Manhattan Casino in St. Petersburg to reopen after renovations

The historic Manhattan Casino in St. Petersburg is scheduled to reopen on September 19 following extensive renovations. The landmark, located in the Deuces neighborhood, was originally established in the mid-1920s by Elder Jordan and served as a vital social hub for the Black community for nearly 40 years.

Historically known as a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, the venue hosted legendary performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and James Brown. The city invested over $5 million—comprising $4 million from the City Council and more than $1 million in state grants—to redesign the 12,000-square-foot building.

The renovated facility features two primary areas: the Legacy Room on the first floor, which includes a guest lobby, conference room, bar, and kitchen, and the Jordan Ballroom on the second floor. The ballroom offers more than 4,000 square feet of event space capable of accommodating up to 300 guests. The reopening ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting led by Mayor Ken Welch, a rededication of the Elder Jordan statue, and the unveiling of a new exterior mural.