Makers + Shakers Market

Craft Spirits Meet Local Makers in South St. Pete

St. Petersburg Distillery transforms into a bustling marketplace on Thursday, September 10th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for the Makers + Shakers Market. This all-ages gathering blends local artisans, food vendors, and craft spirits under one roof, creating the kind of evening where browsing handmade goods pairs naturally with sipping locally-distilled cocktails. The four-hour window catches the transition from workday to evening, when the industrial-chic distillery space takes on a different energy entirely.

What to Expect:
The distillery's production floor becomes vendor territory, with makers displaying everything from handcrafted jewelry to small-batch food products while the bar keeps pouring spirits made on-site. September evenings in St. Pete bring comfortable temperatures, and the venue's open layout encourages the kind of wandering that leads to unexpected finds. Live music typically anchors these markets, though the real draw remains the combination of supporting local creators while sampling what St. Petersburg Distillery does best.

Insider Tips:
- The 5:00 PM start time means early arrivals beat the post-work crowd and get first pick of limited-quantity items
- Bring cash for smaller vendors, though the distillery bar accepts cards
- The all-ages designation makes this genuinely family-friendly, with kids welcome throughout the space
- September heat lingers even into evening, so dress for indoor-outdoor comfort
- Parking fills quickly along 31st Street South after 5:30 PM, making early arrival worthwhile
- Sample the distillery's seasonal offerings at the bar before committing to a full cocktail

Getting There:
St. Petersburg Distillery sits at 800 31st St S in a neighborhood that's more industrial than residential, making street parking the primary option. Spots line 31st Street South itself, plus side streets like 7th Avenue South and 10th Avenue South within a block or two. Multiple bus stops serve the area, with the closest at 31st Street South & 7th Avenue South just 82 meters from the venue. Another stop at 31st Street South & 10th Avenue South sits 98 meters away, making public transit genuinely viable. The distillery occupies a standalone building that's hard to miss once on 31st Street, with the entrance facing the street directly.

Local Scene:
The surrounding neighborhood offers a mix of newer spots and longtime fixtures worth exploring before or after the market. Bayboro Brewing sits about a kilometer away on 5th Avenue South, perfect for those wanting to extend the craft beverage experience with locally-brewed beer. Chelsea St Pete provides a dining option roughly 15 minutes on foot, ideal for grabbing dinner before heading to the market. The area also connects to the broader St. Pete Sunday Markets scene, which operates just 200 meters away on different days. For post-market activities, St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social brings pickleball and nightlife together about 550 meters from the distillery. The neighborhood's industrial bones mean fewer immediate dining options, but that's changing as more businesses discover this stretch of South St. Pete.