The 21 Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago for Views of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field

The 21 Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago for Views of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field In the city that invented the skyscraper, does anything feel as resplendent as lounging atop one for a cocktail with a view? Many rooftop bars in Chicago welcome guests for panoramic encounters with the city's most spectacular sites—like Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, and architectural feats—alongside top-level cocktails, restaurant fare, and elevated bar snacks. Since many offer indoor space, you can enjoy them year-round, even as snow descends on all of downtown. Here are our picks for the best rooftops in Chicago, each bringing with it its own vibrant take on this majestic cityscape. Read our complete Chicago travel guide here, which includes: - The Best Things to Do in Chicago - The Best Bars in Chicago - The Best Hotels in Chicago - The Best Restaurants in Chicago - The Best Museums in Chicago How we choose the best bars in Chicago Every bar on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new bars open and existing ones evolve. - Read Full Review Floor-to-ceiling windows, pulsating beats, and big-time energy await guests at this rooftop, located on the 27th floor of theWit Chicago. The cavernous space emphasizes surround-sound and modern design, featuring graphic floor tiles, mixed textiles, and an LED screen wall. Visit throughout the year, thanks to a retractable roof—the venue’s focal point and show-stopping feature. The cocktails are seasonally-driven, with summer’s lineup featuring the tropical and transportive (the State & Rare, with banana-infused tequila, orange, and orgeat; the Magnificent Spritz, with kiwi and apple-infused gin, elderflower, and cucumber). Guided by chef Armando Diaz, the menu here centers on colorful, globally inspired plates enhanced by local sourcing and seasonal twists. Not to be missed: the Spring Tostada, with spicy pea puree, crispy maitake mushrooms, and housemade queso fresco; lobster and shrimp tacos dorados with avocado crema; a zucchini tavern-style pizza, with roasted corn and tomatoes. For dessert, try the white chocolate-potato chip-macadamia nut cookies, served with a roasted pineapple milkshake. - Read Full Review Step onto this rooftop terrace at the Gwen hotel and feel the escape from downtown Chicago—while still taking in its city views and energy. Lounge seating, upbeat tracks, and greenery invite diners to an unhurried, convivial afternoon-turned-evening. The fun continues throughout the year—come winter, guests can lounge by the fire pits or participate in rounds of curling (hot cocoa in hand). Several handcrafted cocktails and a well-rounded list of wines by the glass and bottle are on offer. Enjoy a medley of flavorful starters, such as garlic shrimp with Spanish chorizo, beef tenderloin sliders, and hummus with pine nuts and sumac—then head into mains like the salmon or hand-cut pappardelle, with pecorino and basil. Bring friends to share a round of the chocolate chip cookies for dessert, made with brown butter and caramel chips. - Read Full Review Located on the third floor of the Loews Hotel Chicago, this rooftop brings a lively, refreshing elegance to the Streeterville neighborhood. String lighting, lush plant sections, a mix of bar and table seating, and sweeping skyline views captivate guests for leisurely afternoons and long evenings. Cocktails are fun and ingredient-driven, with the frozen North Ave. Beach Party (with rose, strawberry, and lime) and the n/a Lou’s Diner Martini (with n/a coffee liquor, espresso, and cream). Come here for an intimate, relaxed rooftop experience with strong food and beverage options and keen hospitality. And now, there’s another reason to venture out mid-week: Every Wednesday, the restaurant runs its “We Drink Pink” promotion, with select cocktails and menu items benefitting the American Cancer Society. - Read Full Review According to Guinness World Records, Offshore has the largest rooftop in the world at a whopping 42,000 square feet. The venue is uniquely positioned at historic Navy Pier (within the Sable Hotel), giving guests a front-row seat to some of the city’s best water and skyline views. You can even snag a spot at the long indoors bar before heading outdoors to the expansive terrace, complete with high tops, firepits, and a beckoning lakefront breeze. Visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays in summer for prime views of Navy Pier fireworks, or on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the venue’s “Happier Hour,” featuring $6 shareables and $7 specialty cocktails. Keep an eye on their calendar for year-round programming, as well, including bingo, trivia, wellness events, and live music. - Read Full Review This tony hotel and rooftop is the latest to join Chicago’s beloved “Restaurant Row,” a notable