Openings

Historic Manhattan Casino to Reopen in St. Petersburg on Sept. 19

Edited by Jack Croy · September 14, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

Tampa Bay · September 14, 2026

Photo courtesy City of St. Pete

The Historic Manhattan Casino will celebrate its reopening on Sept. 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 1 p.m.

The St. Petersburg landmark was built in 1925 and became a center of artistic expression for the city’s Black community, particularly for music. From the swing era to jazz and R&B, the Historic Manhattan Casino has hosted numerous iconic musicians and performers throughout its history.

The venue has served as a gathering place for generations of St. Petersburg residents. After closing for renovations in 2022, the historic venue is ready to welcome the community back and host events once again.

"The Historic Manhattan Casino is more than a landmark - it is a treasured part of St. Petersburg’s history and community, and a powerful symbol of our city’s culture, resilience, and legacy," said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch in a press release. "The reopening of the Manhattan Casino honors the Deuces legacy while creating new space for arts, culture, and economic opportunity. We are thrilled to welcome the community back to this historic venue and remain committed to continuing the important work of investing in the Deuces Corridor."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include remarks, a rededication of the Elder Jordan statue, an original poem read by City Poet Laureate Denzel Johnson-Green, self-guided tours of the renovated venue, live music and refreshments.

A new mural on the exterior of the Manhattan Casino also will be revealed during the event. The 14-by-23-foot mural was created by artist Egypt Hagan and represents the casino’s history, the Deuces community and the musicians who performed there.

Interior renovations transformed the historic landmark into a modern, fully rentable event venue while preserving its historic character. The redesigned space can accommodate up to 180 guests for seated events or 300 guests with auditorium-style seating.

The first floor includes an event space, conference room, pre-function areas, green room and catering kitchen. The historic music hall and ballroom on the second floor feature new drapery, a raised ceiling and refinished flooring.

Officials said the renovated venue now offers more than 4,000 square feet of flexible event space.

The project received $1 million in state historic preservation funding to help make the reopening possible.

Guests interested in hosting an event at the Historic Manhattan Casino can visit the venue’s website for more information and pricing.

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Historic Manhattan Casino to Reopen in St. Petersburg on Sept. 19

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