The best Miami rooftop bars for solid sips and dazzling views

This 11th-floor cocktail bar on the rooftop of the citizenM Miami Worldcenter Hotel comes courtesy of Freehold Hospitality. That’s the same team behind the hip Freehold Miami in Wynwood, and the original Freehold bar and cafe in Brooklyn, NY. Similar to those spots, Night Swim gives off a laidback, unpretentious vibe despite being one of the coolest new bars in town—with excellent cocktails, very good happy hours and arguably the best rooftop view around.

Located at the rooftop of the dual-brand AC and Element Hotel Miami Downtown, pink-themed Rosa Sky delivers moody lounge vibes with a sleek, modern design, low-slung seating and loads of LED lighting choreographed to the DJ tunes. Enjoy the glittering Downtown and Brickell views with your naked eye, or place your peepers into the set of real-deal binoculars for an up-close look at all the action—just be beware what, or who, you might stumble across!

Mila is a rooftop Mediterranean-Asian restaurant and lounge overlooking a busy stretch of Lincoln Road. Its expansive indoor-outdoor terrace incorporates minimalistic design elements to impressively decadent effect. Despite its tourist-heavy location, Mila’s mixology program pushes edgy ingredients and tableside cocktail experiences. If you haven't reserved a table in advance, do your best to sidle up to one of two bars, where you should still have pretty optimal views of the mesmerizing nightly fire dancer shows.

Buildings are rarely taller than three or four floors in Little Havana, which makes the views at the neighborhood’s first open-air, elevated bar and restaurant even more special. Nestled atop the boho-chic Life House hotel, Terras loads on the charm with lush greenery, oversize umbrellas and comfy couches scattered about its shady, retro-tiled digs. Expect over-proofed tropical drinks and DJs who spin disco on vinyl.

Watr owns its stunning view of the ocean with a Peruvian-Japanese menu and a bar decked in reclaimed wood. The soundtrack is more akin to breaking waves than the usual club bangers you hear in these parts. There’s just something about the laidback, romantic vibe of this place that makes us feel like we’re in a spa with frosé on tap—and that ain’t a bad thing. Reservations are required for non-hotel guests.

Located at the rooftop pool of Coconut Grove’s newly renovated historic Mayfair House Hotel, SipSip is a playful homage to the neighborhood’s Caribbean roots. Helmed by the team behind Miami hits Lost Boy and Tropezón, the Calypso-style rum bar executes elevated versions of island classics including daiquiris, punches and piña coladas. Live music, a subdued tropical palette and plenty of lush foliage add to the hip, laidback ambiance at SipSip.

This Brickell hotspot at the East Miami can have a line out the door on weekend nights. Brave that line and you’ll be rewarded with 360-views of the city (40 floors up!), pricey (but tasty) cocktails and a swank crowd. Snag a reservation for a guaranteed table, especially if you think you may want to have some food. Service can be a bit spotty here and the dress code is strictly enforced. Still, Sugar is no average night out.

Go for the sangria at this beautiful, understated escape on the roof deck of Española Way’s newly minted Esmé Hotel. While the pool deck is reserved for hotel guests only, the laid-back scene at The Roof bar is open to all and perfect for taking in a lazy afternoon paired with lighter fare from the all-day menu. You know a place is cool when it serves cocktails by the jug, and The Roof has lots to choose from, including a pitcher of bittersweet Aperitif Spritz for $65. On weekends, The Roof often activates with DJs and live music, too.

Located on the third-floor courtyard of Arlo Wynwood, this indoor-outdoor urban park has been impeccably curated by Bar Lab, the same team behind James Beard finalist and three-time “Top 50 Bars in the World” award-winner Broken Shaker. Not only is Higher Ground serving up some of the best cocktails in the area—made with ingredients like Palo Santo-infused tequila, fresh aloe and eucalyptus essence—but the verdant space has elevated its programming to include a lunch menu, wellness events, music, comedy and more. Higher Ground is open from noon until late Thursday through Sunday. Happy hour runs from 3 to 6pm.

Located on the 16th-floor of the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Area 31 may not technically be a rooftop, but its Downtown view is hard to beat. A photo op here is one you'll be tempted to caption with “I live where you vacation,” but don't be that guy. The crowd is a mix of young pros and business types looking to ascend from the chaos of street-level Brickell. Save a few bucks Monday through Friday, when Area 31 offers discounted drinks and bites from 5–8pm.

Located in the same building as the historic Miami Women’s Club, Klaw is an upscale restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating and an upstairs rooftop bar overlooking Biscayne Bay. Go here when you want to splurge—starters at the restaurant hover around $20 while a seafood platter starts at $90 and the steaks go for $85 and up. Or skip dinner and opt to impress your date or associate with classy rooftop cocktails like an old fashioned paired with a bowl of warm olives and feta.

With fewer options to choose from the farther north you go, the Citadel food hall in Little River is a worthy addition to Miami’s rooftop scene. A bustling happy hour and long, south-facing views of Design District, Wynwood, Downtown and beyond set this rooftop apart. The Citadel rooftop features plenty of shaded seating in a family-friendly atmosphere where you can also order table service from any of the many yummy food stalls downstairs.

There’s a helping South Beach glamor, a tinge of Euro lounge and perhaps a smattering of “Russian oligarch’s drawing room” at this restaurant and lounge perched atop E11EVEN nightclub. A retractable roof keeps the whole thing accessible no matter the weather, and the downtown skyline fills the horizon. Decked ornately in gold and marble with a giant, U-shaped bar and over-the-top drinks served in vessels such as a glass high-heel, Giselle feels perfect for celebrating a big raise, or finding out you’re a descendant of the Romanovs.

Bellini is the swanky rooftop Italian restaurant and bar located atop the Arquitectonica-designed Mr. C hotel in Coconut Grove. The atmosphere here is upscale but approachable; you’ll often find local business types and well-dressed young professionals mixed in with hotel guests. Space at the bar and its handful of cocktail tables is limited, but if you manage to snag a spot, it’s worth it to take in the sky-high views of Biscayne Bay and Downtown. The namesake Bellini cocktail is also great no matter the time of day.

Level 6 is the stylish rooftop oasis of Coconut Grove’s hot new modern Lebanese restaurant, Amal. Located across from the Barnacle Historic State Park, the 4,000-square-foot, sixth-floor lounge and restaurant boasts views of the Grove’s verdant tree canopy and sailboat-dotted Biscayne Bay. Decked out in a soothing palette of soft blue and green hues, curved wood accents and glazed ceramic tiling, Level 6 aims for fresh, understated luxury with a Spanish-inspired menu of tapas and vibrant, herbaceous cocktails.

While it’s not quite the towering rooftop you'd find in Brickell or Downtown, this second-floor bar still makes the cut—partly because it’s one of a small handful in trendy Wynwood. Head to the open-air lounge and bar above the recently redeveloped Wynwood Jungle (formerly the Wynwood Arcade) for DJ-spun tunes and a menu of Mexican-inspired snacks and craft cocktails. Technically, it's the rooftop bar to Pez Loco, the downstairs spot that's on our list of Miami's best Mexican restaurants (so you know the mezcal and guac are on point here).

Make sure you’re sitting down when the bill comes—the total could make you a little woozy. So could the cocktails. Or the phenomenal view, which diners take in from the penthouse level of the famed Herzog & de Meuron-designed Lincoln Road parking garage. Just remember you’re paying for the views as well as the talent, which is prodigious. 

Serena injects a forgotten strip of South Beach with the vibrancy and energy of Mexico City (don’t be surprised if a mariachi band shows up unannounced). Sunsets up here are magical, even more so with a margarita in hand. At night, linger under the twinkling bistro lights as a DJ spins. If you’re wondering, the big neon sign reads, “last one and we’re leaving.” Do snap a photo, but don’t make it your mantra—Serena will make you want to stay awhile.

Find this locals rooftop dive hiding in a nondescript residential building that overlooks Biscayne Bay. Don’t question it—or the random location or the Irish menu packed with pub essentials. Just grab some wings and a pitcher of beer, and watch the Dolphins with your peeps. Ongoing construction on the adjacent pool deck might interfere with your bay views, but if you’re at Mike’s, chances are you’ll be pretty chill about it.

The widespread rooftop terrace at the Lincoln Eatery food hall combines plenty of shade, rattan lounge furniture, hookah and chilled-out house music for a more chill vibe in the heart of SoBe. An ideal spot to kick off a night with a larger group, Sky Yard hosts sunset DJ sets and silent disco parties and has the added benefit of easy access to a range of eclectic dining options, from steakhouse fare to Asian dishes to Latin food. Sky Yard is open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 6pm to midnight and on Sundays from 4pm to midnight.

Inspired by the lively lounges of Mykonos, Astra brings a rooftop bar to the southern end of Wynwood. The place is pretty huge at 10,000-square-feet and offers proper tables for dinner or more casual seating options for sipping and relaxing. Expect Greek, both on the seafood-heavy menu and behind the bar with mastika and ouzo. There are no tall buildings blocking the view at Astra, so you can really see all the way to the Downtown skyline.