The Best Craft Cocktail Bars in St. Pete-Clearwater

Located in the heart of quaint Safety Harbor – a friendly, walkable town known for its charming Main Street – is the 1920s-style Gigglewaters. This restaurant, bar and one-screen movie theater shows favorite film classics that add a wonderful dose of nostalgia to your dining experience. Here, a menu of upscale American comfort food from burgers to melts is punctuated by a selection of creative hand-crafted signature cocktails.

Old Fashioneds (with an option to have your drink "smoked") include The 1919, a pre-prohibition style drink favorite with Four Roses bourbon, Demerara, bitters, a Luxardo cherry and a flamed orange peel. Gin lovers can order a Bee’s Knees with New Amsterdam gin, smoked honey and fresh lemon juice. For something sweeter, try a Lucky Coconut martini made with Rumhaven coconut rum, fresh cucumber and lime.

No matter which cocktail you crave, the swanky speakeasy ambience will turn an ordinary evening into an extraordinary experience.

The craft cocktails rotate seasonally, but are tasty any time of year at Urban Stillhouse in St. Pete, a 16,000-square-foot entertainment space presented by Horse Soldier Bourbon. Not surprisingly, bourbon reigns supreme here, from classics like the House Old Fashioned to interesting renditions such as the True Grit (Horse Soldier Small Batch Bourbon, Luxardo maraschino, Giffard vanilla, Turkish tobacco bitters and torched cinnamon). If you can’t decide, you can always go for the Horse Soldier Bourbon Tasting Flight, which comes with all three bourbon offerings plus a pour of Commander’s Select.

Honoring the art of distilling, the ambience is intimate-meets-industrial with plenty of copper, brick and soft lighting. Brunch and dinner feature sophisticated American cuisine centered around a wood-fired grill. Look for hearty steak and seafood dishes to complement your cocktails such as the Baked Lobster Stillhouse, Wood Grilled Elk Chops or the Moroccan-Spiced Pork Shank. A cozy tasting room adds to the full spirit experience.

Long-time local mainstay Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant in Clearwater Beach is the place to go for a perfect blend of the fresh seafood, comfort food and refreshing cocktails. Ever-changing daily menus feature market fresh seafood and butcher block favorites, while the cocktail menu showcases favorites from signature margaritas to flavorful martinis like the Espresso, Coconut Key Lime or the Drunken Apple Crème Brûlée.

The Beachcomber is the kind of place where the bartender will remember your drink order when you return the next day. The casual ambience and nautical-themed décor will remind you that you’re at the beach at this landmark that’s been family owned and operated since 1948. Live piano music adds to the experience.

Tucked away in the heart of downtown St. Pete, The Mandarin Hide is a standout craft cocktail bar known for its innovative spirit and dedication to mixology. With a speakeasy style that blends vintage charm and modern flair, the bar offers a curated experience for cocktail enthusiasts.

What sets The Mandarin Hide apart is its commitment to craftsmanship — bartenders here are true artists, using house-made syrups, rare spirits (at last count, the bar carries more than 450 different spirits) and inventive techniques such as smoked cocktails with burnt wood chips. Even the type of ice and glassware are considered when creating timeless classics and original creations such as the Nolet's Nectar, a refreshing blend of Nolet's Gin, basil, agave nectar, lime, grapefruit bitters and grapefruit juice; the Port of Envy, a rich concoction featuring Angel's Envy Bourbon, St. Germain, tawny port, black walnut bitters, and ginger beer; and the Blood & Smoke, a smoky mix of Illegal Reposado Mezcal, Solerno blood orange liqueur, agave nectar, orange and grapefruit.

A rotating menu ensures there’s always something new to explore, and the knowledgeable staff can tailor drinks to individual tastes, whether you're savoring a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned or a one-of-a-kind seasonal cocktail.

