The best rooftop bars in Houston

Known affectionately as Bad News, this cozy neighborhood bar is tucked away on the second floor of the now-defunct Nightingale Room saloon. The good news is that, unlike its downstairs neighbor, Bad News is still going strong, and on its patio you’ll soak up urban views over Main Street in a speakeasy-style venue decked with dark wood furniture, chandeliers and vinyl. All the classic cocktails, from the Manhattan to the Old Fashioned, are served here, alongside craft beers and wine.

Owner Brad Moore and his team have been peddling the best seasonal cocktails at Grand Prize Bar in the Museum District since 2010. Their two-story house converted watering hole features a full bar on each level, ensuring guests never get dehydrated. Yes, it is a little bit of a dingy dive, but it’s always happening; there’s a pool table and a jukebox, drag nights, and of course, a large open-air porch that offers views galore. A kitchen with revolving street vendors means no need to break the party.

In this state, there’s a high chance of someone in the party craving Tex-Mex at some point during festivities. Enter El Big Bad. This downtown Tex-Mex houses the world’s largest infused tequila bar (over 30 house-made infused tequilas) and if that wasn’t impressive enough, they’ve also consistently won “Best Margarita” titles locally and nationwide. Translation: go loco. Their 2,000-square-foot balcony gives you and the party plenty of space to sample them all, if you dare, and don’t forget to document it all against their IG famous “I Love You and Tacos So Much” wall.

The suburbs may not be everyone’s first choice for rooftop drinking, but when you’re in The Woodlands, it only makes sense to pitch vantage points to enjoy all that pretty green space. That’s exactly what Hyatt Centric The Woodlands has done with The Market Street Rooftop. Situated on the second floor, this stylish indoor lounge joined with an outdoor terrace is a romantic sunset swig, especially under the illumination of fire pits, a swimming pool and twinkling Market Street lights. Ideal for a classy glass of vino and winding down.

Houston’s highest open-air rooftop bar is also one of the most photographed, thanks to full circle views dubbed by many as the absolute best in the city. Sitting pretty at 23 stories up on Le Méridien, guests are offered plush lounge chair seating under giant umbrellas, and colorful cocktails are mixed up and poured in Z On 23 cups, freeing up your need to geo-tag so the focus can be on getting lit. Come for Wine Wednesdays when bottles are half

This former post office turned multi-story food hall, concert venue and shopping center is probably the most exciting thing to happen to HTX since Megan Thee Stallion. To be at the pinnacle of the action march up the spiral steps to the Skylawn rooftop, where in-the-know locals gather to party, snap selfies or take in the 360-degree views. You’ll only see mobile bars serving beers and cocktails on weekends and holidays, but hey, there’s no one to stop y’all from bringing a beverage up from the market downstairs. 

Looking to cool off at the most famous lazy river in town? Purchase a day pass and head up to the sixth floor of the Marriott Marquis for Altitude, where one in the shape of Texas awaits. Altitude’s poolside bar offers a range of iced cocktails and bar bites, and the lazy river is heated so you needn’t hurry home when the sun goes down. Look out for DJ nights, holiday pool parties, winter lights and yard game pop-ups.

If only it were always 77 degrees out. At this multi-story Midtown hangout, it at least feels like the sweet spot with a tropical drink in hand at sunset. Named after the optimum patio weather, 77 degrees is designed to evoke rum-soaked vacations in the Caribbean and tequila nights on the Mexican coast. Guests turn things up in a resort-style atmosphere, with clean white spaces lit by neons, cabanas and swings, and scrumptious Caribbean-inspired cocktails like the Norman’s Cay (Barcardi coconut rum, Bacardi mango rum, Bacardi pineapple fusion, coconut water and lime).

In Texas, you have to embrace the cow, so come chomp on down at B&B Butchers, an upscale steakhouse on quaint and quiet Washington Avenue. The low-rise neighborhood means complete unobstructed views of Houston’s downtown skyline, even from the second floor. You’ll dine on the finest steaks brunch, lunch or dinner, and wash the meat down with their huge selection of wines and cocktails on the terrace. Try the stiff B&B Martini, their classic, made with Brooklyn gin, Belvedere vodka and Lillet Blanc.

A glitzy old-school bar and restaurant that once was a members-only club frequented by lawyers and politicians, today Lawless blends sleek modern interiors with its historic facades for a sophisticated evening up on the roof. The terrace offers cushioned couches and mixing chairs, interspersed with short palm trees and Victorian lamps, making for a romantic setting that’s sure to ignite sparks. There’s also an inside dining space for when the night chill sets in and you both get a little peckish.

