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Bars & Nightlife
20 of the Greatest American Rooftop Bars for Outdoorsy Drinking
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Catahoula Hotel
Summer is in full swing and the steamy temps have us feeling ready to get rooftop rowdy with our crew. There’s really no shortage of sunny rooftop spots in cities across the country, but here’s a list of our top 20. From a rooftop with Chicago’s best harbor views to Boston’s hotspot hangout to a deck with a sweet view of New Orleans, we’re helping all our city slicker folk get outside and get some sun.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Photo:Ponce City Roof
Ponce City Roof
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s Ponce City Market is a hotbed of action, including a lively food hall and lots of shops. On the roof you’ll find great cocktails at Skyline Park and Nine Mile Station, where you can fuel up between rounds of rooftop mini-golf.
Photo:Stirr
Stirr
Dallas, Texas
Y’all, the happy hour at this Dallas eatery and rooftop bar is one of the best in town. Hello, five dollar Palomas. Yes, we will drink you! Stirr sits high and pretty, in the heart of Deep Ellum.
Photo:Noelle Nashville
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Rare Bird at the Noellelearn more
Nashville’s latest rooftop bar is small but mighty. Located on the 12th floor of the Noelle, this gorgeous 30-seat venue makes a great spot to start or end a summer evening out with friends old and new.
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Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotellearn more
Millenium Park, The Art Institute and Lake Michigan are all within viewing range at this Chicago hotspot. Sunset here is particularly popular and the wine list is top notch for even your most discerning friends.
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Mama Shelter
Los Angeles, California
A little oasis set above the wild and crazy scene that is Hollywood Boulevard, Mama Shelter makes a great locale for evening drinks in DTLA. It’s equal parts chill and hype, with the added viewer’s bonus of the Hollywood sign in the distance and palm trees swaying in the breeze.
Photo:The William Vale
Westlight at The William Vale
Brooklyn, New York
The William Vale Hotel towers over Williamsburg in a feat of impressive proportions. There’s a 60-foot pool, a 15,000 square foot public rooftop park, and a huge rooftop bar on the 22nd floor of the hotel, all with unobstructed views of Manhattan’s skyline.
Photo:The J. Parker
The J. Parker
Chicago, Illinois
Water views light up the scene at this Chicago rooftop bar. You can find J. Parker above the Hotel Lincoln, serving up frozé and all the tropical island cocktails you can dream up.
Photo:Made Hotel
Good Behavior at Made Hotel
New York, New York
Nomad’s most popular rooftop destination for a cocktail with a panoramic NYC view is Made Hotel’s Good Behavior. This spot serves up some of the city’s best tiki cocktails in a setting that’s undeniably posh.
Charmaine’s at San Francisco Proper Hotel
San Francisco, California
Every design detail at San Francisco’s Proper Hotel has been touched by the magic wand of designer Kelly Wearstler – this gorgeous rooftop included. With cozy couches and lounges, sweeping views of the cityscape and lots on deck for entertainment, this spot is lit come summertime.
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Photo:Wonho Frank Lee
Broken Shaker at Freehand Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Set in the heart of DTLA, Broken Shaker at Freehand serves up award-winning cocktails in a setting that feels cool and breezy. Bonus if you’re a guest of the hotel: there’s a super sweet swimming pool.
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The Roof Deck at Revolution Hall
Portland, Oregon
School may be out for summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still play hooky from work. Set atop an old high school, this PDX rooftop bar is big enough to host a party of 150 people and we can practically hear them begging you to cut class.
Photo:Workstead
The Ides Bar at the Wythe Hotel
Brooklyn, New York
Grab a glass of sparkling at the bar and head right out to the rooftop at The Ides Bar to catch sunset glimmering on the city skyline. Set on the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel, this place is always abuzz with energy.
Photo:Thompson Seattle
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The Nest at the Thompson Seattlelearn more
With gorgeous views of the harbor and the Olympic Mountains in the distance, The Nest is one of Seattle’s most popular rooftop hangout hubs. If you happen to be spending your afternoon at the famed Pike Place Market, you’re in luck because this is one excellent place to rest your weary bones while soaking up the city’s energy.
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Bok Bar
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
South Philly sets the backdrop for this casual rooftop watering hole. Open Wednesday-Sunday, Bok Bar boasts beautiful views and the kind of scene that feels totally local.
Photo:Aloft Austin Downtown
Upstairs at Caroline at Aloft Austin Downtown
Austin, Texas
It’s like an adult playground at this ATX rooftop bar. Try your hand at oversized Jenga, cornhole, shuffleboard and more while sipping on local Texas brews at Upstairs at Caroline.
Photo:East Miami
Sugar at East Miami
Miami, Florida
Get on up to Sugar, sugar. A scene to behold, this Miami hangout is on the 40th story of East Miami Hotel and overlooks the skyline and the waterways down below. It’s a sassy late night hang and a great spot to grab a cocktail and shareable Asian tapas.
Photo:The Envoy Hotel
Lookout Rooftop and Bar at The Envoy Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts
Perched above the Envoy Hotel in the Innovation District of Boston, Lookout Rooftop and Bar offers a waterfront spot where you could easily while away an afternoon sipping on local brews. Just be sure to bring along your sunglasses and a couple of friends to enjoy it with.
Photo:Catahoula Hotel
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Rooftop Bar at the Catahoula Hotellearn more
It used to be nearly impossible to find a rooftop hang in New Orleans, but recent years have brought an onslaught of rooftop pools and bars. The Catahoula Hotel’s version serves up Gulf Coast beers, South American and Spanish wines and a whole lot of mezcal and tequila options.
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54thirty at Le Méridien Denver Downtown
Denver, Colorado
The DJ nights at 54thirty make it easy to get rooftop rowdy in Denver. Go for the sunset views, stay for the awesome whiskey list that includes not just a ton of American options, but a Japanese list too.
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Photo:The Watergate Hotel
Top of the Gate at The Watergate Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Artisanal pizzas, craft cocktails and views of the Potomac are all on deck at Top of the Gate in DC. Check out this open-air spot if you’re considering throwing a party and looking for someplace that’s not too stuffy.
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