FERG'S STORY Mark Ferguson, a native of St. Petersburg, and graduate of Florida State University, was a teacher in the Pinellas County Schools. In 1992, he had an idea-to open a sports bar in a rundown area of downtown St. Pete, known as the "Gas Plant District." With the help of family and friends, Mark purchased the Sunoco gas station that became the first Ferg’s building.

 

In 1991, Mark Ferguson purchased this Sunoco station and it became Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill. Today, Ferg's spans nearly 2 city blocks!

Ferg's began to sponsor local softball, flag football and basketball leagues. Soon after, the Suncoast Dome (now Tropicana Field) was built and became the host of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and Tampa Bay Storm arena football team. Mark's dream to be the premier sports bar in Tampa Bay was realized when Major League Baseball awarded St. Petersburg with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Rays).

Baseball has provided some of the largest crowds in Ferg's History. It's nothing to see 17,000 people here for Opening Day and over 30,000 for the World Series.

Ferg's is built with wood from local schools. See if you recognize the basketball court floors and bleacher walls. Other parts of Ferg's are built with repurposed materials from All Children’s Hospital and the Derby Lane Dog Track.

Over the years, Ferg's has grown into what has become one of the most unique restaurant, bar and event venues anywhere. Eleven separate areas can host parties and events. Ferg's Backyard can host 3,000 for concerts, pep rallies, ESPN's St Petersburg Bowl tailgates, fundraising activities, and more. Private rooms can host birthday parties and class reunions. The huge patio has established itself as the gathering place to watch football and basketball games, and is THE headquarters for Rays fans before 81 home games.

Ferg's story continues with the opening of Ferg's Live in downtown Tampa, across from Amalie Arena. Opened in the Spring of 2015, Ferg's Live has already established itself as THE place to go before Lightning and Storm games, concerts and conventions, and is an anchor in the ever-emerging new Channelside District. Built from shipping containers, Ferg's Live continues the tradition of Ferg's in using recycled materials to create a unique venue.

Ferg's Sports Bar was named Best Hangout in Tampa Bay and CNN named Ferg's as one of the Top 101 Sports Bars in the country. We think with your visit here, that you’ll understand why.

After nearly two years of permitting and a year of reconstruction, Ferg's Depot opened its doors in January of 2016. The Depot today consists of several original buildings and train platforms that house three dining rooms, 4 bars, a courtyard, an outdoor covered Oyster bar, private party space and areas for games and entertainment. Four shipping containers, painted to look like freight train cars lie adjacent to the property and house the beer cooler (sending draft beer to 80 taps), the kitchen, cooler/freezer and bathrooms.

In addition to regular lunch and dinner business, Ferg's Depot is one of the most unique event and party venues in Orlando, hosting groups from 10 to 3,000. We have already hosted such events as the Florida State University Oyster Roast, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft party and many corporate events.

Ferg's Depot continues to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.