Rooftop Bars in Lyon: 8 Places to Drink with a View

If you're planning a trip to Lyon, you probably already have a lot of monuments and other historical sites you want to see. You should also check out this guide to the best shopping in Lyon while you are making your plans. You can easily fill your days with fun things to do and see when you travel to Lyon. You might even have too many cool things on your list of things to do to get to all of them. From the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière to an exclusive "bar à vins," you can find whatever you want to do here.

No matter what other plans you have in mind for your stay in Lyon, you need to check out these really cool rooftop bar locations that will give you access to amazing drinks and some tasty food. You can make the most of the entire city with the amazing views from a fabulously retro-chic cocktail bar or a champagne bar when you use this list to help plan your day. From seasonal craft cocktail menus to an elaborate drinks menu and dancing, there is no shortage of really fun things to do at rooftop bars in town.

When you arrive in Lyon, you need to be sure that you put your luggage into secure storage. This will help you to have lots more worry-free fun. Use a Bounce luggage locker in Lyon to have your hands free to enjoy your evening plans or your daytime adventures.

Once your bags are securely stored, you will be ready to make the most of your trip to Lyon!

Places to Drink in Lyon With a View

SkyBar

What It's Like

While not technically up in the sky, this outdoor terrace location is a great place to sit down and enjoy a half dozen signature cocktails as well as good beers and yummy food. There is always something going on in the city square outside the open sides of the restaurant, so you will be able to enjoy entertainment as well as people-watching. The food here is really delicious, and the menu is variable based on local seasonal flavour options. You will love everything on the menu here, from the craft cocktails to the delightful desserts.

Our Recommendation

Make sure to try the spritz menu, and you should also check out all the appetizers on the menu if you have a large group that enjoys sharing food. Their cocktail menu is really great as well, and you can find all kinds of elaborate drinks that will tickle your fancy. This is one of the best outdoor eateries in the area for many reasons, and you will love your evening here.

Location

26 Rue Hippolyte Flandrin, Lyon, France

The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l'Opéra)

What It's Like

This is a really cool themed bar that offers amazing views of the city as well as one of the best menus out of the rooftop bars in Lyon. You will love that the elaborate drinks menu reads like a page taken out of the musical as well. This is one of the coolest places in the city for a unique atmosphere, as well as an extensive wine menu and other seasonal craft cocktails on the menu. If you love citrus fruits, there are many delicious and refreshing cocktails on offer here that are rotated out for new drinks all the time.

Our Recommendation

Make sure that you try the themed drinks and food that is on the menu here. You might also want to get a reservation so that you sit with one of the best views. This location will feel a bit like a house to you, so you will want to be certain that you are not seated with an outward-facing view but no access to the terrace and patio locations. You get excellent service here, and since the menu is constantly being updated, you can always count on the team to know what is new and exciting as far as food goes.

Location

19 Rue Royale, Lyon, France

Le Rooftop

What It's Like

This is one of the more unique rooftop bars in the city because it is perched atop a small boutique hotel in the city called Maison Nô. This recently opened designer hotel is swanky, chill, and unique. This spot serves lunch as well as dinner, so you can come here late in the evening and watch the sun set over the city if you wish. This is a great place in Lyon to head for views of the oldest part of the city, as well as intimate tastings paired with really good food. For the passionate wine lover, this is an ideal rooftop restaurant to visit. There are also world-class cocktails on offer here if you are not a fan of wines.

Our Recommendation

The menu at Le Rooftop will shock you with how it can ooze local seasonal flavour options. This is one of the best rooftop bars for tasty food, and there is also a music bar area that sometimes offers live musical acts. The exotic fruit syrups that are used for the mixed drinks make them fresh and delightful. If you are looking for the best rooftop bars for an atypical experience, this is the right place to head for your lunch or dinner, plus a few drinks, obviously.

Location

11 Rue du Bât d'Argent, Lyon, France

Rooftop 52

What It's Like

This is a venue that is not really a restaurant, and it is only open when events are going on. There might be live music here, or there could be wine tastings or food events. This is a really cool location to catch an event and it is one of the best rooftop bars in the city when it is open and ready to accept visitors.

