Rooftop bars like Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar & Events at Midtown Tampa are such a vibe. I visited last year when it first opened and the 360-views are insane. On one hand, there’s the Downtown Tampa skyline and on the other side you can see Downtown St. Pete’s skyline off in the distance.

The popular rooftop bar at the dual-branded Aloft and Element Hotel announced yesterday their new executive chef and food & beverage director Johnathan Rodriguez. He’ll be in charge of daily culinary operations at Sal Y Mar and oversee food and beverage for meetings, corporate events, local caterings, and special occasions.

“Johnathan fully embraces our mission of providing an elevated dining experience to our guests and locals alike, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the team,” said Evette Torres, Dual General Manager for Aloft and Element Hotel. “He has wasted no time putting his culinary talents to work, already introducing a new menu and management team to help execute his vision for Sal Y Mar.”

Rodriguez’s career spans several cuisines including Spanish, Italian, French, Mediterranean, and American. He was most recently executive chef at St. Pete’s Sea Salt but has worked as sous chef at Opal Sands in Clearwater and chef-in-training at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort. His experience also includes training at two Michelin restaurants plus numerous awards and honors like “Taste of Clearwater and Highest GOP for White Lodging.

Guests at Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar & Events can now experience a new menu featuring items inspired by Rodriguez’s Spanish background and Mexican influences (Tulum specifically). Some new menu dishes are ceviche, a chef’s selection charcuterie board, deconstructed paella, and the signature Sal Y Mar Tomahawk. Don’t forget to taste the bar’s wide variety of artisanal craft cocktails, local craft beers, and Spanish and Italian wines curated by Rodriguez. There will be chef tasting dinners and, in partnership with RELPro Events & Entertainment, the Cultura: A Rooftop Latin Dance Social on June 18.

Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar & Events seating is reservation only. The bar is open Wednesday-Friday for lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.-1 a.m., and weekend brunch Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Photo c/o Sal Y Mar