Enjoy BBQ, Beer, History at Urban Brew and BBQ

Walk into the recently opened Urban Brew and BBQ at 1939 Central Ave. and you can enjoy more than just local brews and homemade BBQ; you can enjoy part of St. Petersburg's history. 

Lining the walls behind the bar are Augusta blocks, which are more than 100 years old, that were once used on the streets of Central Avenue.   

Opposite the bar is a painted mural of buildings that once lined Central Avenue in the 1930s. 

"I’m huge into history and I love that time period," said Urban Brew owner Andy Salyards. "I love the fact that these are 100 years old and were a part of St. Pete."

While embracing the past of St. Pete, Urban Brew and BBQ tries to put a "sophisticated" spin on traditional BBQ and beer menu items. 

Much like hamburgers, hot dogs and pizzas have turned into fine dining at many establishments, Salyards said it is time for BBQ to become more than it is.

"There is room on both levels of sophisticating BBQ and sophisticating craft beer," Salyards said. 

Many taverns, he said, serve a great amount of beer but they don’t take the vintner approach.

"Wine makers have done a great job of marketing their wine," Salyards said. "In the beer world, we tend to just to use the shaker glass and slam it down."

Salyards said Urban Brew is a place where people can explore craft beer no matter how much they know about brewing. 

Behind the bar is a chalk menu of the brews on tap. Salyards said the taps inside the restaurant themselves will remain blank because he said tap handles can influence a beer drinker's decision. 

"We don’t want people to come in here and look at the brewery tap handle and influence their decision," he said. "We want them to choose off the board." 
 
If you can't make up your mind, Salyards said he and his knowledgeable staff will help guide you through the board and can make suggestions. 

"We want you to find the right beer for you," he said. 

On the food menu includes fan-favorite mac-n-cheese, baby back ribs, smoked brisket, smoked chicken, pulled pork, baked beans and even a skillet Ghiraradelli's brownie. 

"This is down home cooking with an uptown feel," Salyards said. "It's sophisticated BBQ and an environment to celebrate craft beer."

Salyards said early response from the community of his Grand Central District business has been positive.

Having recently moved from California, he said he already feels at home. "This is where I want to be," Salyards said.

"Living in Historic Kenwood, it's the first time (I have lived) in a real neighborhood and that is a bonus of having a business here," he said.     

Take a full look at Urban Brew and BBQ's menu here.