6AM City In-house

The Manhattan Casino then and now

What’s next for St. Petersburg’s Manhattan Casino
Manhattan Casino
The historic building is currently unoccupied. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Etta James and Louis Armstrong and tons of other musicians crooned and delighted packed houses of St. Pete residents at the Manhattan Casino. And down the street, kids (young and old) craned an ear, taking in the sweet music.

That very same building is still around today. You may have driven by the pale yellow two-story storefront while heading over to Chief’s Creole Cafe or the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. But how well do you know its story?

The birth + heyday of the Manhattan Casino

Back in 1925, one of the Burg’s first Black businessmen, Elder Jordan Sr., arranged with a contractor to have the 12,000-sqft hall built in South St. Pete. Completed in 1931 and originally named the Jordan Dance Hall, the entertainment venue was a space where African Americans could enjoy performances during segregation.

The spot became a fixture on the so-called Chitlin’ circuit, hosting performers like Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, and James Brown, according to St. Pete Catalyst.

The performance hall was just one part of the Deuces, the 22nd Street South area that was home to thriving Black-owned businesses like Henderson’s Sundries and Moure’s Barber Shop Delux. Post big-band era, the venue hosted more local acts and events like Goldie Thompson’s gospel shows.

The performance venue closed its doors in 1968. The city purchased the historic casino in 2002, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

But what’s next?

Most recently, the bottom level of the venue was occupied by the 22 South Food Hall, which served everything from Italian wedding soup to barbecue. The operator, Urban Collective’s five-year lease on the building ended and the hall served its last brunch November 28.

Earlier in November, the city hosted a community conversation about the property’s future, so residents could share their ideas and opinions on the about landmark’s future.

About 200 residents attended, telling the city they wanted the building’s history to be honored, affordable event space in South St. Pete, a space for live performances, and restaurant space. Attendees also told leaders they’d like the Casino to function under a city-community partnership and the city to be responsible for repairs and upkeep.

Right now, the building’s future remains unclear. But the city announced the Casino will be closed for the next several months so crucial upgrades can be made, like installing a new HVAC system and making elevator repairs.
FOLLOW THE HERITAGE TRAIL
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Today, Jan. 13
  • Poor People’s Art Gallery Tour + Opening Reception | Friday, Jan. 13 | 6:30-9 p.m. | USF Contemporary Art Museum, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa | Free | Exhibition curator Christian Viveros-Fauné and artist Miguel Luciano will lead a gallery tour.
  • “Crimes of the Heart” | Friday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Feb. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg | $35 | This Pulitzer prize-winning play is an 80s story of sisterhood and disaster.
  • Aretha: Queen of Soul | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $5 | The Raymond James Pops honor some of Aretha Franklin’s catalogue of music.
  • Hamlet | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8-10 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $20.50-$54.50 | Enjoy the opening night performance of Shakespeare’s play.
Saturday, Jan. 14
  • Pilates on the Lawn | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Join the CAMP crew for 45 min. beat-based, mat Pilates class.
  • Ybor City Walking Tour | Saturday, Jan. 14, Saturday, Feb. 11, Saturday, Mar. 11 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa | $10-$20 | Tour Tampa’s only National Historic Landmark District and learn about early Ybor City people’s social life and work culture.
  • Tampa YMCA Membership & Program Expo | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | YMCA Locations Throughout Tampa Bay, Tampa | Free | Take in personal training and group exercise demonstrations, sports and swim lesson info, raffles, and more.
  • Miranda Sings | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $30-$40 | Colleen Ballinger brings her YouTube superstar character ‘Miranda Sings’ to the stage.
Sunday, Jan. 15
  • The Market at Water Street Tampa | Sunday, Jan. 15, Sunday, Feb. 19 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Water Street Tampa, 1045 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa | Free | Shop goods from local food and wellness-focused vendors.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 63º | Morning showers | 73% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:22 a.m.
  • Set: 5:54 p.m.
Tides
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 6:16 a.m. + 7:25 p.m.
  • Low: 12:36 a.m. + 12:56 p.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 2:36 a.m. + 3:48 p.m.
  • Low: 9:13 a.m. + 9:55 p.m.
Outdoors
  • Florida lost 800 manatees in the past year due to starvation, malnutrition, boat strikes, and other issues. That number is down from 2021, when a record-breaking 1,100 Florida manatees died. Officials are trying to help ease starvation with lettuce feeding sites. (Tampa Bay Times)
Civic
  • Kick those Christmas trees to the curb, St. Pete. The citywide collection of dried-out trees begins tomorrow. Place your tree where the city typically collects your trash (but not in the can) before 7 a.m. Sat., Jan 14. The city reminds residents to be patient, as the collection could take up to a month. 🌲
Announced
  • The Florida Aquarium just wrapped up its most popular year since it opened in 1995. The Tampa institution had 925,000 visitors in 2022 — just shy of the 992,000 visitors it logged in its first year. Officials say some of the growth is due to new exhibits like the Tampa General Hospital Animal Health Care Center. 🐟(Tampa Bay Times)
  • It’s gonna be a record year, because Eric Church is coming back to Tampa this summer. The country music superstar takes over MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, Sept. 30, and tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. 🤠 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Legacy
  • St. Pete photographer Herb Snitzer recently died. His photographs of legendary jazz musicians appeared in publications like the New York Times and Life. Listen to an interview with the late photographer. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Sports
  • It’s time to show your Bucs love on the big screen. ESPN’s First Take is filming at the Tampa Convention Center this Monday, Jan. 16. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. to watch the show + enter to win giveaways. 🏈
Opening
  • Are you bootcamp ready? Wildly popular boutique fitness spot Barry’s opens tomorrow, Sat. Jan. 14, in Hyde Park Village. Located right next to Nike, Barry’s offers high-intensity workouts in a red-lit room. 🏋️ (That’s So Tampa)
Eat
  • Tiff’s Treats is coming to TBAY. Started in Texas, the cookie company delivers 11 different flavors of cookies, cookie truffles, ice cream, and frosting cups, all in its signature blue ribbon-tied boxes. The store opens Sat., Jan 21 in Tampa Heights (2121 N. Massachusetts Ave). (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
  • Owners of Brick & Mortar are opening a second restaurant in the Burg. The spot (2147 Central Ave.) will serve tapas and other Latin-inspired fare. (St. Pete Rising)
Show
  • The Tampa Jazz Club will honor legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon with a tribute performance this Sunday. Tickets start at $10 for the 3 p.m. show inside the Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
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6AM City In-house

Events

Local volunteer opportunities for MLK Day
Two ladies taping up boxes smiling
Volunteering can bring a smile to your face and to others. | Photo provided by God’s Pantry Food Bank
Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year. The theme for this year is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.

If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities:
Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: I really enjoyed taking the African American Heritage Trail trolley tour a few years ago, but really want to embark on the bike journey next. If you go, let me know.

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Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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