Credit: Rendering via JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
A new cocktail lounge and late night hotspot will soon have locals and tourists alike flocking to Water Street.

A press release says that JW Marriott Tampa Water Street’s new rooftop bar Beacon is the “tallest public rooftop bar in Tampa” and the second tallest in the state of Florida. A rep for JW is still working to tell Creative Loafing Tampa Bay exactly how many feet in the sky Beacon is.

It’s slated to debut sometime in September at 510 Water St., although an exact grand opening date is yet to be determined.

A few specialty drinks patrons can expect when Beacon opens next month include the Zalamero complete with Don Fulano Reposado Tequila and Galliano Espresso liqueur, and a Japanese-inspired gin cocktail with notes of sesame, yuzu, pineapple.

Beacon—one of almost two dozen well-known rooftop bars in Tampa Bay—will not only offer craft cocktails and tasty views of Hillsborough Bay, but also Garrison and Sedon Channels and the Ybor Turning Basin.

The rooftop concept will also dish out a menu of booze-friendly shareables and small plates; a few expected dishes include housemade tartines topped with caviar, smoked salmon and crème fraiche, alongside artisanal charcuterie boards. And if you’re feeling a little hungrier, then you can always head to JW Marriott’s other culinary concepts, like its Driftlight Steakhouse, American bistro SiX and casual, streetside cafe Turntable.

Renderings from local design firm AvroKO depict Beacon as a sleek and vibrant space that boasts different lounge areas—including an outdoor terrace, main bar and a variety of private seating.

After Beacon makes its highly-anticipated debut next month, it will be open from 5 p.m. until “late” every day.

For the latest news on the grand opening of Tampa’s tallest rooftop bar, head to the hotel’s Instagram at @marriottwaterstreet. 

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This article appears in Aug 17-23, 2023.

Kyla Fields is the food critic and former managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay who started their journey at CL as summer 2019 intern. They are the proud owner of a charming, sausage-shaped, eight-year-old...