It only takes a bit of summer warmth in the air for Chicago’s rooftop bars to start getting busy.
It is common to see the inhabitants of the city of skyscrapers enjoying a delicious cocktail on a beautiful summer afternoon in a rooftop bar in the city. Some bars even offer retractable roofs that allow you to enjoy these types of bars throughout the year.
If you are looking for the best bar, we bring you a list of the best 10 rooftop bars in Chicago so you can enjoy a good drink in the company of your friends, celebrate a special day, or just cool off with a drink with a spectacular view.
1. Cerise Rooftop – Fun at the Top
Perched atop the 26 floors of the Virgin Hotel Chicago near Michigan Avenue is the Cerise Rooftop, a wonderful cocktail lounge and dive. The amazing view will allow you to admire the gorgeous city skyline.
Inside is a modern and elegant lounge next to its beautiful rooftop terrace with the purest Chicago style. Here you can enjoy delicious sandwiches that change according to the season, as well as perfectly mixed cocktails, wine, and an impeccable selection of beers.
In addition to the view, the Cerise Rooftop offers you a fantastic atmosphere with friendly, personable, and unpretentious service. If you are looking for a place to relax with friends or a fun place to celebrate your birthday after a delicious dinner, this is the right place for you. Or, if you want a wild and fun afternoon, the festive atmosphere of the weekend afternoons can be even more appealing.
2. The J Parker – The Best View, All Year
Add the J Parker to your list of places to visit. Perched atop the Lincoln Hotel, The J Parker offers you the most spectacular view in all of Chicago. Enjoy a glass of sparkling rosé while enjoying a good conversation with pleasant company.
The J Parker’s rooftop offers a fascinating view of the city and Lincoln Park. It’s open year-round thanks to its retractable glass roof so visitors can enjoy the view no matter the weather. On the hottest days of summer, arrive early to get a good spot as this bar does not accept reservations.
Come to have fun and enjoy an unparalleled view. The J Parker is ideal for private events, a cocktail before an exquisite dinner, or a night out on the town, making it one of the best rooftop bars in Chicago.
3. Z Bar – A Luxurious Setting
Located on the sixth floor of the five-star luxury hotel The Peninsula Chicago, the Z Bar on N Michigan Avenue is a rooftop bar totally exclusive, refined, and internationally recognized in addition to its incredible views of downtown Chicago.
The Z Bar offers you an elegant indoor lounge, but without a doubt, its main attraction is the beautiful outdoor terrace with lounge-type furniture and marble tables where you can enjoy a pleasant conversation with someone special.
This rooftop restaurant and bar serves a variety of delicious, great-tasting, quality sandwiches alongside a sophisticated cocktail served in an elegant glass. All this while enjoying its unique lounge atmosphere.
Here at Z Bar, you can indulge in fine bites like a shared steak fondue plate and an extravagant cocktail that you won’t find anywhere else.
5. Lonesome Rose – Tacos and Tequila
Logan Square hosts Lonesome Rose, a rooftop restaurant where you can find visitors for fashion, delicious food, and a spectacular skyline view on the patio.
Ideal for group events of all kinds, from birthdays to baby showers, people come to this bar to listen to classic rock or bluegrass music while enjoying delicious tacos and sipping tequila. At Lonesome Rose, they keep it simple. The best drinks are the classic margaritas made with Pueblo Viejo Reposado and house pigeons, made with grapefruit juice, tequila, mezcal, and squirt.
This rooftop lounge offers a wide variety of food, ranging from burritos and empanadas to vegan food and delicious desserts. The service staff is cordial, attentive, and knowledgeable yet relaxed, ensuring an enjoyable experience at all times.
6. Kennedy Rooftop – At the Top of Hyatt Place Chicago
Located in Wicker Park, a fashionable and exclusive area Northwest of Chicago is Kennedy Rooftop. You can find it in the highest part of Hyatt Place. In this bar, the main objective is to highlight the culture and atmosphere of the neighborhood through its modern decoration, music, and excellent panoramic view from the outdoor terrace.
