St. Petersburg’s Edge District is buzzing, and the culinary landscape has just been redefined with the arrival of Sparrow, a stunning rooftop restaurant and lounge perched atop the Moxy hotel. This chic and vibrant venue seamlessly blends Asian-inspired cuisine with an energetic lounge atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for sharing delectable small plates and sipping on artfully crafted cocktails.
Your Sparrow experience begins as you enter the Moxy hotel. Navigate to the back left corner, near the elevators, where a host awaits to check you in. After a quick confirmation, you’ll be whisked up to the seventh floor, directly into the stylish entrance of Sparrow. Greet the host at the door, provide your name, and you’ll be guided to your table within this expansive space.
Sparrow boasts impressive dimensions, accommodating up to 250 guests across both indoor and outdoor seating areas. While ample, securing a reservation, especially for prime indoor or outdoor seating, is highly recommended. On a recent Friday evening visit around 6:30 PM, Sparrow was already lively, reaching full capacity both inside and out within the hour. This popular destination is clearly a hit in St. Pete’s vibrant dining scene.
The design of Sparrow is truly thoughtful, showcasing edgy interior elements that contribute to its chic and modern aesthetic. The dining room, stretching the length of the hotel, offers diverse seating options. From intimate two-tops to larger tables for groups (though not in abundance), and even a relaxed lounge area furnished with armchairs and a couch, there’s a space to suit various preferences. The outdoor tables are particularly coveted, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the St. Petersburg skyline. These coveted outdoor spots can be specifically reserved when booking. For those arriving without reservations, Sparrow offers two bar areas: an elegant marble-topped indoor bar and a second bar located outdoors, ensuring ample space to enjoy their exceptional drinks.
The overall vibe at Sparrow leans decidedly towards a lounge atmosphere, differentiating it from a traditional restaurant setting. The energy is palpable, amplified by a live DJ who sets the mood every Thursday through Saturday. It’s important to note this ambiance when planning your visit, as the high-energy environment may not appeal to everyone seeking a quiet, intimate dinner. However, if you’re searching for a spirited, high-energy locale to enjoy sophisticated cocktails and small bites, Sparrow is unequivocally the place to be in St. Pete.
Sparrow’s menu further reinforces its identity as a bar and lounge with a focus on dining. Our server, the delightful Danielle, explained upon seating us that the menu features small plates designed for sharing and that dishes are served as they are ready, rather than all at once. This valuable insight allowed us to order strategically, enhancing our dining experience. It’s also worth noting that the tables are on the smaller side, making it advisable to order just one or two menu items at a time to comfortably enjoy your meal.
The menu is thoughtfully organized into sections: Small Plates, Large Plates, Sushi Corner, Bao Buns, and Sides. The cuisine is best described as Asian-inspired, offering a diverse range of flavors and textures.
The beverage menu is equally well-structured, divided into five distinct categories: The Journey Begins (non-alcoholic options), Cruise Control (tropically influenced takes on classic cocktails), Adventurous (luxurious and innovative tiki-inspired drinks), Group Format (cocktails designed for sharing), and Bubbles & Wine. This format significantly simplifies the cocktail selection process, making it easy to navigate their impressive drink offerings.
Immediately drawn to the Adventurous section, I opted for the Gentleman Kaiju, a compelling blend of Canaima gin, green chartreuse, and nori. This savory and spirit-forward cocktail perfectly aligned with my preferences. It’s a drink I would undoubtedly order again and again, highlighting Sparrow’s commitment to sophisticated and unique cocktail creations.
My husband chose Kodama’s Groove from the Cruise Control section. This refreshing concoction features Ten to One rum, Wray & Nephew, Midori, Luxardo bitters, lime, pineapple, and matcha. It’s a bright, easy-drinking cocktail perfect for the St. Pete climate. However, those who are not fond of matcha may want to explore other options on the menu.
We put our strategic ordering plan into action, beginning our culinary journey with the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (crispy fried shrimp, tangy chili sauce, pickled slaw), which arrived promptly. These street-style tacos are petite, with three included per order. This dish was an absolute winner for us. The light batter on the shrimp and the small shrimp size made the tacos effortlessly enjoyable to eat. The combination of crispy shrimp, tangy chili sauce, and refreshing pickled slaw created a perfectly balanced and flavorful bite.
Next, we sampled the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare from the Small Plates section. Four bite-sized pieces of crispy rice are topped with a flavorful mixture of tuna, avocado, and sriracha mayo, finished with a delicate slice of serrano chili. Crispy rice is a universally loved appetizer, and this dish was no exception, instantly appealing to my palate. The presentation was visually appealing, and the flavors harmonized well. However, we noted that the “crispy” rice leaned more towards chewy than truly crispy. Additionally, we felt the serrano chili slice, while adding visual appeal, slightly overpowered the other more delicate ingredients.
By this point, our glasses were empty, signaling time for another round of cocktails. I selected The Edge of Central, a refreshing mix of 512 reposado, Lofi Dry, celery, lime, jalapeño, and salt. This proved to be another enjoyable and easy-drinking choice, perfectly complementing the vibrant atmosphere.
My husband ventured to The Way of the Mariachi, a highball featuring Don Fulano blanco, Del Maguey chichicapa, pear, Skinos Mastiha, and fino. This complex cocktail showcased prominent notes of smoke and pear and became his standout drink of the evening, demonstrating Sparrow’s bartenders’ skill in crafting layered and memorable drinks.
Given Sparrow’s dedicated Sushi Corner on the menu, we felt compelled to sample a roll. We chose the Hamachi Roll with cucumber, serrano pepper, and wasabi tobiko. In our opinion, this was the most disappointing dish of the night. The roll appeared to be hastily prepared, lacking attention to detail in its presentation. It was also somewhat bland, which was unexpected and a bit of a letdown compared to the other flavorful dishes we enjoyed. However, this single underwhelming dish hasn’t deterred us, and we are eager to explore the other sushi roll offerings during our next visit to Sparrow.
Conclusion:
Sparrow St. Pete has undeniably elevated the Edge District dining and nightlife scene. With its stunning rooftop location, chic ambiance, expertly crafted cocktails, and flavorful Asian-inspired small plates, it’s a must-visit destination in St. Petersburg. While the high-energy lounge vibe and small plate focus might not be for everyone seeking a traditional, quiet restaurant experience, Sparrow excels as a vibrant and sophisticated spot for drinks and shareable bites. For those looking to experience the best of St. Pete’s rooftop dining and cocktail culture, Sparrow is a destination that should be at the top of your list. Make a reservation, embrace the lively atmosphere, and prepare to be impressed by the views, the drinks, and the overall Sparrow experience.
