Hotel Bar

I finally visited Hotel Bar for the first time this past Saturday, even though I used to work right nearby and somehow never stepped inside before. I believe they’ve been around since about 2017, and I truly cannot believe I’ve been missing this gem. It’s a little tucked away and the sign outside does not exactly prepare you for what’s inside, but once you walk in, the atmosphere hits just right. The drinks are honestly on another level! I’m picky about Espresso martinis and I order them everywhere. The one here was one of the best I’ve ever had. Yes, it came served in a water glass, which caught me off guard, but the quality was so incredible that I didn’t even care. Next time I’ll just request a martini glass. The flavor was an 11 out of 10! My second drink was the Hotel Nacional and all I can say is wow. Perfect balance, smooth, refreshing, and just the right touch of sweetness. I appreciated every sip. Also, music was FANTASTIC (2005 hits)! By midnight the place was packed and the space is pretty small, but that’s part of the charm. It feels intimate, and like everyone there is also in on this “secret.” Important note: there is no food, so come for the cocktails and the vibe, not a meal. The drinks alone make it absolutely worth it. I will definitely be back. This spot just earned a solid place on my Tampa favorites list!

Hands down, the best craft cocktail bar in Tampa. Everything is quality; from the service, to cocktails, and overall vibe. Thank you Jason, Sean, and Mickey for making us feel at home. Great people creating phenomenal experiences!

Went here last night for bday celebration. It was such a vibe. The bar tenders put on a lil show while making drinks…Mercedes & the guy with the blonde mullet were amazing! Will be back. Great customer service, they don’t serve food, they have snacks so eat prior to going.

Jason and Tj are hands down the best. We found this great spot a couple of months ago and it’s our new go to spot for drinks before and after dinner. We walk In they know us by name and know exactly what we’re drinking and make it perfect every time. If you haven’t been here…. Well you need to give it a try. I promise you won’t be Disappointed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Service from Tito The Best Mixologist! I had such a great experience at the hotel bar thanks to Tito, the mixologist. His attention to detail, warm personality, and incredible craft made the evening unforgettable. Every cocktail was perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. He took the time to personalize my drink based on my preferences and nailed it! Tito’s professionalism and charm truly elevate the entire atmosphere of the bar. If you visit, definitely ask for one of his signature creations you won’t be disappointed

Had a wonderful time at Hotel Bar Tampa tonight! Their summer cocktail specials are absolutely fantastic—each one we tried was refreshing, creative, and delicious. The atmosphere was cozy yet lively, and our server was incredibly attentive and friendly, which made the experience even better. Can’t wait to come back and try more!

Best bar in Tampa - great service and vibe with its creative and excellent cocktails that put taste buds to work to feel the subtle textures and delicate flavors

Every time I’m in Tampa, Hotel Bar is an absolute must-stop. The vibe is perfect — stylish yet relaxed — and the drinks are top-tier every single time. The bartenders Mikey, TJ, and Tito are what make this place truly special. They’ve got the kind of energy that makes you feel like you’re part of the local crowd, even if you’re just in town for vacation. Always friendly, always on point, and always mixing up something amazing. And if you know, you know — the secret bar snack that smiles back (yes, Goldfish) is the best little surprise to go with your cocktail. It’s the small things that make Hotel Bar unforgettable.

Hotel Bar in Tampa has become one of my absolute favorite go-to spots for a classic craft cocktail with a twist. From the moment you step through the doors, you're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the perfect tone for a memorable evening. The service at Hotel Bar is top-notch, with a staff that goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcome and well taken care of. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you'll be treated like family from the moment you walk in. But let's talk about the drinks - they are truly something special. Each cocktail is expertly crafted with care and attention to detail, resulting in drinks that are not only delicious but also beautifully presented. Whether you're in the mood for a classic Old Fashioned or something a bit more adventurous, the bartenders at Hotel Bar have you covered. And let's not forget about the ambiance - Hotel Bar is the spot to be in Tampa. Whether you're meeting up with friends for happy hour or enjoying a romantic date night, the stylish decor and lively atmosphere make it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a night out on the town. Overall, Hotel Bar in Tampa is a gem of a spot that never disappoints. With great service, great staff, and great drinks, it's no wonder it's become my go-to spot whenever I'm in need of a little pick-me-up. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Visited Tampa this past weekend and stumbled across Hotel Bar in downtown Tampa. This is a specialty drink bar. They have pretzels, gold fish, and nuts despite the appearance of kitchen doors in the back. The drinks are very highly priced we ordered a glass of Sauvignon and a double Grey Goose and the bill was $40 with tip. The atmosphere is ok but nothing to write home about. I always want to support small businesses but this one just doesn't fit the bill. Outside of having THE most comfortable bar stools, this place is not worth the cost. It reminds me of an old cigar bar without the cigars trying to be modern but not really getting there. They have a selfie spot at the entrance but it doesn't fit theme. We won't be back.

