World’s Best Rooftop Bars

With the summer nights approaching, it’s time to head for the skies. Whether you are traveling to a new city or looking for an inspiring view at home, rooftop bars provide the ultimate vantage point for soaking in the skyline. We scoured the globe to find the hippest rooftop lounges perched above the world’s most exciting cities. From a posh lounge 60 floors above Bangkok to a trendy poolside lounge overlooking Copacabana Beach, these high-altitude lounges combine sophisticated style with breathtaking views.

The London
Los Angeles, California
Reserved for hotel guests only, this stunning bar located on the 10th floor of West Hollywood’s ultra-luxe London hotel is the ultimate oasis. With sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, designer David Collins fused together a California chic aesthetic using sleek teak wood bordering palm tree lined turf to create a tropical modern vibe. The private cabanas and modern lounge chairs are set amid the landscaped garden with panoramic views extending from downtown LA to past the Getty Center in the West. A white marble fire pit keeps young Hollywood revelers toasty on cool California nights.

Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar
Bangkok, Thailand
For those not afraid of heights, head 61 floors above the Banyan Tree in Bangkok to the Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar. This former helicopter pad ranks as the world’s highest open-air bar and affords unrivaled views of the sprawling metropolis below, including landmarks like the Chao Phraya River and Grand Palace. No other rooftop bar quite compares to the 360 degree views offered at Vertigo. The rooftop retreat offers a welcome relief from the scorching hot streets below and serves as the ultimate spot to sip a cool cocktail on a balmy Bangkok night.

230 Fifth
New York, New York
Sitting atop the former anonymous NY Market Center, 230 Fifth boasts Manhattan’s largest rooftop bar. Spread out over 22,000 square feet, 230 Fifth offers unobstructed views of the entire skyline, including the Empire State Building to the north and the Met Life building to the east. Grab a cocktail and soak in the views while snacking on dim sum- style Malaysian treats.

Above Allen
Lower East Side, New York
Perched seven stories above New York’s pulsing Lower East Side, Above Allen is Manhattan’s latest nighttime hotspot under the stars. With breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, hipsters sip inventive cocktails like the vodka and Canton “Yen Yen” and nibble on delicious creations like smoked squab breast with foie gras from the hotel’s restaurant Shang. The sprawling lounge furniture features custom-designed Stephen Sprouse upholstery, a nod to the creative spirit of this eclectic, artistic neighborhood.

The Peninsula
Beverly Hills, CA
This sophisticated Roof Garden Bar offers a tranquil respite from the chaos of Los Angeles. For those looking to be part of the Hollywood schmooze fest, this newly redesigned space is open to the public every Thursday through Labor Day, so even non hotel guests can get in on the action at this industry hot spot. Lounge on the custom-designed Janus et Cie furniture and kick off your shoes to enjoy the heated limestone flooring. If you soak in the views between 5-7pm, sip on half priced cocktails like a refreshing pomegranate mojito or a fiery speckled jalepeno margarita.

360
Istanbul, Turkey
For the pinnacle spot to take in the exotic sights and sounds of Istanbul, check out 360. This spacious restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows opens out onto a huge terrace where guests can eat Turkish snacks and toast their good fortune while overlooking the brilliant sunset. Later, the lounge transforms into one of Turkey’s hippest dance clubs.

Fasano
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This stunning poolside oasis flaunts its chic status as Rio’s hottest destination. Open to hotel guests only, the exclusive lounge offers killer views of Copacabana Beach and the Rio skyline. The gorgeous crowd staying at this Philippe Starck-designed boutique hotel can soak in the sun atop sleek white lounge chairs surrounding the sexy infinity pool.

Dome Terrace Sky Bar
Mumbai, India
This glass domed circular bar atop the sleek intercontinental hotel is a respite from Mumbai’s chaos. Join the sophisticated crowd gazing at the sinking sunset over the Arabian Sea and the boisterous Marine Drive promenade below. This luxurious sky bar attracts Bollywood’s glam set who take in the dazzling views from the white-on-white monochrome terrace.

Breeze
Singapore
This inventive lounge sits atop the fourth floor terrace of The Scarlet boutique hotel in Singapore’s Chinatown district. The hotel occupies a series of converted shop houses that have been turned into an Art Deco boudoir fantasy filled with vivid red interiors trimmed with black and gold accents. The intimate Breeze lounge continues the scarlet theme mixed with subtle Mediterranean influences. Nosh on delicious canapés and sip exotic cocktails like a Singapore Sling while taking in the views of the Lion City.

Plunge Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Miami, Florida
Located just north of South Beach on Collins Avenue, this hip incarnation of New York’s Ganesvoort hotel plays host to Miami’s hottest rooftop party. Head 18 stories above the swirling blue ocean for a  tropical playground featuring a 26,000 square foot wooden deck fringed with luscious palm trees and oversize beds. Relax on the chic white lounge chairs or curl up in a cabana to soak in the stunning ocean and city views.