When Georgie’s Alibi closed its doors in 2015, many people worried about the viability of the Grand Central area. Was it still going to be seen as the unofficial LGBT area of St. Pete? What did this mean for St. Pete Pride and other events that utilized the space and area as the hub of LGBT activity? Enter Punky’s.
Punky’s, to an extent, came in to fill the void Georgie’s left, but it wasn’t a place cut from the same cloth. Would people embrace it as much as they had done with Georgie’s in the past?
It seems they have.
Punky’s, which has been open less than a year, landed on seven WAVE Award categories, even placing first in two of them. First place nods came as favorite new LGBT business and favorite local LGBT (friendly) chef with Frank Costelli, Jr. Punky’s also ranked in the top three for favorite casual restaurant, favorite brunch and favorite late night dining, as well as favorite local DJs for Bruce Devery and Bill Kody.
Punky’s was opened only a few months ago by Brian Longstreth, Lynn Deibert and John Burt, and since then it has become one of the go-to businesses for LGBT organizations to stage events and get sponsored.
Punky’s has held events for Equality Florida, Metro Wellness Centers and Project No Labels, and also supports local musicians and sports teams. Community support was always a part of the Punky’s plan.
“I always try to give back to the community,” Longstreth said to Watermark during his “Most Remarkable” interview recently. “Very early on, I realized that the LGBT market was a niche market that people weren’t serving, and I wanted to try and make that a reality for a lot of people.”
The 3,200-square-foot, 150-person maximum capacity establishment is located at Central Ave. at 31st St. North and was formerly home to Jimbo’s Joint. The name comes from the nickname of Longstreth’s close friend’s late mother – and the Punky depicted as a matronly-but-fun Doris Day-meets-Dame Edna figure on the bar’s signage should give future patrons some insight into the bar’s intent.
Punky’s seems to have found a winning formula, with food, family and community; all of which are very important to Longstreth.
