Who doesn’t like to have a good drink at a spot that also offers an amazing view?
In the City of Angels Rooftop bars (especially the ones with pools in the summertime) are extremely popular.
You can find some pretty amazing rooftop bars all over the city but DTLA, in particular, has stepped it up over recent years.
Downtown now offers quite a few spectacular rooftop bars that offer breathtaking views of the magnificent downtown skyline.
More and more keep opening each seemingly more spectacular than the last and we can’t get enough!
We love them all and look forward to more but (for now) here are our favorite downtown LA rooftop bars in 2019.
See this article for free Los Angeles rooftop access
1. Broken Shaker
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Pool party anyone? This remarkable bar is located on the rooftop pool deck at the Freehand Hotel in Downtown LA and it offers plenty of delicious seasonal drinks like Sunset on La Playa or Carrot Colada.
Their amazing drinks are made with homemade mixers and exotic ingredients that will have you feeling like you are on a tropical island instead of a busy city.
On the menu, you can also find a variety of small bites, and if you are a guest of the hotel then dip in for a pool party rooftop style.
Location:
416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 9001
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Broken Shaker is a beautiful space for sure. But they are best known for their cocktails. In fact, Broken Shaker is a James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award!
So be sure you try at least one of these award-winning drinks when you visit!
2. Perch Rooftop
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Another of our favorite rooftop bars is the Perch, located in the middle of Downtown Los Angeles, first go up to the 13th floor then take an elevator to the 15th floor for the restaurant and walk up one more floor to the 16th for the rooftop bar.
The bar in its glamorous rooftop setting gives you incredible views, delicious drinks and grand views of Downtown LA.
Because of its non-descript entrance, Perch was once known as a “secret bar” but that has changed over the last year. It’s hard to keep a space this beautiful secret and Perch is now at the top of most peoples list for drinks in a classy space downtown.
This upscale casual bar has a French-inspired menu, two outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and table seating.
If you find it a bit chilly, then indoor seating is also available.
Location:
448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Most people come to Perch for the cocktails and the view but we recommend you also come hungry. The French-inspired menu is packed with extremely tasty dishes that people rave about!
3. 71 Above
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The main attraction for this beautiful rooftop bar is the incredibly gorgeous panoramic views, at 950 feet above ground level it certainly delivers.
Located on top of the US Bank Tower downtown, 71Above is about as visually a beautiful rooftop bar & restaurant as you’ll find in LA.
But somehow 71 Above manages to distract you from their spectacular views (at least temporarily) with their high-end modern American cuisine, classic and original cocktails, and tasty craft beers.
Location:
633 W. 5th Street, 71st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
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71Above is one of the premier luxury dining spots in all of Downtown Los Angeles. Perfect for a “special occasion” date like an anniversary or proposal.
This makes it a very popular spot despite the high prices.
If you are going for dinner you will want to make reservations online at least a month in advance especially f you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday night.
4. Ace Hotel Upstairs
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The names of the cocktails at this particular rooftop bar are based on the international transit system; some of the most popular drinks include The Little Tokyo, Paddington Station, Carroll Street, and many others.
The gorgeous industrial rooftop has incredible downtown views, tasty cocktails, a great vibe and plenty of areas to reserve for private events.
The daytime atmosphere at Upstairs is pretty chill poolside lounging, but when the night falls its a party vibe, filled with the LA cool kids.
The bar rotates events including live bands, pool parties etc. so you can expect to experience something new each time you visit.
Location:
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
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If you want Bubbles on Broadway than the Ace Hotel Bar is for you!
A little different twist than the other rooftops in LA is this ‘hot’ spot offers a giant jacuzzi instead of a standard pool.
5. Rooftop at the Nomad Hotel
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A large panoramic sight of Downtown Los Angeles’s skyline and a pool area with a landscape designed by Jacques Garcia is what makes this rooftop bar so unique and popular with tourists and locals alike.
The lounge seating opens after 5 pm for cocktails and snack bars on a first come first serve basis.
Their cocktail list includes drinks from the “classics” menu at the downstairs bar, and some new cocktails just for the pool area, including an entire frozen drinks section.
The pool is reserved only for Hotel guests until 6:30 PM but you are welcome to take the plunge after that.
Location:
649 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Not a night person?
In case you want to hang out earlier in the day and check out space without the drinks and all the craziness, this rooftop is open to the public for breakfast!
6. Spire73 @ Intercontinental Hotel
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How do cocktails at the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere sound?
If it sounds good then Spire 73 is the bar you are looking for. Located atop the InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles Downtown’s 73rd floor, this bar offers exquisite cocktails like Orion’s Paloma and Dorian Gray.
These stunning view of DTLAs skyline are located in the hot, chic, gorgeous new intercontinental tower.
This spot is suited in luxury so be sure to dress nice.
You first take the elevator to the 71st floor and then transfer to another elevator to get to the 73rd floor.
In addition to the striking views of the city, this rooftop lounge has fire pits where you can roast S’mores and a very beautiful seating area.
Location:
900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017
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If you want a slightly more casual atmosphere (still pretty expensive though!) you can hit Sora.
Sora is on the 69th floor and is a rotating conveyor belt sushi bar. Conveyor belt sushi screams low quality but not here.
The tasty sushi is a bit pricey but you can enjoy it with Japanese beer, saki and breathtaking views of the Downtown LA skyline.