By Terry Ward
A pelican’s-eye perch is an unrivaled vantage point for people-watching. Here are six fabulous Florida rooftops – crowning everywhere from resorts to a winery – where you can kick back with a unique angle on life below.
Club 50, Miami
The wow factor is through the roof at this 50th-floor hangout capping downtown’s chic new Viceroy Miami hotel. Nightlife surrounds a pearly blue pool, with Biscayne Bay and glittering urban views, yours for the taking in a city that always puts the world at your feet.
Bud & Alley’s, Seaside
Billowing dunes and South Walton’s sapphire seascape are a form of tropical hypnosis when viewed from this rooftop. Folks in flip-flops get acquainted in come-as-you-are surroundings.
The Cellar Upstairs, St. Augustine
Open weekends only, the rooftop bar at San Sebastian Winery is a local favorite for live jazz with views of the historic city’s steeples and cobbled streets. Sip the Rosa (a rosé-style wine made from Florida muscadine grapes) while toasting a sunset of a similar hue.
The Top at Crowne Plaza Key West, La Concha
Catch a breather from the Duval Street buzz on the roof of this historic Key West hotel, where you can peer down on Old Town and ogle the ocean beyond. It’s Key West’s highest perch.
Armani’s Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Start your fine Italian dinner with the signature antipasto bar with more than 30 items on the 14th floor patio at Armani’s. The chef cultivates fresh herbs in pots lining the patio, and you can watch dolphins slice across the bay while taking in views that stretch to St. Petersburg.
Caliza Restaurant, Alys Beach
Settle in for dinner beside the grand saltwater pool or ascend to an elevated rooftop terrace to drink in spectacular views south to the Gulf and north across the pool terrace to the wooded preserve beyond.
