Downtown Tampa sits right on the water where Hillsborough River meets the bay, making for some spectacular views and providing somewhat of a cool breeze on the hottest summer days. If you're visiting the Tampa Bay area, odds are you're going to want to take advantage of some of these views, and what better way to do that than to grab a drink and bring your very best furry friend?
Armature Works
This old trolley warehouse has transformed into a fun, vibrant market with a multitude of food stall options. There are numerous areas to enjoy the gorgeous weather, from the inner courtyard, to the spacious lawn, to the ever-popular rooftop bar. There are enough food options to keep everyone in your party satisfied, and even fancier sit-down restaurants if that’s the vibe you’re going for.
To be honest, it’s not one of my favorite places because it’s not super dog friendly. Dogs are generally allowed on the property in the outdoor areas, but they aren’t allowed inside the market, which makes it difficult if you’re there by yourself (like me) and want to grab some food from inside. Other than that, it’s also a bit pricey for what you’re getting and the rooftop bar is a little too crowded and filled with a younger crowd.
Still a fun waterfront location with enough options to keep you coming back to try more, and constant community events to entice you to stop by. And sunset views over the river are of course worth a visit.
Yuengling Draft Haus
This might be the most underrated outdoor space in the Tampa area. This Yuengling Brewery functions as a fully operational brewery but also has a restaurant/bar so you can try all of their sips on tap while enjoying delicious food! And the best part? The brews are super cheap since they come straight from the brewery to the taps in the bar (I'm talking $4 per glass, with great happy hour deals too).
The outdoor space is INCREDIBLE and HUGE and every time I went, it was completely empty. Granted, the location is about 5 minutes from the University of South Florida campus, which means it’s about 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, so it’s not exactly a super convenient place to get to if you don’t live nearby. I lived literally right around the corner from here and for a brief moment I was renting an EV and had to charge it at the free charging stations at the brewery, so I got to hang out and enjoy this amazing space!
There are shuffle board, bocce ball, and corn hole areas set up, as well as an indoor and outdoor bar, grassy turf areas, tons of seating, and an ice cream truck on the patio! It was really cool to try some Yuengling beers I’d never heard of (like their mango wheat beer reminiscent of my favorite Mango Cart) and the food menu had tons of interesting and delicious pairings. I would definitely recommend stopping by to check it out and spend an afternoon drinking super cheap beers.
Sparkman Wharf
Downtown next to the cruise terminals and the aquarium, you’ll find the brand new Sparkman Wharf, which really does have a little something for everyone. Right in the center is a large, shaded bar/beer garden, with seating all around and expanding onto the open turf lawn. On the turf area is a small stage for the little events they hold there (I happened to be there one day during a pirate costume contest for dogs), tons of different seating, games like cornhole and giant chess, and a view of the water.
Food options are pretty much all quick service from numerous vendors placed in re-purposed storage containers, many of them local restaurants or food trucks operating out of these small convenient locations. There are a few more seated options like a burger place and a Mexican restaurant, and there’s also a Splitsville with an outdoor bar and even MORE seating. Around the outskirts of the main courtyard of the wharf area are other store fronts like a coffee shop, a few gyms, and a coworking space.
Since mostly everything is based outdoors, it’s extremely dog friendly (they literally host dog-centered events here!) and it’s spacious enough that me and Millie have loved every time we’ve been. Sparkman Wharf is also located at the end of Riverwalk, so it’s a perfect little oasis after a long trek along the water with your pup. There’s even a little dog run in the parking lot!
I’ve personally tried a few of the food stands and loved them, and have been multiple times to try various drinks from the different bars. Definitely a must-visit place in downtown Tampa, close to Amalie Arena and the waterfront, and overall a perfect place to enjoy the beautiful weather with your pup (or your human friends, too)
Salt Shack on the Bay
It took me the entire five months I was in Tampa to finally discover this gem and I’m still kicking myself over it! This is by far the BEST waterfront bar and restaurant to soak up a stunning sunset while sipping delicious cocktails and listening to live music. With four distinctly separate seating areas, you can enjoy this spot from almost every angle. It definitely seems like the kind of place to get absolutely packed on a weekend evening so make sure you plan accordingly!
The section we sat in was a porch-like bar area overlooking the water, and the staff was so incredibly friendly and accommodating towards me and Millie and even took several minutes to give her lots of pets and scratches. Our waitress was also super attentive about bringing Millie water since it was a hot afternoon.
Every drink I tried was absolutely amazing, and the recommended pina colada was probably the best one I’ve ever had. I’m not even necessarily someone who likes coconut flavor, but the toasted coconut flakes in top of this really completed the whole drink. The food was also delicious and I wish I could go back ten more times to try more!
If you go ANYWHERE in Tampa to enjoy outdoor drinks with a view, it should absolutely be here.
If you're going to Tampa in the future, don't forget to check out these amazing local spots! You can pin this post for later, too :)
Comments