This place is amazing!! The live music is on key and drinks are 2 thumbs up. Waitstaff is great and always ready to serve.

I have walked past here a million times and I'm not sure why I kept walking on by. A friend of mine suggested we have a few drinks here and really enjoyed the ambiance and live music. It's small, intimate, and a good time. They have a great selection of drinks and service is always fast! My only complaint is that you can smoke in there, and being asthmatic it kinda bothered me on my last visit but other than that I really like this place! read more

Just saw the best band money can buy. Wednesday nights if you love rock n roll just show up. They take whiskey as payment. Haven't seen a guy like this in ages. Friends of the crowd came out too. Service staff is top notch. read more

Jazz night was incredible! Went to see Hiram Hazley and Le Jazz Trio and not only were they stunningly talented but Mr. Hazley came to our table, was personable and very kind. They invited other musicians up to play and it turned into a nearly 4 hour non-stop Jazz extravaganza... from classics of Miles Davis to John Coltrane to improvisational treats this was a unique and unforgettable experience! The wait staff was friendly. The smoke... I'm extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke and absolutely hate it... however their ventilation system seems to suck the smoke right up and I wasn't bothered by it at all! I will say you will get whiffs of cigar smoke but it's sweet and non irritating (to my throat at least). I can't recommend this place enough for jazz lovers! read more

I really love to hang out at Ruby's Elixir every time I'm in St. Pete, just discovered it recently but it really is a gem. There is almost always live music playing, usually some local talented jazz performers and the environment has a very upscale-lounge feel with dim lighting and nice comfy seats. Also tables outside if you prefer the fresh air and people watching. The cigar bar is connected to the bar area, so you can choose to be in the smoking section or non smoking area where the bar is.The bartenders always have great suggestions and make a great mai tai :) I can't wait to stop by again soon read more

We visited Ruby's Elixir last night and got lucky to witness and hear the amazing Chris Walker band. The band sounded really good playing some old school cover jams and the lead guitarist and singer pulled off incredible tricks like playing with his tongue and playing someone else's guitar behind them. This was probably the most talented band that I saw free in a small venue like this. The bartender was pretty prompt and courteous. The bar was packed but I got drinks pretty quickly and didn't have to wait long. Rubys elixir had $3 Imperial brews on special which reminded me of my visit in Costa Rica. Ruby's elixir is located downtown St Pete near the Central Ave strip. There is plenty of free street parking 2 or 3 blocks away and some pay $1 per hour to park in the garage. This bar sells cigars and allows smoking in doors. They typically have New Orleans style jazz and classic rock most days. The bartender tells me this bar is known for exceptional music. Decor is typical bar decor W low lighting and red led lighting. The band plays against a brick wall which reminds me of a comedy club. We will definitely be coming back here again soon. read more

See all

Love the music and the scene. Was such a nice surprise to run across this place while I was in St. Petersburg for work.

This place is just awesome. A friend lured me here, and I love blues/rock music. Yeah, this place has that and more. I had such a wonderful time listening to the great band and local acts who just wanted to jam. I was here on an "open-mic' type night where anybody could go on up and rock out. Bartender was a class act and always polite even when jammed up. One fine gent here who sings and plays harmonica was so good I asked him if he had any music on disc and BLAM.....he offered me a disc for sale....it was an easy sale as he was just great. I can't wait to go back. This place was so awesome and jammed....and it was a Tuesday night....I can't even imagine the stupid fun had here on a weekend night.... Way to go Ruby's !!!!!!! read more

This place is awesome! I love the love music here they have on Fridays. The groups that play are talented and singers are awesome. At first I thought they were recorded music while sitting outside but then realized they were playing live from inside. This place is really chill, love the atmosphere and the fact that it's not overly packed so I can get a drink on time. It's a great place to spend here with friends or to meet people. read more

If you come to this place on a Friday or Saturday night and don't have Anna as your server you're missing out! Hands down the most attentive, sweetest server I have ever had at a bar in downtown St. Pete! Everything from the music to the service at this place is top notch! read more

Live music is always entertaining. The place is a bit small but it kind of adds to the overall atmosphere. My only complaint is that it does get hot inside with limited space, lots of bodies, and doors open to the outside. Service is always good and while I don't smoke cigars, I heard people talking about how great the back bar is. Definitely worth a visit when the weather gets a little bit cooler. read more

At first glance I couldn't care less about this place. Once inside we got our drinks fast and the entertainment was awesome! The clientele was mixed with every type you could imagine. We weren't the only 40 something and 50 something there read more

