Date of Visit: 11/08/2025 5:30pm After some shopping at the mall the wife and I were wanting to grab a beer somewhere. As we were heading out the parking I mentioned CJ's across the street. We have never been there before but friends of ours do play there once in while. So that's where we headed. As others have stated there is plenty of parking, in the main lot and in back. We parked in the main lot. Walked inside an immediately notice this was a place for music. No bands were playing since it was early. Found a spot at the bar, may have been ten others sitting at the bar. There was only one bar tender working the bar and she was working it. She came and saw us right after sitting and got our drink orders. Not sure if we wanted to eat but we still looked over the menu. We decided to get some food. I noticed they do a smashburger and I am always up for a that. The wife has been watching what she eats and decided on the chicken strips. The food didn't take long to arrive and both looked very good. My burger was done right, double cheesesmash with LTO just the way I like it. I got fries with it as well and I must say these were some mighty good fries. My wife really liked her chicken strips too. They were not battered and not overly fried, still very moist on the inside. She has been trying to stay away from overly fried foods and these were not overly done. I believe she ate them all as well. Since it was early there were no seating issues like I have read from others. And if your a car person they do a last Sunday of the month breakfast buffet and car show in the morning. Looking forward to that. All I can say is give this place a try. May have to go in the evening and listen to some live music. Peace. read more

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Miss the old Cj's on the island before it was torn down. I think we all miss it. This location is kind of ok. Not great but worth going to. Really isnt the sale being off the beaxh. The music is ok sometimes here. The waiters and waitresses are always on point here perfect though I can say that much. Wont go here as much as the island but will still pop in once in awhile read more

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Came here late night for Karaoke and loved the place. The service was great, the Karaoke was super fun and the drinks are reasonably priced. read more

CJ’s Backstage - Karaoke Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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This place is fun and energetic. I came on a night with karaoke and Luna Jade is magical. She set the place on fire in the best way. I wish the bar had some more functional NonAlc drinks. The bar staff is friendly. read more

CJ’s Backstage - Karaoke Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Great fries, good burger. Awesome to watch hockey on big screen. Typical Sports bar. Was with trivia team "We're here for the beer." great IPA on tap TY Olivia! read more

Okay, we came in to see my friend Ray Boucher, musician, perform. He always brags about your food so we were hungry and definitely want to try some food. I got the lasagna on special on the bartender, Anna, suggestion. OMG delicious! I'm so picky and I'm Italian so this is a big compliment. My husband got the smash burger. It was great and tasty. Atmosphere perfect and nice and dark like a bar should be. Bartender Anna such a sweetheart. Keep up the good work owners and just wish you were closer to our home. We will definitely be back and definitely worth the drive. read more

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Was a great venue.. service very good husband and wife team . After started of horrible .walked in2 hours early and whole front was reserved after .on phone they said dont do that . We sat in very back undecided if gonna stay . But the bartender said thay opened up 4 tables in front. So after that escaped it was wonderful great service even with separate checks and me not drinking . Venue was amazing singer was wonderful and its done correct . Will be back read more

CJ’s Backstage - In the back lol - Karaoke Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

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Was there a little over a month ago for a friends birthday party had a blast food is delicious and the drinks were flowing I will be back again read more

Fun place and good drinks for a fair price. Bartenders were fast and the service was great.

They got the best wings, great spinach, and artichoke dip all kinds of great food killer drinks they hook you up for the price. Make sure you tip them too. You tip they take care of you. read more

Hidden gem. Super chill and laid back environment. Lots of space. Josh and many of the bartenders are really nice. Prices are good. I only wish they'd open another beach location. I really miss CJ's on the island read more

Wonderful. Monday nights orchestra and singing was wonderful. People and staff were very nice. Dancing on Monday was great.

Great place to watch the bucs game! Great bartender James, and way better wings than the wing place on Tyrone!!

I was expecting a dive bar or a hole in the wall when my friend suggested this place. It was anything but that it had delicious food, the chicken quesadillas were some of the best I have eaten and the bbq pork sandwich was delicious too. To top it all off they had a band called 90s Surge and it kept the place partying all night long. A great time by everybody and definitely will be back. read more

CJ’s Backstage - The band from the night we went to CJ's - Karaoke Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

3/4 stars. Four stars for live music, ample space, outdoor patio, easy parking and good food. Three stars for very small dance floor and not moving the tables away so people can dance. We felt bad for the band we went to see - Cover Your Tracks - as more people weren't dancing and this is a band that draws crowds. Food we tried were sweet potato fries and roasted cauliflower - both were excellent. The staff was very friendly too. read more

The food and services are great tonight. The Bus Stop Band is outstanding!!!! Awesome songs to dance to and the crowd is having a good time.

I've been going to CJ's since it opened in Tyrone. They've got the same guy bartender there every day and he's grumpy and rude. Walks away from you in the middle of talking to him. Today was the last straw. He got my food order completely backwards and I actually just walked out because I did not feel like waiting for him to fix it. Place is good for football Sunday, but other than that I would never go there again. * and by the way, their idea of a special is there $10.95 burger with a free $.99 piece cheese on it. So you're saving $.99 woo hoo read more

Went to introduce our Maryland friends to 22N music. The food, service and ambiance was excellent. We'll be back.

went to CJs Saturday Oct 18...got there at around 5:15..planned on getting the AYCE crab legs but found out that isn't an option any longer. we were the only party of 3 inside there to eat dinner, asked for the gator game to be put on...nope can't get it. it took over 45 minutes to get our food. then we were asked if we were going to be long because they had tables reserved for 7:00 and if we were going to be longer we could sit at another table...what? not happy about feeling like we had to hurry up to get out for something going on later...this isn't the first time it's happened. I've tried to be a patron of this place and it will be the last time the 3 of us go there...good luck CJs. read more

