Rooftop Dining, Sunset Views
By Nanette Wiser
Popping up all across America, rooftop bars and dining with priceless sunset views are all the rage. Sarasota’s KOJO will open on the third floor of Central Park St. Pete food hall, featuring Asian/Euro fusion flavors from China, Japan and Korea. Here are some of our favorite aeries for frolicking.
Billy’s Stone Crab, Seafood & Lobster Restaurant:
With music in The Loft Bar daily at 5:30, awesome specials and early bird dinners, succulent oysters, shrimp and scallops, it’s always 5:00 here. Tierra Verde
BRGR Kitchen + Bar:
Custom seasoned burger grinds, paired with hand-cut fries and house-made sauces, eclectic cocktails and the best Bloody on the beach. Treasure Island
Caddy’s:
Good food, live music and strong drinks at the new MB location overlooking the Gulf and always a hit with visitors. Madeira Beach, Gulfport, Treasure Island
Ember Rooftop Lounge @ Cambria Hotel:
The perfect spot for cocktails, small bites and catching up with the girls. Madeira Beach
The Canopy @ Birchwood Inn:
Oo la la, this dazzling lounge is DTSP’s hotspot featuring air-conditioned alfresco bar, private cabanas, fire pits, living room seating, high top tables and voluptuous bay views. Enjoy fresh-fruit infused libations, hand-crafted cocktails, seasonal flatbreads, sliders and apps. Downtown St. Pete
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille:
With a second location opening in Tyrone’s Green Iguana, this fabulous Naples and Pier restaurants’ famed Floribbean seafood and snappy drinks on St. Pete Pier serves up sensational views. Downtown St. Pete
Fusion Hotel:
Good drinks, simple menu and awesome view of TI from the rooftop bar. Treasure Island
Hi-FI Rooftop Bar @The Fenway:
The speakeasy serves classic cocktails with a twist and jazzy names such as the Fenway Sunset (Prohibition Gin, elderflower, lemon & simple syrup), craft beers, wine, a small menu (flatbreads, salads, clam and grits) and live music/jazz. Dunedin
Jimmy’s Crowe’s Nest @ Pierhouse 60:
One of the best parties in town with a free shot at nightly sunset celebration, frozen tiki drinks, wings, Buffalo chicken dip and tasty apps. Clearwater Beach
Jimmy’s On The Edge @ The Edge Hotel:
Huge rooftop patio with happy hour Mon.-Fri. 3-6pm featuring discounts on draft beer, Rail mixed drinks, house wines, $6 margaritas/pina coladas and 25% off appetizers. Clearwater Beach
Level 11 and Spinners @Bellweather Beach Resort:
While Bongo’s on the beach is currently open, the rooftop aeries will reopen later this summer with a stunning remodel of both venues and the hotel, formerly Grand Plaza. St. Pete Beach
Mad Beach Fish House:
Casual tiki patio, live music, Floribbean seafood and awesome drinks, especially the Cucumber Mint Lemonade, a refreshing mixture of cucumber, mint, simple syrup, lemonade with Tanqueray or Tito.
Marina Cantina:
Unique yummy Mexican dishes (short rib empanadas, ahi tuna tostada, seafood enchilada, shrimp and scallop ajillo) and killer margaritas, especially the Feelin’ Peachy (Milagro reposado, peach puree, tamarind, fresh lime juice, agave). Clearwater Beach
Pier Tiki:
Rooftop modern twist on the classic tiki bar from the Birchwood creative culinary owners serving stylish frozen mai tais and daiquiris, sweet empanadas, flatbreads and the best black bean burger in town. Downtown St. Pete
Rooftop @ Berkeley Beach Club:
With an all-seafood menu (raw bar, smoked fish, crab louis, smoked salmon carpaccio, charcuterie) from acclaimed chef Marty Blitz, artisan cocktails and a nouveau old Florida vibe, it’s THE place to be Tues.-Fri. 4pm and Sat.-Sun. 2pm open till past sunset. Pass-a-Grille
Teak @ St. Pete Pier:
Sensational salads, seafood, pasta and my fave – coconut shrimp, spiced popcorn and pina colada sauce with spectacular views of the city and water. Downtown St. Pete
360 Rooftop Lounge @ Hotel Zamora:
Cabanas on a first come first serve basis, with glorious views, Mediterranean cuisine and curated cocktails in this Spanish-style mini-castle overlooking both the Gulf and Bay. St. Pete Beach
Vantage Rooftop Bar @ Karol Hotel:
Enjoy tantalizing cocktails and Chef Tony Bonanno’s delish boutique menu, alluring charcuterie and seafood, no surprise given his stints at Bascom’s Chop House and Café Ponte. Clearwater
Vista at the Top @ Residence Inn Marriott:
Listen to live music Wed.-Sat. 6-9pm while noshing pulled pork or pastrami sliders, tuna poke and sweet-hot Korean style wings. Indulge in boutique sips such as Work The Petal (Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Club Soda, Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic Syrup, Flowers) and Spanish G&T (Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, Manzanilla Sherry, Jack Rudy Tonic, Mint, Lemon Peel). Happy hour Mon.-Thurs. 2-5pm, Fri.-Sun. noon-5pm. Tierra Verde