Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe: Your Hip Neighborhood Bar

Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe is the epitome of St. Pete cool. Located in the city’s Grand Central District, this local hotspot offers atmosphere without pretension, and quality that won’t break the bank. Owners Amanda King and Tegan Foster bring passion, experience, and style to their fantastic bar and shop.

Passion + Community

“Wine runs in Tegan’s veins,” smiles Amanda. The two joined the wine and craft beer scenes more than 15 years before they decided to create the business of their dreams. “We love this industry; the product, the quality, the variety, and most importantly, the people,” states Tegan. “We wanted to build a brand that celebrated our passions and garnered respect in the community. Each day we wake up and get to continue living the dream.”

Tegan grew up on Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, Oregon. “We saw a little bit of Portland in St. Petersburg, especially Central Ave,” says Tegan. “It has a lot of similarities to Hawthorne — thriving because of passionate and inspiring small businesses, and keeping the local vibe of the city going.”

Anyone who has visited HBS will have noticed the hip, eclectic style, reminiscent of Portland. Even before they found their venue, the two were hitting up local shops to find items that would create the perfect atmosphere. “We love music, travel and animals,” states Amanda. “You know who we are by walking around the shop. Guns N’ Roses, sloths, Biggie Smalls, and the Queen of England are just a few of our favorite things you can find decorating the walls of HBS!”

A Neighborhood Darling

A destination for beer, wine, and deli offerings, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe is the modern answer to the neighborhood bar and wine n’ beer shop. They are truly a neighborhood darling. “We have been fortunate to have repeat customers since the day we opened, and continue to build on that base,” Amanda beams. “A great day at Hawthorne is seeing a new face and making them feel as if they have been coming for years. We’ve got that Cheers! vibe in a Central Perk setting.”

HBS has a beautifully curated selection of products, so how do you choose? “We love questions about beer and wine, and want to find each person who comes in the perfect drink!” says Tegan. “It all starts with an easy conversation, it does not have to be technical or boujie. It’s a casual dialogue where we get to know our customers and what they like. You can ask a question of any staff member, and know they have the education and experience to guide you.”

Luckily, the scrumptious offerings don’t end with beer and wine. Their award-winning sandwiches are simply to die for. “We began by listing out our favorite ingredients, be it a fig jam, house-made blueberry mayo, smoked trout, or pimento cheese, and ventured out from there! We hosted quite a few tasting round tables with our friends with one goal in mind: make a sandwich unique to HBS that uses quality, local ingredients, and keeps our customers coming back for more,” states Amanda.

Celebrate the Season

Hawthorne is excited to drink a toast to the changing of the seasons with their customers. Upcoming events include Red Wine Mafia, a celebration of all things Red Wine, on November 23rd. “Pinot Bombs, red wine flights, complimentary red wine tasting, and a pop-up market to boot!” says Amanda excitedly. “Holidays bring out the lush in us! We pop bottles of bubbly every day to celebrate. Our favorite part is pairing holiday dishes with must-haves of the season, such as a Gewurtztrimer or sparkling Shiraz with turkey and cranberry sauce, and Saison with stuffing,” adds Tegan.

Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe is a true gem, and the love and enthusiasm behind it makes visiting feel all the more special. The social establishment gladly plays host to meetings, parties, dates, or happy hour drinks after a long day at the office. Tegan, Amanda, and the HBS team are always happy to help you find the perfect tipple for everything from a picnic to a holiday soiree. Stop in this season for a tasting, a drink and a sandwich, or a few bottles to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner. Swing by 2927 Central Ave to see Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe for yourself, and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook!