5 Rooftops in Florida to Visit in Spring 2021
Is it just me or is there something about a rooftop that makes imbibing feel that much more posh?! Seriously though, it’s like as soon as someone drops the mere word “rooftop,” my perspective is changed on the entire endeavor. I start coordinating my rooftop outfit to match the rooftop vibe, before planning my poses for all the rooftop pics— it truly feels like an event rather than just happy hour.
Now with seemingly perpetual winter finally releasing its icy fingers and welcoming in Spring 2021 — I feel like such a brat complaining about winter in Florida but what can I say — it’s time to lace up those cute strappy sandals and get up to the top floor of some of the state’s most scenic locales.
Whether you’re planning a group gathering or a date night al fresco, check out some of the best rooftop hangouts located throughout the best cities in the sunshine state!
Restoration Hardware, West Palm Beach
Located in the heart of Downtown West Palm, the lavish Restoration Hardware Gallery is part of the brand's experiential retail strategy which focuses on creating memorable moments for shoppers instead of relying on traditional storefronts or flagship debuts for engagement. The first hub for the brand’s concept-driven approach shines like a metallic jewel lined by lush mega-tall palm trees right in the center of the new CityPlace shopping and arts district (formerly known as Rosemary Square and another concept-driven approach for the Palm Beaches).
The incredible retail-mansion stands at four-stories, with 80,000 square feet of sheer design inspo, ranging from curated tropical gardens featuring an expansive line of outdoor furnishings and three floors of dreamy interior installations. A very well decorated elevator transports visitors between levels of stunning furniture and décor, leading to a lavish rooftop restaurant/wine vault/outdoor space and coffee bar, offering daytime dining under a soaring glass atrium dripping with sparkling crystal chandeliers. Heritage olive trees and trickling interior fountains meander through the elegant sofa-style seating, where shoppers can enjoy a glass of Rosé in the dramatic Wine Vault or balcony space overlooking the city. A visit to RH West Palm Beach activates all of the senses and transports one beyond the conventional home-shopping experience. Restoration Hardware West Palm Beach is open Monday-Saturday from 10am – 8pm and Sundays from 11am – 7pm; 560 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; WestPalm | RH
The Canopy Rooftop Lounge at The Birchwood Hotel, Saint Petersburg
With 360˚ views of Downtown St. Petersburg and quite possibly the best frosé on Florida’s West Coast – the Canopy rooftop is the quintessential spot to see and be seen in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The Canopy Rooftop Lounge is perched atop The Birchwood hotel on the downtown’s waterfront, complete with private cabanas, fire pits, lounge-style covered and outdoor seating and an incredible menu.
With panoramic views of Tampa Bay, Beach Drive and the St. Petersburg skyline, the Canopy is truly a must-see for visitors and locals alike. The Canopy Rooftop Lounge is open Mondays-Wednesdays from 4:00pm – Midnight, Thursday-Friday from 1:00pm to 2:00am, Saturday from 11:00am to 2:00am and Sunday 11:00am to Midnight; 340 Beach Dr, NE St. Petersburg, FL 33710; https://www.thebirchwood.com/thecanopy/.
Watr at the 1 Hotel Rooftop, South Beach
Occupying an entire city block on Collins Avenue, 1 Hotel South Beach is gracefully perched on 600 feet of Atlantic beachfront, with unparalleled beach and city views as far as the eye can gleam. The celebration of nature is evident throughout the 426-room property, where pristine minimalism intersects with lush greenery, hints of whimsy and flora, notes of driftwood furnishings and an abundance of reclaimed natural material. The main lobby greets visitors with high-end boutiques, a farm-fresh stand and coffee bar, leading towards a forest-inspired lounge towards the entrance of the hotel’s signature restaurant, Habitat, which serves up fresh, local and sustainably sourced farm-to-table cuisine.
Guests can seize the day with four outdoor swimming pools, including South Beach's largest rooftop pool and lounge, the ultra-sleek Watr, complete with a retractable roof, rendering weather completely obsolete to those plans of day-drinking champagne in a bikini. The rooftop restaurant and bar are clad in the same crisp white and hemp hues of the hotel’s interior, with sofa lounge-style seating, chill electro-music and sweeping ocean views for an extra-dose of trendy beach-vibes.
Vista at the Top, Tierra Verde
Vista at the Top is a brand new scenic rooftop lounge boasting uninterrupted views of the gulf of Mexico and greater Tampa Bay. Not only are you offered stunning rooftop beach views without having to suffer the parking of St. Pete Beach, Vista is a beautiful venue that offers signature cocktails, a progressive wine menu, an array of beers and tapas-style contemporary-American cuisine.
From ahi tuna poke, ceviche to pulled poke sliders and Korean style chicken wings, you can find the perfect bite to satiate your sunset appetite. Pair your eats with a bubbly libation or a craft cocktail on tap and enjoy the best water views in Tampa Bay! Vista at the Top is open daily; https://www.vistaatthetop.com/.
Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge at The Pearl, Rosemary Beach
Set in the chic Pearl Hotel and evoking the hey-days of Cuba’s 1950 jet-set aesthetic, Havana Beach Bar & Grill Rooftop Lounge provides visitors with VIP ocean views and an atmosphere full of glamour and nostalgia. The Caribbean-inspired menu offers everything from award-winning rums, to mojitos and “cuba libres.”
Located in the quaint, eclectic coastal town of Rosemary Beach, The Pearl Hotel is an intimate, 55-room boutique hotel that celebrates the town’s distinct Southern charm. In addition to its elegant aesthetics, this hidden gem features guest services-integrated iPads, an award-winning restaurant and lounge in homage to Hemingway’s favorite haunt in Cuba, as well as the poolside Spa Pearl. Surrounded by unique architecture in a West Indies-inspired destination established as an upscale retreat for urbanites, guests are encouraged to explore the intriguing area by foot or bike. The European-style town offers upscale dining and shopping, set within the backdrop of idyllic beaches and relaxed luxury. Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge at The Pearl hotel in Rosemary Beach is open daily; https://www.thepearlrb.com/dining/rooftop-lounge-en.html.
Have a rooftop bar in Florida that you love that I didn’t cover? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to visit! :)
Remember to always keep Galavanting! x Alexia