The 9 Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles
‘Tis the season for drinking rosé all day and with temperatures rising in LA, the only way to stay cool is alfresco. Whether you’re looking to sit poolside with a cocktail in hand, or soak in the sultry LA nights under the stars, there are plenty of options to grab a drink outdoors in the City of Angels.
E.P. & L.P
In the heart of West Hollywood, on the bustling corner of La Cienega and Melrose Avenue, lies E.P., an unobtrusive Southeast Asian restaurant with Executive Chef Louis Tikaram serving up dishes like Lou Dogg’s crispy skin chicken, and sticky spare ribs. Upstairs, you’ll find a swanky rooftop bar filled with twenty-something hipsters on the weekends and a more laidback vibe mid-week. The massive patio boasts great views, craft cocktails, firepits and most recently started screening movies on the rooftop. Sweet!
Perch
With panoramic views of the city and downtown skyscrapers, Perch wraps around the 15th and 16th floors of the Pershing Square Building and offers live entertainment, a solid cocktail program and a French menu with small plates like octopus and moules. The rooftop is the perfect backdrop for a date or after work cocktail in Downtown LA.
Mama Shelter
Hailing all the way from Paris, the chic Philippe Starck-designed hotel is a Hollywood hotspot known for its spectacular city views. Pick which corner of Los Angeles you’d like to revel in and grab a seat on one of their vibrant color seating options. The string-lit rooftop that feels like a Mexican resort doubles as a restaurant and bar which also hosts weekly special events like yoga classes and movie nights.
The London West Hollywood
This glitzy hotel flies under the radar compared to its Sunset Strip neighbors but the views up top are anything but underwhelming. Once you step outside of the elevators, you can choose to dine at Boxwood on the Roof to your right or turn left and have a drink poolside but either way, you’ll be surrounded by stunning views and a sophisticated crowd.
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
Hipsters flock to this trendy hotel in Downtown LA to sip on curated cocktails at The Upstairs Bar while gazing out into the city streets. The Bohemian-style rooftop has a concrete pool and a calendar chock full of events from live music to book signings and pop-ups. This is definitely where all the cool kids hang.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The brand spankin’ new luxury hotel at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. screams opulence from the moment you pull up next to the obnoxiously bright yellow Ferrari 488 GTB in the driveway. Head straight to the Rooftop by JG (as in, Jean-Georges), which is only open to the public on weekdays, for an urban oasis. Plush lounge seating lines the perimeter of the rooftop so you can peer out into the city while noshing on the farm-to-table style menu and snacks or you can grab one of the few seats at the bar but be aware — you’re at the Waldorf Astoria which means Waldorf menu prices.
Filifera
One of the newest rooftop bars to hit the LA scene is Filifera, right in the heart of Hollywood. Guests can expect craft cocktails and light snacks with a view of some of LA’s popular attractions like the Hills, the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory.
Hotel Erwin
The High Rooftop Lounge at the Venice Beach hotel may have the most magnificent views west of the 405. Prime time to visit the bar is just after work hours so you can catch the epic LA sunset (for Instagram, of course) and then enjoy the evening ocean breeze while sipping on a glass of rosé. Light fare is offered on their limited menu but if you’re extra hungry, save room and hit up one of the restaurants on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the hip nearby street that GQ dubbed “The Coolest Block in America.”
Sixty Beverly Hills
Nestled in the heart of the city, the posh Beverly Hills rooftop offers gorgeous 360 degree views of the sprawling city and a poolside lounge. Visitors and locals alike frequent the rooftop terrace to sunbathe on any of the white lounge chairs or cabanas and order bites off the menu from Caulfield’s downstairs. Every Wednesday the rooftop turns into a theater under the stars playing popular flicks while offering cocktails and bites. Date night anyone?