Hotel bar had a Christmas pop up for Jack Daniels and I go to try their Christmas themed drinks! The bar tenders are very creative because they thought of the Christmas drink menu themselves. They also offered a delicious food plate that was outstanding. I was stuck on the one drink in the Rudolph cup that was delicious and flavorful. The service was excellent and it was a nice atmosphere. I peeked at their regular menu and I would def come back for their regular drinks!

Awesome hangout spot in Downtown Tampa and one of the only places that actually stays open relatively late. They are open until 3am which really helped us since we were in town for a concert and wanted to have a few drinks after. The interior is gorgeous and we were lucky enough to get a seat at a bistro table on a packed Friday night. The tables came with cocktail servers and they were super great and attentive even though the place was packed. The cocktails were great, they ha d a fantastic variety of drinks, but also had skilled bartenders who could whip up whatever you like. The interior is very well done and has a modern and swanky feel. The only issue I had was that they only had one bathroom for each sex and it was a singe room bathroom, so the line get longs fast. Otherwise awesome spot to grab a drink and I will definitely be back.

Meh. It's a bar. It's tight and seems like a 20-30 something happy hour spot. Nothing fancy

Perfect spot for a drink after work or an intimate date night! I've been here a couple times and have always had a good experience. Recently went for a few drinks Friday night. I went early to find parking near by and we were able to easily find a seat at the bar. Our server was attentive and suggested a great second drink for me. Occasionally it's a little too busy in here but it's definitely a spot worth checking out!

This place was vibing! Excellent drinks- atmosphere... swanky and smart. Pricey but worth it!

The ambiance makes you feel like you are in a swanky hotel in New York. The cocktails are classic hotel drinks, but with an innovative twist The service is okay. The bartender recommended the drink I had and it was really good. But the staff wasn't friendly or anything. During our first visit, they did a good job with the music selection. However, the second time we visited them, the music had more club-like vibes, which didn't align with the elegant setting. * a suggestion for improvement: listen to our Gin Tonic playlist on Spotify, I think you would like it Order a Hendrick's Neptunia martini, you won't regret it The SinGapore Sling tasted like pure medicine. If you like very strong alcohol, you'll probably like it. For me it was horrible

Way too small and crowded for my liking but the drinks are pretty good. Get there early enough to grab a table or seat at the bar; otherwise you'll be on top of each other standing.

This is a beautiful low-key bar/lounge! Couples would enjoy a new place to check out here. The vibe is very calm and you can hear who you're talking too, so not obnoxiously loud in the slightest! $14 cocktails, but that's what you expect in the city by the water. I would definitely recommend stopping here if you need a quick cocktail with cool chic ambiance for the lovers out there.

This is a fun bar with a great atmosphere. The bartenders were awesome and so funny. I went with some friends to have a couple of espresso martinis after dinner. It was a smaller bar but clean and well run! I think this is a hidden gem and would encourage a stop by if you're in downtown Tampa!

Met a friend here after a work meeting at the Hilton across the street. I had their espresso martini, which was made with tequila. It was one of the best that I have had. It was a great recommendation. The cocktails were great. They even had a great happy hour. The servers were attentive. We had such a great experience, we decided to return later in the evening. The servers greeted us like old friends. I will definitely be returning.

If I lived downtown I'd be here at a frequent, possibly unhealthy level. Strong, well made drinks, expertly crafted/presented, and a unique drink menu that travels the world. Attentive and chill staff. They add to the dark, neon lit vibe that exposes these well made drinks. My Vieux Carre was a tasteful change from an old fashioned. Single, large cube of clear ice makes this a nice slow sipper. It's the French Quarter in a glass perfectly. Hotel Nacional was such a smooth sail to Cuba. Even on a rare cold night here in Tampa, very refreshing and easily ordered again. I guess, Tampa in a glass, if we can claim it. Can't wait to try the rest. Some small plates available.

