A View From The Top: Rooftop Bars Herald Spring

As the weather gets warmer, there’s arguably nothing better than enjoying a cocktail outside, looking at the city’s skyline below. A hit with the sought-after Millennial generation, rooftop bars and lounges are gaining popularity and popping up in major cities across the country. Here are some you can recommend to your clients.

Assembly Rooftop Bar, Philadelphia, PA
The Assembly Rooftop Bar is opening in May on a new eighth floor deck of the Logan Hotel. The space overlooks the scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the heart of the city, and the Art Museum made famous in Rocky. The bar will offer specialty cocktails and appetizers like a cheese board.

Aire, Chicago, IL
Starting May 11, Aire will be serving cocktails on top of the Hyatt Centric The Loop in Chicago. The bar will feature hand-crafted cocktails, small gourmet dishes, and of course, amazing views. The outdoor space can also be used for events.

The Outsider, Milwaukee, WI
The rooftop lounge and restaurant led by former “Top Chef” contestant will open this June at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee. Nine stories up, The Outsider features retractable glass walls so guests can enjoy the view year-round. Below, at Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Tre Rivali, Heather Terhune of Bravo fame will take the helm as executive chef. The menu will feature dishes such as wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and wood-grilled meats and fish.

Takoda, Washington, D.C.
Takoda boasts a 270-degree view of the Shaw neighborhood and Le Droit Park. The rooftop beer garden features a wide variety of whiskey and craft beer, which can be paired with menu items like shrimp and grits or sweet potato waffles. The industrial space has a horseshoe-shaped bar and large French doors, which stay open in the warmer weather.

Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge, Panama City Beach, FL
Enjoy Gulf Coast Cuisine and ocean views at the Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge in Florida. The newly renovated lounge located at the top of the Pearl Hotel has two fire pits, hammocks, and a share-plate-style menu inspired by the four-star Havana Beach Bar & Grill menu downstairs.

Top of the Gate, Washington, D.C.
The new rooftop lounge is part of a $125 million renovation of the Watergate Hotel, part of the office and residential complex made famous by the burglary in 1972 that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. The hotel reopened last month in Washington D.C. Guests at Top of the Gate can look out to views of the Potomac River, the Washington Monument, and the Georgetown waterfront below. Serving signature cocktails and Asian street food, the lounge features heat lamps, a fire pit, and a mix of couches and high-top bar seating.

SLS Hotel Park Avenue, New York, NY
SBE hospitality and entertainment group is opening an “exclusive” rooftop bar when its luxury lifestyle hotel debuts this summer. SLS Hotel Park Avenue will also have a restaurant basement bar and lounge.

Ace Hotel, New Orleans, LA
The recently opened Ace Hotel in New Orleans has a rooftop bar and pool. The outdoor space offers guests views of Lafayette Square from nine stories up. The hotel also has Josephine Estelle, the property’s flagship restaurant, and a 4,000 square-foot event hall.

L27, Nashville, TN 
L27 – named for being 27 floors up – is Nashville’s highest level rooftop bar. It’s coming to the city’s nightlife scene at the end of the summer season, next to the Music City Center and just steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It seats up to 200 people, and will feature a pool, rentable cabanas, and a private venue called Upstairs at L27 for special events.