The Manhattan Casino on the Deuces marked a major milestone with its grand reopening on Saturday, September 19, drawing community members, city leaders, and performers to celebrate one of St. Petersburg’s most historic cultural landmarks. The festivities began at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by self-guided tours of the renovated event spaces inside the restored casino.
Guests were welcomed by live music from Henry Ashwood, Jr., Jeremy Carter, James Suggs, Maurice Allen, Joe Porter, Joel Bolds, and vocalist Allison Nash. The reopening also highlighted Mayor Welch’s Imagine the Deuces initiative and the Manhattan Casino’s important legacy in the Chitlin Music Circuit, where the venue once served as a key stop for Black entertainers and audiences.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued at Deuces Corner Park with Deuces Day Out, running from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community event featured performances by the Gibbs High School Jazz Band and other local artists, along with lunch from Love22 while supplies lasted. Attendees also had the chance to meet the development team behind the Historic Gas Plant District, connect with Deuces Live! leaders and business owners, and pick up commemorative Black History materials celebrating the casino’s return.