Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Driftlight Lounge

    4.1 (42 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Driftlight Lounge Photos

    Business Info

    DRIFTLIGHT LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Driftlight Lounge

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Charcuterie board and guac
    Spencer S.

    Pretty nice lounge located in the JW. Came here for evening drinks with some people. Had a very nice selection of liquors and wines. I was impressed. A lot to choose from, particularly in the tequila realm. Ordered guacamole and chips as well as a charcuterie board. The Pinot Noir they were serving was excellent. Will go back when I'm in town

    Alonzo A.

    Had a quick old fashioned before a night out. Super nice square bar with limited liquor selection. This is a hotel bar with hotel bar prices. Rum old fashioned was $19 before tip. Bartender was very nice and conversational. Probably wouldn't return but again, not a bad place for a quick drink. Food prices are nuts. $20 for wings.

    Old fashioned
    Rich M.

    We caught them at a soft opening for dinner service. Wow. Fantastic service and food! We had bread service, which was basically an entire loaf of sweet potato bread. So good. I had a caesar salad and my wife had french onion soup. The caesar salad has duck fat croutons. What else can I say? The french onion was fantastic. We also tried the Shrimp cocktail. The cocktail sauce was very nice. We split a ribeye which was cooked perfect. Ask for extra garlic butter. I would swim in it. The mashed potatoes and heirloom carrots were excellent also. We also tried the Nutella cheesecake because why not. We will definitely be back. Oh, and the old fashioned had me on my ass. Now go drool over my photos.

    Eda X.

    Driftlight is absolutely a gem north of Harbor Island and east of Channelside. Their service is immaculate. From the palate teaser, steak, scallops, mushrooms to carrot cake, everything was exquisitely prepared and presented. I absolutely loved my dining experience and grateful to have spent my birthday with them. Would definitely revisit the next time I'm in town.

    Beet and blood orange salad with shrimp
    Alina H.

    After a flight in from NYC, I was treated to lunch here. The top roof deck was open so we were seated outdoors on the 6th floor. This rooftop hard partial views of the bay, but ample room to socially distance. I ordered the beet and blood orange salad, while my cousin had the grouper sandwich. Both were definitely fresh. We also ordered two drinks. One mezcal based and one a gin lavender drink off their cocktail menu. Both were aesthetically prepared and had a strong enough taste without it compromising the flavor of the drink. Ultimately I would come back for a quick cocktail with a friend when the rooftop opened up, but portions are small and not worth a trip back for me. Service was however great!

    6oz Filet with reduction sauce
    Rick M.

    Outstanding dinner for Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, a great choice. Service was spot on, the three course meal of crabcakes, filet mignon and carrot cake with a great bottle of Pinot Noir was a 10. We would go back in a heartbeat.

    Dirty Vodka Martini
    Diane G.

    Had to drink here before heading to Amalie Arena for a show. When we sat down in the two open seats. at the crowded bar, we were acknowledged immediately by Eva, who made two of the best dirty martinis!.

    Bistro salad with grilled blackened shrimp
    Cindy C.

    Decent but over-priced bar food at the Driftlight Lounge, which is to be expected at this luxury JW Marriott. Sat at the bar for a late lunch and opted for the Bistro Salad ($14) with blackened grilled shrimp ($12 extra). Though they were large and delicious, there were only 3 shrimp added to the salad, so it felt a bit like a ripoff. The rest of the salad was yummy and decadent: mixed spring greens topped with scallions, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese covered in a healthy amount of dressing. Avocado was not included, even though it's on the online menu. The servers were attentive and friendly, which is why I rated this place 4 stars instead of 3.

    Caroline M.

    I was really disappointed when I dined at this place with my family. We sat at one of the small tables to the side of the bar and had two servers that did not know they were serving us at the same time. Then they decided to take their frustrations out on us? (When we had nothing to do with their serving system and I'm super understanding because I was a server for 5 years prior to moving to Tampa) We ordered our food and this younger girl was a server. She would walk away right after we would say something before anyone else could order. My mom ordered a drink and my sister also was low on her wine but the server didn't ask if she wanted another one so when she returned to the table with my moms wine, my sister kindly said she would like another one too which led to the server to roll her eyes. We continued to be kind but at the end of the dinner my mom just mentioned to her that if she would have just waited 5 more seconds at the table, she wouldn't have had to make so many unnecessary trips to the bar (a tip for her in the future) The food was great tho. We ordered a ton of appetizers and did a tapa style dinner. We had the oysters, charcuterie board, burger, shrimp cocktail and tacos.

