After much anticipation, Sesh St. Pete has officially opened its doors, bringing a unique blend of restaurant, bar, and brewery to 2221 4th Street North. This exciting new venue is the brainchild of the creative team behind the beloved Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company, promising a fresh and intriguing experience for locals and visitors alike. Sesh St. Pete isn’t just another spot in town; it’s a destination steeped in local lore and brimming with culinary and brewing innovation.
A Culinary and Brewpub Destination in St. Pete
Sesh St. Pete’s menu is as deep and diverse as its history, ensuring there’s something to tempt every palate. Chef Tyson Williams, known for his inventive dishes at Mad Beach Brewing, has crafted a menu that balances familiar pub favorites with bold, creative flavors. Diners can enjoy expertly prepared classics like towering nacho plates, succulent chicken wings, fresh grouper sandwiches, tender baby rack ribs, and customizable smash burgers.
However, the true culinary spirit of Sesh St. Pete shines through in its signature dishes. The jelly donut burger, a daring combination of Angus beef, raspberry jam, crispy bacon, and cheddar cheese nestled between glazed donuts, is a must-try for adventurous eaters. For seafood lovers, the Sesh Oysters, baked Virginia oysters stuffed with a bacon-and-pesto blue crab mixture and topped with gluten-free bread crumbs and parmesan, offer a taste of local flavor with a gourmet twist. And for a taste of Florida, the incredibly tender alligator po-boys, served on authentic La Segunda Cuban bread, are simply unmatched.
The extensive menu at Sesh St. Pete continues with a playful selection of appetizers dubbed “APParitions,” refreshing salads, chilled starters like oysters, steak tartare, and scallop ceviche, customizable bowls, fresh catch seafood entrees, premium steaks, decadent desserts, and even kid-friendly options. While everything is crafted with care, the scallop and bacon mac-n-cheese is a dish that consistently draws envious glances from neighboring tables. And for those looking to start their weekend right, Sesh St. Pete offers a delightful Sunday Brunch.
Beyond the food, Sesh St. Pete is a true brewpub experience. Head brewer Alex Garcia, the award-winning talent behind Mad Beach’s beers, has established a state-of-the-art brewery within the historic cottage. The result is a tap list boasting two dozen craft beers, encompassing a wide spectrum of styles and tastes, from light and refreshing to rich and complex.
But the beverage offerings don’t stop there. Sesh St. Pete features a full liquor bar with a cocktail menu that’s as imaginative as the food. Signature drinks like “The Evil Eye,” complete with a lychee “eyeball,” perfectly capture the venue’s playful and slightly spooky theme. The cocktail list continues to embrace the ghostly motif with creations like “The Haunting,” “Ectoplasm,” “Banshee,” and “Ghosted.” Guests can also choose from house and seasonal sangrias, as well as a thoughtfully curated wine list.
Honoring the Haunted History of a St. Pete Landmark
The Sesh St. Pete project is more than just opening a restaurant; it’s about breathing new life into a St. Pete landmark. The team behind Sesh, who also own Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company, had been searching for the perfect St. Pete location for years. When this historic building became available, they recognized a unique opportunity. While other developers considered demolishing the former Earl Gresh Cottage, a beloved roadside attraction reminiscent of an English cottage, Sesh saw its potential.
Through a deal facilitated by Steve Coderre of Coderre Real Estate and Development, Sesh acquired the property with a commitment to preserving its historical integrity. Their vision was to make the building’s rich past a central element of the new brewery and restaurant.
One of the most striking historical features is the massive brick chimney in the main dining room. Sesh meticulously uncovered and restored this chimney, which had been hidden behind paneling by previous occupants. Built in the 1930s, the chimney is constructed from bricks salvaged from Fort Dade, the historic military fort on Egmont Key dating back to the Spanish-American War.
Adding to the building’s mystique, owner Matt Powers brought in a large, antique mirror from the back room, rumored to be haunted. For decades, staff members of various businesses in the building have reported unexplained handprints appearing on the mirror. A local ghost hunting group even investigated the mirror and the cottage, claiming to have detected friendly energies within the space.
Sesh St. Pete’s restoration also includes an indoor/outdoor bar facing 4th Street, along with an expanded patio and beer garden that wraps around the back of the chimney in the U-shaped building’s outdoor area. The rear portion of the building was originally Earl Gresh’s wood museum, predating the larger “cottage” structure that now stands on the property.
“We want to respect the history of the building, while adding our own touch of color,” Powers explained. “We love the property. You walk in the door and it just feels like a pub.”
What Does “Sesh” Mean?
The name “Sesh” is inspired by the annual 420 Sesh party at Mad Beach, an event celebrating good times and tasty treats. This event has spurred creative culinary experiments, including the popular Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crusted cheese sticks.
Ultimately, for Matt Powers and the team at Sesh St. Pete, it’s all about creating a welcoming space to enjoy quality food and drinks with friends and family. He envisions Sesh as a place where St. Pete residents can immerse themselves in history while making new memories in the present.
“A ‘sesh’ is just defined as a period of time spent enjoying an activity with friends,” Powers said.
Now, St. Pete has the perfect venue to experience many such “sesh” moments.
