Los Angeles was built for rooftop drinking. Year-round mild weather means the terrace is almost always the better seat, and the city's sprawling geography, from Downtown's dense skyline to the Hollywood Hills to a Pacific horizon that swallows the sunset every evening, gives every rooftop bar in this guide a genuinely different view to sell. Some sit atop hotels with decades of glamour behind them. Others are new enough to still be finding their footing, and one, quite literally, sits higher above the ground than any open-air bar anywhere else in the hemisphere.
What separates the best rooftop bars in this city from a merely pleasant patio is the totality of the experience: the cocktail program, the view, the crowd, and the sense of occasion all working together rather than one element carrying the rest. A handful of these rooms are built specifically for golden hour and empty out by ten. Others only really come alive once the DJ starts. Knowing which is which before booking a table saves an evening from ending up in the wrong register entirely.
This guide ranks the 10 best rooftop bars in Los Angeles, spanning the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, Beverly Hills' most exclusive terraces, and the Sunset Strip's most celebrated skyline lounge. Each entry includes an honest verdict and real prices, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
Los Angeles Rooftop Bars at a Glance
| Rooftop Bar | Area | Best For | Signature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perch | Downtown LA | Iconic Parisian-style skyline views | Espresso Martini, French 75 | $20–80 |
| The Rooftop Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills | Exclusive hotel glamour | Premium cocktails, refined dining | $$$ |
| Harriet's Rooftop | West Hollywood | Celebrity-watching, DJ nights | Elegant aperitivo, nightlife | $$$ |
| Spire 73 | Downtown LA | Highest rooftop views in the hemisphere | 360-degree views from 73 floors up | $$$ |
| Bar Lis | Hollywood | Riviera-inspired romance | Craft cocktails, live music | $$ |
| Broken Shaker | Koreatown | Award-winning cocktails, pool scene | Tropical cocktails, small plates | $$ |
| Dante Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills | NYC cocktail pedigree | Garibaldi, Negroni | $$$ |
| E.P. & L.P. | West Hollywood | Sunset Strip institution | Modern Asian cuisine, Hollywood Hills views | $$$ |
| Cara Cara | Downtown LA | Elegant Latin-inspired | Margarita, Tuna Tartare | $$ |
| Videre Rooftop | Downtown LA | Quiet, romantic dinner with a view | Relaxed aperitivo | $$ |
The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles: Full Reviews
1. Perch — The Most Iconic Rooftop Bar in Los Angeles
Location: Downtown LA | Price: $20–80 per person | Best For: Sunset views, Parisian atmosphere, classic cocktails
Perch has held its position as one of the most photographed rooftop bars in Los Angeles for years, built around a genuinely convincing Parisian-bistro atmosphere perched high above Downtown's Financial District. Live music, string lighting, and a skyline that stretches toward the Hollywood Hills make it the rooftop most first-time visitors are steered toward, and the reputation holds up.
The Espresso Martini and French 75 lead a cocktail program strong enough to stand on its own, while a champagne list and a food menu built around tartare and steak frites give the room enough substance to work as a full evening rather than just a drink stop.
The honest verdict: The most iconic rooftop bar in Los Angeles — for guests who want a Parisian-inspired atmosphere, live music, and a genuinely reliable cocktail program with skyline views, Perch is the non-negotiable first recommendation.
2. The Rooftop Beverly Hills — Exclusive Glamour Above the Waldorf Astoria
Location: Atop the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills | Price: $$$ | Best For: Exclusive hotel glamour, sunset over Beverly Hills
Sitting atop the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, The Rooftop offers one of the most exclusive vantage points in the neighborhood, with sightlines stretching over Beverly Hills toward the Hollywood sign. The setting benefits from the same polish that defines the hotel below it, translated into a rooftop that feels genuinely elevated rather than simply high up.
A premium cocktail program pairs with a refined small-plates menu, and the golden-hour crowd here skews toward guests who came specifically for the view, dressed to match the setting.
