The 31 best rooftop bars in Chicago

When friends ask us where to take cocktail-loving out-of-towners, one spot always leads the pack: Cindy's. The rooftop restaurant and bar at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel offers unparalleled views of the city, with an expansive look at Millennium Park and the Lake. But the real draw is a roster of excellent cocktails and clever spirit-free elixirs.

An indoor/outdoor lounge on the third floor of the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel serving up cocktails, craft beer, small plates and a view of the city's skyline. The bar menu features New American snacks, with an emphasis on frites, while the beverage program caters towards the local with drafts brewed in Chicago.

If you haven't crossed the J. Parker off your Chicago bucket list, grab a glass of sparkling rosé and get to work. With its mesmerizing views of the city and Lincoln Park, this year-round rooftop bar with a retractable glass roof is a must for entertaining out-of-towners. On particularly beautiful summer days, arrive early and be prepared to wait for a seat to open—it's worth it, promise!

The Peninsula's stunning rooftop lounge has it all: sweeping city views, globally inspired cocktails and a roster of delicious, shareable snacks. Pair the super refreshing Sangria Rosé with an order of tuna tartare with mango, avocado, cilantro, yuzu and a soy-ginger marinade. Plus, Z Bar offers several spirit-free concoctions for those who who want to hold the booze.

The crown jewel of this luxury hotel in the West Loop is the Rooftop at Nobu, a sprawling outdoor terrace located 11 stories above the street. Complemented by east-facing skyline views, the rooftop's design is streamlined and minimalistic, with modern Japanese touches that are equally stylish and intimate. The menu includes a selection of small snacks, like black cod lettuce wraps and wagyu dumplings, plus maki and nigiri. On the booze front, expect a menu of wines by the glass and bottle, specialty cocktails and a wide range of sake.

From the fifth floor of the Gwen Hotel in River North, you can enjoy some unique views of the city, including plenty of the skyline's architectural highlights. Hotel guests and visitors fill the terrace patio for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ordering everything from Belgian waffles to burrata flatbreads. The bar is the highlight of the space on the weekends, serving creative cocktails, local beer and a variety of wine.

The loungey, greenery-lined setup at this West Loop restaurant makes it one of the city's hottest destinations—and the sights of the surrounding neighborhood don't hurt either. Order a few Mediterranean dishes from the menu (the lamb raghu hummus, whipped feta dip or the truffle-baked orzo are all surefire hits) and then explore the cocktail menu. Even the drinks with the cheekiest names are worth a try—our favorite is the Aloe? It's Me with mezcal, aloe, green juice, lime and jalapeño. 

Unlike most other poolside bars at trendy Chicago hotels, Pandan is open to the public. That means you don't need a room key to sip a glass of bubbly while dipping your toes in the water at this 18th floor overlook. Toss in an order of the pork lumpia and stick around until the sun begins to set over the skyline.

This 13,000-square-foot all-seasons rooftop bar in the South Loop provides great views of the skyline from 22 floors above street level. The cocktail menu features seasonal drinks like the Tropical Lush (aged rum, cachaca, mango, saffron, lime juice and pineapple). On the food front, enjoy Italian sausage with giardiniera flatbread, a Chicago-style hot chicken sandwich or green curry mussels.

With 36,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space to roam with a cocktail in your hand, Navy Pier's Offshore is the largest rooftop bar in the world (really). The all-seasons venue includes a glass-enclosed bar where you can order a cocktail and steak sliders, as well as an expansive outdoor terrace outfitted with fire pits and a stage for live performances.

Perched atop the third floor of the Loews Chicago Hotel, Streeterville Social is one of the largest outdoor rooftop terraces in the city. Spread across 9,000 square feet, the space features a bistro plus a private events terrace. You can lounge the day away on a cozy couch while enjoying tropical drinks and stunning sights.

Unlike the expressway of the same name, Chicagoans will actually want to hang out at the Kennedy Rooftop, located on top of the Hyatt Place Chicago in Wicker Park. Here, guests are afforded unobstructed skyline views that stretch from the John Hancock to the Willis Tower, in addition to 7,500 square feet to roam. A lineup of craft cocktails pays homage to past presidents, like the Quincy Peartini with pear Grey Goose and elderflower.

Housed in a historic Louis Sullivan building, Celeste is not short on options. On the first level, The Whiskey Bar is a nod to classic neighborhood bars, while the second-floor Deco Supper Club is a swanky spot to imbibe a craft cocktail. Disco, on the third floor, is a luminscent sanctuary dedicated to the era of disco and dance. The main attraction, though, is the lush garden with a retractable roof on the fourth floor. You’ll escape the hustle and bustle of the city with floral-print Victorian furniture, tropical greenery, and vine-covered brick walls. DJs set the mood on weekends by spinning the hits.

In the summer, Gene's opens its glorious rooftop and serves ice-cold beer, grilled sausages, potato pancakes and pierogis. What's not to love? The only issue you might encounter is finding a table big enough for all of your friends after you've told them where you're spending your afternoon. The rooftop is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays—and only as long as the warm-ish weather holds out—so plan your rooftop feasting accordingly.

Set atop the Carbide & Carbon Building, this formerly private 24th-floor space is now open to the public as part of the Pendry Chicago hotel. Chateau Carbide is a combination indoor and outdoor space that draws inspiration from the French Riviera, serving rosé, cocktails and a menu of light bites high above the streets of the city. In the evening, DJs spinning French house music get behind the decks, providing a soundtrack fit for the stunning architectural views of Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River.

