New Harrison Avenue gathering spot will offer a special preview during the November 6–7 Panama City Songwriters Festival ahead of its official grand opening.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ([RELEASE DATE]) – A new gathering place is taking shape in the heart of Historic Downtown Panama City. Local restaurateur Gilbert Hamati, owner of Trigo’s, is preparing to introduce Trigo Courtyard, a partially open-air dining and cocktail destination nestled between Trigo’s restaurant and the Trigo 131 Event Center along Harrison Avenue.

Designed to bring people together, Trigo Courtyard will offer a welcoming atmosphere complete with a full-service bar, delicious food, and the warm glow of overhead string lights. The new space adds another opportunity for residents and visitors to gather, unwind, and enjoy an evening in Downtown Panama City.

The courtyard will make its public debut with a special preview opening on November 6 and 7, 2026, in conjunction with the eighth annual Panama City Songwriters Festival. The festival brings talented songwriters and music lovers together for two days of performances throughout the walkable downtown district. This event is hosted by The Songwriters Festival, tickets and wrist bands are required to enter the Courtyard for that weekend only.

Following the festival preview, Trigo Courtyard will temporarily close as the team completes its final preparations. An invitation-only soft opening is planned for Tuesday Nov 10, followed by the official public grand opening on Thursday Nov 12.

“We’ve always wanted Trigo’s to be more than just a place to grab a bite at lunch. We want people to feel welcome, connect with friends, and enjoy everything downtown has to offer,” said Gilbert Hamati, owner of Trigo’s and Trigo Courtyard. “The courtyard gives us an opportunity to create something a little different. It’s an inviting outdoor space where you can enjoy great food, have a cocktail, listen to music, and just enjoy being downtown. We’re excited to share it with the community.”

The addition of Trigo Courtyard reflects the continued investment by local business owners in Downtown Panama City’s growing collection of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and unique experiences.

“Every new restaurant, cocktail spot, and gathering place adds to the appeal of our walkable downtown district,” said Jennifer Vigil, President & CEO of Destination Panama City. “What makes Downtown Panama City especially appealing is that it’s also home to the city’s designated Social District, where visitors can legally sip and stroll with beverages from participating establishments. Investments like Gilbert’s give people another reason to come downtown, explore our businesses, and stay a little longer. That’s good for our visitors, our local businesses, and our community.”

Downtown Panama City’s Social District allows patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating licensed establishments and enjoy them while exploring the designated district, subject to established hours and regulations. This distinctive feature encourages visitors to discover downtown’s restaurants, locally owned shops, galleries, and entertainment offerings on foot.

With its inviting atmosphere and convenient location on Harrison Avenue, Trigo Courtyard is positioned to become another favorite stop for an evening out, a casual get-together, or a night enjoying downtown’s growing entertainment scene.

Trigo Courtyard Grand Opening Details

• Location: 121 Harrison Avenue in  Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida
• Songwriters Festival Preview: November 6–7, 2026
• Invitation-Only Soft Opening: Nov 10 at 6:30 pm
• Official Grand Opening: Nov 12.
• Regular Operating Hours:
  • Monday to Wednesday 7 am – 9 pm
  • Thursday  to Saturday : 7 am – 11:00 pm
  • Sunday:  10 am – 8 :00 pm
• Food and Beverage Offerings:
  • Daytime until 3 pm – usual menu (salads and sandwiches)
  • Evening : 4 pm on – Pizza and special menu created by Gilbert (to be announced)]
• Website/Social Media: www.trigosfdeli.com FB @trigodeli
• Additional Grand Opening Activities:

About Trigo Courtyard

Trigo Courtyard is a new dining and cocktail destination in Historic Downtown Panama City, located between Trigo’s and the Trigo 131 Event Center. Created by local restaurateur Gilbert Hamati, the partially open-air venue combines food, a full-service bar, and an inviting atmosphere to create a new place for residents and visitors to gather along Harrison Avenue.

About Destination Panama City

Destination Panama City is the official destination marketing organization for Panama City, Florida, dedicated to promoting the city’s unique experiences, cultural attractions, events, and local businesses. Through strategic marketing, partnerships, and destination development, the organization works to attract visitors, support the local tourism economy, and showcase everything that makes Panama City a great place to visit.

For more information about Downtown Panama City and area events, visit www.DestinationPanamaCity.com

About the Panama City Songwriters Festival

The Panama City Songwriters Festival is an annual two-day music festival held in Historic Downtown Panama City, Florida. Now in its eighth year, the festival features original songs and stories from local, regional, national, and international songwriters, performed in intimate venues all within walking distance of one another. All proceeds support youth music programs through the Bay Youth Music Association.

https://www.pcsongwriters.com/