The honest verdict: The most exclusive hotel rooftop in Beverly Hills — for guests who want premium cocktails and a genuinely elevated sunset view over the neighborhood, The Rooftop Beverly Hills is the outstanding choice.
3. Harriet's Rooftop — The Most Glamorous Rooftop in West Hollywood
Location: West Hollywood | Price: $$$ | Best For: Celebrity-watching, DJ nights, elegant aperitivo hour
Harriet's Rooftop has earned repeated recognition from Time Out as one of the city's best, built around a glamorous, celebrity-friendly atmosphere that shifts from an elegant aperitivo scene early in the evening into a genuine nightlife destination once the DJ sets begin.
The room favors a polished, see-and-be-seen crowd, and the cocktail and food program are strong enough to justify an early dinner reservation before the energy picks up later in the night.
The honest verdict: The most glamorous rooftop in West Hollywood — for guests who want an elegant early evening that transitions into genuine nightlife energy, Harriet's Rooftop is the outstanding choice.
4. Spire 73 — The Highest Open-Air Bar in the Western Hemisphere
Location: 900 Wilshire Blvd, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown | Price: $$$ | Best For: Genuinely unmatched views, special occasions
Spire 73 sits 73 floors above Downtown LA inside the Wilshire Grand Center, holding the official title of tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere since opening in 2017. The 360-degree views stretch from Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood sign to the Pacific Ocean, and thick glass walls keep the elevation's wind at bay without sacrificing the open-air feel.
The cocktail menu leans into classics with modern twists, and a food program built around dishes like Alaskan king salmon and a wagyu beef burger gives the space enough substance for a full dinner, not just a photo stop. A minimum spend applies for reserved seating, and reservations are strongly recommended.
The honest verdict: The most spectacular view of any rooftop bar in Los Angeles, and arguably in the entire hemisphere — for guests who want a genuinely unmatched vantage point for a special occasion, Spire 73 is the outstanding choice.
5. Bar Lis — Riviera Romance in Hollywood
Location: Hollywood | Price: $$ | Best For: Romantic evenings, French Riviera atmosphere
Bar Lis has become one of the most consistently recommended rooftop bars among specialist guides, built around a French Riviera-inspired aesthetic that leans into romance rather than spectacle. Live music and craft cocktails create an atmosphere built for a slow, unhurried evening rather than a loud night out.
The cocktail program favors author's takes on classics, and the setting benefits from a genuinely romantic golden-hour light that makes it one of the better sunset bookings in Hollywood specifically.
The honest verdict: The most romantic rooftop bar in Los Angeles — for couples who want a French Riviera-inspired evening with craft cocktails and live music, Bar Lis is the outstanding choice.
6. Broken Shaker at Freehand Los Angeles — The Award-Winning Pool Rooftop
Location: Koreatown, at Freehand Los Angeles | Price: $$ | Best For: A younger crowd, tropical cocktails, daytime pool energy
Broken Shaker has built a national reputation as one of the most decorated cocktail bars in the country, and its Los Angeles outpost at the Freehand hotel pairs that pedigree with a genuinely panoramic pool deck. The energy here skews younger and more social than most of the hotel rooftops on this list, driven by a crowd that treats the space as a genuine daytime destination as much as a nighttime one.
The tropical cocktail program and creative small plates define the menu, and the pool itself, open to hotel guests and rooftop visitors alike, is as much the draw as the drinks.
The honest verdict: The best rooftop pool bar in Los Angeles — for guests who want award-winning tropical cocktails and a genuinely social daytime scene, Broken Shaker is the outstanding choice.
7. Dante Beverly Hills — New York Cocktail Pedigree in Beverly Hills
Location: Beverly Hills | Price: $$$ | Best For: Cocktail purists, guests who want a proven New York concept
Dante, the celebrated New York cocktail bar, brought its reputation west with a spectacular rooftop outpost in Beverly Hills, translating its Negroni and Garibaldi-driven menu into a setting built around the neighborhood's characteristic polish. The bar's New York pedigree shows in the precision of its cocktail execution, a level of consistency that separates it from newer, less proven rooftop concepts.
