St. Petersburg celebrated a major milestone on Saturday with the grand reopening of the Manhattan Casino on the Deuces, marking the return of one of the city’s most historic cultural landmarks. The ribbon cutting ceremony began at 10 a.m., followed by self-guided tours of the newly renovated event spaces. City leaders highlighted Mayor Welch’s Imagine the Deuces initiative and the Manhattan Casino’s important place in the Chitlin Music Circuit, where it helped shape Black music and entertainment history.
The reopening featured live performances by Henry Ashwood, Jr., Jeremy Carter, James Suggs, Maurice Allen, Joe Porter, Joel Bolds, and vocalist Allison Nash, bringing energy and meaning to the ceremony. Following the formal program, the celebration continued with Deuces Day Out at Deuces Corner Park, where attendees enjoyed more music, lunch from Love22 while supplies lasted, and opportunities to meet community groups and development leaders.
Guests also received the city’s Black History Zine and a commemorative reopening poster featuring new mural artwork by Egypt Hagan. The event served not only as a reopening, but as a tribute to the neighborhood’s heritage and a symbol of renewed investment in the Historic Gas Plant District and the Deuces corridor.