Tropic Like it’s Hot in Tampa Bay: Best Spots to Visit This Summer

No Vacancy

They say they don’t give a “flock,” and if you come here, you shouldn’t give a “flock” either. Just have fun and enjoy the ambiance! The happy hour is beyond great: $4 Drafts, $5 Wells, $6 Frozen Painkillers, 1/2 Off Bottles of Bubbles and Rose, Sink or Swim $20 Mimosas and Bloody Marys (12:00pm–3p:00m), and all-day $4 High Noons $5 Aperol Spritz.

Don’t sleep on the Sinner’s Paradise. It includes $5 St. Pete Spirits, $5 High Noons, and 50% off with proof of service industry employment. Our favorite thing is the Dive In Thursday (7:00pm–Close). It offers $2 Oysters, $4 High Noons and Mamitas Tequila Cans, and 1/2 off Punch Bowls and Bottles of Bubbles.

Mandarin Heights

Chill during the day, and party during the night at Mandarin Heights! The decor is super eye-catching and will immediately draw you in. Indoor and outdoor seating is perfect for everyone’s liking. It’s definitely one of our favorite spots to take trendy pictures–the bathtub is iconic.

The drink menu is wide and filled with creative cocktails! The seasonal drinks are amazing, so be sure to ask what they are when you head there.

Mint Cocktail Club

The food here is honestly fire! We were surprised by the details each dish we ordered had, and the flavors make a party in your mouth! We hear the croquetas, the grouper estovich, and mini arepas are amazing! The atmosphere is sophisticated and tropical, making it the perfect Tampa Bay spot for a date or a girl’s night.

And just look at their vintage Tampa decorations–we think it’s very original and looks really cool! Enjoy live music, tasty cocktails, and again, REALLY good food.

Dirty Laundry

We’ve had lots of fun here, and you will too! Dirty Laundry is a really cool concept–come in and look at the crazy creative decorations and actual washers and dryers!

The drinks are delicious and addicting. There’s a secret lounge only available Wednesdays and Saturdays, but you have to find out how to get in! Exciting, huh? It all feels like a speakeasy–easily one of the best spots to try in Summer.

Trophy Fish

Step through the gates and transport yourself to a beach bar! At least that’s how it feels like when you go to Trophy Fish.

Listen to live music in the open-air spots and treat yourself to good drinks and delicious food. The fish here is amazing, so fresh and cooked to perfection!

Now, let’s talk deals. The prices are really cool. Rosé and bubble bottles are $15 during the weekends! $5 to spin the wheel, and you might just get lucky!

Bring your doggo, so you both have a good time.

Luv Child

When we think of the color pink, we remember Luv Child. This spot is very beautiful and full of color–definitely, one of the spots to try this summer. At night, they turn on the lights, and it’s dazzling.

Enjoy Latin cuisine for dinner, lunch, or brunch. As every great brunch place,  they’re usually packed, so you might want to make a reservation. The happy hour menu is outstanding, try their $5 nachos, it’s so much food! The huevos rancheros are to die for.

Sal y Mar

This is one of the prettiest dining spots in Tampa Bay, and we’ve been almost everywhere! Enjoy breath-taking views as you eat delicious food–oh, and you have to eat outside at the rooftop seating area to have the best experience possible.

While you’re there, try the bird swing chairs! We recommend going around sunset and asking to be seated outside. It takes the dining experience to another level.

The Getaway

If there’s one thing we love about The Getaway, it’s the spectacular views! We love going here–it really does feel like you’re getting away from your regular daily struggles.

The restaurant is right on the beach! Perfect spot for an intimate lunch or dinner. Our favorite dishes are the seared tuna tacos and the shrimp tacos! The coolest thing ever is that the place is almost hidden, tucked away–you’ll find it behind some palm trees and enter a great place.

Salt Shack on the Bay

Salt Shack is one of our favorite spots to tropic like it’s hot, and one of the best spots to try in Summer! Whether you spend the day at the beach or not, this is a great place to feel like you’re vacationing. Take your shoes off and enjoy a delicious meal with the sea by your side! You know what they say in the summer, if you’re not barefoot, you’re overdressed.

We love that you can grab a cocktail and sit in a comfy chair by the fire pit until your table is called.

Hula Bay Club

Get ready to try the best and freshest poké bowl you’ll ever have! This spot is perfect for summer because it’s beautifully located right off the dock on the water. If you come at night, you’ll enjoy the sight of fish swimming around thanks to the underwater lights, and if you come during the day, you may see dolphins! Bring your kids. They have high-quality meals on the kid’s menu!

We love this place’s sushi, the spicy tuna nachos, the shrimp martini, and the pulled pork sliders.

Tiki Docks

We love a place where you can customize your cocktails. If you do, too, make sure to stop by Tiki Docks! Their best-sellers are the different flavored margaritas.

This is one of the best spots to try in Summer! It’s relaxing, family-oriented, and delicious food–plus, they have live music on the deck. Did we mention this place is huge? Inside is beautiful too, full of Hula decorations. The perfect spot if you want to eat in a relaxing environment and watch the sunset.

Bar Chica

Bodega, the Cuban restaurant, has a back door that leads to a “secret” bar. The concept is unique, rare, and a Tampa Bay must-try! This is by far the coolest place we’ve seen in years.

Come on and see what the hype is all about! The cocktails and the food you find in this hidden bar you won’t find in the restaurant that hides the place. The bar is intimate, with room for about 20 people at a time, and both the food and drinks are delicious.

Wild Child

Wild Child is a vibrant restaurant with incredible food and outstanding cocktails. Make sure to have a reservation because it’s usually packed (meaning the place is great and well-known). If there aren’t any tables, the serves usually let you sit by the bar, and they still bring you the food you’d get at the tables.

Don’t be afraid to come in even if they say it’s an hour wait–it’s worth it! Some menu items we recommend are Tuna tostadas, the bacon-wrapped chorizo, the Korean fried chicken, and tempura peppers! So, so good.

Mangosteen St. Pete

We love this place! Mangosteen is so unique and a great spot to try new foods and combos. The menu here is very innovative! The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the atmosphere is great.

We can assure you that this place has the best sushi in Tampa Bay (or at least makes the top list of the best sushi in town). Get the seagrass salad, drunken noodles, shrimp or fish tacos, and dumplings. We suggest the pink dragon ball z (super cool, we know) and the 90s baby for drinks.

Paradeco Coffee Co.

The photo says it all, no? A beautiful spot to spend time during summer! This is easily one of our favorite coffee shops and a must-visit. Try their lavender latte, and for food, we love the kimchi hash.

Eating here feels like you’re dreaming. There are many vegan and gluten-free options to choose from, which is always a mega plus.

Vue 360 Rooftop Bar

The photo says it all. Prepare for a breathtaking view of the beach from this beautiful rooftop bar. We obviously recommend you come before sunset, so you catch it with a cold brew or a refreshing cocktail from up top. It’s called 360 Vue because of the 360-degree views of the beaches! This is seriously one of the best spots to try this summer.