Two years later, The Oyster Bar returns to St. Pete

After a two-year hiatus, The Oyster Bar has returned to downtown St. Petersburg — this time with a new home in the city’s Grand Central District.

The Oyster Bar had been a long-time staple downtown, known for serving up fresh seafood and rare bourbons since opening its doors in 1999. But after 24 years in its home on the Jannus Block of Central Avenue, the restaurant faced a series of setbacks post-pandemic that forced owner Josh Cameron to shut down operations in August 2023.

Initially, Cameron thought the restaurant would only be closed for two months, he says in an announcement. But then came a destructive hurricane season in 2024, followed by permitting issues and contracting delays, turning two months into two years, he adds.