Cafe Alma

Hours: Bar open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; lunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday; dinner: 5-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday; closed Sunday.

Cover: None

Signature drink: Either the ''Build Your Own Bloody Mary' bar (pick your favorite vodka and doctor the drink to suit your taste) or the Espresso Martini (Stoli Vanilla, Kaluha Kahlua and espresso, shaken and served).

What to wear: The typical couture vibe found at Cafe Alma is Think upscale and sharp, but not conservative. A suit isn't uncommon, but neither are jeans with a hip T-shirt. A sexy halter will do, but so would a slinky tank.

The scene: Downtown St. Petersburg's owes heavily to trendy little spots like Cafe Alma. This fine dining restaurant blends the underground hipster culture with the chic atmosphere of a European cafe. Local art adorns the walls while house DJs spin soulful grooves to one of the most eclectic crowds found outside the East Village.

The crowd: Cafe Alma brings a sense of community to the city by creating an atmosphere where anyone can come to enjoy good music, drinks and conversation. Artists mix with international clientele, businessmen converse with local musicians, hipsters hang with punk rockers.

Specials: Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m., with $2 domestic bottles and $3.50 import drafts. Tuesday brings $3 Stoli cocktails, $5 Stoli martinis and half- price bottles of wine with dinner. Wednesday is college and hospitality night, featuring two-for-one appetizers and $3 premium well cocktails. Thursday offers Tuaca shots, SoCo & Lime shots and import drafts for $3.50.

The scoop: Cafe Alma opened 13 months ago as a gathering place fashioned after European cafes. Well-traveled owners Dwight and Catherine Watkins wanted to bring a slice of international culture and city metropolitan atmosphere to downtown St. Pete. They saw a need to embrace local artists and musicians while introducing a Mediterranean-style menu that serves dinner well past midnight. The open, inviting space promotes conversation and interaction. Exposed brick and duct work is reminiscent of any downtown loft, and the DJ booth gives the room an urban vibe.

Once a month Cafe Alma hosts a local art opening, exposing its patrons to independent works. Every Wednesday, DJ Chad Neiro takes guests on a soulful ride with down-tempo house, while Thursday is known for old-school funk and hip hop. Fridays pave an eclectic path for the Knowmadic Tribe Sound System, while Saturdays give St. Pete a little deep house from DJ John Shannon.

By Doug Van Sant