Flute & Dram, St. Petersburg, Florida
This upscale waterfront Champagne, whiskey, caviar and cigar bar was created in 2018 by the friends behind St. Petersburg’s largest cigar bar, Central Cigars, which is only a few blocks away. But while Central does not serve food, Flute & Dram specializes in it, and one of the partners also operates a popular high-end Italian eatery in the same neighborhood. There’s no better place in the city to combine dinner or a weekend lunch with a cigar, and it also a must-visit for whiskey and Champagne lovers.
Flute & Dram, named for the two beverages that is its specialty focus, sits right in the heart of Beach Drive, across from the popular St. Pete Pier jutting into the nearby Gulf. Because it serves food, no smoking is allowed inside, but there is ample seating outside. There are both high-top tables immediately outside the storefront, with a pass-through window to the whisky bar, and a fenced-in covered permanent pergola patio beyond the sidewalk. More than three dozen people can sit at the various couches, chairs and tables, with full food and beverage service in addition to smoking.
The space is split into two sides, one with a bar housing more than 200 whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Japan, plus a list of tasting flights, craft cocktails and more than half a dozen private cask bottlings found no place else. Inside, the dark wood surroundings give it an old-school steakhouse feel. The other half houses the Champagne bar, which is far more contemporary with a white marble topped bar, blue leather seating, hanging bottle display behind the bar, and lots of glass and sleek angles with colored lighting. This has the city’s largest selection, more than 65 sparkling options, 10 by the glass. The list is mostly French but Italy, Spain and California are also covered, including rarities such as Armand de Brignac Brut Gold and Lallier Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc as well as top shelf Salon, Cristal and Krug. There are also Champagne flights and an impressive wine list.
The food menu includes more than a dozen domestic and imported choices of caviar, plus charcuterie boards, Roman-style flatbreads, appetizers, seafood and pastas.
Everything from all the food and drink menus is available anywhere here, but the whisky side has a large humidor with multiple brands, while the Champagne side has a special humidor filled only with Davidoffs. The selection is always changing to a degree, but between them they offer about 60 bands at any time, including Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman, Oliva, Ashton, Padrón, Rocky Patel and Avo. Prices range from around $15 to $140 for a big Davidoff.
While the menus are decidedly upscale, Flute & Dram has a low key, unpretentious atmosphere and a lot of repeat local customers who come for a drink and a smoke, joining the many tourists drawn by the standout location and unique menu offerings.
Flute & Dram
234 Beach Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-350-5657
https://flutendram.com/
Monday-Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Thursday-Friday: 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