Modeled after classic shuffleboard clubs in Florida, Royal Palms brings the century-old pastime to a gigantic warehouse in Wicker Park. But even if you’re not into sending a biscuit gliding across the floor, there's still fun to be had thanks to the bustling rooftop space. You can watch the competition taking place while sipping on a pina colada and basking in the sun.

Drape yourself in the hazy glow of golden hour at Selva. Located on the 7th floor of The Emily Hotel (home to the former Ace Hotel) in Fulton Market, the indoor-outdoor space pairs sleek, gilded decor with a menu of agave-forward cocktails and Mexican-inspired bites meant to channel the feeling of Mexico by night. Drinks here pack a punch—El Diablo Picante, pairing a generous glug of Reposado Tequila with mezcal, creme de cassis and ginger beer, is enough to set you buzzing on its own—so don't hesitate to tack on an order of chips and salsa or some tacos with your first round.

The team behind Recess also runs this spacious rooftop bar just down the street. There's lots of room to hang out over Italian-inspired drinks (groups can opt for a cocktail tower) alongside slices from Professor Pizza. What else could you need?

Even when it's a little chilly outside, this beautiful rooftop bar at the Kimpton Gray Hotel feels like a tropical paradise. You'll find comfortable couches and small tables set under a gigantic retractable glass roof that lets in some fresh air when the weather is nice. Thirsty? The menu here highlights classic South American cocktails (think pisco sours and chilcanos) and other seasonal sippers. Pair your drink with an order of the fan-favorite empanadas, which are stuffed with chicken, aji panca and aji amarillo salsa.

There's no getting around it: Joy District is a scene. The perfectly manicured rooftop terrace is buzzing with bottle service, glasses of frozen margarita and buckets of White Claw. If you're looking for something a bit more low-key, show up for brunch early on the weekends; and if you're hoping for a night to remember, you'll find what you're looking for anytime after 5pm.

There's not a bad seat in the house at this sprawling year-round rooftop bar (complete with a retractable roof), which affords everyone a front-row seat to a postcard-worthy skyline view. Take in the vistas while sipping a cocktail, a glass of wine or a selection from the impressive mocktail menu. As the sun sets, refuel with wagyu beef sliders, spicy tuna rolls and caprese flatbread. 

Not to be confused with the bath house in River West, AIRE is located atop the 24th story of the Hyatt Centric hotel in the Loop, offering a spot where you can sip a cocktail while enjoying a 360-degree view of the surrounding architecture. Small groups can take a seat on couches or chairs beneath an umbrella and order shared small plates alongside cocktails, wine and beer. It's not a cheap spot for a drink, but you're paying for the high-above-the-streets sights.

Utopian Tailgate, a rooftop deck sitting atop the Second City in Old Town, spotlights the many joys of tailgating—complete with tableside coolers of beer, stadium seating and cornhole. The 10,000-square-foot space comes from the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (the folks behind Roots and Homestead on the Roof) in partnership with the famed Chicago comedy institution. The sprawling all-year space is decked out in greenery, bright colors and plenty of flatscreen TVs. 

Though the vibe’s still sophisticated, you’ll find this seventh-floor, stunning patio at the Park Hyatt feels more casual than you'd expect. It’s breezy, sexy and substantial (sushi and small plates abound) with tasty cocktails like the Mangonada and Manila Spritz, a creative take on Italian classic. The views of Michigan Avenue, food and opportunities to people-watch are worth every penny.

It's hard to find towering rooftop bars on the city's North Side, but the Up Room (set atop Wicker Park's Robey Hotel) is one of the few spots where you can sip a drink and look out over the city. Settle in 13 floors above the busy intersection of Milwaukee, Damen and North Avenues and order a boozy cocktail, a pour of whiskey or a craft beer. Tables are first come, first served—if you're lucky, you might be seated inside the building's prominent spire.

The rooftop at Lonesome Rose isn't very large, but there's enough room to share some drinks, tacos and truck stop nachos with a few friends. Owned and operated by Land and Sea Dept. (the folks behind Parson's), this Logan Square spot (now with a second location in Andersonville) specializes in Tex-Mex fare, margaritas and some affordable brews. Just make sure you snag a reservation if you're hoping to sit on the rooftop, otherwise you may shed a few tears in your beer. 

Head to the 26th floor of the Virgin Hotel and you'll find Cerise, an indoor-outdoor rooftop where you can get dinner or a late-night drink. You can grab a burger or eat a salad before ordering a martini or some sparkling wine to enjoy while gazing out at the city. On Fridays and Saturdays, you'll typically find a DJ spinning records in the evening—you'll probably want to make a reservation to ensure you get a table.

While the ROOF on theWit was once best known as a nightclub, it has changed its tune a bit in recent times. Now, you'll find couches and small tables set under the retractable glass roof, plus a small open-air terrace with a view (and the most in-demand seats). The menu includes sushi, pizzas and lots of cocktail, beer and wine options. And though the late-night scene here may not be as raucous as it once was, you can still get a bottle of Champagne for the table.

You've probably gone to Reggies to see a rock concert or catch a shuttle to a White Sox game, but this South Loop club also boasts a rooftop bar lined with tables and umbrellas. Take a seat, enjoy the views across State Street and dig into the usual menu of wings, burgers, quesadillas and other pub grub while you sip a cold beverage under the sun.

It's not for everyone, but this Tex-Mex bar from the owners of Parlor Pizza carries the same vibes as its sibling concept. Bro out with pitchers of margaritas, Texan queso, "quesadizzas" and ground beef hard-shell tacos. Dessert features "tacolatos," Choco Taco-inspired sundaes served in waffle shells. Stop by 4-6pm Monday through Friday for happy hour deals.