Thanks to Los Angeles’ extended summers, mild winters and an average of nearly 270 sunny days a year, rooftop bars and restaurants are always in season in Southern California. They’re also the quickest way to elevate afternoon hangouts, golden-hour gatherings or midnight meet-ups.
There’s just something exciting about sipping cocktails at sunset with nothing between you and the sky, dining under the stars, dancing in the dark high above L.A. traffic or falling in love with the city’s shimmering skyline as a backdrop.
Sparing standouts like West Hollywood’s Catch, with its hanging garden, succulent seafood spreads and celebrity regulars, the best rooftop bars tend to be on top of the chicest Los Angeles hotels.
Whether you’re looking for a beachy boutique feel, a luxurious lunch at a Beverly Hills beauty or a Hollywood hot spot that takes live music and mixology seriously, here’s the best 11 rooftops to experience open-air allure.
Prepare to be awed when you exit Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills’ elevator 12 stories aloft by the scenery that stretches from Brentwood to downtown. The bar’s tall cherry chairs, living wall and mosaic of emerald hues will pop off social screens, especially when lit by dusk’s pink rays. Low tables and love seats are great for groups who want only aerial aperitifs and appetizers (like tuna crispy rice and caviar-topped fries).
But if the plan calls for red Thai coconut curry or juicy tomahawks, and it should, increase the drama with a table on the far edge above the Golden Triangle point on which the hotel sits.
Southern California’s cocktail scene reached new heights when Dante, the century-old New York café partially credited with the Negroni’s U.S. comeback, opened a third outpost on the roof of Five-Star The Maybourne Beverly Hills. Sip its famous martinis — there are 10 — at the backlit bar, in a blue velvet booth under the muraled ceiling or on the petite balcony.
Either way, the direction at which its big windows are angled on the 90210’s Golden Triangle erases L.A.’s congested streets from view, making patrons feel as if they’re enjoying pizza and oysters above a leafy European city, especially when the ivory piano is being tickled.
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel guests, downtown denizens and fans of the contemporary Californian food stylings of lauded chef Suzanne Goin gleefully gather on the uppermost floor of the former 1926 private club.
Seasonal snacks like tempura-battered summer beans, chorizo squash focaccia and housemade paletas and a quality bar program brimming with small-batch spirits, organic wine and no-proof alternatives seal the deal. If you’re only coming for drinks, post up at the gorgeous, tiled fire pit and corner couch at the building’s edge.
Hotel Erwin’s breezy Venice rooftop bar has gone through quite a few iterations over its lifetime. The latest addition is Kassi, a Greek-leaning eatery and bar that opened in July. With a menu serving mezze, skewers, lobster orzo and themed tipples (see: the Oracle of Delphi and the Santorini Slushie), the spot likely won’t need Zeus’ help to stick around.
The stunning panorama spans the boardwalk and the beach across the Pacific and up the Malibu coastline, providing the kind of nightly sunset show that California vacation dreams are made of. To avoid standing along the rail with singles on the prowl, reserve cushy lounge seating with umbrellas and heaters.
Tucked in the heart of Hollywood on the top tier of The Aster, a hotel and members-only club that overlooks the iconic Capitol Records building, is Lemon Grove, an open-to-the-public alfresco drinking and dining den surrounded by skyscrapers, the Hills and the sign.
Reminiscent of the casual courtyard of a high-desert boutique, it’s filled with decorative cacti bejeweled with twinkling lights, mismatched patio furniture and wood plank flooring. The see-and-be-seen crowd often shows up for the quality mixology, live entertainment, dinosaur kale salad, guajillo-roasted branzino and the signature vegan lemon pasta.
Let the new rooftop concept at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills transport you to Punta Mita. The decor features scallop-edged tables, applique throw pillows, basket pendants, scorpion garnish picks, rattan, a jade onyx bar and potted plants.
Come for weekend tequila tastings, tarot card readings and serene strains of solo guitar but stay for tasty drinks like the Chachalaca (tamarind-infused Absolut Elyx vodka, Campari, pineapple and lime) and Mexican wine. The artfully plated short rib carne asada (smoked for 14 hours), charred avocado, fresh seafood and delightful desserts, including an upscale take on Choco Taco and caramel leche flan, are delectable distractions as well.
Out of the bones of the former Pendry West Hollywood comes The Sun Rose West Hollywood. Fortunately, Merois, the day-one restaurant and rooftop bar from kitchen kingpin Wolfgang Puck is sticking around to smooth the transition.
The patio is the perfect place to experience the Moët & Chandon pop-up, gaze at the L.A. basin or people-watch at the adjacent pool. The sexy indoor dining room, with its botanical print couches and minty décor, makes for a great date night, where couples can share kung pao cauliflower, fruit-forward mixed drinks and decadent ube cheesecake.
Perched high on the roof of Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Calabra has all the makings of a dream backyard: an ocean view, sun-soaked pool deck, indoor-outdoor flow and Kelly Wearstler design rendered in Georgia O’Keeffe’s color palette.
Lounge areas nestle into lush foliage while the bar churns out fresh juice, tamarind margaritas and Turkish espresso martinis. The attentive staff delivers delicious Mediterranean nibbles, including charred octopus, chicken souvlaki and fattoush (a Middle Eastern bread salad). Moody night vibes are cool, but don’t bypass brunch’s green shakshuka or strawberry sumac compote-smothered French toast.
Pop to the top of Forbes Travel Guide Recommended 1 Hotel West Hollywood to party at Harriet’s, a longtime purveyor of creative cocktails, Asian-leaning bites and after-dark adventures. Before nine, the draped greenery, fringed awnings and string lights give garden party lite. Thankfully, the retractable roof keeps the space from becoming a sticky greenhouse.
After dark, the guest list grows, the lights dim, the DJ rolls in and the volume rises, creating a clubbier atmosphere.
For the ultimate high-altitude hangout with 360-degree views of the City of Angels, get on the guest list at the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, which sits just below its namesake apex on top of Forbes Travel Guide Recommended InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Imbibe a Sundown Spritz (Joto sake, prosecco, St-Germain elderflower liqueur and lime) during the fleeting moments of golden-hour glow. Take in the space’s outdoor fire pits while savoring the signature short rib and brisket burgers, Penthouse Manhattans (Sagamore Rye, port, amaro nonio and chocolate bitters) and tableside-prepared s’mores.
Equal parts Joshua Tree bohemia, retro roadside Americana and Nashville glam, this watering hole atop the Hollywood VOLUME (part of the Tribute Portfolio collection) is a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll and a whole lot of fun. Try a host of mezcal and tequila concoctions with musical names like Jolene and Texas Hold ’Em while being entertained by live bands, even livelier karaoke and poolside movies.
After consuming some liquid courage, join the line dancing lessons under a disco “ball” shaped like a pair of cowboy boots. Designated drivers receive free non-alcoholic libations.
