The best rooftop bars in the U.S. for top-notch cocktails and dazzling views

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.

Overstory is a tough reservation to come by, but a little patience and a lot of advance planning will be rewarded with truly out-of-sight skyline tableaus that even a hot-air balloon pilot would admire. Overstory also occasionally has room for walk-ins, and the bar at Crown Shy downstairs is a lovely place to wait.

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 former Freehold Miami in Wynwood, and the original Freehold bar and cafe in Brooklyn, NY. Similar to those hip spots, Night Swim gives off a laid-back, 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.

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.

In addition to jaw-dropping views of the Treasury, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall, eagle-eyed visitors will be able to spot the 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. And don't forget: Reservations are a must.

You’ve come to this quaint North Carolina town for the mountains, and they’re on full view at The Roof, which opened in 2024 atop the new and very cool Radical Hotel. But it’s not just Mount Pisgah out there on the western horizon because The Roof picks up the sunset off the French Broad River and looks out over the city’s arts district. After the sun sets, gather around the fire pits or head into the hotel basement for chef Jacob Sessoms’ very excellent Golden Hour.

Panorama Room has truly stunning views from the 18th floor of Roosevelt Island's Graduate Hotel. It also has space inside and out, plenty to drink, seafood-forward snacks and a full dinner menu. But before you leave, drop down the $28 for caviar nachos, as decadent and Insta-ready as they sound.

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 and a place that feels more like a secluded, storybook garden than a bar.

A $200-million renovation to the historic (and notorious) Watergate Hotel added one of the coolest cocktail spots in the city—a sprawling rooftop bar and lounge called Top of the Gate. Take in the sunset with a 360-degree view of the city's biggest attractions, including the Pentagon, Potomac River and Washington Monument.

Rooftop bars are everywhere in this colonial city along the South Carolina coast, but Satellite Bar stands out for its 360-degree views. Above the trendy Stars Grill Room restaurant, Satellite Bar puts up the umbrellas for a bit of shady day-drinking, then turns on the twinkly lights when sunset has set above the city’s rooftops when it’s time to order Diamonds are Forever, a spin on a Vesper with lavender and vanilla.

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 wrap themselves in one of the bar’s cozy blankets, along with a spiked cocoa or hot toddy.

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.

For those looking to do more than get tipsy while taking in a view, Frolik offers date-night–worthy diversions like shuffleboard and ping-pong. Located off the fifth floor of downtown Seattle’s Motif hotel, 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 tabletop fireplace.

Laid back and relaxed, Red Hook’s Brooklyn Crab has three levels of good times, and our favorite is the rooftop. The supersized shack is very on-brand, with nautical decor, buckets of beer, tons of cocktails, fishbowl drinks and a menu overflowing with all manner of oysters, shrimp, lobster, and, of course, crab. It also boasts one of our lowkey favorite views across the East River that’s as enticing as a seafood tower.

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 Hummingbird, chamomile-infused pisco, seltzer, lime and ginger syrup.

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.

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 ambiance is unpretentious no matter where you sit.

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—chef Sezer Deniz’s innovative seafood offerings, much of it sourced from the waters you can gaze out upon, would be packing in the patrons. The menu changes regularly, but expect spicy prawns, salmon tartare tacos and Florida grouper with potato au gratin.

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.

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.

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.