Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles (2026)
Skyline views, ocean sunsets, serious cocktails and rooftop parties, from Downtown LA and West Hollywood to Beverly Hills and Venice.
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Los Angeles doesn't have one rooftop scene. Downtown LA has the skyscrapers, the pools and the big skyline views. Hollywood and West Hollywood lean toward DJs, live music and dressed-up crowds. Beverly Hills has the best run of polished cocktail rooftops, and Venice and Santa Monica are where you go to watch the sun drop into the Pacific.
The trick is picking the right roof for the night. Some of these are genuinely great bars. Others are destination restaurants with a terrace, or nightlife venues where the view is part of the show. A few are only two floors up but earn their spot because the drinks or the atmosphere beat what you'll find on taller roofs. Every pick below is tagged by what you'll actually see from it: the ocean, the skyline, the hills or a neighborhood terrace.
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All 26 Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles at a Glance
Dante Beverly Hills is our best overall pick, Cara Cara is the best Downtown roof and Kassi has the best ocean sunset. Here's every rooftop in the guide.
| Rooftop | Area | View | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dante Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills | Hills | Best overall; serious cocktails |
| Bar Funke | Beverly Hills | Neighborhood | Best food; dinner dates |
| Gemma | Beverly Hills | Hills | Special occasions; luxury splurge |
| Cara Cara | Downtown LA | Skyline | Best Downtown roof |
| Perch | Downtown LA | Skyline | Classic views; live music |
| Broken Shaker | Downtown LA | Skyline | Casual poolside drinks |
| Inanna Bar | Downtown LA | Skyline | Relaxed rooftop dinner |
| Florentín | Downtown LA | Skyline | Hidden date night |
| Golden Hour at Level 8 | Downtown LA | Skyline | Parties and birthdays |
| Spire 73 | Downtown LA | Skyline | Highest view in the city |
| La Lo La Rooftop | Downtown LA | Skyline | Big views for groups |
| ÜCA Terraza | Downtown LA | Skyline | Agave cocktails; group hangs |
| CineOpera | Arts District | Neighborhood | Rooftop movie night |
| Somewhere Special | Downtown LA | Skyline | Day parties and DJ sets |
| Bar Lis | Hollywood | Hills | Hollywood glamour |
| Desert 5 Spot | Hollywood | Neighborhood | Country music and line dancing |
| SUSHISAMBA | West Hollywood | Hills | Big new dinner scene |
| White Rabbit Sky Lounge | West Hollywood | Skyline | Pool parties on the Strip |
| Harriet's Rooftop | West Hollywood | Skyline | Clubby weekend nights |
| Blondie | West Hollywood | Neighborhood | Low-key first date |
| The Roof at The West Hollywood EDITION | West Hollywood | Hills | Calm daytime drinks |
| Kassi | Venice | Ocean | Best ocean sunset |
| Calabra | Santa Monica | Ocean | Design-forward brunch or dinner |
| Élephante | Santa Monica | Ocean | Lively coastal dinner |
| Force of Nature | Venice | Neighborhood | Quiet, intimate cocktails |
| Tomat | Westchester | Neighborhood | Plane-spotting near LAX |
Beverly Hills Rooftop Bars
Beverly Hills has LA's most polished rooftops: serious cocktails, strong kitchens and views across the flats to the hills. Dante's $10 Martini Hour is in our guide to the best happy hours in Los Angeles, and Dante also makes our first-date bars list.
Dante Beverly Hills
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Dante is our top overall pick because the bar would be worth the trip even without the view. The ninth-floor terrace at The Maybourne looks out over Beverly Hills toward the hills, but the martini-heavy list from the New York original is the real draw. It's luxurious without feeling as stiff as some of its neighbors. Know before you go: Martini Hour runs 3–5 p.m. daily, with a set list of $10 martinis. Drinks-only seating is first come, first served; book dinner if you want a table at sunset. The pool is for hotel guests only. View: Hills.
Bar Funke
9388 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
The pink-marble bar on top of Evan Funke's three-story restaurant has warm light, a crowd that came with a plan and one of the best kitchens behind any LA rooftop. It's only a few floors up, so don't come for the view. Come for the cocktails, the focaccia and the fried squash blossoms. Know before you go: The rooftop bar generally takes walk-ins, but you'll need a reservation for the full dinner menu. Expect Beverly Hills prices. View: Neighborhood terrace.
Gemma
9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
The Waldorf Astoria's 12th-floor rooftop, formerly the Rooftop by JG, reopened in May as Gemma, a California-inspired Pan-Asian restaurant and bar from chef Peleg Miron. The redesign swapped the old velvet-and-onyx look for low lounge seating, a living wall and warm terracotta tones. The view across Beverly Hills to the hills is still one of the best on the Westside. Know before you go: Treat this as dinner or a long drinks session, not a quick stop. Book for sunset and budget for luxury-hotel prices. View: Hills.
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Downtown LA and Arts District Rooftop Bars
Downtown has the tallest roofs and the biggest skyline views in the city, from a 73rd-floor perch to poolside hotel bars a few blocks from Crypto.com Arena. Perch and Broken Shaker run early deals covered in our happy hours guide.
