Rooftop bars. Need we say more? They are literally the best type of bar there is. With open fresh air and gorgeous skyline views, nothing gets better than that. Most rooftop bars, especially in the city of Chicago, rest on top of hotels. See our list of Chicago’s Best Hotel Rooftop Bars. We picked the top 15!

1. Apogee Lounge - Formerly called Vertigo Sky Lounge, Apogee Lounge is located on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel and Spa in River North. This lounge features a large dance floor with a more intimate outdoor rooftop space including fire pits. There are multiple bars in Apogee, making it easy to order the tasty craft cocktails they curate.

2. Noyane - Located at the Conrad Chicago hotel, just steps from Michigan Avenue, this upscale Japanese restaurant and bar known as Noyane, is second on our list. Carefully made cocktails and exquisite small plates make for a perfect outing on a sunny day. Noyane actually means ‘hidden roof’ in Japanese! This elegant rooftop is only open during the spring and summer seasons, but the view makes it worth the seasonal wait.

3. Streeterville Social - This stylish rooftop boasts 7,500 square feet of outdoor space, located at the Loews Hotel Chicago. It’s only open in the summer, so check it out while you can! What makes Streeterville Social unique are the games that they offer; oversized jenga and petanque. This bar is also a 10-minute walk to the Navy Pier and Ohio Street Beach.

4. The J Parker - Lincoln Park’s finest hotel bar, The J Parker, is situated inside the Hotel Lincoln on the 14th floor. The signature cocktails and unobstructed water views make this bar one of Chicago’s favorites. It’s a perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink, as they also serve Contemporary American cuisine. You know it’ll be a great experience with BOKA restaurant group.

5. Devereaux - This intimate rooftop lounge with a pool on the 18th floor of Viceroy Chicago offers sweeping views of the luxurious Gold Coast neighborhood. Enjoy poolside cocktails with upscale small plates. This is the perfect day drinking spot, especially in the summer.

6. Waydown - Located on the 7th floor in the Ace Hotel, this tasteful spot offers cocktails and bar plates on a hotel rooftop with two patios. You’ll find live music or DJs here. This is a great spot to go to after dinner on restaurant row in the West Loop. There’s even a super cool jungle gym figure located at the hotel that attracts picture-takers.

7. Upstairs at The Gwen - This is a seasonal spot for drinks & New American cuisine on a fancy terrace with beautiful skyline views and multiple fire pits. It’s located in the upscale Gwen hotel. This is a lower rooftop, but the location cannot be beat. It’s located right off the other side of Michigan Avenue, just a few blocks north of the Chicago River.

8. Cerise - This hotel venue offers rooftop drinking and dancing in The Loop neighborhood. It’s located on the 26th floor of the Virgin Hotels Chicago. One of its perks is that it’s open late, unlike most businesses in The Loop. Enjoy some of the best views in Chicago at this fine rooftop bar. 

9. ROOF on theWit - Known for its rooftop parties is the ROOF on theWit at theWit Chicago hotel. The feature DJs, outdoor cabanas, fireplaces, and an enclosed atrium part.  If you’re in town visiting, staying at theWit just for its rooftop wouldn’t be a bad idea.

10. London House - Pretty much every tourist goes to this one at the London House Hotel. It’s slightly overrated as you may have to wait 30 minutes to get up top, but the view all the way down the Chicago River is stunning. Everyone loves to take pictures up at the top with the architecture. If you get hungry from waiting, don’t worry, they offer food.  The wait may or may not be worth it for this one. If you want the same view and no wait, head over to the Trump Tower.

11. Terrace 16 - Terrace 16 in the Trump Tower offers some of the best views in Chicago. It’s pricey, but the views make it priceless. With views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, you can’t get more Chicagoan than that. They offer fancy food items such as avocado toast for $23.00.

12. Cindy’s - Another tourist’s dream overlooking The Bean at Millennium Park is Cindy’s. It’s located in the Chicago Athletic Association, a restored Chicago landmark. The character in this entire building is out of this world. The bar is on the smaller side and may require some waiting time, but the vibes and views are killer.

13. Raised - This urban rooftop bar that has a VIP greenhouse overlooks the Chicago skyline with breathtaking views. There is a bar indoor and outdoor here. It’s locate don the 4th floor on the Renaissance Hotel in The Loop. Multiple fire pits are here to warm you up in the winter months.

14. Drumbar - This speakeasy style rooftop in located on top of the Raffaello Hotel. This tucked-away Streeterville and Gold Coast infused place has an old vibe that is extremely romantic with an unparalleled selection of sought after whiskeys, scotches, bourbons, and cognacs.

15. I/O - I/O, short for Indoor/Outdoor, offers a huge indoor and outdoor bar with plenty of space to mingle and enjoy company. Located at the Godfrey Hotel on the cusp of River North and the Gold Coast, this ideally located bar is great for summer and winter. This bar even has igloo-style spaces with heat warmers inside!

Now that we’ve listed all of the best hotel rooftop bars in Chicago, be sure to go check them all out for yourself! These hotel rooftop bars offer some of the best views in the city of Chicago. If you are visiting or living in Chicago, try and check out a new one weekly!