Rooftop bars aren’t all about tall glasses with tall views. At Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. you can toast with a pint in your sweats whilst enjoying glistening views of Houston’s skyline. Did you know that Buff-Brew is known for being one of the most creative breweries in the city? Latest tastes include the Dreamsicle, dedicated to ice cream trucks; the raspberry twanged Black Raz; the German Chocolate; and The Morning Wood, which we hear will prod you right up no matter how exhausted you are! Their huge rooftop terrace is lined with colorful furniture for the tasting adventure.

Looking to celebrate? Sunset Rooftop Lounge promises to go big in true Texan style. In the heart of EaDo, you’re treated to live sounds, Latin beats, tropical cocktails and a hip, young crowd with jumbo battery packs of energy, who come to revel through to 2 am every night of the week (yes, really). On weekends, Sunset even opens at noon, including for Saturday’s “Party All Day and Night” event, and the 4pm-7pm Happy Hour only encourages patrons to come in earlier and stay longer. Tired? Fall back and enjoy the terrace views with the rest of them.

A brunch-time darling, Upstairs Bar & Lounge sits up in the oak trees that line Rice Boulevard. It’s a casual neighborly gathering spot, most popular on weekends for the wide range of benedicts which the locals seem to enjoy pairing with icy spiked drinks, like the Cucumber Martini, Frozen Bellini or the Spicy Pineapple Margarita. The happy hour is also buzzing with the after-work crowd, available every day from 3pm - 6pm on beers, wines, cocktails and bites. Despite being a daytime spot, there are no kids as it’s only open to guests 21 and up.

For a dose of Southern hospitality in relaxed surroundings, waddle over to The Dogwood. The Midtown bar is where you’ll enjoy generously portioned Texas BBQ Burgers and Sweet Tea Vodkas across a number of outdoor spaces from height. You have the main rooftop, a huge second-floor space windswept with fans; and wrap-around patios across both floors that are lined with HD screens and a blaring sound system, making it ideal for game day viewing and shenanigans.

Houston’s top rooftop music venue, Rise is a state-of-the-art entertainment complex in Midtown, featuring a bar, nightclub, and stage. Formerly the Proof Rooftop Lounge, which closed down in the pandemic, Rise now packs the sprawling 13,000 sq ft space with fans eager to catch the hottest shows in town. We’re talking DJs, pop and rock concerts, burlesque, circus and comedy. Worried about the weather? Don’t fret: the rooftop is fully retractable, so the show will go on no matter what the forecast.

Done with city views? That’s what Galveston is for. The Houstonian seaside outpost is always a welcome escape from the dizzy lights of downtown, but that by no means compromising on swanky hotel rooftops. The Tremont House is your luxury stay here, serving as both a historic landmark that was built back in 1839 and today remaining Galveston's only open-air rooftop bar. Perch on their comfy cream lounge chairs, sip on champagne and take in views of downtown Galveston and the harbor for a world-away experience.

24 floors up make this one of the highest rooftop bars in town, so if you want towering views, then boy, R24 will give ‘em to ya! Originally an executive lounge exclusively for Hilton executive-level guests, now the public can come and live it up atop the Hilton Americas-Houston between Thursday and Saturday from 5pm till 11pm. The beverage menu includes wines, beers and cocktails such as the Texas Margarita and the vodka-based Rooftop Lemonade.

Inspired by travels to the Caribbean and Latin America, and following success on Austin’s Rainey Street, the team at Idle Hands opened their tropical escape on Montrose in 2021. The food menu features tacos, empanadas and nachos, while cocktails include the Oaxacan Cooler (made with Zignum Silver mezcal), Mezcal Old Fashioned and a frozen Signature Pina Colada. Interiors are a minimalist take on a tropical oasis, extending out onto a decked patio with green cushioned furniture.

Afternoons at Buffalo Bayou are a breeze when you’re kicking back at the Blue Bar. The floating patio is part of Brenner’s Steakhouse, with soft seating, fire pits, and nature views that make you feel as though you’re at a Louisiana swamp rather than an H-town steakhouse. The Blue Bar also has a happy hour that’s ever so popular with the after-work crowd, running weekdays from 4pm till 7pm on cocktails and small plates. Specialty cigars are also available on request.

The Grove overlooks Discovery Green, a 12-acre park in the heart of downtown offering refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. The two-story restaurant is beautifully designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, a first-level terrace and a large outdoor rooftop tangled between mature oak trees. On the menu, you’ll find Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Ceviche, while the expansive beverage list includes sangrias and a lush Texas Smoke Paloma. Happy hours are offered Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm.