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The 20 best Tampa Bay bars and restaurants for ‘golden hour’ cocktails

By Molly Ryan on Fri, Aug 5, 2022 at 11:37 am

Golden hour, that magical time right before sunset that makes even a half-eaten grouper sandwich look ethereal. A beachfront, a cocktail, your new Tinder profile picture—it all just looks better when showered in golden sunshine.

Whether you're trying to upgrade your Instagram, flex on an ex, or enjoy a night out with your crew or all of the above, here are some of Tampa Bay's best spots to enjoy a golden hour cocktail.

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Salt Shack On The Bay

5415 W Tyson Ave., Tampa, 813-444-4569
Enjoy great drinks, great food and great vibes all with a waterfront view bound to take your sunset pics to another level at Salt Shack On The Bay. With a beverage list almost as big as its food menu, Salt Shack features a lineup of classic drinks, caribbean-style cocktails, frozen libations and more, right near the emerging Westshore Marina District.
Photo via Salt Shack On The Bay/Facebook

M. Bird

1903 Market St., Tampa, 813-296-2702
Allow M. Bird’s ”tropical mod-deco” aesthetic, vibrant cocktails and rooftop sunset views do the work for your next Instagram photoshoot. Pose with the bright blue “Billy Ocean Water”on the rocks cocktail in that golden hour light or let the phone eat first with shareables like the jerk chicken egg rolls and entrees like the sesame-seared tuna.
Photo via M. Bird/Facebook

Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar

453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin, 727-683-5990
Take in the sunset and enjoy a nightcap atop Dunedin’s historic Fenway Hotel at the Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar. Off the beaten path but right next to the Dunedin Channel, Hi-Fi provides a more chill night without any compromise of good drinks and amazing sights.
Photo via Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar/Facebook

Jimmy B’s Beach Bar

6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-1902
Trying to go full Florida mode? Jimmy B’s is a must. Part of the Beachcomber Resort on St. Pete Beach, Jimmy B’s brings sand, sea breezes, beachy booze, live music and sunsets to the table for that immaculate Florida vibe.
Photo via Jimmy B’s Beach Bar/Facebook

Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest

101 Coronado Dr., Clearwater Beach, 727-683-0002
A free shot at sunset? In this economy? Run, don’t walk, to Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest in Clearwater Beach. Located on the 10th floor of a building overlookingPier 60, enjoy a 270-degree view of the sunset over one of the nation’s best beaches while sipping on classic cocktails like a bloody mary, piña colada or rum runner.
Photo via Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest/Facebook

Postcard Inn Beach Bar and Snack Shack

6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-2711
Between the buzzing poolside and St. Pete Beach, Postcard Inn’s Beach Bar and Snack Shack is your classic outdoor beachside spot with the vibes to match. Watch the sunset over the gulf, sip on a daiquiri, listen to live music and enjoy an evening of full Florida flare.
Photo via Post Card Inn/Google

360 Rooftop

3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-456-8660
As indicated in its name, 360 Rooftop offers panoramic views of St. Pete’s intercoastal waterway and immaculate sunsets atop the Hotel Zamora. Pose on a plush couch or a bougie rooftop cabana with a decadent cocktail. After the sun sets, enjoy an upscale dining experience meal at the adjacent restaurant, Castile.
Photo via Castile Restaurant/Facebook

Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill

6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-7041
With a motto like “You are only as strong as the drinks you mix,” you know Coconut Charlie’s doesn’t play around with its cocktails. Situated on St. Pete Beach as part of Hilton’s Garden Inn, Coconut Charlie’s not only shows up with its drinks and pastel decor for the perfect sunset photoshoot, but hosts a menu for any and all kinds of eaters and drinkers.
Photo via @coconutcharliesstpete/Instagram

Bongo’s Beach Bar and Grille

5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1811
Another spot from the Bellwether, Bongo’s takes it up a notch with its beachfront location and continuous flow of live music. Serving frozen drinks and souvenir cups, enjoy a chill night of sunsets and laid back cocktails.
Photo via Bongo’s Beach Bar and Grille/Google

