Boutique Sparkling Wine Bar Coming to St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Velvet Coupe, a boutique sparkling wine lounge from real estate broker Dina Branham, is targeting a mid-May opening at 25 MLK St. South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33705. Branham told Business Debut the concept will focus on boutique-style sparkling wines in an intimate, lounge-style setting.

Business Debut learned of this story first from What Now.

What to Expect

Velvet Coupe is designed as a 1,450-square-foot lounge with approximately 30 to 36 seats. The space will include an eight- to 10-seat main bar, a four-seat side bar and lounge seating with club chairs and ottomans. Branham described the environment as a “high end luxury setting lounge” with a dark, moody feel.

The concept is not a full restaurant but will operate with full service, allowing guests to be served at the bar, tables or lounge seating.

Menu and Vision

The beverage program will center on boutique sparkling wines, primarily from Europe. Branham said guests can expect selections such as Champagne, cava, prosecco and Franciacorta, along with boutique beer offerings. She is also considering Champagne-style cocktails, though details are still being finalized.

A small plates menu is planned, with roughly half a dozen items to be introduced shortly after opening. Branham said she may begin with a limited selection and expand as operations settle in.

Velvet Coupe marks Branham’s second wine bar. Her first opened in Delray Beach after she creatively combined a retail wine concept with her real estate brokerage to meet zoning requirements. Inspired by a 200-square-foot wine bar she visited in Rome, she introduced sustainable, organic and biodynamic boutique wines alongside charcuterie, flatbreads, tastings and live entertainment.

Branham has been a real estate broker for 23 years and has owned her brokerage for about a decade. She said the wine bar concept unexpectedly grew into a full-time focus after relocating to a larger space near the Hyatt in Delray Beach.

Two months after that opening, her father died, and six months later COVID-19 shutdowns began. Despite reopening successfully, she later relocated to Florida’s west coast to be closer to family. Ultimately, she said St. Petersburg felt like the right place to launch again, citing the city’s energy and downtown environment as inspiring for a solo entrepreneur.

Opening Timeline

Velvet Coupe is anticipated to open in mid-May.

Hours

Branham plans to open at 5 p.m., with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Weekday hours are expected to run from 5 p.m.-10 p.m., with weekends extending to 11 p.m. or midnight.

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