The best rooftop bars in L.A.

What is it? The ritzy 90210 rooftop outpost of an award-winning New York City cocktail bar with amazing drinks and sweeping views of the hills.

Why we love it: The ninth-floor vantage point is gorgeous no matter what time of day you arrive, but Dante Beverly Hills isn’t just any old rooftop bar—it serves some of the best all-around drinks in town. There are 10 different iterations of the martini (all equally great), plus Dante’s signature “fluffy” orange juice Garibaldi and a few agave-based creations unique to Los Angeles. Given the area code, drink prices are higher than average; most run in the $19 to $30 range, but the overall quality and consistency makes them well worth the price. Since opening in 2023, the hype has finally subsided to the point that it’s possible to drop in more casually for a drink, though I’d still recommend making a reservation on the weekends or to catch the sunset. Plus, the luxurious ambience makes for a wonderful backdrop whenever you’re enjoying a drink. One more unique aspect of Dante for the caffeine-sensitive: It’s one of the few places in town where you can find a decaf espresso martini. Reservations and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: Not in the mood for a whole drink? Many of Dante’s signature cocktails can be made in half-portions, including a mini version of a Bloody Maria.

Address: 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? One of the oldest, most popular rooftop bars in the city. 

Why we love it: No matter how many new Downtown rooftops open, we always come back to Perch, one of the prettiest rooftop bars (and bistros) in town. Patterned tile floors, potted trees full of twinkly lights and charming seating combine nightly for a scene full of Downtown locals, plus a few hundred of their closest friends. Though it’s often crowded inside the interior boudoir-themed bar, you’ll find plenty of breathing room and even a few fire pits on the outdoor patio. From any seat, you’ll want to sample the selection of kir-style cocktails that go beyond crème de cassis. The after-work crowd drops in for happy hour, which runs weekdays from 4 to 6pm, while late-night partygoers and music-lovers can enjoy frequent DJ sets and live bands. Reservations and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: While you can technically enjoy a meal here too, I actually prefer the food at Mrs. Fish downstairs. 

Address: 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–1am; Thu, Fri 4pm–1:30am; Sat 10am–3:30pm, 4:30pm–1:30am; Sun 10am–3:30pm, 4:30pm–midnight

What is it? The L.A. outpost of a James Beard-nominated rooftop bar.

Why we love it: Like moths to a flame, trendy clientele and youngish Angelenos from all over flock to this quirky, colorful and palm-laden rooftop bar atop the Freehand Hotel. Cool off with eclectic, moderately priced cocktails—with some equally colorful garnishes—served from the thatched-roof bar, including the Oscar De La Hoya, Broken Shaker’s take on a spicy margarita incorporating strawberry and Aperol. For a crowd, you can also order a punch bowl with your choice of spirit, fruit and botanical for $300 (each one contains 10 to 12 servings). Food-wise, there’s guac and chips, grilled skewers and a jerk chicken sandwich, all of which make for great finger food while taking in excellent sunset views of Downtown. Reservations and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: Head here during happy hour (Mon–Thu 3–6pm) for $14 cocktails and discounted bar bites.

Address: 416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–7pm; Fri, Sat noon–8pm; Sun noon–7pm

What is it? A Santa Monica rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Why we love it: Taking over the old Onyx space, the Coco Club offers the same ambience that made the former occupant one of the best rooftop bars in town. A new island-inspired cocktail menu created by Dushan Zaric (best known for cofounding NYC’s Employees Only) adds intrigue with drinks—all of them a flat $21—like the green apple-tinged Coco Killer and a herb-infused gin creation called Sage Against the Machine. A complete design overhaul has given the indoor-outdoor space a completely new, tropical-leaning look and feel, including artisan-crafted rattan stools lining the balcony railings and a fire pit in the string-lit outdoor lounge. There’s also a small food menu that includes tacos, a burger, wings and nachos. Stop by during sunset to watch the Pier’s iconic Ferris wheel light up—just be sure to mind the crowds for Santa Monica’s only walk-in rooftop bar game in town. Walk-ins only.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking to grab dinner before or after the Coco Club, I recommend the Georgian Room, Water Grill, BOA or Élephante, in no particular order.

