The 24 best rooftop bars in America

We’re big fans of Mama Shelter as a hotel and a restaurant, but once we saw the rooftop, we decided we just might move in for good. The bright space is splattered with multicolored sofas and chairs where you can lounge while waiting for your salmon pita to arrive. Cocktails veer from the Mediterranean with a full Moscow mule bar, though you can also find multiple sangrias. On warm nights, you can dance under the stars while DJs spin an eclectic mix of music, or take in a classic movie on their outdoor screen. There’s also a foosball table, a yoga area and sweeping views of Hollywood. Like we said—we’re never leaving.

Discover: The 14 best bars in Los Angeles

Discover: The best rooftop bars in L.A.

Boasting some of the most exquisite views of the city, Cindy's sits atop the stunning Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in the Loop. Though the cocktails are the main draw of this beautiful rooftop terrace, guests can nosh on small bites like spiced pepitas and cheese and charcuterie boards, piled high with local selections, preserves and grilled bread.

Discover: The 40 absolute best bars in Chicago

Discover: The 19 best rooftop bars in Chicago

In addition to jaw-dropping views of the the Treasury, the Washington Monument and the National Mall, eagle-eyed visitors will be able to spot secret service on the rooftop of the White House—it’s practically across the street from Vue (formally POV)—as well as political and Hollywood celebs in nearby booths. Best of all, stadium-style seating provides uninterrupted views. Choose between weekend brunch or after-work cocktails, but be sure to try the Royal Tea Punch and Tidal Basin Paloma. And don't forget: Reservations are a must. 

Discover: The best bars in DC

Discover: The best rooftop bars in Washington, DC

The elevator will pass 40 floors before you finally reach, Sugar, the ultra trendy rooftop lounge at the East Hotel that’s quickly become one of the most popular bars in Brickell. Remain patient and soon you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city and surrounding waterways, Asian-themed cocktails (like the Sweet Life, a sugar-y cocktail blended with Thai iced tea, lemon and whiskey) and a place that feels more like a secluded, storybook garden than a bar.

Discover: The best bars in Miami

Discover: The best rooftop bars in Miami

Hot off a $200-million renovation, the historic (and notorious) Watergate Hotel is now home to one of the coolest cocktail spots in the city—a sprawling rooftop bar and lounge called Top of the Gate. Sip a Celebration (Avion Silver tequila,  grenadine spice mix, sparkling rosé) while you take in the sunset with a 360-degree view of the city's biggest attractions, including the Pentagon, Potomac River, and Washington Monument.

Discover: The best bars in DC

Discover: The best rooftop bars in Washington, DC

Beachside rooftops are in surprisingly short supply in L.A., making Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge an in-demand spot for sun-kissed Venice locals. Even if you’re staying at the hotel, be sure to make a reservation; there’s nothing like a multi-hued sunset over the Pacific with a cocktail in hand to get Angelenos buzzing. Getting chilly? Evening bar-goers can wrapthemselves in one of the bar’s cozy blankets, along with a spiked cocoa or hot toddy. If you don’t like your drinks sweet, stick to local craft brews to pair with munchies like gourmet sliders and street tacos. 

Discover: The 14 best bars in Los Angeles

Discover: The best rooftop bars in L.A.

One of the city’s most popular options for outdoor drinking and dining resides atop the Seaport’s Envoy Hotel. The expansive skyline and sunset views alone are worth the often lengthy waits at both the elevator and the bar. An array of area worker bees and selfie-snapping scenesters fill the comfortable lounge seating to sip top-shelf cocktails while grooving along to trendy tunes. 

Discover: The 24 best bars in Boston

Discover: The Boston rooftop bars you need to know about

For those looking to do more than get tipsy while taking in a view, Frol!k, located off the fifth floor of downtown Seattle’s Motif hotel, offers date-night–worthy diversions like shuffleboard and Ping-Pong. The sleek drinkery also features an expansive cocktail list, and if that’s not enough to warm you up when the Pacific Northwest chill sets in, there are several heat sources—including a super-cool-looking (contained) tabletop fireplace.

Discover: The 19 best bars in Seattle

Latin American-inspired hotspot El Techo is one of the best-equipped rooftop bars in the city, which explains the constant crowds. The open-air rooftop is bordered by glass walls—a welcome shield from breezes—and outfitted with sun-shading umbrellas and high-powered heat lamps. Hot, sunny days call for rum, usually in the form of blended drinks like pina coladas and the Belafonte, made with aged rum, lime, pineapple, banana, cacao, and ginger.

Discover: The best bars in San Francisco to drink at right now

Discover: The 10 best rooftop bars in San Francisco

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 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!

Discover: The 40 absolute best bars in Chicago

Discover: The 19 best rooftop bars in Chicago

Head up to the 15th floor of the super modern Nines Hotel to sleek restaurant and lounge Departure for bites by Top Chef finalist Gregory Gourdet and quirky cocktails like the Stumptown Express (Buffalo Trace bourbon, Stumptown cold-brew coffee, ginger liqueur, honey, bitters). During happy hour, you can try some of the eatery’s Asian and vegetarian specialties like the crispy squid with miso, or vegetable udon noodles with spinach. Though the rooftop is mostly enclosed, there is a balcony, but the views of Portland are unparalleled and the ambience is unpretentious no matter where you sit.

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Even if it didn’t boast one of the city’s most spectacular views—the Miami skyline is laid out in front of you from the 16th floor of the Epic Hotel—Executive chef Alex Olivier’s innovative seafood offerings, much of it sourced from the waters you can gaze out upon, would surely be packing in the patrons. The menu changes regularly, but expect fresh ceviche, tartars and crudos among the range of sustainable seafood dishes available.

Discover: The absolute best bars in Miami

Discover: The absolute best rooftop bars in Miami

You can spot Linger while walking along Denver’s 16th Street, which connects downtown Denver and the LoHi neighborhood. The bar is located in the former Olinger Mortuary and the original illuminated sign remains—except that the 'O' stays dim at night to reveal the watering hole’s name, beckoning you to stay awhile. The roof is home to a 1975 RV (or Bar-V, as it’s known), where frozen mai tais and global street food like Mongolian BBQ duck buns, Wagyu sliders and falafel lettuce wraps are served.

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On weekends, gawk at lawn bowlers in the pub’s English Garden Park from Brit’s second-story veranda while you nosh on British favorites like Scotch eggs and tandoori chicken. Inside the bar, homesick expats and Anglophiles can watch live-streaming soccer matches. Beers are half price at happy hour, and if you prefer the hard stuff, a formidable Scotch list awaits.

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Practically a stone’s throw from Nashville’s famous honky-tonks on Lower Broadway, Acme calls itself a 'funky-tonk.' The bar is spread over four floors, with a rooftop that offers 360-degree views of downtown, including the Music City Center, LP Field, the Cumberland River and Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Before the pandemic, the bar hosted live music every night as well as themed events such as Yoga Buzz (yoga followed by drink specials) or a Sunday champagne jam session. 

Discover: The 11 best Nashville bars