The 17 Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago
In the city that invented the skyscraper, could anything feel as resplendent as lounging atop one for a cocktail with a view? Many rooftop bars in Chicago serve up birds' eye views of the city's most spectacular sites—like Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park Zoo, and iconic architectural gems—alongside top-level cocktails and elevated bar snacks. Since many offer indoor space, you can enjoy them year-round, even as snow descends on all of downtown. Here are our picks for the best rooftop bars in Chicago, so you can take in the spectacular cityscape no matter when you visit.
Read our complete Chicago travel guide here.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
- Courtesy Chicago Athletic Association Hotelbar
Cindy's Rooftop
$$A constant bustle of locals, tourists, and suburbanites pervades Cindy's terrace at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, which has some of Chicago's most spectacular views over Millennium Park, the Art Institute, and Lake Michigan. The cocktails make clever use of fresh produce, juices, kombucha, tea, and interesting spirits, resulting in drinks that are refreshing, inventive, seductive, and overall delicious. No matter if you want to come with family for a nice lunch or bring a date for late-night cocktails on the terrace, this is an all-purpose spot for locals and visitors.
- Nobu Hotelbar
The Rooftop at Nobu Hotel
$$$This tony hotel and rooftop is the latest to join Chicago’s beloved “Restaurant Row,” a notable stretch of some of the city’s most prized eating and drinking establishments. Commanding skyline views, lush greenery, and low, wooden furniture point toward Japanese-inspired philosophies—ones further explored throughout the menu from superstar sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
- Jeff Marinirestaurant
Aba
$$Aba’s verdant atrium of potted plants and trees frame a wide and well-lit back bar for imbibing over modern Mediterranean fare. Globe lamps stretch down from the room’s vaulted glass ceiling to make the space feel alive and full of light. Seasonal cocktails incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables, and a wide-ranging wine list broken down by grape, region, and historical and cultural significance. Large-format cocktails, wines mostly sold by the bottle, and an array of shared plates strongly hint at Aba’s communal approach. Don’t expect to have an intimate conversation though—this is one of the city’s trendiest restaurants with a dazzling rooftop view, making the bar a packed affair.
- Courtesy Gene's Sausagebar
Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen
$With a wood grill, draft beers, a flower and herb garden, and wooden picnic tables, Gene's feels like a German-style backyard barbecue. Locals and European beer-lovers flock to Gene's for the market, then pop up to the roof for wood-grilled German brats, Polish sausages, beers, and seasonal cocktails. Like your friend's backyard, it feels comfortable, convivial, and relaxed.
- Nicholas James Fochtmanbar
LH Rooftop
$$LH is a proper New American restaurant that supports local farmers and purveyors, but you don't really get the feeling for how majestic this place is until you get out on the terrace on the 22nd floor. Those drinks are accompanied by one of Chicago's best views, overlooking iconic buildings lining the Chicago River, like Tribune Tower and Marina City. While you can get a simple vodka soda or a glass of sauvignon blanc, take this opportunity to opt for a baller drink with your baller view: like the LH Old Fashioned made with Bulleit Bourbon, Banane Du Bresil, Bourbon-Vanilla Chai, and Angostura.
- Courtesy Vigin Hotelsbar
Cerise
$$Take in the spectacular skyscrapers with the rumbling thunder of the El train in the distance at this rooftop bar and restaurant in Virgin Hotels Chicago. It's your chance to see a piece of Sir Richard Branson's creative genius first-hand—or to simply hang around hip but laid-back people in a cozy space with some of the greatest, grittiest views of the Loop.
- Sarah Joycebar
Boleo
$$It's not often you can feel immediately transported, but walking into Boleo, with its retractable roof and collection of exotic palms, makes it seem you've stepped off a plane in Buenos Aires. It has a lively, upbeat atmosphere—so go ready for the party vibe.
- Tom Harrisbar
Tanta
$$Those looking to escape to River North for a night will do well with a visit to Tanta for a culinary tour of Peru. The cocktail menu places an emphasis on pisco—and goes so far as to feature three different renditions of the pisco sour. Signature cocktails include La Guapa, with lavender-infused gin, rhubarb, and Cremant de Bourgogne, and the El Chingon, a savory sipper of jalapeño-infused tequila, mezcal, and cilantro over a chili-infused ice sphere. Visit during early evening Monday through Wednesday, when happy hour features $10 select cocktails and $9 small plates, including ceviches, anticuchos, and empanadas.
- Isabelle Langheimbar
Bar Avec
$$One Off Hospitality fans who understand the cult following behind Avec, the West Loop’s quaint, small plates staple, understand why its second location—a River North rooftop, no less—is a big deal. Nearly two decades since that opening, the nine-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant group debuts this 8th floor haven, where the team showcases the same dedication to service and to the seaside flavors of Spain and Portugal. Replete with communal picnic tables, ample flora, and striking skyline views, consider it Avec l’original’s big-kid sister.
