Rooftop Bars in Atlanta: 9 Places to Drink with a View

There really is nothing better than relaxing on a rooftop overlooking downtown Atlanta sipping a cool drink or munching on scrumptious local dishes. Atlanta has its fair share of rooftop bars, some swanky, some not so posh, and some trendy. Whether you are looking for a less expensive place to kick back and relax or a more upscale establishment, you will find a terrific rooftop bar in Atlanta.

You can look out over the Jackson Street Bridge, Healey Building, or City Hall while listening to live music or enjoying an intimate conversation. There are also rooftop bars in Atlanta that look out over the Governor’s Mansion or the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site.

Check out the list and find a rooftop bar in Atlanta that fits your needs. It is wonderful to bask in the fresh air and sunshine after spending the morning at attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or browsing the stores and shopping in Atlanta. After a day in the city are you ready for a break? Locate a place to stow your shopping finds with Atlanta luggage storage before you sit down and give any of these rooftop bars a try. Relax – you deserve it!

The Roof at Ponce City Market

What’s it like:

Located on top of the biggest brick structure in the southeast, the Roof at Ponce City Market is the place to visit after spending time exploring the market. With remarkable views of downtown Atlanta, the Roof is home to several different venues. The 9 Mile Station is an indoor/outdoor restaurant complete with a beer garden.

Skyline Park is a unique rooftop amusement park where you can play mini golf, try your hand at arcade games, and ride some of the amusement rides.  Then there is the 12 Cocktail Bar, an upscale place to sip a drink and admire the view.

Our recommendation:

Spend an hour or two enjoying the amusement park and then grab a pre-dinner drink at the 12 Cocktail Bar. When you are ready to dine, head over to the 9 Mile Station where casual dining meets upscale fare.

Location:

Located on the 11th floor of the Ponce City Market in the Old Fourth Ward at 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE.

Virtue Rooftop

What’s it like:

The bar sits on top of the 5Church Atlanta restaurant and was designed to be sleek and streamlined making it the perfect spot to kick back and look out over the midtown Atlanta skyline. Dine downstairs and then head upstairs for an after-dinner drink, or have a before-dinner drink and then have a leisurely dinner.

There is a covered area that is a wonderful place to relax in the shade and is filled with interesting artwork. The uncovered rooftop terrace has comfy loungers as well as bar stools and tables. Grab your friends and plan to spend the evening catching up.

Visit when they have live music or enjoy listening to a DJ spin tracks, either way, it is great fun. The upbeat, exciting atmosphere of the Virtue is something you do not want to miss. Head over to Peachtree Street for an evening of fun with sweeping views of the city skyline.

Our recommendation:

The extensive wine and beer selection are amazing but the specialty cocktails are the real gem of the bar. Virtue Rooftop does have a good menu full of variety including the tuna lettuce wraps, grilled skirt steak street tacos, and lamb burger sliders. This is a fabulous midtown Atlanta locale.

Location:

Located at 1197 Peachtree St NW in the Midtown Business District on the 2nd floor of the 5Chruch Atlanta restaurant.

SkyLounge Atlanta

What’s it like:

This is one of the more iconic rooftop bars in Atlanta, perched on top of the beautiful Glenn Hotel. This cocktail bar is one of the best in the city with its eclectic mix of Southern charm and sophisticated style. The bar is designed to mimic sitting on the wide porch of a Southern antebellum home.

The terrace offers breathtaking views of the Atlanta skyline and with most of the rooftop covered with a shade awning, you will not be fighting the mid-afternoon sun. There are also removable panels that are used in the winter so the bar can remain open year-round.

Our recommendation:

Visit when there is live music, it is not a rave by any means, but the live music lends some happy vibes while you enjoy a cocktail and tapas.  Be sure to call ahead or check their Facebook page to ensure the SkyLounge is open to the public or closed for a private event. Glenn Hotel guests can access the SkyLounge for free, but others may have to pay a cover charge, especially on the weekends.

Location:

Found in the 11th floor of the historic boutique Glenn Hotel in downtown Atlanta at 110 Marietta St.

Whiskey Blue

What’s it like:

Recently renovated in 2018, Whiskey Blue is an Atlanta hot spot with two rooftop patios on top of the Hotel Colee, Atlanta Buckhead. This chic rooftop bar has superb views of Lenox Square and the Buckhead village one way and then downtown Atlanta and the Atlanta skyline in the other direction.

Those staying at the Hotel Colee, Atlanta Buckhead do get free access to Whiskey Blue and exclusive access to the infinity rooftop pool located just a few floors below the bar. Be sure to sample some of the tapas that are offered at Whiskey Blue, while not gourmet they are tasty little morsels.

Our recommendation:

Order one of their specialty cocktails or craft beers that have been brewed locally. During the weekend there are live DJs keeping things hopping. When planning on coming to Whiskey Blue on the weekend, you will want to make a reservation for a table or you may be left standing in a long line.

Location:

Find it on the 12th floor of the Colee Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead at 3377 Peachtree Rd.

The Regent Cocktail Club Atlanta

What’s it like:

A 1940s-inspired cocktail lounge filled with Southern charm is the only way to describe the Regent Cocktail Club. Sitting on top of the American Cut Steakhouse in the Buckhead neighborhood, this upscale lounge offers seating indoors and on the rooftop terrace. The terrace overlooks The Shops at Buckhead and Peachtree Avenue.

