The best rooftop bars in Las Vegas

Located on a prime Downtown corner, this is a place for locals and visitors to see and be seen. Inside, the decor has a throwback vibe, with glittering chandeliers, exposed beams, vintage photo wallpaper and an actual speakeasy called the Laundry Room available via reservation only. But go upstairs and the mood changes. Sure, there is space to lounge under the twinkle lights, but the open-air roof deck is for dancing, schmoozing and watching the weirdness that is Fremont East late night. Bar-hoppers, singles and scenesters all unite here, and for good reason.

Smack on the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard, Inspire is many things to many people. It’s an intimate theater that’s housed everything from burlesque shows to film festivals; it’s a bar where you can catch up with friends; and—on the roof overlooking the Downtown madness—it’s a thumping nightclub. Resident DJs specialize in hip-hop and Latin music while partiers dance, drink, mingle and lean on the railings to watch tourists wander off the Fremont Street Experience and start exploring the rest of Downtown. 

This astro-turf laden, Budweiser-sponsored park of beers sits above the ground floor of Paris Las Vegas and screens different games of the day on a multitude of TVs. It’s the perfect spot for college football Saturdays, NFL Sundays or any other day game. For those not interested in sports, there’s still plenty to enjoy like cool party games (including giant Jenga) and modern takes on all-American BBQ and, of course, plenty of beer. The staff will even serve your pour of choice in fake red Solo cups.

Sitting atop the Cromwell like a glowing, palm tree-studded crown is Drai’s, the pool party and nightclub from legendary impresario Victor Drai. Visit during the day and the pool is the center of attention, surrounded by lounge chairs and two levels of cabanas. Or come at night, when the breeze and the vibe render it an entirely different experience. Nowhere else in Las Vegas can you dance under the stars until the sun comes up right next to a rooftop pool. This place is a must-visit.

Sometimes you simply must go with the classics. Sixty-three stories above the south Strip atop Mandalay Bay, the view from the Foundation Room is as classic as it gets. The upscale, multi-purpose lounge serves high-end dinners in a dimly-lit, low-ceilinged space with layered rugs, rich textures and Buddha statuary scattered throughout. There are several bars, a big dance floor, rooms that house live music and live comedy, and then there’s the deck: Stand outside at the same elevation as Mandalay Bay’s glowing marquee, look north and and watch Las Vegas’s lights spread beneath you like a magic, luminous carpet.

The former home of the beloved Ghostbar is now Apex Social Club, a sleek, sexy, high-altitude lounge on the 55th floor of the Palms’ Ivory Tower. Inside, you’ll find trippy collages of human forms mounted on glass by artist Dustin Yellin and DJs spinning Thursday-Sunday. But, much like its predecessor, outside is the place to be. From Apex’s patio, visitors soak in a stunning panorama of the Las Vegas Strip. Just don’t think about looking down. 

What this bar and restaurant lacks in imaginative design, it more than makes up for in views. In fact, short of being in an aircraft, this is the best view of Las Vegas currently on offer. So, who cares if the decor looks like a departure lounge, you won't mind once you've got a drink in your hand and your nose is pressed up against the window. Located on the 108th floor of the tower formerly known as the Stratosphere, there are happy hour discounts (Monday–Thursday, 3–7 pm) and admission special offers to the outdoor Skypod observation deck one floor above.

The Container Park might be one of the most underrated attractions in Las Vegas. Shops, restaurants and assorted businesses all reside in different shipping containers that make up the outer walls of the facility. An amazing playground, a stage and nice areas to sit, chat, snack and drink make up the interior. Grab a seat on Downtown Terrace’s namesake deck for a prime view of the action from its second-floor corner, then dig into dishes like chicken and waffle sliders and avocado grilled cheese alongside 'embrace your adventure' cocktails where you select a spirit, infusion and herb.

