The 13 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Tucked away near the Las Vegas Convention Center, this American restaurant and bar housed in the Royal Resort is a bit of a throwback. The inside feels sleek and masculine while the menu harkens back to a bygone era of Las Vegas. But upstairs, the outside deck is inviting and warm, figuratively and literally as a fire wall lines it. Comfy couches and a chill atmosphere make this an ideal bar for a nightcap with great company.

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.

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.

Is this really a rooftop? That’s debatable. But the lush 5,500-square-foot patio of this excellent seafood eatery, which sits a few floors up at the Aria Hotel, is a must-visit regardless. Chow down on delectable fish dishes like tuna poke with nori chips and buffalo octopus while listening to DJs spin top-notch tunes. As things calm down, you’ll feel a world away from Las Vegas.

Between the nonstop parties, top-notch attractions, luxury shopping and the thrill of gambling in Las Vegas, make some time to have a quality cocktail.