The lounge is open nightly but the terrace is only open seasonally. Enjoy the trendy, laid-back atmosphere and the live music that is offered most nights. Listen to local musicians Wednesday through Saturday along with a DJ playing on the weekend. It is a nice place to come and relax in Atlanta.

Our recommendation:

Serving traditional classic cocktails such as Manhattans, the signature cocktails created by their mixologists are the real draw. Happy hour is a fabulous time to check out the lounge and sample some of the traditional bar bites along with a delicious drink.

Location:

Located on the 3rd floor of the American Cut Steakhouse at 3035 Peachtree Rd in the Buckhead neighborhood.

Republic Social House

What’s it like:

Overlooking the Oakland Cemetery, the Republic Social House is a relaxing place to kick back with friends and enjoy the slower pace of Southern living. Being in Grant Park, the views are quite nice, especially in the fall and the open-air patio is ideal for breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your skin.

There is a covered area on the patio that is also heated for those crisp days when sitting outside can get uncomfortable. There is an outdoor deck attached to the bar complete with fire pits to keep you toasty on those brisk nights in the spring and fall.

Republic Social House is the entire building so the first floor is the indoor portion of the bar, serving drinks and typical bar food, the deck and patio are excellent outdoor spots for those not too keen on being in a big crush inside.

Our recommendation:

Obviously on nice days when the weather is not too hot, too rainy, or too cold, get outside on the deck or patio and enjoy the Atlanta sunshine. The rooftop bar does serve delicious pub food during lunch and dinner. Come on the weekends between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for their special brunch menu and craft cocktails.

Location:

Republic Social House covers the 1st and 2nd floor at 437 Memorial Dr. SE and the rooftop bar is on the 2nd floor.

RT60 Rooftop Bar

What’s it like:

When looking for some of the best views of the Atlanta skyline head to RT60 located near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and sitting on top of the Reverb by Hard Rock Atlanta Downtown. The lustrous indoor lounge has an attached outdoor terrace where you can sit and visit with friends or cozy up to a loved one.

RT60 Rooftop Bar is open on the weekends and most of the time has live music or DJs mixing it up. It does get crowded here but RT60 does not accept reservations. It is walk-in only so get there early to ensure you get to experience the party atmosphere.

Our recommendation:

The menu at RT60 includes shareable dishes and delectable sandwiches. They offer delicious, hard-hitting cocktails, bottled beer, draft beer, a wide selection of wines with Prosecco being on tap.

Location:

Located at 348 Mitchell St. SW on the 11th floor of the Reverb by Hard Rock Atlanta Downtown hotel.

Estrella Rooftop

What’s it like:

This rooftop bar and restaurant specializes in Latin American cuisine and offers spectacular views of the Atlanta skyline. Head to the third floor of the Bazati market, a Parisian-inspired market that sits on the eastern side of the Beltline.

Estrella has indoor and outdoor seating filled with comfortable seating areas and natural elements that bring the outdoors closer to you while you dine. You can hang out on the lounge sofas or sit down to a regular dining table to eat your meal.

The food is inspired by the Yucatan Peninsula and created by chef Roberto Solis. Your culinary journey while at Estrella will be unlike anything else you experience in Atlanta. The dishes are served tapas-style and are fun and creative. Brunch is served on the weekend.

Our recommendation:

The sangria is some of the best you will find in Atlanta but their signature cocktails such as a Margarita Estrella keep them coming back for more. You may want to make reservations for brunch on the weekends, the restaurant is always hopping during brunch.

Location:

Located on the 3rd floor of the parisian styled market Bazati at 550 Somerset Terrace NE.

Hotel Clermont Rooftop

What’s it like

In the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, this rooftop bar is on top of the Hotel Clermont and has undergone some pretty extensive renovations to create a playful retro rooftop bar. The outdoor terrace has an Astroturf floor to deflect the heat of the sun making it feel cooler and giving it a bit of a garden vibe.

The views are amazing, especially the Atlanta skyline. There are lawn games available so you can challenge your friends or make new friends over a competitive game of lawn darts. The retro vibe will put you at ease and make you want to come back again and again.

Our recommendation:

When visiting in crisp weather, order one of their hot toddies to keep you warm and toasty. In the warmer weather try one of their tiki cocktails or local brews. Street food as well as elevated bar snacks are available throughout the summer.

Location:

Head to the 6th floor of the Hotel Clermont at 789 Ponce De Leon Ave NE.

Best rooftop bars

Hop on MARTA and find a place to relax! You will find some of the best rooftop bars also serve great bar or street food. Whether you are near Centennial Olympic Park or the Atlantic Station, there are several top rooftop bars close by. It is not unusual for a sports bar or restaurant to offer an outdoor terrace with fantastic views. Other marvelous mentions not listed here are Bar Peri, Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar & Kitchen, and St. Julep at the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel.

Atlanta rooftop bars offer house cocktails that you will want to sample along with locally crafted beers. You will also find midtown skyline views, stunning vistas of the Centennial Park District, and panoramic views of the Buckhead skyline. Whether you are in search of innovative cocktails or scenic views, you will find it at one of the rooftop bars in Atlanta.