Bar Mezzo offers a refined yet approachable take on the craft cocktail experience, blending old-world sophistication with modern innovation. Nestled within a restored 1920s-era building, this intimate cocktail bar stands out for its elegant decor, complete with moody lighting, plush seating and a marble-topped bar that invites conversation. The menu is a thoughtful curation of expertly crafted cocktails — each made with house-infused spirits, fresh juices and small-batch ingredients that showcase the bartenders' precision and creativity.

What truly makes Bar Mezzo unique is its dedication to storytelling through cocktails, with each drink inspired by history, art or local culture. For example, try the Clarified Painkiller, a silky reinterpretation of the tropical classic made with Bacardi Ocho, Avuá Amburana Cachaça, heirloom pineapple amaro and coconut syrup; or the Gin Basil Collins, a bright, herbaceous twist on the classic highball with Condesa gin, fresh basil, lemon, and soda. The multisensory experience combines presentation, aroma and flavors that come together in perfect harmony.

Sonder Social Club in Dunedin redefines the bar experience with its elevated mixology and artistic vibes. Located in the heart of downtown, this stylish yet cozy venue blends vintage aesthetics with modern flair, creating an inviting space that feels both upscale and approachable.

Sonder’s globally inspired cocktail menu fuses classic techniques with bold, unexpected ingredients — think exotic spices, house-infused liquors and inventive garnishes. Each drink is meticulously crafted and beautifully presented, reflecting the bar's deep commitment to creativity and quality. For example, try the Talk to Me Goose, a floral-meets-citrus creation with Fords gin, Sibona Camomilla liqueur, Luxardo maraschino and lemon; for a tropical twist, the Cartel Nacional combines Coconut Cartel rum, Giffard apricot liqueur, pineapple, lime and simple syrup; and those seeking a smoky, spicy profile might opt for the Ay Dios Mio Papi, which layers Espolon blanco tequila, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, grapefruit soda, habanero tincture and Tajín.

Beyond the cocktails, Sonder offers a warm, inclusive atmosphere that encourages conversation and connection, living up to the meaning behind its name — “sonder,” the realization that everyone has a story.

The Nest at Caracara is a hidden gem that blends tropical flair with sophisticated mixology. Perched above Caracara, a vibrant Latin-inspired restaurant, The Nest offers an intimate, lounge-like setting perfect for savoring elevated drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. The focus is on botanical ingredients and creative combinations so that each cocktail is a thoughtfully balanced composition of house-made infusions, fresh herbs, exotic spices and premium spirits. With a menu that evolves seasonally, expect both inventive signatures and refined takes on the classics that might include the Smoke & Mirrors, a mezcal-based drink infused with smoked rosemary and citrus bitters; the Velvet Jungle, a tropical blend of rum, coconut cream and passionfruit; or the Botanical Bliss, featuring gin, elderflower liqueur and fresh cucumber.

The lush, jungle-inspired decor, low lighting and ambient music provide a distinctly transportive feel, making The Nest an experience as much as a destination. Whether you're unwinding after dinner or seeking a refined nightcap, The Nest delivers an immersive, flavor-forward cocktail journey.

Pluma Lounge merges artistic flair with elevated mixology in an opulent, contemporary setting. Known for its chic design that feature gold accents, plush velvet seating and dramatic lighting, Pluma offers a luxurious backdrop for a high-end cocktail experience.

Pluma’s unique culinary approach to cocktails means that each drink is crafted with precision using house-made syrups, fresh-squeezed juices and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. The bar’s ever-evolving menu showcases inventive pairings, global inspirations and a balance of bold and delicate flavors that surprise and delight. A few favorites include the Holy Leaf, a vibrant blend of gin, hoja santa, cilantro, jicama and lime; the Just Chil-Cano, a refreshing mix of pisco, lychee, ginger, raspberry and lime; and the Dip Baby Dip, a rich concoction of Scotch, mole negro, chocolate, ancho and amaro.

Presentation is part of the experience here, with drinks arriving as visual masterpieces. Themed nights and special events create a dynamic social scene for cocktail enthusiasts amid a refined escape in the heart of downtown St. Pete.