The Twisted Birch Sports Bar & Grill

06/11/2026

✨ 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 ✨

We had to take a minute to show off something really special.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to our friends 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀.

What we expected to be a simple flat sign insert mounted to the wall with overhead lighting somehow turned into this incredible custom piece of art with 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, beautiful detail, and all the extra touches that make it feel like it truly belongs at 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗵.

They upgraded us unexpectedly, unknowingly, and in a way that honestly means more than they probably realize. We are beyond grateful.

Since our last update, a few more things have come together inside as well.

The 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱, more fans are up, and we’ve been working through some of the finishing touches in the front of house.

The 𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝘁, but it does run now. The lights are up, everything is in place, and now we just need to get the equipment and final piping situated, finish some stainless trim work, and get through inspection.

The 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸-𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻, and the refrigeration equipment is now in house and ready to be installed.

The 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 and scheduled to be installed on the 20th.
𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗸 𝗖𝗢₂ 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘆, and the rest of our tables and chairs are coming soon. Once they arrive, that part should come together pretty quickly.

It is definitely a process. A lot of the big things cannot happen until other big things happen first, so it becomes a lot of hurry up and wait. But while we wait on those pieces, there is still plenty of small stuff getting knocked out every day.

We truly appreciate everyone’s patience, support, and excitement as we keep pushing toward opening.

And if you drive by and see the new sign, feel free to snap a picture and post it here. We may just send out a few 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 to some of the first people who share pictures with us. 😉

Thank you again to 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 Kendal Signs. You gave us more than a sign — you gave us a centerpiece.

05/29/2026

🔥🍻 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 🍻🔥
It has been a little while since our last update, so we figured it was time to show everyone where things stand at our new home:

📍 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐯𝐝
The old King’s Grill location

And yes… we know everyone is asking the same question:

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆?!

We promise — we’re working on it every single day. 😅

There have been a few things that held us up, with the hood system being one of the biggest pieces. We finally got the go-ahead to hang it about a week or so ago, and now it is officially up, along with the exhaust fans.

That is a 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 step forward. 🔥

Now we’re moving into electrical, the Ansul fire suppression system, and getting everything cleared for inspections.

🚧 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

• Grease trap and new plumbing are hooked up ✅
• Hood system is hung ✅
• Exhaust fans are up ✅
• Power behind the bar has been situated ✅
• Coca-Cola came out and installed their hardware ✅
• Dishwasher is scheduled for delivery in about two weeks ✅
• Background sound and speakers are installed ✅
• Big band sound coming soon ✅
• Feature wall is finished ✅
• Pool table has been completely overhauled with new charcoal felt ✅
• Kendal’s logo sign has been re-situated and is looking awesome ✅
• Golden Tee is installed ✅
• ATM is installed ✅
• Jukebox is installed ✅
• Bathrooms are coming together ✅
• Booths, tables, TVs, lighting, sound, and all the little details are starting to make this place feel like 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐡 again ✅

And somewhere in between all of that, we’ve been building tables, moving everything over from storage, sorting equipment, chasing down parts, fixing old surprises, and handling about a thousand behind-the-scenes things that nobody ever sees.

Jenn has also been working through a ton of the back-end pieces that are just as important as the construction side — permits, paperwork, systems, planning, setup, organizing, and all the things that have to happen before the doors can open.

❄️ 𝐀𝐂 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄
We’ve also had an ongoing issue with one of the AC units, and that is getting a full overhaul as we speak.
Not the most exciting update… but in Florida, it’s definitely one of the most important ones. 😂

🍺 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓?
The walk-in cooler is already purchased and waiting to be installed. Once that is in place, we can move forward with getting the draft beer system hooked up.
We also finally got our main gas line from the gas company, which means once the hood side is wrapped up, we can start getting the gas lines installed and move another huge step closer to firing up the kitchen.

Still on the list:
• Finish electrical for the hood system
• Install the Ansul system
• Get hood/fire inspection cleared
• Install the walk-in cooler
• Hook up the draft beer system
• Install gas lines
• Finish remaining equipment and refrigeration
• Keep pushing through inspections
• Finish the office buildout — although thankfully, that part is not needed for us to open

🙏 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

We know the biggest question is still: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Right now, we are not ready to put an official date out there — because at this stage, any date would still be exactly that: a guess.

With a project like this, one inspection, one system, one subcontractor schedule, or one surprise behind a wall can change the timeline quickly. So rather than keep saying “we think we’re about this many weeks out,” we’d rather be honest and keep everyone updated as the major pieces get checked off.
Realistically, if everything went perfectly, we feel like we are probably about 𝟒–𝟔 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

But as we’ve learned through this whole process… “perfectly” and “restaurant buildout” don’t always live in the same sentence. 😅

So for now, we’re going to keep pushing, keep checking things off, and keep showing you the progress as it happens.
Most importantly, we want to say 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

The continued support, messages, excitement, patience, and encouragement from everyone has meant more to us than we can really put into words. Bringing 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐡 back has been a huge project, and knowing how many people are rooting for it has helped carry us through every delay, every surprise, and every long day.