The pretentiousness of the staff here is enough to kill any nice buzz you may have. We've been here a few times and the staff is consistently aloof and lacks any warmth until they deliver the check. I've never witnessed such a 180 in someone's tone. It was so obvious and awkward when her voice changed octaves higher with a forced smile just at the end of our three rounds of drinks. I don't know if he still works there, but there was also an angry bartender who was irritated to get waters for us along with our alcoholic beverages. If you want friendly service, authentic people, and a happy vibe, go next door to the Pint and Brew. What a world of difference walking in there after our experience at Hotel Bar.

Cool bar, friendly server. Chill vibes and nice concept of hotel bar cocktails. Hotel national drink from Cuba was delicious. Singapore drink was good but not as the first one. We didn't try anything else, yet. I liked the vibes and will be back.

I've been coming to Hotel Bar for a few years and love it so much! As a service industry worker, it's the best nightcap after a long day working. Every bartender delivers quality drinks with precision and timeliness, even when it gets packed and busy. HOWEVER!! I have only one complaint, and it's the lighting. Recently the lights throughout the space have been flickering. The bathroom lights, the floor lights, the overhead bar lights, and the lights behind the liquor shelves. I'm guessing it's some overall electrical issue but it definitely needs to be fixed! I brought a friend who has photosensitivity issues and she had to leave because she started getting dizzy. I know this has nothing to do with the staff, and they've mentioned it to me as well. I hope the owners can get this issue resolved because it does take you out of the ambience when the lights start flickering for no reason or turn off altogether sometimes.

Kind of a young vibe. Nothing wrong with that. I thought this place was actually inside a hotel (HA) Very dark, I suppose if you're on a first date with someone you barely know it might be a good spot if you're highly attracted to them. It is definitely cozy and romantic. It is open but small, was jam packed and pretty loud, there were 6 of us and barely a seat to be had (we had a pretty good wait for a tiny table) and parking in downtown has become.....well, less than desirable recently.. I'm not sure they serve food, either. It was ok, aside from ambiance, not sure what else it offers. Would not be a go-to place for me, but I would go again if someone else really wanted to.

I didn't know what to expect coming here unexpectedly on Monday, April 3, 2023. I was in town for business and met up with a few business partners at Hotel Bar located in the heart of downtown Tampa serving perfectly crafted drinks and classic cocktails. Their cocktail menu showcases drinks originating in and made famous by various hotels throughout the world. We arrived around 10:30pm and it wasn't packed but when I left around midnight, it was starting to get busy! The bar closes at 3AM! It's open daily from 4pm-3am! Inside, just like the name depicts, resembles a swanky hotel bar accented with dim lighting, embossed metal ceiling tiles, stylish wallpaper, local artwork, oversized brown leather stools and a custom marble bar top. I'm a huge fan of the rolling ladder behind the bar. Great ambiance, even better music playlist (2000s r&b, hip hop, very eclectic), knowledgeable mixologists and professional service. If you're looking for a cool place to grab a late night drink, definitely check out "Hotel Bar."

Can't speak to the food, but my husband and I had a very nice pre-dinner date here The decor and ambience is swanky and trendy and the drinks are really tasty! My husband ordered the hotel nacional and I had the corpse reviver and we really liked them both but each preferred our own drink over the others, which worked out nicely so nobody had to share! Service was a little slow and it took quite a while to order our drinks, but wouldn't keep us from coming back and would definitely visit here again!

By far my favorite late night spot in Tampa for a drink. The espresso martini was made in the heavens. The service is phenomenal. Open late ~3am everyday

When you go to a place and they only serve drinks you know the cocktails are going to be amazing. Got one of the bartenders recommendations: Black Manhattan- rye whiskey, adverna, black walnut bitters. The atmosphere is intimate and engaging just like the staff. Check this place out!

This is my favorite bar in downtown! The bartenders are AMAZING and so good at what they do!!! The music is always a great vibe (shout out to whoever is playing DJ). I also like that it's more of a lounge style place, but still a good social scene. It's really a lil hidden gem!!

Good place. Nice vibe. I went a bit hungry and was disappointment they don't serve food anymore. Google still shows they have a food menu :-( The service was pleasant. I order the moonwalk which I think was just a strong mimosa.

Absolutely amazing prices and atmosphere as much of a secret as I would like to keep it it definitely won't be one for long.

Romantic and Great peeps their The Ambiance is amazing And Service First class Great place to go with your special friend And Enjoy over a romantic dinner .come join us !!!!! Very soon

Tj and Kaysaan are the absolute best. I came in for drinks last night and they were so kind and made me the most DELICIOUS gin martini. The manager (i think) with fun hair, was also super attentive. I felt like a queen and will be returning!!

