Editor’s note: The original version of this article stated the rooftop deck is currently open. O’Maddy’s has not yet opened the rooftop to the public, but said finishing touches are being made and it will open soon.
O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille didn’t just recover from the 2024 hurricanes. With a little extra time, it’s coming back even stronger – and taller – than ever. The Gulfport favorite had been planning a second-story rooftop seating area even before the damage suffered 18 months ago, and this spring, the new best seat in town is making its debut.
ADVERTISEMENT
When we first heard that O’Maddy’s was planning a rooftop deck, the logistics seemed difficult, and we figured space constraints would keep it to a pretty minimal footprint. Then we saw the finished product, and if you thought the cheesesticks at O’Maddy’s were already bigger than expected, well, this new space will cause you to stop mid-stride.
The massive new deck adds tons of seating to one of the area’s most popular restaurants, and conveniently, that space is outdoors and shaded. In these last weeks of spring before the oppressive summer heat hits, we can’t imagine a more perfect scenario.
There are plenty of tables and SRO space, but the centerpiece of the deck is a gigantic bar overlooking the water and the streets around the building. It may just be one of the best spots to catch a sunset outside of the beaches themselves, along with its neighbor and fellow rooftop-bar-provider Stormrunners.
You didn’t need an excuse to go to O’Maddy’s, but now you have one. On that note, when we put out our staff pick’s for best grouper sandwich this spring, the most overwhelming response we got was love for the O’Maddy’s version. We haven’t tried it yet ourselves, but given those recs, it’s time to add it to the list. We’ve never had a bad meal (or drink) at O’Maddy’s.
And hey, take this as inspiration for a Gulfport day. Grab a beer and some of the excellent food at Gulfport Brewing, which genuinely has some of the best pub eats in Pinellas County. Pia’s is a legend. Hurricane Eddie’s just reopened, Stormrunners lets you make it a rooftop bar crawl, and someday soon we’ll be celebrating the return of Moon Under Water in Gulfport. Plus, parking is free everywhere. You can’t beat that.
