No need for a room reservation to snag a seat at these swanky hotel lounges + rooftop hangs. Make a beeline for the bars hiding inside (or on top of) Downtown's sexiest hotels to meet the brilliant bartenders who are more like onsite mixologists—rightfully putting the craft in craft cocktails.

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

Left to right:

BUSTED FLUSH 

Vida Mezcal Tequila, Giffard Banane du Bresil (liqueur made from the slow maceration of bananas from Brazil), lime juice, habanero syrup, topped with a fresh lime spiral.  Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, $12.

THE COCO BIRD  Siesta Key Distillers Reserve Spiced Rum, Galiano L’Apertivo, fresh lime, pineapple juice, coconut cream, egg, garnished with caraway and sesame seeds and handdrawn feather.Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., Sarasota; $16.

CAT O’ NINE NAILS

Chili-infused El Jimador Tequila, Grand Marnier, lime, cilantro syrup, muddled pineapple with frozen watermelon ice cubes.Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., Sarasota; $15.

SMOKING BULLEIT

Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey, Filthy black cherry syrup, black walnut bitters, a charred hickory board held over glass for smoke infusion, one large spherical ice cube and a garnish of orange peel and black cherry. Bridge’s at the Embassy Suites, 202 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, $12.

THE BLUE JACKET

Bulldog Gin, fresh blackberries, Dolin Blanc Vermouth (made of fine wines and botanicals found in the Alpine meadows of Chambéry, France), crème de mure, lemon zest.Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., Sarasota; $16.

CARROT GINGER FIZZ

Grand Marnier, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur (made from Vietnamese baby ginger + cognac), fresh house-made carrot juice, Chandon Brut Classic champagne floater. Served with a shaved carrot bow and basil leaf garnish. EVOQ + The Roof Bar at the Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, $13.

SARASOTA SOUTHSIDE

Bombay Sapphire Gin, fresh lemons muddled, 100% agave nectar, club soda, Angostura Aromatic (spicy herbal-based bitters from Venezuela) and mint sprig garnish. WXYZ
Bar and Splash Pool Bar at Aloft Sarasota, 1401 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, $10.

GUN SMOKE

Flor de Caña Gran Reserva (seven year anejo rum), Java Dog cold brew coffee, apple cinnamon syrup, egg whites. Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., Sarasota; $15.

BRIDGE’S TORCHED PINEAPPLE 

Don Julio Blanco Tequila, cinnamon vanilla syrup, lime juice, fresh pineapple juice. Served with a torched wheel of pineapple sprinkled with sugar and large cinnamon stick. Bridge’s at the Embassy Suites, 202 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, $12.

EMPRESS GnT

Empress 1908 Peaflower Gin, St. Germain, Violette, vanilla on top of lemon, mint, peppercorn and tonic. Served in a hollow ice sphere and cracked open with a wooden mallet. Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton, $20.

FLOWERS ON THE WALL (not pictured)

St. Petersburg Banyan Vodka, lime, Small Hands Orgeat (French-style almond syrup made from California almonds + apricot kernels), caramelized pineapple, Creme de Violette, garnished with edible orchids.Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, $12.