7 Best Rooftop Bars in Tampa

EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge sits atop the Epicurean Hotel in city centre Tampa, offering an amazing view, with on-point signature cocktails and a casual but elegant vibe. The bar lets you party into the night and cocktails cover everything from Mai Tais made with the hotel's own special rum blend, to a special Tequila cocktail made with agave and lime called the Señorita.

If you get tired of the vast city views—and it's unlikely you will—you can check out the art installations on site. The food here is also top-notch and artisanal, created by dedicated chefs with a flair for the fusion of many flavours, served up on colourful artistic plates.

Rox Rooftop Bar sits across the Current Hotel and is among the tallest rooftop bars in the city offering 360-degree views for miles around with indoor and outdoor seating. Like many rooftop bars, this one has outstanding craft cocktails. The indoor and outdoor seating areas both afford spectacular city views, so you can pick wherever you're most comfortable. Speaking of comfort, the entire layout is designed for relaxation with plush chairs and a chill vibe.

Rox Rooftop Bar is easy to reach from the centre of city centre. It's just a quick 15-minute drive to the west. The stunning ocean views are more than worth the drive.

The Bulla Gastrobar Luna Lounge is located in the heart of the SoHo area minutes from city centre and offers a tapas menu, happy hour specials, and a youthful vibe. This is a popular rooftop bar for couples on date night with a casual atmosphere that makes you feel like the pressure is off and you can just relax and be yourself. You'll also get great views of city centre Tampa, and don't forget to try the speciality: a gigantic jug of sangria.

Because of the great happy hour specials that start early, this one is also a popular first stop on a bar-hopping night out. Lounge on the couch and enjoy some flatbreads.

M. Bird Rooftop Bar is located atop Armature Works in the heart of city centre Tampa and offers craft cocktails, small plate eats, and of course, fantastic city views. Even when the weather doesn't cooperate, M. Bird has a covered patio where you can take shelter from the rain, but the party never stops. Just downstairs from the lounge, you can choose from a wide variety of eateries to suit just about any taste. Every Friday, a live DJ spins the best pop and dance hits from 9 pm on.

Another aspect to recommend M. Bird is the décor, which is made from gorgeous green and gold accented marble. The craft cocktails also have super fun names like "Afterthot".

Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar is 11 minutes south of city centre and is the signature bar and restaurant of the Epicurean Hotel, offering upscale casual dining and cocktails. This cocktail lounge was the brainchild of the creator of one of Tampa's most established restaurants and serves quality international cuisine from India, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the United States, among others, in a setting with a contemporary casual vibe dedicated to comfort. The outdoor lounge area is stylish and offers great city views.

The restaurant's name speaks to foodies and the cuisine is quality to match. Those looking for a refined evening out on the town are drawn here for quality food, drinks, and views.

Del Frisco's Grille bills itself as modern, inviting, stylish, and fun, and offers a classic bar and grill experience combined with rooftop views all in the heart of city centre. This restaurant and bar offers delicious full dishes cooked up with market-fresh ingredients and many of the offerings are shareable, with some of the highlights being ahi tacos and cheesesteak egg rolls. The bar is energetic and buzzing, with a youthful, casual, party vibe to offer an unpretentious night out on the town with elegant city views.

The bar accepts reservations for indoor dining, but the rooftop terrace is first-come, first-served. They do maintain a strict upscale dress code—no beachwear or t-shirts here.

Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar in Midtown Tampa packs the best of a shopping and entertainment district into one rooftop bar with spacious seating and gorgeous city views. This restaurant boasts more than 4,900 square feet of seating space indoor and outdoor, and the rooftop lets you capture not only Tampa views but the Westshore and St. Petersburg skylines as well. The décor is earthy and coastal in style; this is a place where you can relax in a hammock chair while sipping a craft cocktail.

Sal Y Mar is a bar with such a Latino vibe you will feel like you're in Mexico rather than Florida. It's just 8 minutes west of city centre.