Hold my beer: Owner says Jannus Live concert venue not for sale

Jannus Live began in 1984 as Jannus Landing. Photo: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. To paraphrase Mark Twain, news of the death of the Jannus Live concert venue has been greatly exaggerated. Real estate developer Tony Amico, who owns the 11,000-square-foot downtown courtyard where concerts have been staged since 1984, says a real estate listing announcing the venue for sale was in error. What’s being sold is the adjacent building at 200 1st Avenue N.  Jannus Landing Retail Building LLC has listed the two-story corner structure for $11.5 million. The sale does not include the iconic standing-room-only concert space, an open area with a stage at the east end, at the same address and formerly known as Jannus Landing. Current management Jannus Live operates a “VIP Experience” in the building, which also houses the Landing Balcony Bar and the now-closed Moon Mountain. Although some wording has been changed, the listing by Target Commercial Real Estate still says the asking price includes “Janis Live music venue” (sic). Several of the photographs on the page are AI-generated, showing the property as it “might” appear with renovations, but are not marked as artificial. “The ad is far from precise,” Amico, whose company is St Pete Jannus LLC, told the Catalyst . “Jannus Live is not for sale, will not be for sale. Jannus Live will be a concert venue until that block does something. And the city may never let that block do anything.” Target Real Estate owner Michael Schweiger declined to comment for this story. Deciphering who owns what, and under what name, is a byzantine quest. Knight Global Entertainment LLC, which began managing the courtyard concerts in 2010, was founded by businessman Jeffry Knight, who leased the space from Amico for over a decade, before stepping down as President on May 5, 2025. Knight’s contract with the venue, which he re-named Jannus Live, ends in December. Megan Barnes, Registered Agent of  Jannus Landing Retail Building LLC, is also Manager of Knight Global Entertainment, and General Manager of Jannus Live. Eight days before he stepped down, Knight’s 37-foot pleasure craft allegedly collided with the slow-moving Clearwater Ferry on Clearwater Bay, resulting in the death of a ferry passenger, along with multiple injuries. Knight pleaded not guilty to 24 criminal counts, including eight felonies. His trial is set for February, 2027 in Pinellas County Circuit Court. It is likely, Amico said, that the venue’s name will revert to Jannus Landing once new management is secured. He already has numerous inquiries into taking over the concert business. “We can operate without Mr. Knight’s property,” Amico declared. “It doesn’t affect us.” The Catalyst reached out to Barnes, and to Knight’s representatives. No response was received. Places This Week columnist Amy Kagan contributed to this report. Share Tweet Share Related Topics: Jannus Landing jannus live Jeffry Knight St. Petersburg Tony Amato Click to comment Subscribe to the Daily Spark Get the latest right to your phone Subscription Form Name Email Subscribe Subscribe to the Daily Spark Get the latest right to your phone Subscription Form Name Email Subscribe You may like