Ocean Pacifico
A Roof Deck with Tequila, Tacos and Beer

This time of year, your gaze is always turned up.

No, not because Venus is passing across the sun or because we’re finally hitting home runs.

But because that’s where all the taco-and-tequila-slinging roof decks are.

The latest example: Pacifico Cantina, a glorified surf shack opening on Barracks Row this Thursday.

This is the kind of place where you might watch the sunset on Key West. And wouldn’t you know it, the roof deck even faces west.

But your challenge will be getting up there after you encounter all the distractions on the lower level, which is like if Sammy Hagar took over that Key West place: walls stenciled in pastels, surfboard- and shark-themed art and, right there in the back, a glass-walled, walk-in tequila locker.

Take a seat at the four-sided bar and order up tableside guacamole and muddled-jalapeño cocktails as you regale your date with tales of the time you bested Laird Hamilton (at foosball).

With a big group, though, set your sights on the teak-heavy rooftop, especially the communal table with a big, bubbling fountain in the middle of it. There, you can plot the destruction of the opposing party this fall over Baja fish tacos, Surfer’s Choice nachos (with crab and shrimp), buckets of canned beer and pitchers of prickly-pear margaritas.

We hear that’s how Reagan brought down Carter.