Rooftop Bars in Philadelphia: 11 Places to Drink with a View

Surrounded by two rivers and boasting some of the most historic buildings in the country, Philadelphia has a lot to offer when it comes to views. There are plenty of ways to take in the scenery, but one of the best has to be relaxing with a cocktail or glass of wine on a rooftop bar and appreciating this magnificent city. It’s the perfect activity to cap off a wonderful day touring the city’s countless historical landmarks or celebrate a fruitful shopping spree after browsing all the best shopping locations in Philly. 

Philadelphia also has a wonderful variety for drinking with a view. Whether it’s a stylish outdoor terrace, trendy rooftop restaurant, or open-air craft brewery, Philadelphia’s underrated bar scene has you covered; just remember to drop the bags at a convenient Bounce storage location first.

Here are the best rooftop bars in Philadelphia: 

Assembly Rooftop Lounge at The Logan

What's it like:

One of the most famous and best rooftop bars in the city center, Assembly Rooftop Lounge is a popular drinking destination for travelers and fashionable locals. Located on the ninth floor of The Hotel Logan, this outdoor terrace provides stellar panoramic views of the entire Philly skyline and both rivers. The luxurious atmosphere is complemented by comfortable seating along the rooftop terrace and chic decor. Their rooftop bar is open year-round, with heat lamps ensuring you can enjoy this unmissable view even in the winter months. 

The Hotel Logan and Assembly Rooftop Lounge are well-situated in the city center, with perfect views of Benjamin Franklin Parkway on this unmissable rooftop terrace. 

Our Recommendation: 

Being an upscale rooftop bar, the best offerings at Assembly are their excellent variety of specialty cocktails. Assembly was an early adopter of the frozen and bottled cocktails that are now popular. Tuesday through Saturday, head to Assembly around 4 PM for their 90-minute happy hour. There’s a cover charge, but the drink deals at this luxury destination are well worth it. 

Location: 

One Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attico Rooftop Lounge 

What's it like:

One of the most fashionable hotels on Broad Street is the Cambria Hotel, and one of its biggest draws is the 16th-floor Attico Rooftop Lounge. Thankfully not exclusive to hotel guests, Attico is a popular drinking destination in Center City for its weekday happy hour, bougie bottle service, and rowdy DJ sets on weekends. There’s an indoor section with stunning views, which makes it an all-year drinking and dining destination, but the outdoor seating is some of the most coveted real estate in Philly. The trendy decor is more than Instagram-friendly, and the social atmosphere is suitable for both date night and an epic night out. 

Our Recommendation: 

The menu has a number of trendy cocktails geared towards summer sipping. Their spritz offerings will refresh on even the most sweltering Philly summer days. Their generous happy hour deals include $2 oysters, which pair well with their sparkling cocktails and rosé. 

Location: 

219 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Balcony Bar at the Kimmel 

What's it like:

The Balcony Bar is hardly the only reason to visit the prestigious Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, but this summertime institution brings in plenty of partiers. This outdoor terrace has impeccable views of bustling Broad Street and City Hall, which make a table here one of the most coveted in Philadelphia. 

Balcony Bar is only open on Wednesdays from June until August, which only adds to the feverish demand. Their DJ sets become the soundtrack of the summer, and a visit here is a rite of passage for any Philly local.

Our Recommendation: 

While the stylish venue is the biggest draw here, the Balcony Bar serves an upscale selection of wine, local craft beer, and specialty cocktails to compliment the bumping DJ sets and stellar views. 

Location: 

300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Bok Bar

What's it like:

This hip rooftop restaurant and bar is one of the anchors of the nightlife scene in South Philly. Located in the trendy East Passyunk Crossing neighborhood, Bok Bar is famous for its event programming that includes drag brunches, rooftop yoga classes, and food and wine tasting. The comfortable outdoor terrace has incredible views of the Philadelphia skyline and bustling Mifflin street. The hip decor perfectly matches the pleasant atmosphere, and the bar's vibe doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are spacious, comfortable tables that can fit small groups, and Bok Bar takes reservations for larger groups. This casual bar is perfect for walk-ups on weeknights, but its reputation commands a crowd on weekends. 

Our Recommendation: 

With a rotating food menu that focuses on Arab-American cuisine, expect fresh, seasonal ingredients and modern takes on traditional Middle Eastern food. There are always plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians along with non-alcoholic cocktails. 

Location: 

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

City Tap House University City

What's it like:

City Tap has multiple locations across Philadelphia, but the University City outpost has become one of the city’s most popular rooftop bars. With lush greenery throughout the rooftop terrace, this bar feels like a garden as much as it does a trendy drinking establishment. It’s located on the second floor, so you may not get panoramic views of the city like you would on the roof of a downtown hotel, but what you do get are a relaxed atmosphere and bespoke vibe. There are fireplaces that are perfect for a cozy pint of beer in autumn or even winter. The bar’s aesthetic is fancy without being pretentious and upscale while still being comfortable. At the end of the day, it’s a great place to have a beer. 

Our Recommendation: 

The name of the game at City Tap has always been quality craft beer, and the number of draft options is staggering. With 60 taps, you’ll find just about every style imaginable and even a few beers you could never imagine being made. Roasty stouts brewed with every dessert ingredient imaginable are perfect for cozying up to one of their fireplaces. Crispy pilsners and fruity sour beers are the favorites for summer. And IPAs? Let’s just say they have a few IPAs available.

