The 23 most picturesque places to grab a drink in Tampa Bay

Bulla Gastrobar

930 S. Howard Ave., Tampa
If you’re scouring SoHo for a place to drink, you might miss this somewhat hidden rooftop bar. Bulla offers views of South Tampa while sipping on sangria and devouring a massive platter of paella.

Photo via Bulla Gastrobar/Google Maps

Jackon’s Bistro

601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa.
Jackson’s Bistro is known for its waterfront view of downtown Tampa just as much as it’s known for a stellar selection of wine and spirits. Its signature drinks include the Gasparilla-inspired margarita, passion fruit colada, and the Dark N’ Stormy, which is a combination of dark rum, ginger beer and lime juice. Get there early to snag the highly-coveted patio seating.

Photo via Jackson’s Bistro/Facebook

M. Bird

1903 Market St., Tampa.
Perched on the second-floor rooftop of Armature Works, one of the most appealing offerings at the rooftop bar is the fact that it’s 21 and up. That’s right, no kids allowed. Grab a drink and lounge in the tropical, mod deco-style bar with views overlooking the Hillsborough River.

Photo via M. Bird/Facebook

Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge

1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa
Resting elegantly on the top of the Epicurean Hotel, Edge Rooftop Bar (stylized “EDGE”) focuses on cocktails with the freshest ingredients around. Their signature cocktails, wine, and beer are meant to be enjoyed on their huge lounge chairs surrounding the bar, which you might (definitely) fall asleep in.

Photo via Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge/Website

The Canopy

340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg.
One of the only rooftop bars in St. Petersburg, The Canopy, on top of the Birchwood Hotel, gives you an amazing bird’s eye view of downtown St. Pete, so you can observe the madness of DTSP without being in it. Grab an $11 blood orange margarita, and enjoy your night of people watching.

Photo via The Canopy/Facebook

Anchor and Brine

505 Water St., Tampa.
Anchor and Brine The indoor-outdoor restaurant runs from the lobby of Tampa Marriott Water Street to the outdoor patio, which, by the way, is laced with waterfront views. Opt for bar seating or grab a booth closer to the water.

Photo via Anchor and Brine/Facebook

The Getaway

13090 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg
The Getaway is a serious destination spot conveniently located almost directly between St. Pete and Tampa. The beach-side wateringhole combines tiki aesthetics with fresh seafood cuisine. You’ll probably see a dolphin, or a few Snowbirds here.

Photo via The Getaway/Facebook

360 Rooftop Bar

Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd. no. 101, St. Pete Beach
360 Rooftop Bar Want a panoramic view of the Gulf while you enjoy your booze? Then 360 Rooftop Bar on St. Pete Beach is the spot for you. If you’re feeling extra lush, rent a rooftop cabana. We’ll cut to the chase––happy hour is every day from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.— and it’s totally worth navigating through the crowds of snowbirds.

Photo via Castile Restaurant/Facebook

Mole Y Abuela

1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa.
Offering up some of the best views of downtown Tampa, this rooftop bar is a local favorite. You can go up there and, as Ab-Soul once said, “kill a bottle of tequila.”

Photo via Mole Y Abuela/Facebook

Bon Appetit

505 Water St., Tampa.
Bon Appetit The waterfront bar attached to the restaurant Bon Appetit features live entertainment Thursday through Sunday and a happy hour that goes from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Although this bar is a hit for Dunedin residents, it's a hidden gem for the rest of Tampa Bay. 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin.

Photo via Bon Appetit/Facebook

Calypso Queen

25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater
You won’t miss this massive, triple-decked, rainbow-colored boat docked in the Clearwater Beach Marina. Take a day or evening cruise on the Calypso Queen, and enjoy a large buffet spread equipped with wine, beer, and spirits. The captain also gives a narration of the history and environment of the Clearwater coast, but you might be focusing too much on the rum punch and tropical cocktails to pay attention.

Photo via Calypso Queen/Facebook

Caretta on the Gulf

1738, 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater.
As Clearwater’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf has an amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico, along with fresh cuisine that varies depending on what's in season. The outside dining area overlooks the beach and is shaded by huge umbrellas, creating the most comfortable setting to drink its upscale wine and craft cocktails.

Photo via Caretta on the Gulf/Facebook

Desanto

128 3rd St. S. (second floor), St. Petersburg
Ever wondered what was going on above Red Mesa Cantina? It’s a “hidden" bar, that hosts DJs, serves small plates and drinks from its a full bar all while giving you access to people watching from above or a view of downtown St. Pete.

Photo via Desanto/Google Maps

Loft WXYZ

100 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
The bar sits on the top of the Aloft Hotel in downtown Tampa (yes, we like rooftop bars.) There are pool tables and a fireplace inside of its sleek bar, and an outdoor patio if you want to enjoy your drinks with a view of the Hillsborough River. WXYZ also has a stacked menu of fancy bar food to accompany your four beers in the best way possible.

Photo via Aloft Tampa Downtown Hotel/Facebook

Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar

453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin.
A Best of the Bay winner for ‘Best Sunset Views with Drink in Hand,’ The Fenway Hotel’s Hi-Fi rooftop bar, is where you can have a cocktail while watching the sun disappear behind the water.

Photo via Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar/Facebook

Rox

2545 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa
Tampa Bay's tallest rooftop bar is at The Current Hotel and serving 360-degree views of Old Tampa Bay. The No Bad Juju cocktail is a hat tip to Tampa's rich Cuban culture, and it involves burning sage to cleanse any bad energy from guests while they sip. Talk about all-inclusive.

Photo via Rox Rooftop Bar/Website

Spinners Bistro

5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.
The only spinning restaurant in Tampa Bay, Spinners Revolving Bistro sits on the top of the infamous Grand Plaza Hotel. Get a 360-degree view of St. Pete Beach while you enjoy dinner and craft cocktails. Talk about a memorable dining experience.

Photo via www.grandplazaflorida.com

Remedy

400 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa.
A downtown Tampa star, do not miss the half-price happy hour offerings from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. You’ll want to grab the signature namesake cocktail, The Remember, made with whiskey, mint, peach and ginger beer.

Photo via Remedy/Facebook

Salt Shack on the Bay

5415 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa.
The outdoor concept, with table and bar seating, with picnic tables stationed in the sand along the waterfront. There are two bars on-site, and a "shipwrecked" boat for some prime photo ops, as if the waterfront views aren't enough.

Photo via Salt Shack on the Bay/Facebook

Sea Salt St. Pete

183 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
This upscale seafood restaurant resides on the second floor of downtown St. Petersburg’s SunDial Plaza. The first thing you see when you walk in is its 22-foot tall wine tower, which foreshadows how much you’re going to spend on booze. Although Sea Salt’s reputation involves raw oysters and fresh fish entrees, its balcony is an underrated spot for people watching and drinking.

Photo via Sea Salt St. Pete/Website