Our Recommendation

The location might be set up differently depending upon what kind of event is going on. You could come here, and the whole space could look different than the last time you visited. All that would be the same is the lovely view and the really cool location in the heart of the city. This is one of the more unique locations in the city and certainly one of the best rooftop bars around.

Location

52 Quai Rambaud, Lyon, France

L'Officine

What It's Like

This hip location offers trendy and cozy bar seating as well as many different locations within the rooftop bar area with different vibes. There is a full bar, a concert-style venue area, and an outdoor patio seating area with great views of the city. This bar is part of the Grand Hotel-Dieu, so if you don't like to travel far to get a few drinks, consider staying here as well.

Our Recommendation

Make sure that you consider all of the city's original cocktail culture offerings on the menu and enjoy the drawing room interior seating if you are not interested in sitting outside. There are also well-paired gastronomic bites on the menu here, and you will find that the full dinner menu is excellent. Come here for lunch or dinner and enjoy a wide array of seating, dining, and drink options all under one roof.

Location

Grand Hôtel-Dieu, 3 cour Saint-Henri, Lyon, France

Celest Bar & Restaurant

What It's Like

This beautiful rooftop bar has incredible views of the city, even if you don't get to sit outside when you visit. The floor-to-ceiling windows are lovely, and you will enjoy comfortable seating, great service, and a locally-sourced menu when you sit down here. This is a lovely space with trendy furniture, elegant wood paneling, and many great cocktails on the menu. This restaurant and bar definitely skews toward fine dining, so expect to pay a little more at Celest.

Our Recommendation

The menu here is the brainchild of Fabrice De Flue, and it includes things like smoked eggs and other creative fare. This hotel and restaurant offers up excellent mixed champagne drinks as well as expert bartenders shaking up extraordinary tastings. You will need to be prepared for slightly slow service here, but that is because the atmosphere is meant for a many-course meal and some time to enjoy and talk and sip a drink. Let the talented mixologists play while you enjoy your meal and your friends.

Location

32nd Floor, 129 Rue Servient, Lyon, France

Le Monkey Club

What It's Like

This cozy and cute spot is not a rooftop bar, but it is a lovely little restaurant that offers you all kinds of delicious food and drinks. You should be sure that you sit near the windows and enjoy the view of the Opera House as well as the street below. The Victorian velour armchairs are comfortable, and the potted plants offer an indoor/outdoor vibe. This is a 19th-century snapshot that feels frozen in time in a lovely way. The mixed drinks here are to-die-for, and you will be able to just let the bar staff surprise you with amazing drink after amazing drink.

Our Recommendation

Make sure that you try the sparkling French Cancan, which is a local favorite that is made by mixing champagne with calvados. This is an apricot liqueur paired with lime juice that makes for a refreshing, sparkly, and delightful spritzer-style treat. You can also enjoy other mixed drinks and seasonal items. The food is also seasonal and organic, and you can trust the chef to whip up exciting meals that will leave you satisfied.

Location

19 Pl. Tolozan, Lyon, France

Mama Restaurant Lyon

What It's Like

While not a rooftop bar with a huge view, you can still enjoy great views of the city here as well as delicious food. This is a casual and quiet location that offers atmosphere for days as well as great drinks, a good wine list, and a great selection of beer. You can come here to enjoy the sun in the afternoon or the beauty of the evening as the night sets in.

Our Recommendation

Make sure you enjoy the fresh local cuisines and the drinks made with local liqueurs. You'll have access to all kinds of classic dishes here as well, so you can sit down for surprisingly delicious meals coupled with refreshing drinks. Make sure as well that you are open to suggestions from the staff. There are many seasonal favorites that you might not know to try without a nudge in the right direction. You will want to be sure that you have made the most of your time in Lyon, and this is a location that can help you to do just that.

Location

13 Rue Domer, Lyon, France

Conclusion

From prestigious wine cellar locations with a view to locations that are vintage-styled cocktail bar hangouts, there is no shortage of fun to be had in Lyon, France. This city offers incredible shopping, amazing historical sites to see, and amazing nightlife. You will have fun every day that you spend in Lyon, and you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

From history to culture to food and drink, there is no shortage of amazing things to do and see when you are in this part of France. There is a hidden gem around every corner, and the exquisite pairing of culture and nightlife makes Lyon special, memorable, and welcoming. And a visit to one or two rooftop bars makes a trip here even better!