    Looking towards S. Florida Ave. entrance (West).
    Shuné D.

    This lounge is located in the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Tampa. It's the first area you see when you walk in from the S. Florida Ave. entrance. It's a lobby bar with plenty of bar and couch seating throughout this portion of the hotel lobby. It also has a restaurant in the next room over. I haven't seen anyone occupying it (Restaurant) on my visits here though. I'm guessing this restaurant is more of a weekend spot, but not sure. Due to labor shortage, they did have only one guy serving that whole area. The service was as efficient as they possibly could make it. We didn't have to wait for too long. Their salsaccia pizza was delicious! Also, the architects and interior designers did a great job here. Even if you're not staying in the hotel, it's a good place for a reasonable size group of people or a date.

    $14 Rosy Retrospection
    Ginger L.

    Yay! I'm a fan. There is a lot of good at Driftlight Lounge. Lobby Bars aren't exactly known for their vibes and this is the ultimate exception. In fact I think the bar alone is 5 stars, easily. The only reason this isn't a 5 star experience is because of the hotel itself. The bar is dramatic and the couches are super comfy and intimate. I love that the menu is nice and tight. The drink names are cute too. Naming anything after the Sunshine Skyway sure is a fast way to my heart. We chose to sit in the corner, the sofas are serviced which is super convenient. There was nothing overwhelmingly remarkable about our service. In fact a little annoying that we had to ask for water. Shouldn't water just always come with a cocktail? Shouldn't that be industry standard? As this has the Marriot namesake I had high expectations. They really fell flat though. The hotel lobby restroom was really brutal. And the screaming drunk girls didn't help the energy of the space at all... And neither did the live music. Which is super ironic! The performer was wearing flip flops and was playing covers of 80's country rock? As a local, this was a fun bar to hangout in. If I was spending the $$$$ to be a guest here...I don't know how much I would have liked this. My drink was tasty and the glassware is stunning.

    Octavia L.

    I stopped in this bar for a drink and loved the decor of the lobby. Everything was very clean and chic. There was plenty of seating around the bar and the bartender came to take our order quickly. I ordered a drink with dragonfruit liquor. It was delicious and sweet. The ambiance of the bar was nice. I want to come back to check out the poolside bar.

    Roasted Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. U10 scallops with pancetta sauce.
    Kathy H.

    One of the better meals I've had in the restaurant hotel. Delicious oysters! I also have the scallop on three when she was very flavorful and cooked perfectly.

    Driftlight Restaurant & Lounge Bar, 1st floor of JW Marriot Waterstreet, Downtown Tampa

    See all

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Perfect location and great drink menu. Try the carrot juice margarita!! The outside seating was perfect.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Erica M.

    Erica M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Driftlight Lounge

    Review Highlights - Driftlight Lounge

    After visiting the Driftlight bar in the JW for dinner 4 days in a row, safe to say this spot is a winner.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Morgan’s Cove - Gochujang Wings

    Morgan’s Cove

    4.3(81 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Tampa

    What a DOPE, PIRATE THEMED, speakeasy to go to grab some delicious drinks! Totally blown away!…read more Tucked, downtown Tampa you enter through a secret bookcase door and you enter a very low key pirate bar! Lighting is dim, which is part of the concept. (Auto flash is needed for pics) The joint, is VERY CLEAN! The staff is awesome and very attentive! They understand process. The drinks are SOOO WELL MADE! I had a Zombie as my first drink, and it is very well presented and STRONG! I prefer,my first drink at an establishment to be strong cause then I can lighten it up later. Then I had a Rum Barrel, not as strong, but well presented and delicious! Note: Prices for drinks are worth every dime! They have a small food menu, but everything on the menu looked delicious, but I did not eat there. This speakeasy is attached to a British pub which I went for food after. (Review to come) All-in-all great spot to come and have a drink you are well treated, appreciated and just a fun experience! I will DEFINITELY come back here for a delicious drink and DEFINITELY will try something off the food menu. I'll just make sure next time I won't go there after a big breakfast lol! Five stars alllllll day long!!!

