Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

Make no mistake: This is a locale that loves its libations. Whether you prefer day drinking by the beach or the high energy of nightlife and cocktails, St. Pete/Clearwater offers venues for every mood.

■ 360° ROOFTOP LOUNGE • St. Pete Beach • Enjoy craft cocktails while you take in a spectacular sunset at this Mediterranean-inspired lounge atop Hotel Zamora (just north of the Don CeSar hotel). You know what pairs well with panoramic views? Tapas fit the bill. Cruise down the elevator to order some from the hotel’s Castile restaurant.

■ CANE & BARREL • St. Pete • For some Cuban flavor (and some rum), head to the top floor of the AC Hotel and have a seat in a wicker chair at this lavish rooftop bar and lounge. Located in the heart of downtown St. Pete, Cane & Barrel’s exterior lounge and interior bar were influenced by vintage cigar boxes and Caribbean courtyards.

■ THE CANOPY • St. Pete • Light up the night on the top floor of The Birchwood hotel, which offers incredible views of the downtown St. Pete waterfront and Tampa Bay. The Canopy features a wide selection of craft and signature cocktails, a menu of bar bites, living room-style seating, and private cabanas available for rent.

■ THE ROOFTOP BAR AT THE BERKELEY BEACH CLUB • Pass-a-Grille • Pass-A-Grille sunsets often feel otherworldly, and this breezy modern bar on the district’s charming Eighth Avenue is a perfect place to experience them. In addition to a selection of cocktails, wine, and beer, the menu also features appetizers and a raw bar.

■ HI-FI ROOFTOP BAR • Dunedin • The historic Fenway Hotel had a speakeasy in its basement back in the day; now its rooftop Hi-Fi boasts jaw-dropping views across the Intracoastal Waterway to Caladesi Island. Choose from an array of creative cocktails, wines, and local craft brews as you appreciate the atmosphere.

■ VANTAGE • Feather Sound • This mostly indoor bar perched on the 12th floor of the Karol Hotel offers floor-to-ceiling windows and a small terrace. Check out views of Tampa Bay and the St. Pete skyline as you sip artisan cocktails and nosh on seafood-inspired bites.

■ JIMMY’S CROW’S NEST • Clearwater Beach • Overlook all the Clearwater Beach and Clearwater Marina action from this local favorite at the Pier House 60 hotel on the waterfront. Stop by their nightly sunset celebration and they’ll give you a free shot.

■ LEVEL 11 • St. Pete Beach • Kick off your vacation in style at this vivacious rooftop venue at the Bellwether Beach Resort. Level 11 serves up refreshing cocktails, shareable plates, and astounding views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico.

■ PIER TEAKI • St. Pete • Show off your finest Polynesian-inspired threads at this Tiki-themed waterfront hot spot overlooking the St. Pete Pier. The menu features an extensive selection of wine, craft beer and bar bites, but the real draw are the frozen drinks and signature cocktails, which are available in fun souvenir Teaki mugs.

■ VISTA AT THE TOP • Tierra Verde • This chic hidden gem is tucked away on the rooftop of a Residence Inn (directly next to a marina). Vista features an open-air lounge and a menu that includes signature cocktails, tapas-style cuisine, wine, craft beers and desserts. It’s a perfect spot to reflect after a fun day on the water.

■ THE DEEP END • Clearwater Beach • Located on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, the chic-yet-comfortable Deep End offers elevated cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, elegant cocktails and stunning views of the Gulf. Try the Coastal Ceviche while watching the sun melt into the horizon.

There’s certainly no shortage of beach bars dotting the St. Pete/Clearwater area, so let’s delve into a handful of spots that merit a visit.

Starting on Clearwater Beach, the Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar has been serving up good vibes since 1926 with epic sunset celebrations and an extensive menu. If you’re craving an absolutely killer grouper sandwich, head over to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, the largest of four Frenchy's locations in the area. The scene can get a little wilder at Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar & Grill, with its outdoor Tiki-inspired bar and nightclub WAVE for an evening of busting moves.

Venture a few miles further south to Jimmy Guana’s in Indian Rocks Beach, where you can dine inside or soak up some sunshine on the deck. If you’re up for a classic beach dive bar (and who isn’t?), Mahuffer’s in Indian Shores is filled with character and dollar bills.

Grab a Bahama Mama and dive into the seafood-heavy sunset menu at Conch Republic in North Redington Beach. Be sure to try one of their scrumptious desserts. Craving some island music and tropical treats in a Tiki bar setting? Check out Coconut Charlie's in the DoubleTree Beach Resort or head a couple of miles south to Madeira Beach at Don the Beachcomber in the Cambria Hotel.

