Rooftop Bars in Chicago

Chicago is a city of tall buildings and cold winters. When those cold winters finally disappear, the tall buildings come in handy. They contain rooftops, and rooftops are excellent places to drink outside. Rooftop bars in Chicago are among the city’s trendiest and most desirable hotspots.

ROOF on the Wit puts its draw right in its name. Set atop the 27th floor of trendy Wit Hotel in the heart of downtown, the lounge boasts an expansive view of Chicago’s glittering skyscrapers – not to mention a good sampling of its see-and-be-seen crowd. Here, gussied-up ladies and gents hope to snag one of the prime patio tables reserved for thousand-dollar bottle service, while others groove to a DJ and live music.

Other luxurious downtown hotels take advantage of their roof spaces, providing lounges that seem like the most exclusive places in town. The Affinia Hotel’s C-View, Dana Hotel’s Vertigo Sky, and the Trump Hotel’s Terrace at Trump are only three of the destinations that have recently joined the scene, while NoMi at the Park Hyatt, overlooking the Magnificent Mile, has become a local favorite.

Hotel bars aren’t the only prized Chicago rooftop bars. For those who would rather wear a hoodie than a slinky dress, places like Rock Bottom Brewery’s large rooftop gives the dressed-down a spot to down beers above the rabble on the street. No matter the level of luxury, rooftop bars in Chicago give everyone what they want – a sanctuary above it all.