Cara Cara
1100 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
Up top at the Downtown LA Proper, Cara Cara pairs wide skyline views with mature greenery, fire pits and enough separate seating areas to work for a date, a group, afternoon drinks or a full dinner. It's clearly designed down to the details, but it still feels warm rather than staged. Know before you go: Reserve an outdoor table for sunset. It opens around midday, so it works as a lunch-into-evening stop. View: Skyline.
Perch
448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Perch is the rooftop most people picture when they think of drinks in Downtown LA: a 15th-floor French-inspired restaurant above Pershing Square, with a smaller open-air bar one level up. Towers rise on every side, and it's at its best after dark. Know before you go: Book the restaurant. The 16th-floor bar may take walk-ins and is 21+. Check the music and DJ schedule, which sets the mood for the night. View: Skyline.
Broken Shaker
416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
Broken Shaker trades Downtown's polish for tropical seating, plants and colorful cocktails on the Freehand hotel's 14th-floor roof. It gets lively but rarely feels like a club, which makes it one of the more relaxed rooftops in the city. Know before you go: The bar is open to everyone, but non-hotel guests pay a $65 per person minimum spend for pool-area seating, with a two-hour limit. Happy hour runs 4–7 p.m. daily. Food stops at 7 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday. View: Skyline.
Inanna Bar
1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
The Hoxton's rooftop restaurant puts Mediterranean mezze, grilled dishes and seafood beside a pool, with the Broadway skyline as the backdrop. It's an easy pick for a group that wants a proper meal and cocktails without a scene. Know before you go: Book a sunset or early dinner table for a calmer pace. DJs play Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m.. View: Skyline.
Florentín Rooftop Bar
617 S Spring St 8th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
Florentín feels like a secret: a discreet entrance and an elevator ride lead to an eighth-floor roof of candles, greenery and string lights above the Historic Core. It starts out romantic and gets louder as the music and the crowd build. Know before you go: Come for cocktails; the food is pizza and Mediterranean small plates. It's open Wednesday–Sunday, until 2 a.m. most nights. 21+. View: Skyline.
Golden Hour at Level 8
1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
Level 8's open-air pool deck across from Crypto.com Arena is built for spectacle: a pool, DJs, city views and a carousel bar. Come for the energy, not a quiet conversation. It's in the same tower as La Lo La, 26 floors lower, so you can easily do both in one night. Know before you go: Dress policies get stricter later on weekend nights. Check age limits, event listings and group booking rules before you go. View: Skyline.
Spire 73
900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
On the 73rd floor of the InterContinental, Spire 73 is billed as the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. Neighboring skyscrapers sit below eye level, fire pits take the edge off the wind, and at night the streets turn into lines of light. Know before you go: Bring a layer. Check current minimum spends and reservation terms before booking prime sunset seating. View: Skyline.
La Lo La Rooftop
1260 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
La Lo La wraps around the 34th floor of the AC Hotel, with sightlines from Downtown's towers out to the Hollywood Hills. Tapas-style shared plates, cocktails and DJ sets make it good for a sunset round or a bigger night out, and Level 8's pool deck is in the same building. Know before you go: Book around sunset, and expect crowds when there's an event at the Convention Center or Crypto.com Arena. View: Skyline, with the Hollywood Hills beyond.
ÜCA Terraza
550 Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
On the roof of The Delphi, the former Standard Downtown, ÜCA uses palms, woven textures and low furniture to set a vacation mood. The food is Yucatán-inspired, and the drinks lean on tequila and mezcal. Know before you go: Office towers box in the view on all sides, so come for the vibe rather than a panorama. Check the weekly jazz and weekend lineup before picking a night. View: Skyline, close-in.
CineOpera
812 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
The Arts District roof that used to be LA Cha Cha Chá reopened this summer as CineOpera, an Italian-Latin restaurant and cocktail bar built around a 170-inch LED screen. A negroni or a glass of wine with a film under the sky is about as different as LA rooftop nights get. Know before you go: Check the screening calendar and how movie-night tickets or tables work before you go. View: Neighborhood terrace.
Somewhere Special
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
Somewhere Special sits on top of STILE, the former Ace Hotel, beside the building's small pool. On a quiet afternoon it's a leafy break above Broadway, but programmed parties, DJ nights and markets give it a completely different character later on. Know before you go: Check the event calendar first. Many nights are free with an RSVP and 21+. View: Skyline.
Hollywood and West Hollywood Rooftop Bars
Hollywood and West Hollywood are where LA's rooftops get dressed up: hill views, DJs, pool parties and a couple of roofs where the theme is the whole point. For the opposite mood, the Strip's dark rooms are in our guide to the best cozy bars in Los Angeles.
Bar Lis
1541 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Bar Lis brings a French Riviera feel to the top of the Thompson Hollywood, with striped textiles, greenery, framed photos and views up to the hills. Early in the evening it's romantic; later the nightlife takes over. Know before you go: It's open mostly Tuesday–Saturday evenings. Check the jazz, performer and DJ listings, and book ahead for special nights. View: Hills.