Why do I go to Hotel Bat? Kaysaan. The best bartender in Tampa. Hotel Bar is one of the best places to go to in Tampa but Kaysaan makes us keep coming back. We LOVE Hotel Bar!!

Just want to express what an excellent experience I recently had at the Hotel Bar. My bartender Kaysaan was so entertaining to watch work! He was incredibly attentive to us as well as anyone that entered the bar. We had a truly enjoyable experience and already cannot wait to come back and visit the bar and see Kaysaan!

This was literally THE WORST customer service I have EVER received in Tampa. And it was all from this one bartender named Kaysan. He was EXTREMELY rude. Took over 35 min just to receive our drinks, skipped over us and gave other people drinks before us, with no greetings, politeness, or anything. Feel as if we were being judged and we felt so uncomfortable. Staff should always make customers feel welcomed and he did anything but that. It wasn't just on one occasion either it happened multiple times and we don't understand why. We will NEVER recommend anyone go here nor will they ever get another dollar from us. Worst bar in Tampa.

For a location that specializes in craft cocktails, I found my experience to be just alright. The ambience was nice but it was so dark that I needed a flashlight to see the menu. I ordered the Singapore Sling, which I wished had more passion fruit and more complex flavor. It fell flat for me, as well the Queens Park Swizzle which was gorgeous but again, just okay. My friend says that this place has his favorite Old Fashion in Tampa, so maybe I'd recommend that.

Very nice atmosphere and a great place to grab drinks with friends after work. It's not a very large venue and got crowded shortly after my friends and I arrived for happy hour (just after 4pm when they open). There are a good amount of bar seats and a limited about of tables that seat around 4 people so get here early if you can. Bartenders were very skilled in making great drinks and the prices during Happy Hour are very fair for the location. No food here anymore so plan accordingly!

Love this spot! it's a hidden gem to me because it's right in the middle of downtown but a lot of ppl don't know about it still. Which I love it's perfect for meeting someone over drinks there's no dress code yet you have that low lighting intimate vibe although it's an open space. Not a food place just drinks so keep that in mind.

This is a lovely bar across the street from the Hilton hotel. It's not very big but the ambience is very nice. Almost reminds me of a speakeasy. The drinks were amazing and you can tell that this is a very upscale bar from the cocktails and the quality of the drinks that you get. The service was awesome thanks to our amazing server who checked up on us multiple times, got us our drinks very quickly and was very detailed in explaining the menu and some of the drinks which was needed. We didn't stay very long because we just wanted a quick drink but I'm glad that we stopped here and I can see myself come in here more often when I'm in downtown.

Great vibe with amazing drinks. Had 4 in the party and each ordered a different drink. All were amazing. Wait staff was all very nice and super attentive even tho it was packed. Parking is a pain but that's not their fault.

Very cool downtown bar with great ambiance & excellent crafted cocktails. The bar staff were also attentive and entertaining.

My go-to cocktail spot in downtown Tampa. Every drink is so unique and if you want to switch anything up, the bartenders will be happy to do so. Great spot for a first date or girls night. I sat by the red couch and it was very comfortable. Love this place and I plan to go back soon

This used to be a wonderful bar, and the drinks are still terrific, but just had one $30 drink on a Sunday afternoon and had to endure three songs, each of which discussed the merits of "niggers". Truly bizarre ambiance.

Best drinks in town! If you're looking for Tampa's best mixologist this is your place! It's a very cute and romantic bar. I've been there twice now and will return every chance I get. I went once a Sunday night and it was not very busy which we enjoyed. We went back in a Friday night and it wasn't packed but it was a little busy. The drinks were amazing and the bartender recommendations were on point.

As the nightcap of the evening following dinner, Hotel Bar fits the bill tremendously. Situated right across the street from the Hilton, Hotel Bar is a swanky cocktail bar composed of mixologists that can turn out a tasty cocktail or 10. Wanting to find a bar with chill vibes that we could enjoy a couple of drinks without feeling crowded, Hotel Bar is where it's at. They have bar, table, and lounge seating. The latter is a find if it's available with its neon Hotel Bar sign illuminating the spot red and cushioned seating where you can chill in the corner and enjoy some drinks. As we are not so lucky, we did manage to grab a small table and chose some cocktails from a leather-bound menu. The Singapore Sling was delicious between the house-infused ford's gin, Benedictine, cherry heering, and chinola passion fruit. It was quite delicious as we chilled in the dark lit environment and enjoyed the chill vibes and sophisticated setting. Given that they stay open past midnight, we had one more drink a piece, with I ordering a Moonwalk. Quite refreshing, fruity, sweet, and sparkling. The Moonwalk is a drink perfect more for brunch but will knock you off your ass between the grand mariner and gruet rose. The grapefruit and rose water provide a refreshing sweetness combined with the grand mariner. The Hotel Bar is glorious and a great downtown cocktail bar if you don't want to bother with sports bars and want a nicely made drink.

