Reinventing a Tampa Landmark: Chris McVety and the Evolution of Jackson’s Bistro
- Chuck Merlis
- Aug 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 24
On Harbour Island, just across the bridge from downtown Tampa, sits one of the city’s most recognizable waterfront restaurants: Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi.
For more than two decades, Jackson’s has been a hub for locals and visitors alike — a place where brunch stretches into afternoon cocktails, where sushi plates meet sunset views, and where Gasparilla fireworks burst above the Bay.
But for owner Chris McVety, Jackson’s isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a lesson in survival, reinvention, and the push to keep pace with a city that’s changing faster than ever. Tampa today is a far cry from the quiet downtown he first knew. And so, Jackson’s has had to evolve right alongside it.
The Early Days of Jackson’s Bistro
When McVety first got involved with Jackson’s Bistro, downtown Tampa was not yet the vibrant destination it is today. There was no Water Street, no Sparkman Wharf, and few reasons for people to linger by the Bay after work.
“Back then, there was nothing in downtown Tampa,” he said. “Jackson’s had to be fluid. We became a nightclub for 14 years because that’s what it took to survive.”
The versatility was what kept the restaurant alive. Jackson’s hosted late-night parties, weekend brunches, and everything in between, serving as one of the few anchors of nightlife in Tampa Bay. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked.
The Challenge
The turning point came when Jackson’s became mired in litigation with its landlord. For three years, McVety says, the business stood still. Nothing moved forward.
“It was very stifling to be in high-stakes litigation like that. You don’t know your future,” he said. “And the court system — it’s expensive. It’s not accessible to everyone.”
In the end, both sides shook hands on the eve of the trial. What followed was a working relationship built on compromise. The lesson stuck with him.
“The first thing I ask myself now is, what are we really arguing about? And is it worth the energy?”
But while the lawsuits slowed the business, the City of Tampa was transforming. New residential towers rose along Harbour Island. Water Street Tampa took shape. Downtown is filled with young professionals, and the number of restaurants in Tampa has multiplied.
McVety realized Jackson’s couldn’t be everything to everyone anymore.
“We had an identity crisis for a while,” he admitted. “But then we saw our customer base change right before our eyes. We had to adapt again.”
Reinvention
That adaptation came through major renovations. The patio was rebuilt to serve as the heart of the restaurant while the interior underwent upgrades. A new bar was relocated to maximize waterfront views. Even custom architectural features — like towering metallic trees designed in Michigan with lighted canopies — were installed to create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
“We sell an experience,” McVety said. “The view, the music, the food, the service — that’s the vibe. That’s what people are here for.”
The food itself became another focus. After a Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa Bay Times investigation, “Farm to Fable,” exposed seafood fraud across Florida — including at Jackson’s — McVety moved quickly to overhaul the menu and vendor relationships.
“I was furious,” he said. “I didn’t even know it was happening. But I went through everything after that. I don’t want to serve food I’m not proud of.”
Today, seafood is a signature draw. Jackson’s crab cakes use only real crab, and the restaurant’s vegan watermelon sushi has become a conversation starter for its uncanny resemblance to tuna.
“I bring it out to people and don’t even tell them it’s watermelon until after they try it,” McVety said with a laugh.
The Lesson
For McVety, the real challenge of Jackson’s isn’t the competition from other waterfront restaurants in Tampa like American Social or The Sail. It’s keeping the team aligned and the culture strong.
“Culture is everything,” he said. “Coming out of COVID, the hardest part was putting structure back into place. You can teach skills, but you can’t teach caring. I look for people who care first.”
That mindset shapes how he hires, manages, and even raises his kids.
“I tell my children the hungriest people are often the ones who didn’t grow up with much. They outwork everyone else. That hunger is what drives success.”
It’s a perspective born from his own upbringing with a single mother, and from a belief that success comes through steady base hits rather than grand slams.
“Start with one ATM, then a few, then hundreds,” he said, reflecting on his earlier ventures. “The same applies here.”
Jackson's Future
For McVety, Jackson’s isn’t just about staying relevant in the crowded market of restaurants in Tampa. It’s about being a part of the city’s story.
From Gasparilla pirate festival parties to New Year’s Eve fireworks over downtown Tampa — privately funded by Jackson’s for years — the restaurant has woven itself into the fabric of the community.
“When I see the whole city line up on the waterfront to watch fireworks we paid for, it makes me smile inside,” he said.
And while Jackson’s is known as one of the best brunch spots in Tampa and a staple of Tampa nightlife, McVety insists its future is about more than food and drinks. It’s about keeping pace with a city that has outgrown its past.
“The biggest threat to us isn’t competition,” he said. “It’s ourselves. Tampa is strong. The demand is here. We just have to keep delivering an experience people want.”
Why Jackson’s Story Matters
For more than 20 years, Jackson’s Bistro has reflected the evolution of downtown Tampa itself: resilient, adaptable, and continuously reshaping to meet the moment. Chris McVety’s journey shows that survival in the restaurant world isn’t about perfection — it’s about reinvention.
As Tampa grows into a national destination for food, nightlife, and waterfront experiences, Jackson’s continues to stand at the center of it all, both a survivor of the past and a player in the city’s future.