Desert 5 Spot
6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
This cosmic Western roof runs on frozen margaritas, boots, line-dancing lessons, live country bands and DJs, with a crowd that's there to join in. It's one of the few LA rooftops where what you're doing matters more than what you're looking at. Know before you go: Check the night's lineup. The dress code rules out some athletic wear and flip-flops, and Western looks fit right in. View: Neighborhood.
SUSHISAMBA
639 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
SUSHISAMBA's first US opening in more than a decade took over the roof of the La Peer Building in March. The 11,000-square-foot, multi-level space mixes Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cooking with Hollywood Hills views and a retractable roof. A separate bar means you can come without committing to dinner. Know before you go: Book dinner ahead. The 21+ bar and lounge take walk-ins, and dress is smart casual. View: Hills.
White Rabbit Sky Lounge
8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
The famous SkyBar at the old Mondrian is now White Rabbit, the rooftop of the rebranded Valorian hotel. Expect a pool, daybeds, wide city views and a calendar of daytime and late-night DJ events that make this a party-first pick. Know before you go: Some events are ticketed and have age limits. For a quieter visit, look for the weekday happy hour. View: Skyline and the Hollywood Hills.
Harriet's Rooftop
8490 Sunset Blvd 9th Floor, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Dark wood and greenery frame broad city views from the top of 1 Hotel West Hollywood. Early on it's a polished cocktail spot; late Friday and Saturday it gets louder and much more crowded. Know before you go: Reservations are recommended for weekend tables, and an early weekday happy hour is easier to get into. View: Skyline and the hills.
Blondie
8457 Melrose Ave Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
This second-story Melrose rooftop, open since late May, has ivy, string lights, relaxed seating and fairly priced cocktails. It feels more like a great patio than a hotel scene. Treat it as a drinks spot with a few things to snack on, and get the prawn toast. Know before you go: It's open Tuesday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–midnight, and takes reservations. Finding the stairs up can take a minute. View: Neighborhood terrace.
The Roof at The West Hollywood EDITION
9040 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
The EDITION's landscaped roof leans into tequila, mezcal, rosé and easy California lounging, with views toward the hills and Beverly Hills. It's the calm alternative to the Strip's party roofs. Know before you go: Food and drinks are open to the public; the pool is for hotel guests only. View: Hills and Beverly Hills.
Venice, Santa Monica and Westside Rooftop Bars
The Westside is where you go for the Pacific: ocean sunsets in Venice and Santa Monica, plus a quiet Abbot Kinney terrace and a plane-spotting roof near LAX. For bars actually on the sand below these roofs, see our guide to the best beach bars in Los Angeles.
Kassi
1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291, USA
Kassi took over Hotel Erwin's roof, formerly High Rooftop Lounge, in summer 2025. It comes from the team behind Élephante and looks out over Venice Beach and the Pacific. The menu is Greek-leaning mezze, skewers and salads, and the whole place feels like a vacation steps from the boardwalk. Know before you go: It's open to the public. Book before sunset, and expect weekend DJs to turn up the volume. View: Ocean.
Calabra
700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Kelly Wearstler designed this indoor-outdoor rooftop at the Santa Monica Proper, with a circular bar, a pool, fireplaces and sightlines toward the ocean. The layout works just as well for brunch or daytime drinks as it does for dinner. Know before you go: Try the daily afternoon Proper Hour before sunset, and book ahead for prime evening tables. View: Ocean.
Élephante
1332 2nd St Rooftop, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Élephante's coastal-Italian rooftop has two moods: the lively Sunset Room and the more relaxed Cactus Garden Room. The food and the full bar are strong enough to build the whole night around. Know before you go: Book ahead, especially for sunset and brunch. Seating is low and lounge-style, and the bar is 21+. View: Ocean.
Force of Nature
1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, USA
You find this tiny bar by heading behind the turntables at Only the Wild Ones and up the stairs into the attic of an old Craftsman house, which opens onto a quiet second-story terrace. The drinks list highlights women winemakers and distillers. Come for the personality, not a big view. Know before you go: It's best for an early-evening drink, since it typically closes around 9 p.m.. View: Neighborhood terrace.
Tomat
6261 W 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
This Westchester restaurant, one of the few serious kitchens near the airport, has a rooftop terrace where you can watch jets line up for LAX. The roof got a refresh this summer with shade, heaters, TVs and its own grill, and the drinks list of cocktails, local wine and beer sits next to a seasonal, farm-to-table kitchen. Know before you go: Check the weekly roof program, which can include trivia, jazz or DJs. If you're heading to a flight, leave time for airport traffic. View: Neighborhood, with the LAX approach.
LA Rooftop Bar Tips
- Stay in one neighborhood. Downtown, West Hollywood and Venice are much farther apart in real traffic than they look on a map.
- Get there 30–45 minutes before sunset. The best tables go well before the sun actually drops.
- Bring a layer. Coastal and high-floor roofs cool off fast once it's dark.
- Check the event calendar, not just the hours. Ticketed parties and private events can change a roof completely. Smart casual is the safe default.
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