The Garibaldi, Negroni, and Spritz are the drinks worth ordering, each executed with the same technical care that made the original New York location one of the most awarded bars in the world.
The honest verdict: The best cocktail-focused rooftop in Beverly Hills — for guests who want proven New York-caliber mixology in a Beverly Hills setting, Dante Beverly Hills is the outstanding choice.
8. E.P. & L.P. Rooftop — The Sunset Strip's Most Famous Terrace
Location: West Hollywood, on the Sunset Strip | Price: $$$ | Best For: Hollywood Hills views, modern Asian cuisine, international crowds
E.P. & L.P. has remained one of the most recognized rooftop names on the Sunset Strip for years, pairing sweeping Hollywood Hills views with a modern Asian-inspired food program strong enough to draw diners independent of the rooftop's reputation. The crowd here leans international, and the room comfortably handles both an early dinner and a later, more energetic scene.
Creative cocktails and shareable modern Asian dishes anchor the menu, and the rooftop's elevated, open-air layout makes it one of the more comfortable Sunset Strip options for a warm evening.
The honest verdict: The best rooftop for Hollywood Hills views on the Sunset Strip — for guests who want modern Asian cuisine alongside creative cocktails and an international crowd, E.P. & L.P. is the outstanding choice.
9. Cara Cara — Elegant Latin-Inspired Downtown Rooftop
Location: Downtown LA | Price: $$ | Best For: Latin-inspired cocktails, gourmet tacos, California wine
Cara Cara has built a reputation as one of the more elegant Downtown rooftops, favoring a Latin-inspired cocktail and food program over the louder, DJ-driven format found at some of its neighbors. The result is a room that works equally well for an early dinner or a more relaxed late-evening drink.
The Margarita and Tuna Tartare, alongside gourmet tacos and a curated list of California wines, define a menu built around genuine quality rather than spectacle.
The honest verdict: The most elegant Latin-inspired rooftop in Downtown LA — for guests who want a refined Margarita program and gourmet tacos over louder nightlife energy, Cara Cara is the outstanding choice.
10. Videre Rooftop Restaurant & Bar — The Quiet, Romantic Alternative
Location: Downtown LA | Price: $$ | Best For: Couples who want a rooftop dinner without the crowds
Videre offers a genuinely quieter alternative to Downtown's more famous, more crowded rooftops, appealing specifically to guests who want a relaxed aperitivo or dinner with a view rather than a scene. It is the least tourist-heavy option on this list, and the atmosphere benefits noticeably from it.
The menu favors a relaxed dinner-with-a-view format over an elaborate cocktail program, making it the natural choice for couples who prioritize conversation over spectacle.
The honest verdict: The quietest, most romantic rooftop in Downtown LA — for couples who want a relaxed dinner with a view away from the city's more crowded rooftop scene, Videre is the outstanding choice.
How to Choose the Right Rooftop Bar in Los Angeles
Choose by Occasion
- Unmatched views for a special occasion: Spire 73 — the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere.
- Romantic date night: Bar Lis — French Riviera atmosphere built for slow evenings.
- Celebrity-watching and nightlife: Harriet's Rooftop — elegant aperitivo that turns into a party.
- Quiet dinner with a view: Videre — Downtown's least crowded rooftop option.
- Daytime pool scene: Broken Shaker — award-winning cocktails and a social crowd.
Best Rooftop Bar Neighborhoods
- Downtown LA: Perch, Spire 73, Cara Cara, and Videre — four distinct rooftop experiences within the Financial District.
- Beverly Hills: The Rooftop Beverly Hills and Dante Beverly Hills — polished glamour with proven cocktail pedigree.
- West Hollywood: Harriet's Rooftop and E.P. & L.P. — the Sunset Strip's two most iconic rooftop names.
- Koreatown: Broken Shaker — award-winning cocktails with a genuine pool scene.