Address: 1301 Ocean Ave #1019, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight, Fri 4pm–2am, Sat noon–2am, Sun noon–midnight

What is it? The crown jewel of Culver City’s Citizen Public Market and one of the most low-key rooftop bars in the city.

Why we love it: If you want a little change of perspective without paying a huge premium on drinks, Bar Bohemien fills that rooftop bar niche. Sure, the bush-lined patio isn’t the biggest in town, but for those who find their way up the small food hall’s winding stairs, this intimate, mostly outdoor watering hole provides everyday good vibes and even better cocktails priced in the $16 to $20 range. The space is particularly beautiful at sunset, making it the perfect spot to meet up with a date or a group of old friends. Cheekily named cocktails rise above standard rooftop drinks with combinations like the Them Apples, which fuses vodka with shochu, green apple, vanilla, yuzu, lime and soda water. Given the wealth of dining options downstairs, there’s no real food here, but you’re welcome to bring food from downstairs—I recommend the fried chicken from Go Go Bird and the noodle bowls at Bang Bang Noodles. Walk-ins only.

Time Out tip: The best parking options in the area are the city-owned parking structures on Watseka, Cardiff and immediately adjacent to Trader Joe’s on Culver Boulevard.

Address: 9355 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Mon 3–10pm, Tue–Fri 3pm–midnight, Sat 1pm–midnight, Sun noon–8pm

What is it? The only rooftop bar option in Venice Beach. 

Why we love it: There are surprisingly few rooftop bars on the Westside, which makes High Rooftop Lounge a highly sought-after destination at sunset—and yes, that means rubbing shoulders with Venice’s many tech bros, the boardwalk tourist crowd and anyone else west of Lincoln Boulevard in search of a view. 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. An all-day food menu includes crowd-pleasers like grain bowls, fish tacos and flatbreads, and there’s even a strawberry creme brulée for dessert. On the drinks side of the equation, breezy cocktails like the Sunset Sour (vodka, blood orange, lemon, bitters) and the Surf’s Up (jalapeño tequila, passionfruit, tajin) evoke an endless Southern California summer. Reservations and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: For the best seats in the house, note that you’ll have to pony up for one of High’s VIP tables or lounge seats, which require an upfront fee of $25 to $50 per person. 

Address: 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

What is it? The Western-themed bar atop the Hollywood VOLUME and the least douchey rooftop in the area. 

Why we love it: Named after a Mojave wildflower, Desert 5 Spot is a Tinseltown simulacrum of a roadside country saloon, complete with blinking, pseudo-broken neon sign. Unlike its French Riviera-inspired sibling Bar Lis located around the corner (the polar opposite in every way), the bar draws a casually dressed, youngish crowd full of folks happy to unironically don a cowboy hat. The bar’s kitschy aura and weekday-only happy hour (6–8pm) with $9 cocktails and $10 pairs of tacos contributes to Desert 5’s appeal as a casual rooftop destination, but the still-quite-flashy aesthetic and breathtaking views make the bar are just as enticing for out-of-towners and outings where you want to impress. Walk-ins only (except for large party reservations).

Time Out tip: Come here on Friday nights for free line dancing lessons earlier in the evening—hourlong slots start at 7, 8 and 9pm.

Address: 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening hours: Tue, Wed 6pm–midnight; Thu 6pm–2am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am 

What is it? A West Hollywood rooftop bar known for its trendy clientele and excellent views of the hills. 

Why we love it: There’s a party happening at the intersection of La Cienega and Melrose—and while everyone is invited, not everyone may feel like they fit in with the try-hard, young-or-wish-they-were-still-young crowd. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for E.P. & L.P. in your rooftop bar lineup, however; the venue feels far more accessible at happy hour, the views are always amazing and L.P.’s central location makes it a great halfway point for meetups with friends. The drinks here aren’t the best, but they’ll get the job done, particularly the spicy margarita (which is L.A.’s unofficial cocktail, if you ask me). For similar vibes a bit to the east, head to new sibling Grandmasters Recorders in Hollywood. Walk-ins only.