The closest you are going to get to a classic New York rooftop bar is tucked away at the top of this dining destination. Besides being one of the premiere eateries Downtown, Carson Kitchen carries on founder Kerry Simon’s legacy with an atmosphere of sophisticated fun. The rooftop is like a destination within a destination, perfect for some of their famous bacon jam with baked brie and toasted baguette or an innovative cocktail. Save room for a bourbon fudge brownie with brown butter bacon ice cream for dessert.

This compartitively modest bar—for Las Vegas—offers a couple of different concepts all under one roof. The ground floor has a Mediterranean restaurant with a cocktail bar and patio and the Dragon's Alley, which is tucked away behind a corner, serves a refreshing combination of Asian street food and freshly-brewed coffee. However, the real reason to visit is the Brooklyn-esque rooftop bar with a casual space that features string lights, lounge furniture and its own bar. No, this venue doesn't offer breathtaking views of the Strip, but there are often comedy nights and live music on the calendar. 

You won't find the sprawling, boehomth-sized resorts in Fremont, but rather a pedestrianized strip, with a nostalgic mix of old and new. And one of the more recent additions, the Legacy Club at Circa Resort & Casino is inviting guests to celebrate with a patriotic party, featuring stunning panoramic views of the Las Vegas’ skyline and an open bar serving specialty cocktails. From this luxury location, you can enjoy the atmosphere, without the hustle and bustle of being on the strip then wander about and maybe take in a round or two of blackjack.

Aside from 108 Drinks bar in the tower formerly known as the Stratosphere, also on this list, Skyfall probably offers the best views of the Strip. Plus the interior is a tad more stylish. The contemporary, theater-style space, offers 180-degree views of the sparkling Vegas skyline from every seat in the room, while an expansive outdoor patio offers a relaxing, fresh-air escape. Sunset is a particularly good time to a) start drinking and b) marvel at the sensation views as the lights of the city slowly become advisable against the gradually darkening sky.

We've mentioned the Container Park earlier in this list and while some consider it a tourist trap, others believe it to still be an underrated attraction. Much like every the other businesses on the property, Oak & Ivy was built from an old shipping container with extra seating on the expanded patio. This establishment is known for an impressive whiskey selection, barrel-aged cocktails plus a Moscow Mule made prepared with lashings of house-made ginger beer. There's a happy hour from Sunday to Thursday 1–3pm and the drinks menu changes seasonally, so there's a solid reason to make a return trip.

There are many reasons to spend some time on the Fremont Street Experience, or sometimes just called Old Town, and one of them is a trip to Troy Liquor Bar, on the second floor of the Golden Nugget. It's a Friday and Saturday affair only, but it offers a quirky, comfortable outdoor terrace that looks out over the amazing LED canopy overhead as you gaze down on all the fun and shenanigans happening in the street below.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a PGA pro or have never swung a club before. Topgolf is fun for golfers of all skill levels—and bar lovers of all kinds. The Las Vegas location sits behind the MGM Grand so, no matter where you are in the four-story, climate controlled complex boasting several bars and stages, you will enjoy a great view of the Strip. Bonus point (for sports lovers): Big screens lining the back of the driving range display a variety of sporting events.

Rooftop is in the name of this nightclub at Paris Las Vegas, and the 14,000-square-foot outdoor deck is a particularly enchanting place to throw back a cocktail and first pump to the DJ. That’s thanks to its unique location: wedged between the latticed legs of the Strip’s faux Eiffel Tower with direct views of the Bellagio fountains just across the street.

Way up on the 50th floor of Rio Las Vegas is a dining destination offers artisan steaks and chops, fresh seafood, elevated entrées, bold cocktails, and breathtaking views of the Strip in a candlelit atmosphere. It's not exactly the most lavish of rooftop bars, but it's worth the visit once for the experience. The views are pretty spectacular and it's a fun place to start your evening's activities.

This 75,000-square-foot Caesars Palace mega club packs with well-heeled partiers dancing and popping bottles in multiple spaces and rooms. For a breezy break from the dance floor crush beneath Omnia’s signature kinetic chandelier (which weighs a whopping 22,000 pounds), head for the terrace, where billowing curtains and crystalline lights create an atmosphere that almost rivals the Strip-side views.