We are close. We are getting there. And when we finally give an opening date, it will be because we feel confident that we can actually stand behind it.

We cannot wait to bring 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐡 back to Rockledge stronger, cleaner, louder, colder, and better than ever.

🍻 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐃… 𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄.

04/17/2026

🚨 NEW MENU COMING SOON 🚨

We’re getting ready to roll out the menu at The Twisted Birch… and we’ve been putting a lot of thought into what’s going to be featured on it.

Think smaller kitchen, tightened and refined menu with elevated bar food, made from scratch — real ingredients, real prep, and almost no reliance on freezers (basically just enough space for the fries).

We’re bringing back the home runs you already love —

🔥 Jumbo Wings cooked to order (no par cooking)
🍔 Smash Burgers
🌮 Tacos
🧅 French Onion Soup

…done right, with more attention to detail, flavor, and consistency than ever before.

But before we lock it in — we want to hear from you.

What are the must-haves you think a sports bar should obviously have or you’ve had and loved?

What have you had before at our previous locations that you’d love to see done again?

And what’s something modern and new you think would fit our brand?

Drop your ideas below and like the ideas of other people’s suggestions, top liked menu item comment will be featured and you will receive a $50 gift card for Birch to try your item on us.👇

Let’s build this neighborhood bar & grill menu together.

04/07/2026

🔥🍻 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 🍻🔥

Things are 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 over at our new home:
📍 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐯𝐝 (the old King’s Grill location)

🚧 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊
Our hood system has been delivered and is making its way into its final home in the kitchen 🔥
AND… a big one for the bar 🍺

𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐊 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 — huge step forward in getting the bar fully operational

Huge thank you to Xavier, Chris, Liz and the rest of the team at @ F.A.S.T. out of Merritt Island for jumping in and getting that installed — massive progress.

🛠️ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍
• Kendal Signs has our exterior signage ready to go — just waiting on final paint to wrap so they can install
• My incredible father (𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐝) has taken the brunt of this build — tile work is done and he’s tackled a ton of other pieces along the way
• Bert has been crushing it getting everything painted 🎨
• Bathrooms are almost fully refreshed (this is huge if you remember the old ones… we weren’t allowed to touch them — long story 😅)
🔧 Final systems coming together:
• Grease trap plumbing in progress — thank you Phil and Brittany & Lombardi Signature Plumbing, and Brevard Construction
• Huge thanks to Steve and the guys at All 4 One Gas for jumping in and getting the gas situated

📺 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒
• TVs are up ✅
• Systems are coming together ✅
• Progress is happening every single day

Big thanks as well to Dondi Steele and Cheney Brothers, Inc. Headquarters for helping us get set up with Coca-Cola, dishwashers, tea, coffee, bathroom dispensers, and everything in between — huge support.

👉 That being said — these are all incredible subcontractors that we’ve been working with for years, and I truly couldn’t recommend them enough.

🔜 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐒
• Getting the walk-in cooler situated
• Finalizing equipment & refrigeration installs

👉 Tommy Ryder Air Conditioning LLC … you’re up next ❄️

⏳ 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄
We’re currently thinking about ~𝟖 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭

(…but don’t hold me to that 😅 — a lot depends on final inspections, permits, and Tallahassee getting those business licenses and applications approved for food and liquor as well)

🙏 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊
There have been a few hiccups along the way (as expected) but overall we’re right on track and getting closer every day.

We can’t wait to bring The Twisted Birch back stronger than ever.

🍻 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐃… 𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄.

03/20/2026

First TV up !!! and it’s starting to look good in here, we had a minor hiccup and had to send the hood system back from delivery damage but we are still on a good pace and not letting it get us down. Dad is still killing it as always. Wouldn’t be able to do all this without him.

03/01/2026

🎲✨ 𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄! ✨🎲

The Twisted Birch is excited to share that our sister restaurant 𝐎𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐫 & 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥 will be handling the 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 & 𝐁𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 for the upcoming Competitors Casino Fundraiser benefiting local charities.

This is going to be an incredible night of gaming, prizes, community, and giving back.

🎧 𝐃𝐉 𝐁𝐆 will be spinning all evening
🍽 Amazing food & drinks
🎰 Casino tables, raffles, and more

💼 Please consider 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠,
🎟 Grab a 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭,
📲 Or simply 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to help us spread the word and support local charities.

This will NOT be an event you want to miss. 🎲🍸

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐡 #𝐎𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 #𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 #𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 #𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠

02/20/2026

Hi everyone (just a little background and to clear some things up, nothing crazy) — I’m Thomas. My wife Jennifer and I own The Twisted Birch Sports Bar & Grill and Oyster Shooters Raw Bar & Grill We’re currently renovating the old Kings Grill building at 400 Barton Blvd. in Rockledge, which will be the new home of The Twisted Birch.

