With chilly winds, ever-present fog and a temperature rarely exceeding 70 degrees, San Francisco is admittedly not the best city for rooftop bars. However, that hasn’t stopped savvy restaurateurs and hoteliers from opening these picturesque perches. Their dedication is finally seeing some results as, this summer, rooftop bars have become in vogue in the City by the Bay.
Here are the six best places to experience vibes and views for yourself.
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended San Francisco Proper Hotel’s Charmaine’s is the city’s most stylish rooftop bar. Designer Kelly Wearstler imagined that a bohemian great aunt who spent much of her life globetrotting inhabits the space, which explains why the light-filled bar reflects a collected cool with inviting couches, roaring fire pits, mismatched prints and glamorous accents.
The food and drink are equally alluring. The Proper Cup is a refreshing take on the Pimm’s Cup made with Tanqueray and absinthe, while the Super French Martini is another twist on a classic with fino sherry. Pair the libations with pretzel rolls and smoked pimento cheese dip, crudités and fava bean hummus, or grilled Japanese chicken meatballs.
Charmaine’s also hosts buzzy special events: during brunch on Sundays, there’s a paella and rosé party; the last Sunday of each month consists of a happy hour powered by jams from the Motel Club DJs; and there’s a handful of exclusive parties to celebrate SF Pride.
With Latin beats, lush décor and tantalizing aromas, Cavaña transports you to a party in Rio the moment you exit the elevator onto the 17th floor of Luma Hotel in Mission Bay. The bar is an ode to Central and South America, and there is no other place like it in San Francisco.
Sip innovative cocktails like the Naked & Famous, a combination of mezcal, strawberry aperitif, Yucatan coconut liqueur and yellow chartreuse served with lime, or opt to stay with the classics, such as a perfectly prepared margarita or caipirinha.
For food, we love the chicken tinga tostadas and quesabirria tacos. Music is a vital part of the Cavaña experience. There’s not only a live DJ nightly, but the team also hosts Salsero Sundays every weekend with live salsa music by Edgardo Cambón & LaTido.
A longtime favorite haunt for a glass of rosé on a warm day, this sultry bar on the fifth floor of the Hotel Zelos has a covered patio, so there’s no need to worry about cold wind gusts. The team debuts a new happy hour menu in June, and bargoers can look forward to updated versions of the signature old-fashioneds, handcrafted cocktails and seasonal sippers.
There’s something for everyone on the food menu: meat connoisseurs will love the grilled lamb ribs and pork belly chicharrones, while vegetarians delight in the baby beet salad with strawberries and roasted cauliflower with almond picada (a sauce) and avocado crema.
During the summer, Dirty Habit will participate in Union Square in Bloom, an initiative celebrating the area’s historic past as the floral district with flower-inspired menu items.
This rooftop hot spot serves Japanese-Peruvian cuisine in a vibrant and lively environment with rarely seen cityscape views. With live DJs, black lights and neon murals and signs, it’s got the vibe of a nightclub, albeit one with an extensive menu of Nikkei eats. There are quintessential Japanese dishes like edamame and sushi rolls and more interesting items like barbecued baby-back ribs, charcoal-grilled octopus and wagyu steaks.
The cocktails invite you to journey from Tokyo to Lima. The Story of Jade features a fresh, floral, aromatic blend of London dry gin, junmai sake, cardamom, wasabi, turmeric, cucumber, lemon and ginger ale. For something a little simpler, you can’t go wrong with the frothy elegant pisco sour or potent espresso martini with brûléed brown sugar topping.
On the 13th floor of the Line Hotel, discover a glass-covered solarium with a gorgeous black-and-white marble bar. The chic space has an outdoor area with warming fire pits, cozy blankets and large potted plants. The cocktail list highlights unique flavors. For example, the Szechuan of a Kind mixes tequila, green Szechuan, plum kernel, mint, almond and citrus. And the Panda-Monium is made with rum, pandan, pineapple amaro and winter melon.
The culinary offerings include raw bites like spicy tuna with chili crisp and bonito mayo, shrimp rolls with coconut and herbs and Korean hot spice fried chicken.
Union Square’s most exciting opening of the year thus far is arguably Starlite. The 21st floor of the Beacon Grand has been home to a bar since 1928 and, in February, Starlite was reborn with a new art deco-inspired look and an opulent upscale vibe. It’s indoors, so head here when it’s cold, but you still find stunning city vistas.
SF mixology legend Scott Baird is behind the sensational cocktails, which include the pisco punch, Silver Fizz and the Dirty 90s Martini (Grey Goose vodka infused with extra virgin olive oil, house-brined vermouth and a Saint Agur blue cheese-stuffed olive with a twist).
These pours nicely complement chef Johnny Spero’s menu of savory snacks, which include baked oysters with brown butter, grilled cheese on toasted brioche with honey mustard and meatloaf sandwiches with smoked ketchup.
On weekends, Starlite hosts Sunday Sessions, an experience that involves a champagne cart, a sunset toast and a DJ who starts spinning at 4:30 p.m.
