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The weather has been unusually warm this January, even for southern California. And perhaps subliminally, global warming has led many of us to rethink the way we live our lives. For example, we may want to pay a bit more attention to the venues where we could have a drink while looking out over the city and potentially even catch some rays while looking at women in bathing suits. These are invariably going to be rooftop bars. And to be frank, this is where I'd want to be when the worlds major cities start turning into lakes. But even more important, and even if all this is conjecture, rooftop bars still provide a great atmosphere to hang out, even in a pre-apocalyptic world. And for some reason, drinking high off the ground makes people feel better about themselves. Here is our list of the best rooftop bars in America, for emergency and recreational use.

Moonstone Lounge, on the Hard Rock Hotel – San Diego, CA

Source: Flickr

The Moonstone Lounge sits on the fourth floor of the hip Hard Rock Hotel in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp District. An enormous pool deck for lounging in the sun lays adjacent to the bar serving cocktails to the thirsty masses. This venue hosts summer party "Intervention," a gathering of hundreds of beautiful and scantily clad young folk. In the evening, cozy seating areas surround the multiple firepits helping to keep you warm when the Southern California winter nights drop below freezing. Seriously though, the service is fast, friendly, and extremely attractive, and the ambiance is second to none. I rang in 2009 while bellied up to the firepit in the background, and by "bellied up to," I clearly mean "backflipping over." The MaryJane diner downstairs is also a blessing for your hangover in the morning, slinging Fat Tire for less than most places charge for PBR.

The Standard – Los Angeles, CA

Source: Flickr

The Standard rooftop bar epitomizes Los Angeles “cool”. The poolside bar and café features a 360-degree panoramic view, an Astroturf sundeck with foosball, waterbed cabanas and a well-stocked bar. There is also a full menu, from which you can order meals during the lunch and dinner hours. The pool is open all day and night, is heated year-round, and plays host to the hotel’s famous spring/summertime parties. The Standard’s rooftop is a favorite of hard-partying wannabe model and actress types, hipsters, celebrities and other attractive people.


230 Fifth Rooftop Garden – New York, NY

source: 230 Fifth

Designed by lauded restaurateur, Steven Greenberg, 230 Fifth is a 22,000 square-foot rooftop lounge and bar in the heart of Manhattan. The rooftop décor features lush palm trees, fountains and select 1940s furniture from Greenberg’s personal collection. The menu was created by renowned chef Zak Pelaccio. The cuisine consists of mostly Malaysian-influenced items and features an extensive specialty cocktails selection. This trendy hotspot is available for private events and can handle up to 1000 guests. 230 Fifth is open year-round (guests are lent complimentary robes during the winter to keep warm) which in New York City is rather unique for a rooftop bar.

Sky Terrace, on the Hudson Hotel – New York, NY

Source: John Mariani

Located on the 15th floor of the Hudson Hotel, the Sky Terrace rooftop bar features breathtaking city and Hudson River views, as well as hammocks. In order to get to the rooftop, you have to be staying in the hotel or a guest of someone who is. It is suggested that you find a drunken hotel guest in the downstairs Library Bar, kind enough to escort you to the top. Referred to as, “…architecture as theatre” by Vogue, the Sky Terrace is a little piece of the Hamptons on West 46th St. It is open through October, weather permitting.

Spire Bar & Lounge, on The Hotel – Miami, FL

Source: Envy Man

The Spire Bar and Lounge sits atop The Hotel, a creation of fashion designer Todd Oldham, and located in the Miami’s Art Deco District. The chic rooftop lounge offers views of the Miami skyline and the beach, both of which may be enjoyed with tasty treats from the bar’s extensive cocktail and tapas menus. The Spire is also available for private parties, but if you are just looking to relax and spot some bikini-clad spring breakers this is the place to be.


Medjool Sky Terrace – San Francisco, California

Source: Flickr

The Sky Terrace Bar and Lounge is the rooftop venue of the world-famous Medjool Restaruant. A Mediterranean style tapas menu, cocktails, and 360-degree views of San Francisco have made Sky Terrace one of the more popular venues in the city. The Sky Terrace does not take reservations, so it is suggested that you arrive here at a reasonable hour if you looking to get a table. Sky Terrace’s guests are sure to stay warm with the bar’s strategically-placed, numerous heat lamps – which are a nice addition in a city known for unpredictable weather. The bar’s specialty is pineapple-based cocktails, which have people coming from all around. They then typically end up staying for the dancing and music, which go on most nights until the wee hours.


