13 Best Rooftop Bars In Chicago

The 4-star Hotel Lincoln stands right at the edge of Lincoln Park, giving its rooftop bar, The J. Parker, wide-open views of Lake Michigan. Its glass-walled terrace and retractable roof give this stylish spot the feel of a swanky greenhouse. Crack open a can from their extensive craft beer selection while you look out over the greenery and the shimmering water.

The J. Parker is a popular spot for a boozy brunch, with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys on the menu along with a shareable brunch board stacked with sausages and biscuits. Although the terrace seats 140, you’ll want to reserve your table.  

theWit Chicago’s rooftop restaurant is one of few such spaces that offer a great experience year-round. The hotel is situated in the center of the action in the Chicago Loop, and its sky-high glass façade fills the room with sunlight by day and the glow of the city by night. While the bar opens a small open-air terrace on sunny days, most seating is indoor.

ROOF on theWit is also known as one of the city’s most popular nightclubs. On weekend evenings around 9 o’clock, they turn down the lights and crank up the music so you can party until late against a backdrop of sweeping city views.

Design is where the Hoxton Chicago shines with its bright and cozy with mid-century furnishings. Every space from the lobby to the rooftop is elegantly dressed. Rooftop restaurant and bar Cabra is especially colorful, with teal tiling and burnt orange accents surrounding polished wood tables and plush seating. A small terrace outfitted with a pool and bar is great for a morning dip or an evening drink. Just note that the pool closes mid-afternoon.

The restaurant’s menu of fresh Peruvian cuisine is filled with light, shareable dishes. Tuna tataki and salmon ceviche are house favorites, and a selection of empanadas with surprising fillings are a fixture. Enjoy all this and a margarita with your view of the West Loop cityscape.

The Viceroy’s location in the Gold Coast neighborhood, just minutes from the Magnificent Mile, is a testament to its luxurious character. The hotel features a pristine guests-only rooftop pool, open seasonally, that offers an exceptional view of the surrounding cityscape.

Head to the 18th floor to visit Pandan, the Viceroy’s cocktail lounge featuring Southeast Asian-inspired bites and decor. Leather and bamboo furnishings plus pops of tropical greenery give this spot a faraway feel. Dine al-fresco on the lounge terrace to enjoy distinctive cocktails and savory snacks like lumpia and steamed buns.

LH Rooftop at LondonHouse Chicago is well known for its spectacular views of the city’s prized architecture. Located right on the Chicago River, the hotel bar faces landmark structures like the white stone façade of the Wrigley Building and the neo-Gothic masterpiece Tribune Tower.

The tri-level terrace offers a choice of atmosphere, from the unobstructed views of the upper terrace to comfortable fireside seating on the lower level. Drinks include a wide selection of local and international beers and wines plus sophisticated signature cocktails. Feel free to express your preferences to the highly skilled bartenders, who are happy to cater to guests’ tastes.

While thoroughly modern and minimalist on the inside, the art deco aesthetic of the Robey’s exterior echoes in the Up Room, its 13th-floor terraced lounge. The low-ceilinged lounge has an intimate atmosphere, with clientele tending to be young and casually dressed. Be sure to order one of their delicate signature cocktails, which lean on herbal and floral flavors.

In contrast to many of Chicago’s rooftop bars, mainly found in the city center, the Wicker Park location gives The Up Room the advantage of a view from afar: the edges of downtown’s skyscrapers cut across the sky, forming a stunning city silhouette. Hotel guests can enjoy the view from the exclusive pool at the Cabana Club on the 6th floor.

A city institution, Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is the uncontested queen of Chicago’s rooftop bars. Locals and tourists alike flock to this stylish bar and eatery where sunlight streams onto wooden tables under a glass atrium. Located in the Loop, views from the 13th-floor dining room look out over Millenium Park’s Cloud Gate and Lake Michigan.

The kitchen here loves all things local and seasonal, while the drinks menu notably features biodynamic wines and spirit-free elixirs. Also a favorite brunch spot, Cindy’s weekend menu includes both light and more indulgent options, along with a delightful DIY Mimosa.

Canopy by Hilton is situated in the center of the action in the Loop, with Millenium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago just a short walk away. Sitting on the terrace of the hotel’s restaurant Seville, located on the 16th floor, you’re surrounded by skyscrapers, with the 1,461-ft. (445-meter) Willis Tower just across the street.

Seville is chic yet relaxed, dark in its dining room and bright on its wide terrace. The Mediterranean menu features authentic Spanish favorites and freshly made pasta accompanied by an extensive wine list. The staff here is phenomenal, providing seamless, friendly service throughout the evening.

Nobu’s reputation precedes it, and the Rooftop at Nobu Hotel is no exception. It’s located along Chicago’s famed Restaurant Row in the West Loop, with an 11th-floor terrace facing the cluster of skyscrapers in the Central Loop. The decor, the bites, and the drinks all exude a characteristically Japanese minimalist elegance.

The famed sushi chain serves an abbreviated menu at its rooftop bar, allowing the cocktails and the Chicago skyline to take center stage. Sip on a lychee and elderflower martini or order a bottle of sake, brewed exclusively for Nobu by the renowned Hokusetsu Brewery.

The 5-star Peninsula Chicago sits right along the Magnificent Mile and carries all the elegance you’d expect from a hotel on such prime real estate. Its bright rooms are furnished with pristine white linens and cream-colored furnishings. Z Bar, the hotel’s upscale lounge, follows suit, with plush, light-toned furniture below a glass awning threaded with a gold-and-silver design.

The lounge’s 6th-floor terrace offers a unique vantage point: it’s low enough to feel the energy of the city, yet high enough to give an elevated atmosphere. Much of the clientele here sports designer duds, so take care to dress for the occasion.

IO at the Godfrey Hotel is one of few rooftop lounges in Chicago that operates year-round. The black-and-white décor gives the feel of a swanky 1980s casino bar, with white, stingray-like umbrellas hovering over u-shaped booths. In the summertime, a retractable roof opens to flood the terrace with sunshine; in the winter, heated igloos transform the space into a cozy rooftop hideaway.

The hotel’s position in River North gives it a particularly excellent view of downtown. The weekday menu is half sushi and half international bites, and the popular weekend brunch offers classics like eggs benedict. The Godfrey is especially recommended for group gatherings, as most of their cocktails are available by the pitcher.

Chicago’s Trump Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the country. Although its outdoor terrace only takes you to floor 16, it offers incredible views of the city’s most stunning architecture. The hotel stands at a curve on the north side of the Chicago River, facing southeast toward the Loop and Lake Michigan.

The hotel restaurant Terrace 16 features a glass-walled dining room with towering ceilings; beyond that, a sprawling 200-seat outdoor patio. Put on your best business casual dress and sip on something from the extensive cocktail list while you take in the view.

Cerise Rooftop at Virgin Hotels Chicago offers a laid-back alternative to the city’s luxurious rooftop culture. The atmosphere of this indoor-outdoor bar is fun and relaxed, with funky decor and comfortable furniture in bold, primary colors. The hotel’s location in the Loop puts it right in the center of downtown, and the terrace is surrounded by a sea of city lights.

Come on a Friday or Saturday night to experience Cerise at its most lively. Live DJs spin records and guests dance on the terrace until around 9 pm when the party moves indoors.