Christian's on the Water: A Full Guide to St. Pete's Best New Tiki Bar

I drove out to Bay Pines Marina on a recent Tuesday afternoon — mid-week, low tide, not a cloud in the sky — and Christian's on the Water was already packed. Not "weekend-tourist packed." Locals-who-know packed. Couples with dogs, guys just off the boat, a table of retirees with frozen margaritas and zero interest in leaving. That's the vibe. And once you see the view over the marina slips and the open Intracoastal stretching out behind them, you'll understand exactly why.

This place has been pulling serious search traffic all summer, and I keep getting asked about it by buyers scoping out the Seminole and Bay Pines area. So here's the full guide.

The Backstory: A Tribute and a Second Chance for the Space

Christian's on the Water replaces the former Harbor Master Tiki Grille, which did not reopen after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene.

That spot was genuinely beloved — a classic Pinellas tiki bar with cold beer, waterfront seating, and zero pretension. When it went dark after the storm, the marina lost one of its biggest draws.

The new establishment is owned by Marc DeRusso and his wife Amelia, who also operate DeRusso's Pizzeria in Tierra Verde and St. Pete.

DeRusso's first restaurant, Bourbon Street Grill in Colonie, NY, has been open for 27 years

— so this isn't a first-timer trying something new. These are seasoned operators who know hospitality.

DeRusso named Christian's on the Water after his late son Christian; its soft opening coincided with his son's anniversary of passing.

He said he hopes "the business will not only provide great food, drinks and hospitality but will serve as a living tribute" for his son.

That context adds something real to the place. You feel it in how seriously they're taking it.

Bowline Marinas purchased the Bay Pines Marina property last summer before approaching DeRusso about taking over the space formerly occupied by Harbor Master Tiki Grille.

The Menu: Coastal Casual Done Right

Once approved for full operation with its new 20-foot food trailer onsite, Christian's on the Water offers "coastal-inspired" dishes such as grouper sandwiches, peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked fish spread, smash burgers and rice bowls topped with pulled pork or chicken.

That's exactly the kind of menu this setting calls for — nothing fussy, everything built for eating outdoors next to the water.

A "hook and cook" service will allow fishermen to have their catch prepared onsite.

That detail alone tells you who this place is for. If you've got a boat, you're basically coming here. And if you don't, the vibe makes you wish you did.

On the drinks side,

Christian's on the Water offers beer, wine, and frozen, wine-based cocktails, including margaritas.

Weekend breakfast service is planned once fully operational

— think egg bowls and breakfast sandwiches starting at 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Worth knowing if you're heading out on the water early.

Getting There: By Car, Bike, or Boat

Christian's on the Water is an outdoor restaurant and tiki bar overlooking Bay Pines Marina, located at 4999 Harbor Lights Drive in Seminole.

It's tucked in a little deeper than you'd expect — you turn off Bay Pines Boulevard, wind through the Harbor Lights neighborhood, and suddenly the marina opens up in front of you. Don't let the approach fool you; it's worth it.

The restaurant is accessible by car or bicycle via The Pinellas Trail or by boat using a dozen available slips for customers.

The Pinellas Trail connection is a big deal — you can literally ride from downtown St. Pete and end at a tiki bar with a grouper sandwich. Not a bad afternoon.

Bay Pines Marina is located in Seminole, near St. Petersburg, with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico

— which means if you're coming by boat, you're minutes from open water once you leave the dock.

The Atmosphere: Live Music, Dogs Welcome, Zero Pretense

Live acoustic music is scheduled seven days a week alongside a small retail area selling branded merchandise.

Seven days a week is ambitious and honestly kind of wonderful. There's something about live music at a tiki bar on a Tuesday that makes you feel like life is going well.

The property has been spruced up since the Harbor Master days. Per St. Pete Rising, the turfed courtyard now features Adirondack chairs, cornhole boards, and updated landscaping. It's the kind of outdoor space that's easy to lose a few hours in — especially when the afternoon light hits the water just right and a pelican is doing circles overhead.

Dogs are welcome. The whole thing is outdoors. Dress is extremely casual. Come exactly as you are.

Why Buyers in This Corridor Are Paying Attention

If you're looking at homes in the Seminole or Bay Pines area, this matters more than you might think. Walkable (or bikeable) neighborhood amenities like Christian's are exactly what's pushing interest into the zip codes just west of St. Pete proper. Buyers relocating from out of state, especially those who want the waterfront lifestyle without the downtown price tag, are zeroing in on this stretch of Pinellas. A spot like this on the Intracoastal, a short ride to the Gulf, and a tiki bar you can reach on the Pinellas Trail? That's a lifestyle pitch that sells itself.

If you're curious what homes are currently selling for in this part of Pinellas County — or whether it's the right fit for your budget — I'm happy to walk you through it. Check out the Shore Acres neighborhood guide for a sense of what waterfront living looks like nearby, or see the best St. Pete neighborhood for boaters breakdown for how this part of the county stacks up overall. You can also get a quick read on what homes are worth in the 33703 zip code — which overlaps the Bay Pines corridor — if you want real numbers.

Christian's on the Water is one of those places that feels like it was always supposed to be there. Go hungry, go thirsty, and go on a weekday if you can. The crowd is friendlier and the margaritas don't have a wait.