Dry January is over, and for those who appreciate a nightcap, a glass of bubbly at brunch or a better brew for game day, Tampa Bay delivers. The region offers no shortage of craft cocktails, beers and — if you’re still holding strong — mocktails, and we’ve rounded up a handful of the best. Whether you’re seeking seasonal sips, scratch-made syrups or a simple, no-frills but unmistakably delicious boozy beverage, here’s a look at some of Tampa Bay’s top drinking destinations.  

Tanto
Tanto

306 W. Palm Ave., Tampa

Helmed by Mike Western, former beverage director at the adjoining Kōsen, Tanto is a cocktail lounge focused on Japanese spirits, house-fermented drinks such as ginger beer and kombucha, and a refined menu of crafted cocktails. Intimate booth seating offers a behind-the-scenes view of the bartenders, while guests remain the stars of the experience. Drinks feature nine to 10 varieties of hand-cut ice, paired with house bitters and occasional from-scratch liqeurs. Standouts include the smoky Hall of Ten Kings with Ybor cigar bitters and Nobodies Foo with sesame brown butter-washed rum and yuzu bitters. For those who can’t choose bartender’s-choice cocktails or the plated pairing series are excellent choices.

 

COPA
COPA

1047 Central Ave., St. Petersburg| (727) 623-9199

A cafe, kitchen and cocktail lounge, COPA blends Latin and American influences across its menus and atmosphere. Originally opened in 2019 as a wine bar while awaiting a liquor license, it has since evolved into a full-service destination offering wines, coffee-based drinks and craft cocktails. Everything is made from scratch, including fresh juices and house syrups such as hibiscus rose, lavender lemon and cinnamon spice, with all cocktails also available in nonalcoholic versions. Signature drinks include the rum-forward Lady in Rojo with hibiscus rose syrup, the mezcal-based Smoke Break with muddled cucumber and the Tex Mex Mocha, a spiced tequila espresso martini made with COPA’s locally roasted house espresso.

 

1983
1983

2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa | (813) 738-8560

Part restaurant, part playground, 1983 delivers elegant Americana vibes with fire tables, lawn games, an outdoor patio and a designated game room. From brunch to dinner, it serves as a lively hangout for locals, families and date nights alike, backed by a crowd-pleasing drink lineup that includes draft beers from select local breweries, craft cocktails made with specialty house-made syrups curated by on-site mixologists, martini flights, mocktails, wine and bubbles. At 1983, elevated dining meets community.

 

Bar Mezzo
Bar Mezzo

1049 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Located across the street from Intermezzo, Bar Mezzo builds on the former’s cocktail program. Inspired by owner Jarrett Sabatini’s travels and infused with global flavors and forward-thinking techniques such as forced carbonation and milk clarification, nearly everything at Bar Mezzo — including infusions, syrups and foams — is made in-house, with few exceptions. Designed to evoke a hip Brooklyn neighborhood, the space features penny tile, cast-iron tables and a vintage aesthetic. Popular drinks take patrons back in time, including the Strawberry Fizz, made with vodka, orange juice, Florida strawberries and salted vanilla cream, and the Cherries Jubilee, featuring cognac, cherry liqueur, vanilla bean and black cherry yogurt clarification.

 

The Living Room
The Living Room

2001 Piazza Ave., Suite 100, Wesley Chapel | (813) 934-7911

Originally founded in Dunedin, The Living Room’s Wesley Chapel location opened more than three years ago, offering a welcoming, home-away-from-home atmosphere with a scratch-made kitchen and and fresh cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. A mix of classic libations, such as the two-rum Mai Tai and the gin-based Aviation, sets the scene, while signature cocktails like the Hibiscus Buzz—made with hibiscus vodka, cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur—offer a contemporary twist. A thoughtfully curated wine list highlights selections from women-owned wineries and female winemakers, alongside local craft beers and creative mocktails, all of which are available for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.

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