stretch of some of the city’s most prized eating and drinking establishments. Commanding skyline views, lush greenery, and low, wooden furniture point toward Japanese-inspired philosophies—ones further explored throughout the menu from superstar sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa. - Read Full Review Aba’s verdant atrium of potted plants and trees frame a wide and well-lit back bar for imbibing over modern Mediterranean fare. Parisian street lamps stretch down from the room’s vaulted glass ceiling to make the space feel alive and full of light. Seasonal cocktails incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables, and a wide-ranging wine list broken down by grape, region, and historical and cultural significance. Large-format cocktails, wines mostly sold by the bottle, and an array of shared plates strongly hint at Aba’s communal approach. Don’t expect to have an intimate conversation though—this is one of the city’s trendiest restaurants with a dazzling rooftop view, making the bar a packed affair. - Read Full Review Housed on the 2nd floor lobby level of Hotel Zachary, this restaurant is loaded with mid-century modern charm reflective of the rest of the property’s design (all inspired by Wrigley Field architect Zachary Taylor Davis). Pass by curved banquettes and exposed brick on your way to the outdoor terrace, a long stretch overlooking Clark Street and the iconic Wrigley Field—so close that, on game days, you’ll hear plenty of ballpark action. Come for drinks and bites before or after a game or one of the many concerts at Wrigley Field throughout summer months (and when pre-gaming crowds shuffle out for the ballpark, stay put to catch some of the sounds from your seat—or, all nine innings with the big screen on the wall). Also plan a visit for the venue’s fun, onsite programming, including their Supper Club Series or Vinyl Thursdays, an evening of DJ-spun tracks and cocktail specials. - Read Full Review A constant bustle of locals, tourists, and suburbanites pervades Cindy's terrace at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, which has some of Chicago's most spectacular views over Millennium Park, the Art Institute, and Lake Michigan. The cocktails make clever use of fresh produce, juices, tea, and spirits, resulting in drinks that are inventive and delicious. No matter if you want to come with family for a nice lunch or bring a date for late-night cocktails on the terrace, this is an all-purpose spot for locals and visitors. - Read Full Review With a wood grill, draft beers, a flower and herb garden, and wooden picnic tables, Gene's feels like a German-style backyard barbecue. Locals and European beer-lovers flock to Gene's for the market, then pop up to the roof for wood-grilled German brats, Polish sausages, beers, and seasonal cocktails. Like your friend's backyard, it feels comfortable, convivial, and relaxed. - Read Full Review Visit LH on 21 for contemporary American fare and craft cocktails in an indoor space, or head to LH on 22 for the rooftop, home to some of Chicago's most breathtaking vistas. Take in the architectural works of art lining the Chicago River, from the Tribune Tower to Marina City, and enjoy the variety found in this team’s menus and drinks list. Peruse the classics, or try a signature dram (the LH Old Fashioned is a solid option, with Bulleit Bourbon, Banane Du Bresil, Bourbon-Vanilla Chai syrup, and Angostura). - Read Full Review It's not often you can feel immediately transported, but walking into Boleo, with its retractable roof and collection of exotic palms, makes it seem you've stepped off a plane in Buenos Aires. It has a lively, upbeat atmosphere—so go ready for the party vibe. - Read Full Review Signature cocktails include Chicha Punch, with tequila blanco, apricot, hibiscus, chicha morada, and red wine, and the El Chingon, a savory sipper of jalapeño-infused tequila, mezcal, and cilantro salt over a chili-infused ice sphere. Visit during early evening Monday through Friday, when happy hour features $10 select cocktails and small plates starting at $7, including cebiches, anticuchos, and empanadas. - Read Full Review One Off Hospitality fans who understand the cult following behind Avec, the West Loop’s quaint, small plates staple, understand why its second location—a River North rooftop, no less—is a big deal. Nearly two decades since that opening, the 12-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant group debuts this 8th floor haven, where the team showcases the same dedication to service and to the seaside flavors of Spain and Portugal. Replete with communal picnic tables, ample flora, and striking skyline views, consider it Avec l’original’s big-kid sister. - Read Full Review You can take the girl out of Girl and the Goat, but you can’t take the GOAT out of Stephanie Izard’s culinary vision. Such is the case with Cabra (which means “goat” in Spanish), Izard’s newest restaurant, which honors her travels in Lima and throughout