One of my favorite spots in St Pete. The music is always good, and the drinks are the best. If you don't smoke, they have some outdoor seating. You can still hear the music and enjoy your time, as well as observe some of the other nightlife in St Pete. read more

Normally I'd give this place a 5 star rating (I'm a fairly regular and love this place) however tonight the bartenders arms seem to be broken as our vodka/soda drinks appear to be simply soda. Expensive hydration. read more

I I went to Ruby Elixir's this past Saturday night. There was a really good Blues Band that was playing. The music was awesome. The service was really slow. I would hate to experience what the service is like if the venue was at full capacity - this to - the particular night, it was about 60% full. The waitress was nice, but it took her forever to get to our table so we could order drinks. When she finally arrived, I ordered an Old Fashioned - it was horrible. I hate complaining, but I had to - it was that bad. I then ordered a Mojito. It was the worst Mojito that I've ever had. But since I complained about the first drink, I just drank the mojito and paid for it and left. The waitress was again, very nice and asked what was it exactly that I did not like about my Old Fashioned. I'd go again for the music, not for their "Specialty" drinks. I'll stick to beer next time. read more

Love Ruby's. Always good music and crowd! Bob Hope band was excellent. Really had everyone dancing and enjoying themselves!

Ruby's is a great place for live music. It is very small, so very intimate. And it is connected to the Cigar Bar so a bit smelly at times! So sit on the outside and enjoy St Pete at night. read more

What kind of shit bar doesn't let a 29 year old come into a bar. I'm from Oregon and when you have a change of address you get an address change sticker. Apparently this stupid bar doesn't allow me in because of the sticker. Ok whatever. Gotta love the shitty bars around here. Horrible service, bad drinks and nothing good to say about them. Could of shown it to him on the Oregon state website for dmv but still wouldn't have mattered. Or the fact that my younger sister was with me and had the same address as me but hers was ok. read more

Love live music - love it more for no cover. I like the doors open and people dancing everywhere.

Stopped in for a few shots (4 shots for $40.00) . Great vibe in this area in general but pretty pricey. Would Deff return maybe just not for shots. read more

I am a fan of the Ruby's. Great live music and excellent staff. There is no shortage of personality from this amazing place.... And it's right here in the Burg! How lucky for us! read more

Limited on cocktails but the bartender could basically make anything i asked. live music etc

Live music seven nights out of the week most weeks, Ruby's has become somewhat of spot for me in downtown. When I just want to chill out to some cool tunes and a stiff cocktail this is the place. The crowds are a little older and more refined than most of the other bars on the block. Ruby's a nice break from the booze filled mayhem which is Central Ave. The service has always been attentive and and the patrons always seem to be enjoying themselves. Keep the live music coming and I WILL be back. read more

My friend's order two drinks I even tried both nasty the waitress took th back the drinks, my friends said still taste the same . The bartender didn't make a fresh drink just added more juice or coke to it. This is not okay if your bill comes up to 32.00 . For that amount two of the drinks need to come correct. We tip the waitress do that she did a good job and made sure we left happy . The Live music was good blues night read more

Had a great time last night. Wonderful music. Worm comfortable atmosphere. Pleasant service.

My GF and I love most everything about Ruby's - except when they change bands in the middle of the evening. They usually start with a solo singer songwriter type early in the evening (Fri-Sat etc). Around 9 PM the first act wraps up and the second act, which is a 2-4 piece combo, begins setting up. I guess the second band contracts to begin playing at 10PM or later because ready-or-not they aren't going to play before 10. So from 9-10 PM it's all "testing, testing, testing" occasional rim shots, thumping a base, a chord here and there from the guitar. This all goes on while the jukebox is wailing so it is one aggravating and annoying cacophony of sound. An hour or more of this is enough to drive us out. Have the band play when they are ready, or have them STFU until their start time. We are okay with setups and sound checks but it's not the LA Forum, get on with it already. read more

Ruby's is my go to spot! The music is great and the service is always on point. *After a couple drinks you won't even notice the cigars.

Really Cool Spot in St Pete! Wandered in and saw a Great Group Playing New Orleans Jazz. Dance Floor, Good Music... Gotta Love this Place!