- Anthony Tahlierbar
Cabra
$$You can take the girl out of Girl and the Goat, but you can’t take the GOAT out of Stephanie Izard’s culinary vision. Such is the case with Cabra (which means “goat” in Spanish), Izard’s newest restaurant, which honors her travels in Lima and throughout Peru. Sample bright, shareable plates that capture the flavors of these regions, from chicken thigh anticucho (with peanut chimichurri and yuzu cilantro) to pork shank (with pickles, plums, and sweet potato flatbread). The menu here emphasizes seasonal ceviches and tiraditos, too.
- Devereauxbar
Devereaux
$$Set on the 18th floor of the Viceroy Chicago, this Gold Coast rooftop draws discerning travelers and Chicago’s well-heeled alike for sweeping skyline views and excellent people watching (not to mention a pristine pool, with plenty of daybeds for hotel guests).
- Courtesy Lonesome Rose Chicagobar
Lonesome Rose
$$The same team from Parson’s Chicken and Fish is behind this Logan Square hangout, which means fans can expect three things: hip clientele, crowd-pleasing food, and an epic patio scene. Five different burritos and a medley of tacos populate the menu (don’t miss the fried chicken, an ode to the team’s specialty at Parson’s), as do an array of solid starters, from cotija-topped street corn to southwest chicken empanadas. Consider this venture a prime example of why Chicagoans endure the winters—to wholly embrace the outdoor restaurant scene come summer.
- Neil Burgerbar
Z Bar
$$It’s easy to feel awe-inspired upon entering Z Bar, an upscale lounge in The Peninsula Hotel. Bold, globally inspired flavors pepper the menu here, as showcased by snacks and share plates like tuna tartare with mango and yuzu, chicken karaage with spicy yuzu aioli, and daikon frites with Chinese lap cheong. Dessert is just as satisfying—namely, the refreshing Grand Marnier granita or warm vanilla bean beignets with chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla dipping sauces. The skyline views and Insta-worthy sippers make this an ideal spot for that big-deal date.
- Photo by Adrian Gautbar
The Up Room
$$$This tiny, 13th-floor lounge is all about the views, from the top of the Robey Hotel, smack dab in the center of the Wicker Park neighborhood. It's crowd-pleasing as befits a hotel bar, but with a little edge. The cleverly named Oaxacan on Broken Glass is a spice-forward concoction of Banhez mezcal, Hellfire bitters, and Ancho Reyes Verde chile liqueur; the 5 O'Clock Tea has Knob Creek bourbon, Earl Grey tea, and peach shrub.
- Courtesy Park Hyatt Chicagobar
NoMI Garden
$$$At NoMI Garden, the outdoor terrace found on the 7th floor of the Park Hyatt Chicago, guests can lounge at a 30-foot-long ivory bar or beneath rows of parasols, each offering shelter from the downtown Chicago sun. Pristine cityscape views, an artisanal cocktail list, and a menu rooted in modern American fare and French technique greet diners looking to break from the bustle of the Mag Mile. Grab your friends and don your finest for outings here, where afternoons of Caesar salads and lemonade slip seamlessly into evenings of cocktails and seafood towers.
- Galdonesbar
Château Carbide
$$$Perched atop the tony Pendry Hotel, this rooftop bears the same luxurious-cool found throughout the property. Executive chef Jeffrey Vucko showcases a menu of sashimi, sushi, and hand rolls, each finding its way to an ace pairing on the beverage side of things. Rosé takes center stage here, as evidenced by both standard and large-format bottles, alongside refreshing summer cocktails like the Pat Morita, a Paloma-inspired riff with Patron Reposado, housemade rose syrup, and grapefruit soda. Food favorites include dressed nigiri like the Ora King Salmon (with ginger and orange zest) and Hamachi (with truffle oil and yuzu koshu), plus rolls like the Carbide Crunch (spicy tuna, truffle, and cucumber) and the Midway (Madai snapper and avocado topped with hamachi and cilantro). If you're in for a drink, be sure to also order some food—the sushi here is some of the best in the city.
- Courtesy Mordecaibar
Hush Money at Mordecai
$$Situated directly across from Wrigley Field and next to the sleek Hotel Zachary, this sophisticated drinking den is a welcomed relief to the onslaught of sports bars that dominate Wrigleyville. Inspired by Cubs player Mordecai Brown, the space features photographs highlighting his career alongside custom millwork and a choice of indoor or outdoor seating, with the handsome, intimate bar serving as the space’s focal point. A drink only makes the list here if there’s a tale behind it. The same philosophy drives the bar’s vintage spirits program, ensuring guests have a deeper understanding of the draw of a bottle from the 1940s or 50s (case in point with The Vanderbilt, a melding of selections like 1970s Napoleon Brandy and 1950s Cherry Heering). For something modern-day, consider the Three Fingered Old Fashioned (house bourbon blend, golden-treacle syrup) or the Bills in Foil (tequila, agave, and pear cider).
Recommended