Entry No. 16 — the Tampa file — filed under: speakeasy
Dirty Laundry
Disguised as a working retro laundromat, guests step up to an old payphone under a neon sign to receive a passcode that unlocks a secret washing machine door into a Havana cocktail bar.
The story
From the sidewalk on Central Avenue, you’d assume you’re looking at a sleek retro laundromat glowing under neon light. Step inside, however, and you won't find anyone folding quarters or waiting on a spin cycle. The front room is purely stagecraft meant to filter out tourists who aren't in on the secret.
Walk past the rows of washers to the payphone mounted under the neon sign. Pick up the receiver, listen closely to the recording for the passcode, and punch it into the keypad. A hidden door shaped like an oversized washing machine swings outward, opening up into a dark, lush Havana lounge hidden directly behind the wall.
Once inside, the sterile laundromat facade gives way to tropical lighting, dark wood finishes, rum-focused cocktails, and live Latin music. It’s one of St. Pete's slickest hidden portals, provided you know where to pick up the phone.
What it's like
Weekend nights bring a steady line on Central Avenue, so expect to wait your turn at the payphone if you arrive peak-hours. Once you punch the code and step through the washing machine portal, the noise of the street gets replaced by DJ sets, live Latin percussion, and a crowd sipping espresso martinis. If you want to skip the crowd and actually hear the payphone prompt without a crowd watching over your shoulder, drop in on a weeknight.
The move: Listen for the code on the payphone receiver, step through the washing machine portal, and order espresso martinis while enjoying live Latin music.
- 📍 Grand Central District, St. Petersburg
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1742 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bar Chica — Double down on hidden St. Pete drinking spots by heading four blocks down Central to another hidden lounge tucked behind Bodega.
- FloridaRAMA — Pair your high-concept hidden cocktail bar with an immersive, Florida-themed 15,000-square-foot art experience less than a mile away.
- Culture Shock Oddities & Tattoo Studio — Trade Havana speakeasy vibes for taxidermy and dark oddities just a short walk down Central Avenue.
- Balance House Studio — Balance out late-night cocktails with a hot-and-cold thermal recovery circuit located right in the Grand Central District.
Good to know
How do you get inside the speakeasy?
Pick up the receiver on the payphone inside the front entrance, listen for the passcode, and enter it into the door's lock code pad.
Where is Dirty Laundry located?
It is located at 1742 Central Ave in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg, Florida.
What kind of drinks and entertainment do they offer?
The bar serves Havana-inspired cocktails—including espresso martinis and rum drinks—accompanied by live Latin music and sets from local DJs.
Do you need to do actual laundry to enter?
No, the laundromat setup in front is purely decorative immersive facade designed to conceal the hidden bar.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitstpeteclearwater.com · tampabaydatenightguide.com
last checked: 2026-07-21