Great spot for an upscale cocktail, after work drink or first date. Wish there were more places like this. Great service. Ny vibes for sure

Stays open late! Good drinks lots of options , good prices. They to catch it when it's not crowded. Service was pretty good even when the crowd picked up. Cool venue would absolutely go back.

If i was able to put 0 stars i would, TJ banned me because my friend simply did not have her id... she left then i came back and they denied access to me, and all my friends had id to prove all our ages... its Very upsetting since I have been a regular here for 2+ years.

Such a great little spot we stumbled upon! We were looking for a late night bar to end the night and found Hotel Bar on Yelp and so happy we did! The location itself is relatively small, but we were lucky enough to arrive the moment a table was getting up, so we were able to snag some seating. It's nicely decorated and dimly lit, perfect for either a date or hang with friends. It was super busy though when we got there around 11pm, so make sure to arrive early to be comfortable. We were curious as to why the location was called Hotel Bar - it wasn't located in a hotel nor did it feel like a lobby of sorts - and then we opened the menu. The menu lists popular cocktails made famous in hotels all around the world - I mean what a genius concept. We tried quite a few different ones but I think my personal favorite was the one from Hotel Nacional from Cuba. Each cocktail we ordered took a bit to prepare, but it's really because the bartender took its time to make it just right and it truly showed in the presentation and flavor. Highly recommend this spot and will be visiting again next time we are in town!

Wow, impressively over rated. We were here just for drinks, and got here late in the evening, so I'm sure we had a different experience from many of the diners who reviewed here. That said, it was disappointing. The front door was open as we walked up. A few people were coming and going from smoking outside. Inside was a madhouse of people. It is definite a popular spot, the bar alone had 2 rows of people lined up. I was trying hard to get a couple drinks. meanwhile my nose was battling a vicious stench. my guess was that the water had backed up in the kitchen, but it was a bit worse than dish water smell. I was starting to question if I was really smelling something that bad when a few people walked by saying "what IS that smell?". We finally got a couple drinks and scooted aside. I'm sure its a fine place normally earlier in the night. But the late night crowd was a bunch of messy older peeps, liquored up, in a stinky bar.

Good vibes - great service & overall definitely recommend for date night. Love the drink selections and ambience. All drinks taste good and made correctly!

Street parking only. It gets crowded on the weekend night, we had to wait for about 15min for a spot. The drinks aren't bad but it does get pretty loud.

If I could give this bar a lesser review I would've. My friends and I turned 21 less than 4 months ago and we're natives to florida and the younger male bartenders REFUSED to give us drinks because "our ids were fake" never again will I be back here and I recommend anyone younger than 25 stay far far away

Love this place. I've now dubbed this place my go to bar in Tampa. The vibe is very laid back and the staff on our visit was so accommodating the entire evening we were there. We had a rather large party of 8 and they graciously pulled up two tables together until we were able to overtake the small private area near the entrance. Given our large party, there were quite a few samplings of many of the drinks on their cocktail menu. My Aperol Spritzs were some of the best I've had and very refreshing. The bartenders were also more than willing to create custom drinks for us with just a little bit of information on what we wanted to try. Definitely a place to try out when you're looking for a low key place to grab a drink without the craziness of packed bars.

High end cocktail bar. If you want dollar beers this is not the place for you in fact if you want beer at all maybe check Pint and Brew down the street. This is a cocktail bar and the staff is highly trained to make signature cocktails. The crowd is beautiful too, felt out of place as a middle aged man in shorts and a tee shirt but was treated as good as anyone wearing an Armani. I will go back to this place for certain.

Nice little trendy bar in downtown Tampa. Our bartender Steve was super friendly and nice. The drinks were very tasty as well. It was a great atmosphere for date night or to catch up with a girlfriend since you can actually hear each other. If you're craving some fancy, craft drinks, this is the place to go!