Cane & Barrel Rooftop Bar — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

The atmosphere is fantastic here! The decor and aesthetic of the place if great, and most importantly, provides a bunch of seating for guests to grab a drink or hang out and chat. There's an indoor and outdoor area which makes it perfect for any weather (though they could do with a bit more efficient seating inside). My biggest complaint is the cost of the drinks. Downtown Saint Pete has expensive drinks and I'm used to even shots being a bit pricey.. but here it's just ridiculous. I wouldn't recommend ordering anything that the price isn't explicitly stated on the menu because you will absolutely get ripped off... so only order things that are off the menu, no matter how easy or simple you think it might be. I ordered 2 shots of house vodka and it was $26. That is absolutely ridiculous. I have ordered the same thing at various other bars/clubs in the area and it has never EVER exceeded $8 for a single shot, and usually I order top shelf. Also, I wouldn't have even gotten into this predicament if the bartender (tall, blonde, white male) actually answered my questions and didn't automatically dismiss me. Twice I asked him how much it would be for 2 shots of vodka and once he acknowledged me, he just made it without telling me the price. I asked again when I realized he was likely making my "order" because I wanted to know the price BEFORE ordering and he never actually told me. After pushing the 2 glasses my way (which btw were not even CLOSE to equal amounts in each cup) he said "2 Tito's shots" and asked if I wanted to close out. I took the cups (even though I asked about HOUSE vodka not Tito's and also never even technically ordered, but rather simply asked about pricing) and told him I wanted to close out. I was SHOCKED when I saw the $26 bill. He also never even carded me, but fortunately for them I just turned 21 and am an honest person. Since they don't card at the door though, this could likely lead to trouble since I personally came with multiple people under 21 and he wasn't carding, so he could have be serving alcohol to minors without even knowing it.

Red flag bartenders and questionable prices.. but at least the decor is cool.. I guess? I won't be back , there's a ton of better bars around with better vibes, better service, and...

I went to Crane and Barrel last weekend for a birthday dinner, and unfortunately, it was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had (and I actually didn't even get to dine). A friend of mine made a reservation for a party of eight and even confirmed it not once, not twice, but three separate times. It was her BIRTHDAY dinner and she wanted to make sure they were aware of the reservation and that it was all set. We had seen the restaurant online and were genuinely excited to try it—especially because of the rooftop, which they prominently market.

When we arrived, the hostess led us to what felt like a corporate meeting room—definitely not the atmosphere we had anticipated. We were then informed that the bar area and rooftop were completely occupied due to a private event, so they were using this back room for their remaining reservations. Given that we confirmed our reservation multiple times, it would have been reasonable to expect a heads-up that half the restaurant was closed to the public.

Less than a minute after we sat down, the manager walked in and told us we would need to leave immediately because the private event now required that space as well, due to weather. There was no sincere apology—just a half-hearted, dismissive one—and no effort made to accommodate us or make up for the major inconvenience they caused.

As someone who works in the event industry, I found it incredibly unprofessional that they accepted large party reservations knowing a private event would take up the majority of their space. It was a Friday night, so as you can imagine, trying to find a last-minute table elsewhere for a group our size was nearly impossible.

To make matters worse, several employees apologized to us and mentioned they had warned management ahead of time that allowing reservations that night was a mistake. It’s never a good sign when your own team sees the problems coming and leadership fails to act. They also said that they had multiple other reservations they would have to turn down that night.

Overall, I was extremely disappointed. This restaurant may have a great online reputation, but based on my experience, I would not recommend it. Poor communication, lack of professionalism, and a complete disregard for...

Restaurant Critic Review: Cane & Barrel Rooftop Bar – AC Hotel, Downtown St. Petersburg ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Food & Atmosphere) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Service)

Perched atop the AC Hotel in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Cane & Barrel offers a trendy rooftop escape with a Cuban-inspired vibe and a modern cocktail lounge twist. Though we weren’t able to enjoy the coveted outdoor seating area due to private party reservations (which, from what we could see, boasts stunning views of the water and city skyline), our visit still delivered a worthwhile experience.

We chose to dine indoors, where the ambiance felt vibrant yet relaxed—stylish décor, energetic music, and just enough buzz to keep things lively without being overwhelming.

As for the food, the sliders and wings hit the mark. Nothing groundbreaking, but definitely satisfying. The sliders were juicy, nicely seasoned, and plated with care. The wings were flavorful and crisp, served hot and fresh. Both items were priced fairly for a rooftop bar and felt like solid choices for a casual rooftop bite.

What truly stood out was the service—friendly, attentive, and seamless from start to finish. The staff made us feel welcome without hovering, and they were quick with drink refills, suggestions, and updates on our food.

While we missed the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views from the outdoor terrace, the indoor experience still made for a pleasant evening. I’d recommend checking out Cane & Barrel, especially if you’re already in the area and looking for a relaxed, elevated spot to grab a drink or light bite. For the full effect, though, try to snag a table outdoors—preferably around sunset.

📝 Best for: Pre-dinner cocktails, casual bites, and out-of-town guests 📍 Location: AC Hotel, Downtown St. Pete 🍽️ Must-Try: Sliders and wings for a classic, no-fuss choice 🌇 Pro Tip: Call ahead if you’re hoping to sit outside—reservations for that...