Very nice place. Service was excellent. For seating they had tables and chairs and booths I believe and then the bar. I had the ribs because it was a Saturday and that was so special. The ribs are okay to the plus side. They were kind of fatty which I love, but the taste was a little off more like sauce than I couldn't taste any meat. Edited to say: I forgot to mention the myriad of TV screecs they have. A very equipt sports bar. Plus there's a stage for band music.And Karaoke during the week. read more

CJ's Backstage is hands-down the best place with live music that I have discovered so far in St. Pete!!! As someone visiting the area for the first time, I felt at home every time I went to CJ's this week! Every staff member is incredibly kind, professional, and awesome to be around! To say that the food is outstanding is an understatement. The musically branded menus and ambient lighting add a touch of inspiration that make music lovers of all kinds feel at hime. CJ's staff also exhibit remarkable love and respect for musicians - local and otherwise. On karaoke nights, DJ Zoe definitely loves what she does and is super encouraging to all of the singers! Whether it's a band on stage or just some friends singing karaoke, CJ's generates an environment filled with love, joy, and great music! I really can't say enough great things about this place. If you haven't been here and you enjoy music in any capacity, you're missing out on the best bar in town! read more

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CJs backstage is an excellent place with good food and customer srv. The bands are always great! The only issues is you have to walk inside and smoking section is just outside the door and there are smokers standing near the door and usually a big plume of smoke non smokers have to walk through. We are not smokers and people who do can smoke as much they want, but we don't inhale cigarette smoke to go into a smokeless restaurant/bar read more

The new CJ's is a much needed improvement... No smoking!! Went to see a band and had dinner and drinks and was pleasantly surprised. Hamburger and fries were good and priced fairly. Drinks were made and priced for "locals". The place was busy so service started a little slow, but that's ok as they tried hard to keep up. I will be back! read more

I had been there a few times and I think the best menu item they have bar none, are the homemade potato chips. Since I'm old and I can't sit for long, I couldn't take advantage of all the sports games or even the band being there. But the service was well attended and very polite. The house was clean. read more

The food was awesome and the waitress was even more awesome! I gladly recommend CJ's backstage

Stopped for a qwik lunch The place is clean neat n cool atmosphere out door sitting too Lunch was fabulous had to take half of all home huge plates full of delicousness... chef John Parker is an awesome chef fills them for specialties off Facebook def got me in here. You will Not be disappointed read more

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Food was outstanding-got the burger with bacon & Fries- both delicious. Service was great. Have freshly brewed tea, so that's a plus. Only improvement would be to offer sweet tea as well. We rode our bikes and it's right off the pinellas bike trail so it was nice to sit outside and eat then get back on our bikes. Highly recommend read more

Good drinks, fast service, alright food. It's just not a super solid music venue. As a music venue, it's more of a "sit down" place which is weird because they play "loud" music not really all that suitable for "sitting". read more

Got the Philly cheesesteak and it was really just ok, my martinis were great, and I loved their live music and karaoke night. Great atmosphere, cleanly, and very spacious. read more

CJ’s Backstage - Philly Cheesesteak - Karaoke Near Me - St. Petersburg, Florida

Came in to hear Tim Bluntson sing today and he killed it. Great talent. CJ's is always a good hang. So glad this location has worked out for them! Solid pickle chips! read more

The service and atmosphere is great. Nice whole in the wall for some live music. Always have a band Friday/Saturdays I believe. Karaoke is a good time as well. Food is typical bar food but the specials they have sometimes look good during the day. read more

I just left there. Walked inside of the bar for 10 minutes. Nobody waited on me so I got up and left, I won't be back.

great place ,great entertainment, great service, good food ,friendly clen just an all-around great place.

Would highly recommend CJ's for reasonably priced drinks, food, great service and to catch a few sporting events on their large screen tv's. From the moment we walked in, Rebecca, our server, was warm, welcoming and very attentive to our table. The menu has a lot of solid options, including breakfast until 2. I had the shrimp and grits and they were tasty. The burger, appetizers, wings and onion rings were all great too. CJ's is a great place to chill and escape the heat! read more

Fun place to catch live music. The food and service were good and the drink prices are very reasonable.

This place was great! We had an insanely large party, despite that, the servers did excellent and attended everyone's needs without issue. Our food was also prepared in good time, I wont say it was shockingly quick, but it was nonetheless impressive. The music, lights, and the set up of all the televisions was great and allowed for an amazing night. I got a burger, as well as two different kind of wings. All of which I was a fan of. If i had to really nitpick I would've liked a larger portion of ranch to go along with my fries. We left just before the live music, but I have no doubt it would be just as great of a an experience as the rest of the restaurant. read more

CJs breakfast for the win! Our group had corned beef hash, meat lovers omelette, and the 2 egg special. Everything was excellent and affordable. Keep up the good work CJs! read more

The atmosphere was Great. The food was Awesome. The service was Excellent. My only complaint was the price of my drink. $5.00 for a 12 ounce beer in a solo cup is RIDICULOUS! read more

Our network group is meeting at CJ's weekly, and we are loving the lunch specials! Trust me and order the chicken parm- it's delicious! Service is great, and they turn down the music while we're meeting. They are very receptive to our group! Adding their music offerings to my calendar. Tammy A read more

A group of five of us went to CJ's Christmas Day. They had a wonderful buffet. Prime rib that was perfectly cooked, ham, and turkey. With all the fixings and dessert. It was just like home cooking. We left before the music started but I was told it was very good. read more