Sad day for the Swigwam

What! The Swigwam Beach Bar is closed? How can that be?

According to the Web site, its demise came with the bankruptcy of Shells Restaurants. Bummer.

Can't picture it? That's because the "Swiggy" kept a low profile behind the Travelodge on St. Pete Beach -- exactly what kept locals in flip-flops and bikinis coming back for more than 20 years. Well, that and the house speciality drink -- the Bushwhacker. With vodka, rum, Kahlua and handful of other potent ingredients, it's like a Mudslide on steroids.

More than anything, the Swigwam was just a nice little shack on the beach with nothing between you and the gulf except a bunch of sand and a cool libation in a plastic cup.

Maybe somebody will have the sense -- and cash -- to reopen it?

Comments

[Deb]

Oh, No!!!!! St Pete Beach will never be the same!

[big jan]

been coming to st.pete beach for thanksgiving for years. we went for our annual walk to swigwam and were shocked to see it closed. thanksgiving will never be the same for this crew.

[PEZ]

Too bad! Wev'e been going to the Swigwam for over 20 years and it was bascially the same bartenders for that whole time. It was always a tradition to go down and have a drink or 5! even if I was just there for a day or 2. Looking forward to when it re-opens. Tip for when they do- Take oppty to clean out the "very-old" shirts, clothing etc that had "stuff" growing on it hanging from ceiling- Spruce it up- just a bit- not too much!

[Jeff K.]

I had the best birthday of my life at the Swig. My name has been on the wood ever since then. It's just gotta come back.

[John Connors]

Does any one know if Alice, Rob and the rest of the crew signed on any place else. I went there for 20 years, first as a tourist, then as an area resident. Will be missed.

[Robbie]

As of December 17, 2008 Swigwam is now open. Go buy a drink !

[mansour]

I have spent many a drunken saturday before the superbowls here, capped off with last years mess of drinking all day, playing football and watching people bang behind a lifeguard shed on the beach..this is awful!!!!

[Jamie]

Am I reading this correctly? The Swig is open again? Thank heavens, been coming here a long time. Best bar for a girl's vacation. The Illinois girls are coming back Rob and Alice! Get the Bushwackers ready!

[toots]

OK OPEN OR NOT !!

[James]

Now that they are open again PLEASE tell me they got rid of that old bat Alice!! Should have never worked in a bar EVER!!

[Stephanie]

I am happy to say they did re open the bar back up! I was just as sad but now happy as can be.

[alice]

well swigwam has reopened as of 2007 and still hasn't had the great hodaddys surf band back! whats up with that? are they too busy? i miss this band!

[Nancy]

I met my lifetime partner at the Swigwam about three years ago. He was hanging out with some of his friends, and I was chatting with Rob at the bar. A few Rum Runners later, Alex and I met and have been together ever since that day. So glad they reopened - St. Pete Beach wouldn't be the same!!!!

[diane]

Oh boy what fun times, I used to go when they made the "cantelopes". It was a very toxic drink that they would give to you in a large cocktail mixer. That was about 20 years ago. I had my 30th birthday there. Some of it I remember, most of it I don't !

[PistolPete]

Never heard of it, but I am from Arizona. I'll check it out next time out there for bike week.

[No you can't]

Oh well. You can always just go to Beach Nuts.