    The atmosphere alone was amazing! It's like the bottom of a pirate ‍ ship! The decor is perfect for…read moresetting the tone. The drinks are very unique and flavorful. We stopped in one evening after dinner for drinks and conversation. Get there early because it gets busy quickly. We got there about 8pm and found a table but within an hour or so the place was packed. Highly recommended for a drink or two.

    Photos
    Morgan’s Cove - The saturn

    The saturn

    Morgan’s Cove - Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Morgan’s Cove - Rum Barrel

    See all

    Rum Barrel

    Sapphire Lounge

    Sapphire Lounge

    3.8(22 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown Tampa
    $$$

    This is the most beautiful lounge dinner ever been to experience the best food we've ever had…read moreat any restaurant or lounge

    Located inside the Floridian Palace historic hotel in downtown Tampa. This hotel bar serves food!…read moreWe started with drinks and our server seemed to be running the whole place from bar to tables and back. At first it wasn't noticeable because there were only about 2 tables when we arrived but as the night progressed and the bar got busier, we had to wait for extended amounts of time for her to return to our table. We shared the truffle tots as an appetizer and they were delicious and perfect fried. I got the chicken Cesar wrap for my meal. Overall it was good, nothing special and honestly it was pretty bizarre to have croutons in a wrap. The fries were good but nothing beat those tots. We had a credit from The hotel to dine and our waitress once she learned this got immediately defensive and basically told us in many ways that we were lying and couldn't use the credit. After much back & forth with her she finally got in touch with management and changed her tune when she returned to our table to tell us she was mistaken and it was taken care of. Definitely not appropriate customer service at all on her part. We paid the reminder of our checks, tipped on the total minus our credit and couldn't get out of there fast enough.

    Photos
    Sapphire Lounge - Enjoying my Pinot Noir at the Sapphire Room.

    Enjoying my Pinot Noir at the Sapphire Room.

    Sapphire Lounge - Steve ordered between The Sheets. Shaken not stirred.

    Steve ordered between The Sheets. Shaken not stirred.

    Sapphire Lounge - "Between the Sheets"

    See all

    "Between the Sheets"

    The Hub Bar - Great pour

    The Hub Bar

    4.0(171 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown Tampa
    $$

    Rare 5 Star Review! Best dive bar in Tampa, it could be…read more The Hub Bar is the undisputed crown jewel of downtown Tampa's nightlife and a legendary staple that sets the gold standard for what a classic, authentic dive bar should be. From the moment you step onto its iconic black-and-white checkered floors, you are enveloped in an electric, no-nonsense atmosphere brimming with 77 years of rich history and local flair. The vibes here are unmatched--dimly lit, wonderfully nostalgic, and anchored by a phenomenal analog jukebox and a crowd that treats everyone like family. The bartenders are absolute rockstars; they are incredibly welcoming, lightning-fast, and legendary for pouring the most generous, heavy-handed drinks in the entire city, making every single dollar spent feel like an absolute steal. What truly makes The Hub an unforgettable destination is its brilliant community spirit and pure, unpretentious energy. Whether you are stopping in for a flawlessly stiff drink before a show at the historic Tampa Theatre next door or spending the night singing your heart out during one of their epic karaoke nights, the camaraderie here is infectious. It is a marvelous melting pot where locals and travelers mingle effortlessly, surrounded by graffiti-covered charm and a timeless edge that cannot be replicated. If you want an authentic taste of Tampa's true soul, phenomenal music, and the best hospitality in town, missing out on a night at The Hub is simply not an option! Thanks

    Amazing cash only dive bar in Tampa. Love this spot. A friend introduced me to this place and I…read morelove it.

    Photos
    The Hub Bar - What a hefty pour, god love them.

    What a hefty pour, god love them.

    The Hub Bar - Triple for the price of one.

    Triple for the price of one.

    The Hub Bar - Always a good pour

    See all

    Always a good pour

    Driftlight Lounge - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...