Peru. Sample bright, shareable plates that capture the flavors of these regions, from chicken thigh anticucho (with peanut chimichurri and yuzu cilantro) to pork shank (with pickles, plums, and sweet potato flatbread). The menu here emphasizes seasonal ceviches and tiraditos, too. - Read Full Review The same team from Parson’s Chicken and Fish is behind this Logan Square hangout, which means fans can expect three things: hip clientele, crowd-pleasing food, and an epic patio scene. Tunes ranging from reggae to bluegrass welcome diners, who are quickly encouraged to kick back with a menu from chef Dan Snowden and drinks from bar manager Ben Gorski. Once orders are placed, take it all in: Tacos, tequila, and dreamy-desert-vibes that beckon a southwest road trip. Here, it’s a “come-as-you-are and leave-chiller” kind of mentality. - Read Full Review It’s easy to feel awe-inspired upon entering Z Bar, an upscale lounge in The Peninsula Hotel. Bold, globally inspired flavors pepper the menu here, as showcased by snacks and share plates like tuna tartare with mango and yuzu, and daikon frites with Chinese lap cheong. Dessert is just as satisfying—namely, the refreshing Grand Marnier granita or warm vanilla bean beignets with chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla dipping sauces. The skyline views and Insta-worthy sippers make this an ideal spot for that big-deal date. - Read Full Review This tiny, 13th-floor lounge is all about that larger-than-life view, from the top of the Robey Hotel, smack dab in the center of the Wicker Park neighborhood. A well-dressed and stylish crowd occupies the low-and-deep couches, enjoying thoughtfully crafted cocktails while taking in panoramic views. Check out the Oaxacan on Broken Glass (spice-forward, with Banhez Mezcal, Bittermens Hellfire Bitters, and Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Liqueur) or the Secret Garden (refreshing and aromatic, with vodka, lychee, and elderflower). Expect seasonal menu shifts and a rotating hot toddy riff throughout fall and winter months. - Read Full Review At NoMI Garden, the outdoor terrace found on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt Chicago, guests can lounge at a 30-foot-long ivory bar or beneath rows of parasols, each offering shelter from the downtown Chicago sun. Pristine cityscape views, an artisanal cocktail list, and a menu rooted in modern American fare and French technique greet diners looking to break from the bustle of the Mag Mile. Grab your friends and don your finest for outings here, where afternoons of Caesar salads and lemonade slip seamlessly into evenings of cocktails and seafood towers. - Read Full Review Perched atop the tony Pendry Hotel, this rooftop bears the same luxurious-cool found throughout the property. Come here for stellar rooftop vibes and views, with a line-up of refreshing cocktails—try the Dragon Fruit Watermelon Margarita (with tequila, watermelon liqueur, and dragon fruit syrup) or Summer in Oaxaca (with mezcal and pineapple juice). Pair them up with some house favorites, namely the Lobster Roll, Garden Flatbread, or Whipped Burrata. - Read Full Review Located on the 18th floor of the Viceroy Chicago, this sleek space features Art Deco-meets-tropical style, stunning skyline views, and menus brimming with bold, Southeast Asian flavors. Cocktails feature ingredients like pandan, yuzu, and tropical fruits (the Parched Puffer melds guava, lemongrass, sherry, and soda), alongside spirit-forward options like the Palisade (with bourbon, cardamom, and smoke). Kick off a night here with starters—favorites include Thai fried chicken and lobster dumplings in coconut curry—and sips before exploring the vibrant Gold Coast neighborhood, or make it a staycation—these global flavors and vibes help one to feel quickly transported. - Read Full Review The St. Regis Chicago scores two separate venues on the list thanks to this Far Eastern eatery that happens to hold the widest selection of Japanese whisky in the city. But it’s not just the quantity of that superior liquid, it’s what the bar team is doing with all of it. The Miru Highball mixes whiskey with sake, vermouth, and a housemade Sancho pepper falernum to craft a tongue-tingling display of effervescence. The Old Fashioned No. 3 blends bold whiskey from Nikka with rum and dark amari for something boozy yet bittersweet. And the Plum Lucky is a whisky sour riff with unctuous stewed fruit undertones. If you prefer to sip something neat, the menu holds an eminently expansive array of sakes by the glass. You can also procure a pour of Hibiki 40 as this is one of only a handful of bars in the country holding the incredibly rare Japanese-blended expression. Sure, it’ll cost you a small fortune. But if you’re going to spend $2,500 on a single ounce of spirit, you might as well do so in a setting as stunning as this; the bar is perched 11 stories above the junction of Chicago River and Lake Michigan. 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