We are so lucky in Los Angeles. The temperate climate means that we have loads of beautiful places where we can sip cocktails outdoors all year round. But when it comes to rooftop bars, gorgeous views don’t go hand in hand with quality libations. Fortunately, we’ve found the best places to pair delicious drinks with twinkling city lights.
A cocktail at the Broken Shaker at DTLA.
(Caroline Pardilla for LAist)
Broken shaker at the Freehand hotel
DTLA rooftop bar Broken shaker, with its lush greenery and pool filled with floats, is one of the best places to introduce LA to the locals on the outside. Poolside drinks, such as the Supernova Lava Burst, made with gin and a pineapple and cocoa nib shrub, and the PB&J Old Fashioned, with peanut butter, hand washed rye. grease and guava syrup, will distract your attention from the cityscape and this magnificent swimming pool. You don’t need to make a reservation but before 7:00 p.m., non-hotel guests must spend at least $ 45.
- 416 W 8th St., Downtown LA
Bar Bohemien at the Citizen Public Market in Culver City.
(Courtesy of Bar Bohémien)
Bohemian Bar
For a rooftop bar without doormen or velvet ropes, there is Bohemian Bar, which sits atop the Citizen Public Market in downtown Culver City. It is on a first come, first served basis and can be reached by stairs to the front and back of the dining room (there is also an elevator). The views, which are mostly from neighboring buildings, are partially obscured by trees, but you can still enjoy the sky above and cocktails such as the La Vive mezcal espresso martini.
- 9355 Culver Blvd., Culver City.
The rooftop bar of LA Cha Cha Cha in DTLA.
LA Cha Cha Cha
If it weren’t for the spectacular view of the downtown LA skyline, you could easily go wrong LA Cha Cha Cha like a Palm Springs oasis. With its pastel desert color scheme, Mid-Century decor, and over 150 plants effectively blocking neighboring buildings, it’s a rooftop oasis. Keep dreaming of vacation with a spicy pineapple margarita. Although LA Cha Cha Chá is primarily a restaurant, visitors looking for a drink are always welcome.
- 812 E. 3rd St., Arts District.
A drink at the Umbrella Social Club rooftop bar in Beverly Hills.
(Caroline Pardilla for LAist)
Umbrella social club
There is some exciting news on Beverly Hills cocktails. The team behind Melrose Umbrella Co. has resumed the restoration program of the Sixty Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. You can drink tropical cocktails during the day or soak up the night air while lounging on the decorated jungalow patio. The upper pool, Umbrella Swim Club, is for members only, but the social club below offers beautiful views of the sunset and downtown LA.
- 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills.
The Green Room at the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank.
(Courtesy of The Green Room)
The green room
Technically, The green room is not a rooftop bar. It protrudes from the foothills of Burbank as part of the Castaway Restaurant. But it still offers a view of the sunset and the twinkling lights of the San Fernando Valley. So yes, it does. It is definitely a place for a special occasion where you will want to dress up. You’re greeted with a cocktail from a fountain, and immersive drinks range from $ 21 for a martini to $ 36 for a large rum cocktail poured from an airplane.
- 1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank.
The rooftop bar of the Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood.
Grandmaster Recorders rooftop bar
What was once a recording studio for everyone from David Bowie to Gwen Stefani is now Recorders, a huge food and beverage complex with a restaurant and two bars. The 4,000-square-foot rooftop with its Hollywood views is primarily for consumption, but there is a snack menu that includes cheese-stuffed olives and wood-fired pizzas. Liquid offerings are a mix of drinks best enjoyed on sunny days, such as spritz and draft drinks, as well as signature cocktails such as Midnight Vultures, a combination of mezcal, green chili, Campari, fig. prickly pear and cilantro.
- 1518 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood.
Celestina on the roof
Turns out there is only one rooftop pool bar in Culver City. Fortunately, it offers agave cocktails such as Gicela’s Flame with tequila blanco and grilled pineapple as well as fresh aguas frescas (tepache and strawberry melon basil) that can be spiked. Celestine can also accommodate groups with its scorpion bowls and a “shotopus”, a silver octopus holding six shots. Sit next to the crystal fireplace and take in the views stretching from Culver City to downtown LA
- 8801 Washington Blvd., Culver City.
The rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA
Upstairs at the Ace hotel
Upstairs at the Ace hotel, atop the old United Artists building, has had a party atmosphere with DJs, live bands and a young, artistic crowd since it opened in 2014. To fuel the fun, it serves Aperol Spritzes and mezcal negronis. This rooftop features a shallow concrete pool where you can relax while taking in sights such as the beautiful Art Deco Eastern Columbia building.
- 929 S. Broadway, Downtown LA
A cocktail at Cara Cara, the rooftop bar of the Proper Hotel in downtown LA
Cara Cara
The right hotel 5,000 square foot downtown rooftop restaurant Cara Cara offers stunning views of the city as well as an elevated dining room where you can enjoy Chef Suzanne Goin’s all day menu of roasted cauliflower tacos and a ‘hangover burger’ with mahon and grilled onions. Drinkers can also relax by the fireplace or by the pool in the lower living room and order a cocktail, wine or beer. When it first opened, Rooftop shared the same cocktail menu with the downstairs Caldo Verde restaurant, but its own expanded menu is in the works. For now, relax sipping barrel upon barrel, made with Japanese whiskey, sherry cask rum, sherry, and barhi dates.
- 1100 S. Broadway, Downtown LA
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