Bamboo Beach Bar in John’s Pass is a go-to spot for awesome fish tacos and pina coladas. If you’re in the mood to sip something nonalcoholic in a friendly patio setting, Bula on the Beach serves up kava, kombucha (on draft), coffee and espresso.

Fancy a drink as you dip your toes into the Gulf? Caddy’s Waterfront in Treasure Island is one of the few beachfront bars where it’s actually legal. (Cheers to freedom!) This local gem is a stone’s throw from the shore of Sunset Beach, a laid-back neighborhood just south of Gulf Boulevard. Speaking of waterfront wonders, Treasure Island is also home to Crabby’s On the Pass, which is sometimes touted as having the “world’s longest waterfront bar.” We can’t confirm or deny that claim, but it sure is a great spot to dock a boat, sip on rum runners and savor some fish filets.

St. Pete Beach is a goldmine for beach bars, and Woody’s Waterfront is a top pick — casual, colorful, and right on the water. For a retro vibe, PCI Beach Bar & Snack Shack is the place to be on the weekends. Meanwhile, Undertow has built up a cult following for decades with its spacious rooftop deck, oversized wooden chairs and wide selection of import and craft beers.

Don’t miss out on the charms of Pass-a-Grille Beach. Swing by Eighth Avenue, where you’ll find the Brass Monkey and Shadrack’s, one of the all-time classic beach bar dives that serves up a wicked Bloody Mary bar on Sundays. And for some breathtaking sunset views that will complement your drinks and food, you’ll want to make a pit stop at the iconic Hurricane Seafood Restaurant.

The 1970s drive the theming at Good Night John Boy, which has a party vibe that’s part Studio 54 and part funky basement. Go “Disco Inferno” on the lit-up tiled dance floor, complete with mirror balls, neon lights and the largest Farrah Fawcett poster you’ve ever seen.

The ‘70s theme is also strong at Lost & Found, which fuses a retro cocktail bar with your grandmother’s living room. Vintage furniture, decor and signage set the mood; the drinks do the rest.

Dark, sexy, and equipped with an arsenal of killer cocktails, The Saint is an authentic speakeasy that can be found behind a red door on a side street in the Grand Central District. Dirty Laundry appears to be an ordinary laundromat at first glance, but head to the old payphone inside and the person on the other end of the line will bring you into the lively bar and club that’s hidden within.

Humans aren’t the only ones having fun: St. Pete/Clearwater offers plenty of lively establishments where you can have a drink while hanging out with your four-legged-and-furry best friend. You’ll first want to bring your pup over to Pinellas Ale Works (or “PAW,” get it?) in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Named the “Best Dog-Friendly Brewery in the U.S.” by Chewy.com in 2023, PAW has tails wagging for its dog treats and the broad variety of craft beers their owners can savor. Also in the neighborhood, you’ll find the aptly named The Dog Bar on Central Ave. The 4,500-square-foot, fenced-in, AstroTurf-covered dog park area offers an off-leash and full-service sports bar experience. Just be sure to register your pooch on The Dog Bar’s website before you plan on visiting.

The recently opened Mutts & Martinis in St. Pete features a dog waterpark (!) with a splash pad and shallow saltwater pool. But don’t worry, fellow humans, there is plenty for you to enjoy, too, including a variety of dishes, beers and martinis.

A pioneer of the craft spirits industry, St. Petersburg Distillery offers award-winning, high-quality spirits with Old Florida-inspired style. Mix the distillery’s premium cocktails with a cool, relaxed vibe in its new outdoor space.

Though Florida’s climate isn’t famous for being grape-friendly, Clearwater’s Murielle Winery has overcome the challenge with an effective (and time-consuming) fermentation process. Arrive between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. during operating hours for a free tasting of one of their wines.

At Dunedin’s Spirits Cotherman Distilling Co., spirits are slowly handcrafted and distilled with precision. Schedule a tour of the distillery, or try their popular, small-batch “single malt” 727 Vodka in the tasting room.

Do you aspire to experience the best? Then you must visit Aspirations Winery which boasts a collection of over 35 low-sulfite wines. Take a tour of the winery or stop by the tasting room. Offerings include beer, cider and spiked seltzers.

Established in Poland nearly two decades ago, St. Pete’s family-operated Kozuba & Sons Distillery specializes in handmade small-batch whiskeys, bourbons, vodkas, and more. Schedule a 30-minute tour of the distillery, or try something uniquely Polish in its gift shop.

If hip wine bars are more your speed, check out Book + Bottle in downtown St. Pete. Is it a wine bar with books or a bookstore with wine? (Spoiler: It's both.) Head north to the city’s EDGE District to try some premier fine, natural wines at CellarMasters, which houses both a wine bar and retail store. Or take a spin over to Safety Harbor’s cozy Main Street and visit Sips Wine Bar, which offers over 70 wines in a quaint-and-cozy atmosphere.

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