Our journey has been a long one. From 2003–2012, our family owned JD’s Sports Bar in what’s now Thrifty Plaza. When the property owner passed away and the plaza went into probate, Walmart made an offer to purchase it with plans for a small-format store. As part of that process, all month-to-month and expiring leases had to be released. Our lease expired during probate, we weren’t able to renew, and we were given 30 days to vacate.

With limited options and very little time, we relocated in 2013 to the old Bourbon House building on US1. We spent four good years there, but challenges with space, parking, and septic eventually led us to search for something more sustainable.

That search brought us to the location on Barnes at Turtle Creek Golf Course. In 2017, my wife and I officially took over and rebranded JD’s into what became The Twisted Birch. We were proud to call that home until 2025, when the golf course owner decided to retire and sell the property for residential development.

Anticipating that sale, we opened Oyster Shooters in Cocoa Village as a second concept to help offset the transition. Things moved faster than expected, though, and Birch found itself without a home sooner than we planned.

After what feels like an eternity, we’re finally well on our way to reopening — and we truly can’t wait. We value every single person we’ve met along this journey. So many of you have become like family, and we’re incredibly grateful for your patience, support, and excitement as we work toward what we hope will be The Birch’s final move.

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back soon. If the stars align and permitting, licensing and hood installation go as planned (which they never do) we are currently shooting for May.

01/28/2026

Hey guys, if you have been craving some of our French Onion Soup or the Gastro Grilled Cheese we will be having them on the menu this weekend at Oyster Shooters Raw Bar & Grill, cold weather calls for lots of soup selections and some hearty stick to your ribs comfort options.

🥶🔥 Cold Weather Calls for Comfort Food — So We’re Leaning In. 🔥🥶

With record low temperatures hitting the Space Coast, this weekend is all about warm, cozy, cold-weather dining — the kind of food that makes you glad you went out.

While we continue building out the new relocated Twisted Birch, we’ve brought over two of the most requested Birch favorites as a special feature items at Oyster Shooters Raw Bar & Grill.

❄️ Weekend Feature Menu (1/30 – 2/1) ❄️

🧅 French Onion Soup – $10
Slow-cooked and layered with deep flavor, topped with provolone and Swiss, broiled until golden brown and bubbling.

🧀 Gastro Grilled Cheese – $15
All the best parts of French onion soup — Swiss, provolone, and Parmesan, topped with caramelized soup onions, grilled on artisan sourdough with a crunchy cheese top and served with our signature French onion broth for dipping.

🦀 Jumbo Lump Crab Grilled Cheese – $25
Buttery grilled sourdough layered with jumbo lump crab, melted cheddar jack and mozzarella, served with a warm cup of our house-made lobster bisque for dipping.

🥧 Harbor Seafood Pot Pie (Bread Bowl) – $28
Creamy shrimp, scallops, and lump crab in a sherry-kissed herb cream, topped with parmesan breadcrumbs and served in a toasted sourdough bread bowl.

🍖 Braised Short Rib – $34
Fork-tender bone-in short rib, slow-braised and served over potato purée with a red wine reduction and young carrots with tops.

☕🍫 Chocolate Toffee “Irish” Coffee – $14
Crown Royal Chocolate and Baileys Toffee with hot coffee, fresh whipped cream, crushed Skor toffee rim, and a Pirouline wafer — dessert in a mug.

🚗🔥 Skip the Waterfront Wind This Weekend
When it’s this cold, sitting on the water isn’t always the move.

✔️ Private parking just feet from the doors
✔️ Warm, comfortable dining room
✔️ No long walks, no battling the cold

Come inland for your seafood, comfort food, and winter features.

📍 Oyster Shooters Raw Bar & Grill
916 Florida Ave
Cocoa, FL 32922

Cold weather in Florida doesn’t last long — enjoy it while it’s here. ❄️🔥

01/09/2026

Some possible good news, but don't hold us to it just yet, but we may not have to do a partial opening at first, fingers crossed we may be able to open with full kitchen right from the start and not have to use a food trailer in the parking lot at all. Not sure of an opening date yet but the signs are getting cleaned up and some minor landscaping is working now and we are steady active on the inside. I'll post some more interior pictures once we get some cool reveals finished. Just looks like a construction site right now. We are getting there though. Thank you for your continued support and patience, cant wait to see everyone soon. - Thomas Bird

12/17/2025

🍺 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: 🍨
We’re kicking around a fun idea and figured we’d ask the people who matter most…

Does anyone have a local distributor or supplier that offers Birch Beer on tap?

We’d love to get it flowing at The Twisted Birch.

Here’s why 👇
We’re seriously considering adding a soft-serve machine and creating Birch Beer Floats as a signature dessert — classic, nostalgic, and totally on brand.
🥤 Birch Beer on tap
🍦 Fresh soft-serve
✨ One unforgettable float

So two questions for you:
1️⃣ Do you know a distributor that carries Birch Beer on draft locally?
2️⃣ Would you be into Birch Beer Floats as a Twisted Birch dessert staple?

Drop a comment or tag someone who might know. We’re all ears. 👀👇

📍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐡