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While we Angelenos benefit from great weather for most of the year, when the hotter days and nights of spring and summer arrive, there's nothing quite like enjoying a cold beverage on a breezy rooftop bar. From dazzling views of the city lights below to soothing ocean vistas, we rounded up our favorite rooftop bars around L.A. that are perfect for day drinking with friends or a romantic date night. And as usual, let us know if you have a favorite, hidden rooftop to share in the comments section below.
Mama Shelter Hollywood Rooftop Deck (via Facebook)
MAMA SHELTER
With a Caribbean-inspired color scheme, a laid-back vibe and killer views, Mama Shelter Hollywood Rooftop Deck is perfect for unwinding on a hot L.A. night. The L.A. outpost of this Paris-based hotel chain offers tongue-in-cheek cinematic cocktails like An American in Paris with Rittenhouse rye, Averna, Combier kummel and Fernet Branca or the Fiddler on the Roof with Goslings rum, Ancho Reyes, grapefruit, pomegranate molasses and lime, as well as an excellent wine selection, and pitchers of sangria and select cocktails. You can also chow down on French-Moroccan-inflected dishes, including "shawarmama", meat and veggie skewers and cauliflower hummus. Settle up to the bar, lounge on the expansive, colorful couches or test your skills at the foosball table, and let the hours lazily pass by.
Mama Shelter Hollywood is located at 6500 Selma Ave, Hollywood, (323) 785-6666
The L.P. rooftop (via Facebook)
E.P. & L.P.
A relative newcomer to the magical world of sky-high L.A. bars, the L.P. rooftop offers a stellar 360-degree view of West Hollywood and beyond. They also recently revamped their cocktails offerings and their delicious Asian-inspired menu. In addition to their deep and diverse wine list and choice craft beer options, you can enjoy the rooftop breezes while sipping musically-minded and agave-driven drinks like Appetite For Destruction with mezcal, yellow chartreuse, fresh pineapple, orgeat, lemon and Jamaica bitters or Creep with Blanco tequila, Aperol, hibiscus, lime, Oaxaca spice Sal de Gusano and, yes, dried cricket. They also have excellent craft boba cocktails and shareable large format. Should you get hungry—and you should—you can order up their new fried chicken sandwich, either the original or habanero version, or other fun bites like their soft shell crab or pork bao, and crispy tofu fries.
E.P. & L.P. is located at 603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, (310) 855-9955
WP24 Rooftop Patio (courtesy of WP24)
WP24 BY WOLFGANG PUCK ROOFTOP PATIO
While typically only open to hotel guests and residents of The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, the WP24 by Wolfgang Puck Rooftop Patio on the 26th floor will once again open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day through August. Scope out beautiful views of the city far below, while enjoying top-notch cocktails, wine and beer, as well as world-class bites. Refreshing cocktails will include champagne floats with passion fruit, strawberry and peach sorbet, the Rhubarb Shiso Fizz and the Avant Gardener with Buffalo Trace, lemon, basil and blackberry. You can chow on the likes of confit pork belly sliders, Thai-style tuna tartare and Thai spiced corn on the cob, along with summery desserts. They also will be offering a rotating selection of entertainment options throughout the summer including music and film.
WP24 by Wolfgang Puck is located at 900 W Olympic Blvd, Downtown,(213) 743-8824
Upstairs at Ace Hotel (via Facebook)
UPSTAIRS AT ACE HOTEL
Sipping cocktails while surrounded by ornate Spanish Gothic-style architecture and sweeping views of downtown is a pretty fantastic way spend an evening, or an afternoon for that matter. Whether you're lounging poolside, cozied up in a chair beneath a Moroccan-inspired canopy or enjoying live music or a DJ set, it's tough to beat this open-air roof deck's cool quotient. They even host periodic pop-up boutiques and other special events. They also offer craft beer and wine along with an impressive, seasonally rotating selection of cocktails based around a theme, such as the upcoming one inspired by subway systems from around the world. And the "Friends with Benefits" events they host feature top bartenders from around the country who will help host a themed night with special cocktails. And if you're feeling peckish, you can order from a great selection of elevated bar snacks, pressed sandwiches, salads and even brunch on the weekend.
Upstairs at Ace Hotel is located at 929 S. Broadway in downtown, (213) 623.3233
The Redbury Hotel (via Facebook)
THE LIBRARY AT THE REDBURY HOTEL
This hidden oasis amidst the bustle of Hollywood offers plenty of cushy couches and chairs that are great for lounging while sipping drinks around a fire pit. Tucked up on the second floor of the chic Redbury Hotel, The Library features a spacious courtyard and plenty of lush foliage beneath twinkling Edison bulbs. While it can get pretty crowded on the weekends, we recommend hitting up their Social Hour, which takes place Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 7pm, where you can score deals on cocktails, beer and wine, as well as delicious bites from the hotel's restaurant Cleo, including kebabs, shawarma, hummus and more.
The Redbury is located at 1717 Vine St. in Hollywood, (323) 962-1717
Perch (via Facebook)
PERCH
Whether you're looking for a romantic date spot with a view or a sky high spot to enjoy mimosas before brunch, Perch delivers strong. Offering unobstructed views of downtown L.A. from the 15th floor, this French inspired rooftop bar and bistro provides plenty of plush seats, as well as two outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. You can sip Parisian inspired cocktails, great wines and craft beer, or if you're feeling particularly classy you can choose from a rare selection of Cognacs, Armagnac’s and French Cordials. They often have live jazz out on the patio, while DJs spin the jams into the evening.
Perch is located at 448 S Hill Street, Downtown Los Angeles, (213) 802-1770
High at Hotel Erwin (via Facebook)
HIGH ROOFTOP LOUNGE AT HOTEL ERWIN
If you're looking to catch a cool ocean breeze and a good buzz, High at Hotel Erwin has your number. This Venice hotspot offers totally bodacious views of the beach—you can even see the Santa Monica Pier—while enjoying a glass of vino, beer, or one of their breezy cocktails like A Day At The Beach with effen cucumber vodka, st. germain and lime or Point Break with buffalo trace bourbon, ginger, bitters, lemon and ginger beer. You can also order up some tasty grub, including sliders, tacos and dips. And if you forgot your sunblock or shades on a particularly sunny day, you can even purchase them there.
Hotel Erwin is located at 1697 Pacific Avenue, Venice, (310) 452-1111
THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN
Sure, this downtown rooftop can get pretty jammed in the evening with a crowd that may not be for everyone, but if you can hit it up at a less busy time, the views are totally worth it. On weekdays, you can drink poolside on their mod furniture from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. But on weekends during the day you have to be a hotel guest or usually be on a list for the special events they host, otherwise there's typically a $20 cover from 8 p.m. until close.
The Standard Downtown is located at 550 S Flower Street, Downtown, (213) 892-8080
Sunset Cocktail Lounge at Palihouse (via Facebook)
SUNSET COCKTAIL LOUNGE AT PALIHOUSE
This swank rooftop bar offers prime 360-degree views of West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, and thankfully tends not to get as crowded as some other al fresco spots around town. Of course, it tends to stay relatively mellow as the lounge is generally only available to hotel guests and private events, but they often open it up starting at sunset to the public. To get on the list, keep an eye on their social media for when they offer it and shoot them an email at sunset@palihouse.com to make a reservation. Bordered by flower boxes and ferns, you can lounge on a couch or chair or grab a seat at the stylish bar made from dark woods, corrugated metal and colorful tiles.
Palihouse is located at 8465 Holloway Dr, West Hollywood, (323) 656-4100.
MONTE CRISTO
Monte Cristo in Koreatown—not to be confused with nearby dive Monte Carlo—seems to only perk up at night for various dance nights, many of them with a goth/industrial/witchhouse theme. But if you're not writhing on the dance floor to dark wave tracks, you can hang out on the rooftop patio. It's a huge, mostly dark space where you can brood and overlook the streets as from here, Koreatown takes on a Gotham City vibe.— Juliet Rylah Bennett
Club Monte Cristo is located at 659 S Westmoreland Ave in Koreatown, (213) 252-9343
Hotel Shangri-La rooftop (Photo via Hotel Shangri-La's Facebook)
SUITE 700 AT HOTEL SHANGRI-LA
This Santa Monica rooftop favorite offers great views of Pacific Ocean Palisades Park, the ocean beyond, and plenty of excellent people-watching opportunities if you're so inclined. Grab a seat on the There's usually a DJ on weekend evenings and if you drop by on a weekday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can get deals on cocktails and small bites. Plus, you'll have the added bonus of catching a stunning sunset if you arrive on the early side. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Hotel Shangri-La is located at 1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, (310) 394-2791
THE FONDA THEATRE
While you'll have to wait to catch a show at The Fonda to make use of this rooftop bar, the visit will be totally worth the price of admission. At this hidden Hollywood gem nestled in a historic Spanish Revival-style building, you've got plenty of space to enjoy a drink between sets. You can also watch the stage on flatscreens via a live feed.
The Fonda Theatre is located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood.
Commissary at The Line (via Facebook)
COMMISSARY AT THE LINE
The Line Hotel has a fine rooftop bar, still plenty high even if you're only pressing '2' in the elevator. There's a small pool for hotel guests and Roy Choi's plant-focused greenhouse restaurant Commissary. When it's not too busy, it's a very relaxing place to sit in the sunshine at one of the patio tables and enjoy a craft cocktail, cold beer or fresh fare. — Juliet Rylah Bennett
The Line is located at 3515 Wilshire Blvd in Koreatown.
The Roof on Wilshire (Photo via The Roof on Wilshire's Facebook)
THE ROOF ON WILSHIRE
This sunny spot has poolside seating and features food from Chef Eric Greenspan and a full bar with fun, refreshing cocktails. We'd suggest stopping by during happy hour 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekdays. At that time, the refreshing Bourbon Smash—made with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey and raspberries—is only $7 off their special Sunset menu.— Juliet Rylah Bennett
The Roof At Wilshire is located at 6317 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City West, (323) 852-6002
Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel (Photo courtesy of Mondrian//Skybar)
SKYBAR
Located within the Mondrian Hotel, Skybar offers sweeping views and, at select parties, the opportunity to take a dip in their pool. You can stop by for a bite and a drink when there isn't a private event, although if you're looking for some place to celebrate a special occasion, they do often do pop-ups like the Ceviche Project. And seriously, you can't beat the view. Note: Skybar is for hotel guests only until 1 p.m. — Juliet Rylah Bennett
Skybar is located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, (323) 949-6025
