox and an easygoing atmosphere. I will definitely be back. read more

Walking in you immediately love what they've done with the place - NOTHING. This is a 1st class dive bar from the golden era. Reward yourself and come here. They have Busch on tap. read more

This is my favorite bar. It has the mixture of 50's honky-tonk and new world vibes all together under one roof. The mixture of people is about as eclectic as the bar itself. Great Art, great bartenders, great events and live music. S. Beach has Club Deuce...we have The Emerald. read more

Cheap drinks. They vary in strength, so it's hit or miss. There's often a cover.. But with no band? Why not just cut the door girl and let everyone in -- they'd probably make more money this way. Regardless, the emerald is a shithole dive bar staple that I've been going to for years and where I will usually wind up. Think Paddy's Pub, or Moes.. But actually popular. It's terrible. I highly recommend it. read more

Emerald is a fantastic dive bar with a long history. It's the neighborhood St. Pete bar and all demographics venture into this place.

The place is very smoky. They do have a good selection of alcohol. Bartenders were regular. I didn't stay long

Emerald has some of the rudest staff on central in downtown Saint Petersburg. Everytime I go there Emerald's incapable staff gives me problems with either getting my drink or going outside onto the patio area. I will not be spending anymore of my hard earned money in a bar where the waiting staff makes me feel patronized and unwelcome. I implore you to do the same. read more

Started going here before I could drink legally, and was served by owner's mom. Back then, there were no punk shows, local art, or young folk in here- and it opened at 8:00am on weekdays! Fast-forward to now and the clientele has changed a bit, but I'm glad to see it is still thriving at the same location with the same décor that's been there since the mid 70s. To enjoy the night, you must commit yourself to copious amounts of hard liquor and cigarettes. They also sell booze to go. Some might gripe about paying a cover charge at a dive bar, but that exists only on nights when they have bands/DJs. And if you want the REAL dive bar experience you should be going to The Flamingo on a Tuesday mid-afternoon. read more

I loved the design of the bar. And I find their Bar rules are quite funny. Prices are reasonable and the staff gave me a very friendly impression and most important they were very helpful. They are must to meet people. Although the crowd are mostly too young for me but anytime I am in the area I go there for a drink and have a nice conversation with one of the staff. read more

We stopped in this place during Artwalk down town and were not impressed. The music was extremely loud for such a small bar and we had a difficult time enjoying our groups company because random guys kept coming up to hit on someone in the group at some point. The bartender did very little to assist with keeping the drunks under control and we were forced to handle things ourselves as politely as we could. One visit was definitely enough for us. But for women who are trying to hook up, I'd say there are some easy pickings for guys in there. read more

Smoke filled but..... I was there to see the band. They held my card to keep a tab open. Gave it to another patron who closed their tab on my card and then went to the Iberian across the street and closed another tab before I realized what was going on. Probably a mistake and the other person probably did not realize they had the wrong card either. All just a mistake up to this point even though it was a bad one. When I asked to close my tab they said they didn't have my card and then they called me a liar about having given them the card. Then they found a receipt and said here is where you closed the tab. Problem was it was not my signature. Still called me a liar. Said I probably dropped the card outside on the street. REALLY! No apology. Changing my card. Takes hours to finish it all. Amazed at how badly I was treated when it was pretty obvious that that had made an error. Careful if you open a tab there. I won't be back there again. read more

Dirty Dive! Loved the place. You can't go wrong in a bar where they don't accept credit cards, and when you "run a tab" the bartender just remembers how many you've had and pulls a random number out of the sky. If I'm ever in St Pete again I will go back! read more

I can't ever breathe in here. If you're a smoker this is a great dive bar for you. The bartenders are fantastic.

Great hole in the wall bar with wonderful mix of people and great bar staff.

Wow, is all I can say. I loved this bar at isight because it was dark and divey( which is what I am used to living in New Orleans.) After frequenting several times, I had noticed the staff was a bit rude but I just ignored it.. until it couldnt be ignored anymore. Dude #1 at the bar who was friends with angryman (bartender) began talking to me, distracting me while someone else stole my cellphone. Then dude #1 said I had taken HIS phone and the rude, unfriendly, angry bartender then called dude #1's number. To my surprise his phone began ringing in my purse, which had been sitting on the bar next to me while my back was turned talking to dude #1. Anyway, I was shocked to hear the phone going off, as angryman (bartender) said they had "caught me stealing" and he threw me out! I couldnt believe the scam and I said, no MY cell phone was missing from the bar! However,angryman said "nope thats it," he wants me out or he will CALL THE POLICE! I left not only without my phone, but feeling very saddened by the extreme cruelty and obvious scam. I guess all orchestrated to keep me out of a bar that doesnt want happy, kind hearted people who like to laugh, and ARE NOT thieves! I've lived in New Orleans for 15 years and have never been kicked out of a bar nor accused of stealing.Wow again, just wow. read more

Best service in St. Pete. Only complaint is that my boyfriend fell in love with the bartender.

I had a great time here. Hung out at the bar and thought the bartenders were pretty good as they helped me get a bit sloshed. Also found my new go-to drink, the Emerald Cocktail. It was a sight to behold, and one of the most delicious drinks I have ever encountered. read more

The Emerald's a pretty laid back place. Especially if you want to get away from the popped collar crowd for a bit. I end up going there a lot less than I'd like because of their lack of credit card machine though. read more

We have been in the Emerald about 4 times. The first, the bartender was VERY nice and we had a great time and felt welcome. The last 3 times...(different) bartender, the vibe changed. The first time, all was well...no problems...she seemed really nice and talkative and, again, we felt welcome. These last 2 times though...suddenly my husband's cigarettes were a problem and she was nowhere near as 'chatty' as before. Its as if someone decided they do not like us (for whatever reason) and suddenly we are being made to feel VERY not welcome there. We LOVED this place and were hoping to make it our 'hometown bar, as we are new here. But...after this treatment 2 times in a row we feel very unwanted there and will NOT be back. I guess its a cool place if you are 'in with the in crowd', but apparently we are not that. read more