Time Out tip: If you’re driving, it’s usually easier to find parking on La Cienega just south of Melrose.

Address: 603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–2am; Sat, Sun noon–2am

What is it? A glitzy West Hollywood rooftop that offers a stunning view of the stars in more ways than one.

Why we love it: Like nearby Saddle Ranch on the Sunset Strip, Harriet’s is known for its magnetic ability to attract celebrities and influencers. Compared to other rooftop bars on this list, you’ll find a more club-like atmosphere here most nights of the week, plus pricey Asian-inspired bar bites, standard cocktails and flashy bottle service. On my visit, I enjoyed the spicy tuna crispy rice and the dragon crunch roll—both straightforward, fairly average renditions of classic fusion-style dishes. Given the high volume of tourists and influencers, most of the servers at Harriet’s are experts at taking photos—so if you want a photo, don’t be afraid to ask. Sure, Harriet’s cocktails are a little watered down for how much they cost, but don’t the views just take your breath away? Bottle service, reservations and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for food in the immediate area, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to walk to Saltie Girl, which I consider one of the best seafood restaurants in Los Angeles. 

Address: 8490 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight, Fri 5pm–2am, Sat 4pm–2am, Sun 3–10pm

What is it? The seventh-floor rooftop restaurant and lounge at the Santa Monica Proper.

Why we love it: The upscale Mediterranean food might be fairly mediocre, but the Goop-on-steroids aesthetic and breezy (but fairly pricey) cocktails keep this impeccably designed rooftop oasis top of mind whenever we’re drinking on the Westside. Located a few blocks from the Pacific, Calabra’s lounge seating and hidden poolside alcoves are the perfect place to impress folks coming in from out of town. The views from this seventh-floor hotel lounge don’t include the Santa Monica Pier, however, but the extremely chic elements of Calabra itself, fashionably dressed clientele included, provide more than enough eye candy to make up for it. Reservations (strongly recommended) and walk-ins.

Time Out tip: If you really want to order food, go for one of the mezze items, like the phyllo baked feta or roasted heirloom carrots.

Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–9pm, Fri–Sun noon–10pm

What is it? A menuless wine bar concept from NYC that’s taken over the old Ace Hotel rooftop.

Why we love it: This NYC transplant is known in its hometown as an ultra-hip, menuless wine bar. While it doesn’t seem as though its L.A. counterpart has drawn the same crowds, the beloved Downtown third space is thankfully mostly unchanged except for a bunch of new plants and a cringeworthy “Can’t Stop Drinking About You” neon sign. Head inside to the bar for a choose-your-own-adventure experience—guided by one of Sauced’s expert bartenders—and a small selection of light bites, then take your glass outside and take in the sweeping views of Downtown. Weekend evenings bring DJs and food pop-ups to the space (which are generally announced on the bar’s Instagram), so if you’d like to help resuscitate Downtown’s struggling nightlife scene, give Sauced the good old-fashioned college try. Walk-ins.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a fun night out, try to plan around one of the DJ residencies or other pop-up events going on at Sauced.

Address: 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A rooftop bar in Downtown L.A. that looks out on the Gas Company and U.S. Bank towers with a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail and bar menu.

Why we love it: If you’ve ever wanted to party above the Skechers store, this is your chance. The glinting metal of the skyscrapers in the distance offsets the neighboring ornate architecture common in the old Broadway Theater District. The modern Mediterranean design adds to this feeling of being not quite in the past or the future. Florentín is just large enough to feel alive on a half-full night, but the space is small enough that the bartenders can still crank out their meticulously crafted cocktails during a rush. Don’t resist an on-the-nose order; the Florentini is their most popular cocktail for a reason. The balanced sour that evokes spring on the Amalfi Coast is worth the $19 price tag, from taste to presentation. They also hopped on the beer cocktail trend with a Peroni-based Spaghett and the mescal-based House Special, both under $10. Don’t drink? Instead of settling for a few options, you can request that any of the bar’s cocktails be made without alcohol. Walk-ins only.

