ahvanguard creative solutionsWould you like a cocktail or glass of wine to pair with your next grocery shopping trip? Beloved seafood market I.C. Sharks announced the opening of its new bar and café next to its market at 10020 Gandy Blvd North, offering food and drink for shoppers and wanderers alike.
In addition to giving locals a place to stop on their way in or out of the market, the bar and café offers a great spot for those who are simply craving fresh seafood and a good drink in a fun atmosphere. The covered, outdoor bar has a full menu of seafood staples alongside plenty of draft beer, cocktails and wine.
The I.C. Sharks café menu includes smoked fish spread, snow crab legs, an Asian tuna bowl, smoked salmon, and steamed shrimp, clams or oysters. The kitchen also offers chips and fresh mango salsa, as well as slices of key lime pie. Already, the bar and café has created specials, including an opening weekend platter of jumbo lump crab meat cocktails.
For now, I.C. Sharks says the bar is open Thursday and Friday from 4-9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am – 10 pm. However, the bar will also be open beginning at 11 am for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30th. The market said to expect expanded hours and more updates to come in the near future.
The popular I.C. Sharks market has long been a favorite for local, fresh fish and seafood, including seasonal specialties, as well as spices, sauces, boil mixes, and other accoutrements. Fish is available whole, fileted, or even smoked.
Gandy Boulevard’s I.C. Sharks is known for freshly-caught fish and shellfish, and now caters to seafood-lovers that don’t feel like cooking their own dinners.
The popular market soft-opened its outdoor bar and restaurant this week to the delight of loyal patrons, located directly behind the seafood market at 10020 Gandy Blvd. N in St. Petersburg.
It’s currently open Thursday-Friday from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. It’s Facebook—where it also posts the catches of the day—says operating hours will expand soon.
The new menu obviously showcases its fresh-caught goodies, as you can order raw oysters, steamed clams or shrimp, poke bowls and I.C . Shark’s famous smoked fish dip alongside bar food offerings like BLT’s and other sandwiches. The outdoor bar also sells various types of beer, wine, and expected cocktails, as well.
And if you don’t have time to sit down and lounge at the newly-opened bar and restaurant, the I.C. Sharks market sells ready made foods like that fish dip and steamed shrimp alongside raw seafood offerings.
The flagship I.C. Sharks joint was located at 13040 Gandy Blvd., but moved down the road to its current space in 2018 after encountering issues with zoning.
According to a Tampa Bay Times, the previous I.C. Sharks location was temporarily shut down multiple times regarding problems with building, water navigation and zoning regulations, racking up liens that added up to over $1 million.
The seafood market itself is pretty straight forward and features all of the in-season fish and shellfish—although this new I.C. Sharks location does not sell bait like its predecessor.
Expect freshly-caught seafood like stone crab, grouper, shrimp, oysters, salmon and mussels—although it is recommended to call ahead to make sure they aren’t sold-out for the day.
ahvanguard creative solutions
Brandon