Spinners Rooftop Grille

5250 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, 727-360-1811
Aptly named for a restaurant that literally spins, Spinners Rooftop Grille boasts 360-degree views of St. Pete Beach atop the Bellwether Beach Resort. Along with its iconic merry-go-round-like dining space, Spinners hosts a rooftop bar with instagrammable drinks, mood lighting and beach backdrop that can’t be beat.
Photo via Spinner’s Rooftop Grille/Google

Caddy’s Treasure Island

9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 727-360-4993
While most beachfront Caddy’s will do the trick, there’s no beating a sunset and a Bacardi Bucket at the OG Treasure Island location. At Caddy’s Treasure Island, grab something to sip on and catch golden hour at every angle with cabanas, beachfront chairs, covered picnic tables and upper deck seating overlooking the gulf.
Photo via Caddy’s Treasure Island/Facebook

Vantage Rooftop Bar

2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater, 727-273-8760
Self-described as an “intriguing rooftop hideaway” on the 12th floor of the Karol Hotel, Vantage Rooftop Bar serves up drinks, tapas and breathtaking views. Order a classic drink or take a shot at a thoughtfully crafted specialty cocktail like the “Karol Bliss” with vodka, elderflower, lime and raspberry.
Photo via The Karol Hotel/Facebook

Hurricane Seafood Restaurant

809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-9558
With unbeatable rooftop views of Passe-A-Grille, Hurricane Seafood Restaurant is a prime candidate for your next golden hour glamor shot. Offering much more than just kickass seafood, Hurricane serves up classic cocktails at a highly reasonable price. Seven dollars is reasonable for a Manhattan, right?
Photo via Hurricane Seafood Restaurant/Facebook

Rox Rooftop Bar

2545 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, 813-281-2545
The selection of drinks at Rox Rooftop Bar is far from the most impressive thing about this place. Surrounded by wall-length windows, guests are invited to bathe in Rox’s sun-soaked atmosphere and take in the sights from atop the Current Hotel on Tampa’s Rocky Point near the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Photo via Current Hotel/Facebook

Caretta on the Gulf

500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater, 727-441-2425
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a bougie evening of cocktails in the golden sunshine, Caretta on the Gulf has all of the bases covered. Part of the Sandpearl Resort, Caretta offers both a place to sit fireside with a drink or dine with a window view of Clearwater Beach.
Photo via Sandpearl Resort/Facebook

Harry’s Beach Bar

5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-363-5125
Pose poolside or bask in beach views at Harry’s Beach Bar at St. Pete Beach’s Sirata Beach Resort. Elevate your golden hour cocktails with some tropical favorites and refreshing frozen creations while chilling in a swing by the firepit.
Photo via Harry’s Beach Bar/Facebook

Pier Teaki

800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-513-8325
Feel like your feed is missing something? That something might be downtown St. Petersburg’s skyline with a golden hour cocktail at Pier Teaki. At the end of St. Pete’s new(ish) pier, Pier Teaki delivers a view unlike any other in the city. Guests can enjoy anything from a Maui Mule to the “Kill the Pain” cocktail.
Photo via Pier Teaki/Facebook

Rowe Bar

3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1881
Whether you live near the bay or you’re just passing through, enjoy an evening of sunset drinks at Rowe Bar in St. Pete Beach’s emblematic “Pink Palace,” the Don Cesar. Offering both style and comfort, Rowe Bar’s outdoor seating offers couches, firepits and stunning views of the beach.
Photo via doncesar.com

Sal Y Mar

3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa, 813-692-3330
Chilling at the rooftop bar at Sal Y Mar is guaranteed to be a golden hour that will not disappoint. On the seventh floor of the Aloft in Midtown, Sal Y Mar not only specializes in getting the perfect drink-in-hand photo, but also in all things latin-inspired with crafted cocktails and unique food with flare.
Photo via @salymarrooftop/Instagram

SIX at JW Marriott

510 Water St., Tampa
Overlooking the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool and bay views, SIX creates an IG-worthy backdrop for visitors and hotel guests. Open for lunch and dinner reservations, the menu is an eclectic mix of chef crafted specialties from cocktails to hearty entrees.

Photo via EDGE’s website