Time Out tip: The journey to Florentín requires you to walk through a parking lot into an alleyway that will put the sketch in Skechers, but the conspicuous green neon sign will let you know you’re in the right place.

Address: 617 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–2am, Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A longtime West Hollywood terrace known for its pool parties and other live music events. 

Why we love it: Skybar isn’t a rooftop in the conventional sense (it’s situated at about ground level, but high up on a hill), but the beautiful city views and serious nightlife cred make it a worthwhile destination for a wild night on the town. While Skybar is one of the rare poolside bars where people really do jump in after a long night of cocktails, you’ll typically find a more relaxed crowd lounging within its cabana, which also hosts one of its bars. On weekday afternoons, there’s generally a more relaxed, casual vibe and a full food menu (which I don’t really recommend). The all-ages clientele ranges from wide-eyed ingénues to grizzled old sugardaddy types, but no matter where you fall on the spectrum, the Mexican-style oasis of flowering walls and gorgeous nooks will win you over—especially with one of their passion fruit margaritas in hand. Bottle service, reservations and walk-ins. 

Time Out tip: If you’re coming in the evenings or during pool party season, get here early—these times are when Skybar is the most crowded. 

Address: 8440 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? A Long Beach brewery with stunning sunset ocean views.

Why we love it: Alright, Ballast Point can barely be considered a rooftop bar, but it still offers a pretty great view from its two-story space right on the water. Head upstairs for the best seats in the house, throw in the straightforward food menu and a couple of fire pits and Ballast Point easily wins the title for brewery with the best views in L.A. County. If you’re looking for ordering recommendations, I like the Baja fish tacos, Filipino-inspired pork ribs and garlic fries, and you can’t go wrong with either the chicken wings or fish and chips. Walk-ins only (but reservations are accepted for parties of nine or more).

Time Out tip: This is one of the most popular places in Long Beach—so expect to wait for a table if you show up at peak hours. 

Address: 110 N Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–9pm

What is it? Mid-Wilshire’s only rooftop bar (and the newest occupant of the former Roof on Wilshire space).

Why we love it: While the California cuisine is downright forgettable, the drinks at Videre are actually well-made—they come from the same minds behind West Hollywood’s Employees Only. Think a savory-sweet espresso martini with Parmesan cheese shaved on top, or a delightful red shiso-spiked cachaca cocktail served in a chic coupe. What Videre does have going for it, however, are glittering eighth-floor views of the hills, without all the pomp and circumstance of Beverly Hills or the drunken Hollywood crowds. On the weekdays, Videre also offers an excellent happy hour (3–6pm), playfully named “Work Drinks,” that includes $12 cocktails and steeply discounted bar bites like fried chicken bites, popcorn cauliflower and truffle Parmesan fries. Walk-ins and reservations.

Time Out tip: If you want a full meal in the area, I would rather point you to Kazunori (one of the city’s best sushi options), Uovo (one of the city’s best Italian restaurants ) or Laki Ramen (one of the city’s best ramenyas). 

Address: 6317 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 7am–10pm; Fri, Sat 7am–10pm; Sun 7am–10pm

What is it? The tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere—and a total tourist trap. But yes, there are breathtaking views. 

Why we love it: Perched 73 floors above Downtown in a luxury hotel, Spire 73 attracted plenty of attention when it first opened in 2017. But what does the sky-high vantage point mean in actual practice? Little to no protection from the weather, so bring a jacket to Spire 73 or face high-altitude wind chill like no other. There are a few firepits, but the seats closest to windows are further away and the blankets staff members provide don’t always get the job done. There’s also a $60 per person spending minimum, reflective of the aforementioned “tourist trap” designation, but if you must go, you’ll find classic cocktails and swanky lounge seats as you peer down on the rest of us mere mortals. What you won’t see much of is the recognizable Downtown L.A. skyline—since you’re literally part of it. 

Time Out tip: Spire 73 offers parking validation, bringing the normally eye-wateringly expensive hotel valet down to a manageable $16.

Address: 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5–11pm