Rooftop Lounge, on The Townhouse Hotel - Miami, FL

Source: Townhouse Hotel

The Rooftop Lounge of The Townhouse Hotel is a relaxing place to chill out and drink by the pool during the day. At night, the rooftop transforms to one of South Beach’s most exciting social hotspots. With regular parties on Friday and Saturday nights, The Rooftop’s exclusive 250 person capacity means you should get there early if you want to get in. Waterbed cabanas, a panoramic view and affordable drinks make this place an exciting alternative to some of the area’s pricier venues, and prime territory for bird-watching.


West End Tavern – Boulder, CO

Source: Flickr

The West End Tavern was established with the aim of inspiring a renaissance of the classic American tavern. The recent re-opening of this bar meant new amenities including a new menu, a rooftop bar (specializing in bourbon), and one of the grandest views in town. Open year-round, the rooftop deck features rooftop heaters, an antique wooden bar that offers up over 50 different types of bourbon. Craft beers such as Arrogant Bastard are on tap here, and there are a number of plasma TVs, on which guests may watch the Broncos lose divisional games. There is also a full western-style menu and shuffleboard, in case you bring your grandparents along.


Above Beverly Hills, on The Thompson Beverly Hills – Los Angeles, CA

Source: Beverly Hills Luxury Hotels

The Thompson Beverly Hills (TBH) is located just off Rodeo Drive, and recently underwent a two-year renovation. The end result was the introduction of the Above Beverly Hills (ABH) rooftop bar. Designed by Dodd Mitchell, the rooftop bar has an exclusive feel to it and is open only to hotel patrons and their invited guests. Staffed by only attractive people, ABH is quickly is quickly becoming an LA hotspot for those who are always on the lookout for the newest place to see and be seen. The rooftop features a number of private cabanas, a high-end drink list and a picturesque view of the City of Angels that would make any Midwesterner jealous.

Sky Bar, on the Hilton – Virginia Beach, VA

Source: Flickr

The Sky Bar is the rooftop bar for the Hilton Oceanfront, one of the newest and most exquisite hotels in Virginia Beach. Sky Bar’s panoramic views encompass North Carolina’s border to the south, downtown Norfolk to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and north. The Sky Bar features a menu prepared especially for the Sky Bar, as well as high-end beer, wine and spirits. The infinity-edge pool is a fine setting to enjoy the breathtaking 21st floor views and take in all of this hotel’s charm.

Pavilion Bar and Café, in the Market Pavilion Hotel – Charleston, SC

Source: Flickr

Located at the most famous intersection, in the oldest historic district in Charleston (and in the U.S. for that matter), the Pavilion Bar and Café is located on top of the fourth and highest floor of landmark Market Pavilion Hotel. The luxurious yet charming rooftop bar features a relatively large, open space and swimming pool, all within a high-end restaurant atmosphere. The breathtaking view of the city market, waterfront, landmarks are surprisingly well-complimented by Plexiglas perimeter wall that keeps visitors safe from the blustery winds during those Autumn nights.


The Peabody – Memphis, TN

Source: Flickr

The Peabody Hotel is one of the South’s most famous landmark hotels. In fact, the tradition of rooftop parties at The Peabody began in the 1930s, and continues to this day. From April to August, the rooftop bar plays hosts to multiple weekly parties, converting this quaint historic hotel into one of the hottest social spots in the city. Views of the Mississippi river may conjure of romantic thoughts of a simpler, more peaceful time, and what better place to drink some Tennessee whiskey, than Tennessee? The price to get into these famous parties is a mere $5.


Highbar, on the Gramercy Park Hotel – New York, NY

Source: Flickr

New York’s Highbar rooftop (as the name suggests) is an 18th floor terrace with panoramic views of Manhattan, including a very close proximity to the Chrysler building. A new favorite among celebrities, the Highbar sits atop the world famous Gramercy Park Hotel on Lexington Blvd. This bar is the brainchild of restaurateur Greg Brier (of Aspen, D’Or and Amalia fame), and is open til 3am on weekend evenings. The drinks are more affordable than could be expected and the quaint fare is what you would find at a backyard barbeque – hot dogs, hamburgers and the like. The only thing missing is a pool. Expect to see Julian Casablancas or Sofia Coppola here.

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