Essential Cocktails to Order in Los Angeles
- Espresso Martini and French 75 (Perch) — the two drinks that best represent the rooftop's Parisian identity.
- Kumquat Old Fashioned (Spire 73) — a signature twist on the classic, made with Japanese whisky, best enjoyed 73 floors up.
- Garibaldi (Dante Beverly Hills) — a New York cocktail bar staple executed with proven technical precision.
- Margarita (Cara Cara) — the standout order at Downtown's most elegant Latin-inspired rooftop.
Los Angeles Rooftop Bar Price Guide
- Cocktails: $18–30
- Signature cocktails: $20–35
- Champagne by the glass: $25–60
- Full dinner: $80–200+ per person
Insider Tips for Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles
- Book Spire 73 in advance and confirm the minimum spend. Reserved seating requires a minimum spend per person for a two-hour window, and reservations fill quickly around sunset on weekends.
- Aim for golden hour, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., for the best photos and views. Nearly every rooftop on this list is built around sunset, and arriving after dark trades the view for a louder, more nightlife-driven atmosphere instead.
- Dress smart casual or better for Harriet's Rooftop, Dante Beverly Hills, and The Rooftop Beverly Hills. These three maintain the strictest dress codes on this list, and athletic wear, flip-flops, and tank tops are generally not permitted, especially in the evening.
- Choose Videre or Bar Lis specifically if the goal is conversation over spectacle. Both offer a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Downtown's more famous, more crowded rooftop destinations.
- Visit Broken Shaker earlier in the day for the pool scene, and return after dark for the cocktail program. The space functions almost as two different venues depending on the hour, and both are worth experiencing separately.
- Weekend reservations are essential across nearly every rooftop on this list. Walk-in availability on Friday and Saturday evenings is limited even at the less famous names, so booking a few days ahead is the safer approach citywide.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles
What is the best rooftop bar in Los Angeles?
Perch is widely considered the most iconic rooftop bar in the city, thanks to its Parisian-inspired atmosphere and consistently strong cocktail program. Spire 73 is the strongest alternative for guests who want the most spectacular view, as the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere.
What is the highest rooftop bar in Los Angeles?
Spire 73, on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown inside the Wilshire Grand Center, is officially the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, offering 360-degree views from Dodger Stadium to the Pacific Ocean.
What is the best rooftop bar in Beverly Hills?
The Rooftop Beverly Hills, atop the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, offers the most exclusive hotel rooftop setting in the neighborhood. Dante Beverly Hills is the strongest alternative for guests who prioritize a proven, award-winning cocktail program.
Where can I find the best rooftop bar for celebrity-watching in Los Angeles?
Harriet's Rooftop in West Hollywood is the top choice, known for its glamorous, celebrity-friendly crowd and its shift from elegant aperitivo hour into genuine nightlife energy later in the evening.
What is the most romantic rooftop bar in Los Angeles?
Bar Lis in Hollywood, with its French Riviera-inspired atmosphere and live music, is the most romantic option on this list. Videre in Downtown LA is the strongest alternative for couples who want a quieter, less crowded setting.
Is there a rooftop bar in Los Angeles with a pool?
Broken Shaker at Freehand Los Angeles in Koreatown is the top choice, pairing an award-winning tropical cocktail program with a genuinely social rooftop pool scene.
Final Verdict: The Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles
Los Angeles's rooftop bar scene spans an extraordinary range, from Perch's Parisian glamour to Spire 73's genuinely unmatched 73-floor views, and from Beverly Hills' polished hotel terraces to Broken Shaker's award-winning pool scene. For the single most iconic rooftop experience in the city, Perch is the definitive choice. For a view no other rooftop in the hemisphere can match, Spire 73 stands alone. And for guests who want their rooftop evening to turn into a genuine night out, Harriet's Rooftop delivers an energy few competitors can replicate.
Explore More: Continue exploring Los Angeles with our guides to the Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, the Best Hotels in Los Angeles, and the Best Steakhouses in Los Angeles.
