With Tampa’s famously warm weather, ever expanding skyline and stunning beach sunsets, it’s no wonder there’s a Tampa rooftop bar for every day of the week. Whether it’s brunch or happy hour, date night or late night, there’s a Tampa rooftop bar for every taste and occasion, too.
Picture yourself sitting pretty somewhere even prettier with the prettiest cocktail of all in hand — then add river and rooftop breezes to the mix — and you’ll have any idea for the relaxing vibes that await at our favorite Tampa rooftop bars.
See the city known as the Big Guava from a new vantage point at a stellar Tampa rooftop bar to put on your radar for bottomless mimosas in Tampa, cocktails, mocktails and more.
The view from M. Bird, a Tampa rooftop bar at Armature Works, overlooks the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. (photo courtesy Aubrey Keck)
M. Bird — for a great Tampa rooftop bar at Armature Works
With its mid-century modern decor and tropical cocktails and bites, M. Bird is a Tampa rooftop bar that instantly transports you. Located at the top of Armature Works in Tampa Heights, right in downtown Tampa, this spot has incredible views of the Tampa skyline and Hillsborough River that go down a treat with appetizers like the tasty gojuchang wings and Afterthot — the bar’s “cheeky” take on the Aperol Spritz.
For the rum aficionado, M. Bird has curated an expansive selection, with dozens of unique bottles from across the Caribbean and Central America spanning countries Barbados and islands like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. So whether you want something with a little spice when it comes to your rum drink or something more mellow in flavor, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
M. Bird stays lively until as late as 2 a.m., especially on weekends, so if you’re trying to snag one of the coveted seats along the perimeter, you’ll want to get here early.
Head to Midtown Tampa and pull up a seat at Sal Y Mar, another great Tampa rooftop bar. (photo courtesy Sal Y Mar)
Sal Y Mar — for a fun Tampa rooftop bar in Midtown
Tequila with views awaits at Sal Y Mar, a Tampa rooftop bar in the city’s new Midtown district, located atop the dual branded Aloft and Element hotels. Midtown Tampa is booming, with some of the best new restaurants in town popping up here in a location convenient to all of Tampa’s best neighborhoods.
Sal Y Mar is a modern-boho full service restaurant and event space serving up Latin-inspired cuisine for brunch and dinner. If you’re looking to beat the heat, follow this Tampa rooftop bar on Instagram for the inside scoop on the next pool party.
Looking for the best Tampa rooftop bar in the SoHo district? Luna Lounge at Bulla Gastrobar is the spot. (photo courtesy of Luna Lounge)
Luna Lounge — for a hideaway Tampa rooftop bar in the SoHo district
A cozy Tampa rooftop bar in the middle of Tampa’s SoHo, or South Howard, district, Luna Lounge is unique to Bulla Gastrobar’s Tampa location and serves an abbreviated food menu consisting of Spanish-style tapas and flatbreads. And, of course, the libations flow here, too.
For a fun way to spend a weekend afternoon in SoHo, every Saturday and Sunday from 12-3 p.m. Luna Lounge hosts a live DJ and offers a special tapas selection and mimosas just for the occasion.
Atop The Current Hotel, Rox Rooftop Bar is the highest Tampa rooftop bar. (photo courtesy of Rox Rooftop Bar)
Rox Rooftop Bar — for the highest Tampa rooftop bar
Hailed as the highest Tampa rooftop bar, Rox Rooftop Bar, situated at the top of The Current Hotel, just might be the best place in town to watch the sunset. The hotel’s location on Rocky Point, near Tampa International Airport, makes it easy to get to whether you’re venturing from Clearwater, St. Pete, or Tampa.
Come for the panoramic waterfront views at this Tampa rooftop bar and stay for the trendy vibes and impressive smoked craft cocktails mixed up before your eyes by the all-star bartenders.
The swankiest Tampa rooftop bar? That’s easily Pool Bar at The Tampa Edition in Water Street Tampa. (photo courtesy of The Tampa Edition)
Pool Bar at The Tampa Edition — for the trendiest downtown Tampa rooftop bar
The newest addition to the Tampa rooftop bar scene is the glamorous Pool Bar at The Tampa Edition hotel in downtown Tampa’s thriving Water Street Tampa district. This striking Tampa rooftop bar is draped with bougainvillea vines and lush greenery, an intentional juxtaposition to the modernist angles of this super-contemporary hotel’s design.
Day into night, the Pool Bar feels elevated and otherworldly — and there’s usually a long queue to be welcomed in the front door and up the elevator to get in. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes on weekend evenings as the DJ spin rooftop tunes until midnight.
And no visit to this famous Ian Schrager hotel is complete, of course, until you’ve posed for a photo on the famous spiral staircase in The Edition Tampa’s gorgeous lobby.
Santo’s Drinkeria Rooftop Bar is hidden away in Ybor City and is the best Tampa bar in this historic neighborhood. (photo courtesy of Santo’s Drinkeria Rooftop Bar)
Santo’s Drinkeria Rooftop Bar — for the best Tampa rooftop bar in Ybor City
Inspired by the “drinkerias” of Sicily, casual watering holes with great food and drinks that bring the whole neighborhood out to hang out, Richard Gonzmart opened Santo’s Drinkeria Rooftop Bar in Ybor City as a more laid-back alternative to his downstairs fine-dining restaurant, Casa Santo Stefano.
Come with friends or on a date to enjoy the delicious flatbreads, Sicilian street foods and dessert offerings while sipping on Italian-themed cocktails like a Sicilian Soda or Pistachio Martini. Then toast to great ambiance and eclectic vistas of Ybor City’s historic buildings and beyond.
While you’re in Ybor City, of course, you’d be remiss not to try a Cuban sandwich, and we’ve you covered for options when it comes to the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa, too.
Part of The Epicurean Hotel, Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge. (photo courtesy of Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge)
Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge — for the closest Tampa rooftop bar to Bern’s Steak House
Hotels and rooftop bars are clearly a dynamic duo as the Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge at The Epicurean Hotel on South Howard rounds out our list of Tampa rooftop bars.
Directly across the street from the famed Bern’s Steak House in Tampa’s stylish Hyde Park and SoHo neighborhoods, Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge serves craft cocktails and light bites, making it the perfect place to start or end your evening.
This Tampa rooftop bar also has a fun happy hour Tuesday-Friday from 5-7 p.m., so you can get cozy on the couches with a $4 beer, $6 glass of wine, or $8 cocktail with a skyline view.
Bio: Aubrey Keck is a fifth-generation Floridian and Tampa Bay resident of nine years. She loves traveling with her husband and two-year-old daughter and enjoys exploring all her home state has to offer.
