Vantage Rooftop Bar | The Karol Hotel — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I rarely leave a poor review or change my tip but I was extremely disappointed by this place.

The music was extremely quiet and the bar was rowdy with a large wedding party and sports playing on multiple TVs. It wasn’t a fun or romantic atmosphere. Like going to a really expensive dive bar.

Me and my boyfriend came after dinner to have a drink and enjoy the view. We ordered 2 espresso martinis with mezcal which we normally really enjoy as long as the espresso is made freshly from a machine. So we asked if it is made freshly from a machine and the lady bartender said yes.

After drinking a few sips of mine I wasn’t enjoying it and asked her if she could switch it out for something else. Not only that but my glass had a large lipstick stain on it.

Although my request was really simple and I would’ve been satisfied with anything else, even a Stella, she proceeded to play around like she had no idea what “switch it out” could possibly mean and avoid me and the area I was seated in for the next 15 minutes.

At that time we just got up and were leaving. I was forced to change my tip to $0 because I was receiving no service. When we got up she aggressively got in front of our seats and waved the BOTTLE of espresso from inside the bar fridge at us, saying yes it is made freshly!!

Totally ridiculous attitude from the staff not to even mention the lack of attention of detail that the dirty glass shows. That combo cost them a local customer forever.

Also, if you’re coming here for the view, it was nothing special and the rooftop area is like a balcony crowded...

I actually really disliked this place. I looked at the reviews and saw it seemed promising. Someone else commented basically exactly what my experience was. The.pictures online were SO much better than real life. Let me start with the upsides: Service and staff: Service was quick and the staff was pleasant and genuinely kind.

The downsides to this place: The entire atmosphere. I came for a date with my husband. I was looking for a dimly lit, moody sexy bar to go have some drinks and good conversation. Instead, I came into a somewhat loud bar with TVs playing football and SO MUCH LIGHT. It was remarkably bright for a place that was supposed to be one of the best rooftop bars in the bay. I would have preferred bad music to no music, but there was no music. In hopes of having a snack to lift the mood which I wasn't originally planning on, there were only 3 food options: Hummus, shrimp cocktail and a charcuterie board. All of them seems very low effort. My husband ordered the hummus which most likely was a sabra package opened and plated and it came with Pita bread that was not warmed.

We also left as quickly as we could. It was not high end or vibey. If you are looking for a slightly higher class applebees this would...

Came to the Vantage with high hopes of a nice classy setting and great service with a beautiful view. Only the beautiful view was true of these things. It was very loud. Not an intimate setting at all. Bar setting with lots of chatter and background noise. Music on speakers was loud. Our server was helpful with our first order, but getting any more drinks or food was near impossible. We know she saw us ask for her to come over; but she either was too busy with other tables or didn't care. We did not order more and got our check to go sooner than we would have. The patio faces East, so not a great sunset spot. Also it only has 4 tables on patio. You cannot make reservations, so you have to get lucky with your table. I don't know if I would return honestly. Was disappointing at best.

Parking was free in Karol parking lot and the restroom is on first floor only. Not a restroom up in Vantage rooftop bar. Elevator to 8th floor takes you...