Ruby's is a great place. I jumped in during a short trip in San Petersburg, never you can find in Italy .... Excellent music, good drinks and friendly style!!!! I was there on Wednesday 16th and I listened an amazing group but I cannot remember the name, I like to know if they have published any discs, could somebody help me ? I really like to listen them again..... read more

They advertise a blues jam on Wednesday nights starting at 9:00 on their website which is totally bogus. We get here at 9:30 and nothing is set up. They are just starting to set up. So don't believe their website. And it's not a true blues jam in that you can't come in and sign up and get to play. Bogus advertising. read more

My buddy and I were there last week and it was his first time there....absolutely loved the vibe in this small, energetic and happening spot! Lots of good looking ladies with a diverse crowd! The people were friendly, the egos were checked at the door and people just always seemed to be relaxed and having a great time! My go to spot whenever I'm in St Pete...as much as it kills me to say this because I live on the other side of the bridge, but Tampa needs to step up its downtown game...we are getting there but St Pete has a major head start! Oh and BTW, Linda is numero uno when it comes to customer service...you go girl! read more

Great bar, excellent selection of drinks. Friendly staff, friendly crowd. Wednesday nights has some of the best live music in the state.

What a great find! Tonight's band was excellent - my 21 year old son got his very first taste of jazz and is now a fan! Great waitresses, great bar staff, and great patrons! read more

Rubys has a lot of great music, but I don't know who they think they are. I've had cheaper drinks in NYC, and met much classier people in cheaper bars. Every time I'm in there something trashy is going on, therefore it's not the high class establishment they claim to have. Their "famed" ruby's elixir is now a 16 DOLLAR DRINK, and they took out the elderflower liquor that would have made it worth the 12 bucks it used to be. read more

WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER RECEIVED! Bartender (Emily or Emma?) was impolite and downright slovenly. Repeatedly scratched and played with her messy looking hair, and her pants AND shirt were way too tight which left her with an unsightly muffin top, on top of the fact that she was extraordinarily rude and constantly gave us dirty looks, as if we were taking up valuable space at her near empty bar. Decent music, overpriced drinks, unfriendly and staff. read more

A really great place.The music tomorrow is worth trip from Tampa. CAMILLE. Get there early before the seats are all gone. I hope they have CAMILLE here more often. She is the only thing that could top the food drinks and service. read more

I went to this location with my boyfriend last Friday to watch Sean Brown. As we were sitting there we had met two nice older gentleman we sat with. Some how a homeless woman that was wandering around ended up at our table and was trying to steal our drinks. When we told her no and I myself tried to look in my phone so I could at least find a shelter for her (she had claimed her husband was abusing her) she picked up a beer bottle and hit me in the head!!!! I am now suffering with 9 stitches missed two days from work and painful headaches. After the attack and the police and the ambulance came the owners still INSISTED I PAY MY TAB!!!! I am covered in blood and can barely see and they still insisted I sign my credit card receipt which I can barely see and I covered the tab in blood. Seriously? Is $53 really worth it? Wow. First off they should be held partly responsible for this attack allowing homeless to bother their patrons like this. read more

I went to Ruby's Elixer in downtown St. Petersburg last Friday night to enjoy time with my brother and his wife, also to listen to music. The place was crowded so we stood at the bar. One of the bartenders had a miniature nude black doll on the bar. At first glance, I made nothing of it. Then the bartender started to put the doll in several sexual positions. He hung the doll by her legs face down and with her legs spread apart. Every time the bartender would change the doll's position he would have a smirk on his face. This last incident my brother said to the bartender he doesn't think it's funny. He ask the bartender to take the doll down, with his wife standing next to him. I agreed with my brother that we had seen enough and we would like the doll taken down. The bartender stated we could go to another bar, called security and had us escorted out. Angry and disrespected is how we felt. read more

Awful customer service. I came to this bar Saturday night with a group of friends and was greeted by a bouncer. He took 2 of my friends id's and allowed them in. I presented him mine and he says you cant come in. Naturally I ask why and he looks at me rudely and says you stumbled while walking up. As a former bouncer at clubs I was immediately pissed off since I knew I had not stumbled what so ever. I fully accept times when I am wrong but to tell me I did something wrong when I had not was enough to raise my temperature. I proceeded to walk a straight line in from of this bouncer and asked to talked with management when he rudely stated he was the manager (which he clearly wasnt). I rounded up my group of friends which was about 9 of us total and left the bar without spending any money. We took our business to Yard of Ale and had no such problems. The only reason I could come up with why I believe this bouncer was so rude is because I had a bandana with shamrocks on my head to celebrate my Irish heritage for St. Patricks. I dont know if he assumed I was trouble or what. I do know that if he had asked me to take it off I would have complied immediately. So needless to say this rude bouncer ruined this bar for me and I do not plan on returning there again. My friends have agreed as well and having ties to the city as well as the chamber of commerence, I will make sure people are aware of this discrimination. read more