At the Kennedy Rooftop, you can enjoy delicious dishes to share with your companions or delight in its delicious food, such as the double hamburger. If outdoor brunch is your thing, it also offers weekend brunch from 11 am to 3 pm.
The exclusive and presidential cocktails at this rooftop lounge will make you feel elegant and sophisticated, or if you are more relaxed, you can also taste a delicious craft and seasonal beer.
Kennedy Rooftop is an ideal place to share with your partner, friends, or family and enjoy a good meal, a delicious drink, and its wonderful view of the Chicago skyline.
7. ROOF On theWit -Elegance
The ROOF is a stylish Chicago rooftop bar located on the 27th floor of the Hilton theWit Hotel downtown.
You will not find a more magical skyline view than on this rooftop, where you can appreciate all the skyscrapers Chicago has to offer. There is no specific season to marvel at the view since the ROOF has an adjustable ceiling and infrared heaters. You can enjoy your drinks, music, and food at any time of the year.
The ROOF On theWit has ample space and offers different types of service according to the time and season you visit. At night, you can enjoy their Neapolitan-inspired pizzas fresh from the oven or an exquisite cocktail made with precision and delicacy. On a weekend night, it will be different, and you will find the right ROOF to be one of the best nightclubs in the city of Chicago.
Celebrate your birthday, or have an evening out with your coworkers at this location. No matter the occasion, you are going to have fun. The terrace is the busiest spot in the place, so it is advisable to make a reservation or arrive at a good time.
8. LH Rooftop – The terrace on the 22nd floor
LH is a New American restaurant whose majesty lies on its terrace on the 22nd floor. It’s blocks away from Millennium Park and has one of the best views in Chicago and offers a spectacular view of the most emblematic buildings in the city, such as the Tribune Tower and Marina City.
You can choose vodka or a glass of the best-selected wines to complement the space and spend a wonderful afternoon enjoying the view and the landscape.
Among the clientele, you can find a variety of tourists, suburban visitors, or locals who decide to have a drink after a hard day at work. The dress code is modern and elegant but casual.
You will certainly enjoy the view along with a delicious drink; however, you should know that the LH is a proper New American restaurant that supports local farmers and vendors. You can taste their sandwiches with fresh and delicious ingredients. Why not try a classic burger with the special sauce from the LH Rooftop?
9. Terzo Piano – Very Particular Hours
Located in the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, the bar Terzo Piano’s rooftop is unique. One of its most special characteristics is its unusual opening hours. It offers lunch every day. On Thursday nights, you can get dinner or cocktails and on Sundays, a delicious and relaxing brunch.
The place has an interior living space with a minimalist and modern design. It leads to a beautiful semi-covered terrace with a wonderful view of the most iconic skyscrapers in downtown Chicago.
At Terzo Piano, you can enjoy fresh local and organic cuisine with Italian influences. In addition to an exquisite selection of carefully crafted wines and cocktails.
Among its visitors, you will find people who like art, which is to be expected due to its location. You will be able to meet sophisticated and elegant people to have a good conversation accompanied by a delicious lunch and brunch on the roof.
10. Apogee Lounge – Best Cocktails in the Heart of Chicago Chicago’s
The second-highest rooftop bar, located on the 26 of the Eurostars Magnificent Mile, is the Apogee Lounge.
The Apogee Lounge is an excellent modern and stylish cocktail bar and nightclub featuring an indoor lounge with a marble bar and huge windows. Its terrace offers elegant sofas, a fire pit, and an impressive view of the Chicago skyline.
The best feature of this place is its cocktails. Served in seashells and giant glass mushrooms, they are made to perfection with the freshest and most delicious ingredients.
The Apogee Lounge guarantees the best cocktails. In their own words, the cocktails have the same level of detail as a Michelin star restaurant. And, despite that promise, the prices are decent.
Reservations are recommended as it is a very popular place. If you want to have fun and dance the night away on the Magnificent Mile, this place is the one to do it.
If you love to observe landscapes, appreciate spectacular views, and want to have fun, don’t miss these Chicago rooftop bars. The nightlife is unique, and you will not have the same experience twice. We guarantee that you will enjoy a delicious meal, a finely prepared cocktail, and of course, a sight that is hard to forget.