Location: 

The Radian, 3925 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

The Continental Mid-Town

What's it like:

Located a stone’s throw from Rittenhouse Square, this rooftop restaurant offers some of the best views of Center City and the Logan Square neighborhood. While the outdoor terrace is spacious for open-air views of the city skyline, there is also a large indoor area that allows for rooftop dining all year round. The fire pit is perfect for cozying up during the fall or spring, and there is a conversation pit for small groups to share a bottle of wine and some laughs. 

Our Recommendation: 

The food menu features upscale bar favorites like lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries, and one of Philly’s best burgers. In terms of beverages, expect trendy cocktails, local craft beers, and a sneaky-deep wine list. 

Location: 

1801 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

El Techo

What's it like:

Located on the 11th floor of the Pod Philly hotel, El Techo is one of the best Mexican restaurants in town. With superb views of Rittenhouse Square and Market Street, this is a go-to spot for after-work drinks and dinner. The modern decor makes for a stylish place to sip on cocktails and eat Latin-inspired classics. The vibe is fun and social, especially for their legendary weekend brunch. 

Our Recommendation: 

All your favorite Latin American dishes are on offer at El Techo. The food menu encourages sharing, with guacamole and queso fundido being the most popular menu items. Margaritas are no different; you can order by the pitcher for the whole table! 

Location: 

1826 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Irwin’s 

What's it like:

From the people that brought you Bok Bar, Irwin’s is a small but aesthetically-pleasing outdoor terrace. Expect a trendy, in-the-know crowd here. The atmosphere is relaxed, as this is more of a rooftop restaurant than a space for partying. The bespoke decor matches the neighborhood’s hip character, and the thoughtful branding makes it an Instagram destination. The outdoor terrace is generally open between May and October, depending on the weather, but the delicious food and wine make it a worthwhile stop any time of year. 

Our Recommendation: 

This 30-seat rooftop restaurant features authentic Sicilian food with some modern twists. Their wine menu is consistently one of the best in the city, focusing on natural wines that have become incredibly popular in Philadelphia. 

Even on weeknights, you’ll want to secure a reservation before heading here. Because of its size, the restaurant fills up quickly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a perfectly comfortable place to eat and drink. 

Location: 

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Royal Boucherie

What's it like:

This French-inspired rooftop restaurant is located on a second-floor rooftop terrace. The garden-like layout features lush greenery, stylish lighting, and elegant decor. 

Stop by the Liberty Bell to appreciate this legendary piece of American history before grabbing dinner at this charming restaurant. This is a smaller spot, seating around 40 diners in total. Reservations are all but required here, as this intimate rooftop restaurant is more suited for a romantic evening than a night out with friends. 

Our Recommendation: 

The food matches the scenery, with an incredible menu combining traditional French cuisine and trendy culinary flashes. Wash down your escargot with one of their legendary cocktails. Their negronis are some of the best in Philly, and their French 52 is their riff on a classic. The wine list is, as expected, well-curated with imported vintages and deep cuts. 

Location: 

52 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Stratus Rooftop Lounge - Old City

What's it like:

Perhaps the hottest nightlife spot in the historic district, the Stratus Rooftop Lounge atop the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, is absolutely worth the visit. The chic, modern design creates a luxurious atmosphere, and the sofas and fire pits make this rooftop terrace a comfortable place to lounge with a cocktail. Stratus is located next to Independence Hall, so you can head to the rooftop to relax a bit after a long day of sightseeing. 

Our Recommendation: 

The beverage program has curated a selection of retro-inspired cocktails along with some of their own boozy creations. The food menu features everything from flatbreads to French food. Expect upscale takes on bar food favorites, and their seasonal cocktails will refresh during the summer and warm during the winter. 

Location: 

433 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Victory Brewing Company

What's it like:

Victory Brewing Company is one of the OG craft breweries in Pennsylvania, and they’ve expanded their footprint to bring delicious suds to Philadelphia. Their Logan Square taproom is located on a 2nd-floor wraparound terrace with panoramic views of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The sprawling, 14,000-square-foot temple of craft beer has plenty of indoor seating if the weather isn’t cooperating, but their outdoor terrace holds some of the most coveted seats in Philadelphia to enjoy a beer. 

Our Recommendation: 

Featuring rotating craft beer drafts, the taproom showcases Victory Brewing’s classic beers along with some selections exclusive to this location. While the always dependable Victory Prima Pils is certainly on offer, these one-off beers can’t be found anywhere else and are certainly worth trying. The food menu features elevated pub-grub classics like burgers and steamed mussels. 

Location: 

1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Conclusion

Whether it’s the Old City historic district, trendy Fishtown, bustling Rittenhouse, or South Philly, just about every corner of Philadelphia has a few rooftop bars where you can lounge in the sun, eat a delicious meal, and share a beverage or two. It’s the perfect activity to add comfort and style to your visit to Philadelphia. If you’re starting a rooftop bar crawl, or just popping in for brunch before you head out of town, remember to stop by a trusty Bounce luggage storage location so you can conveniently get around this historic city.