Rooftop Bars in Rome: 10 Places to Drink with a View
Rome is a city that has been at the center of history for 2,000 years. No wonder they call it the Eternal City. And this tumultuous history has left the city with a skyline unlike anywhere else. You won't find any modern skyscrapers here. Instead, it's all church domes and medieval towers.
There are few better ways to get an overview of this beautiful city than from one of the many rooftop bars. Listening to the church bells and watching starlings swoop in the evening sky above the city offers an unforgettable rooftop bar experience. And enjoying a great drink in a cocktail bar or some delicious food just makes it even more special.
If you've been doing some of the best shopping in Rome, you'll probably have more than a few bags to get rid of before you visit a rooftop cocktail bar. Luckily, we have a solution. Track down a Bounce luggage storage in Rome so that you can drop off your bags at a secure location and enjoy some of the best rooftop bars in this unforgettable city.
Up Sunset Bar at La Rinascente
What's it like:
One of the city's biggest shopping centers may seem like an unlikely location to also have one of the best rooftop bars in Rome. But the top of La Rinascente department store has a great rooftop terrace which includes a Michelin-starred roof garden restaurant. The views aren't as good as some of the other bars on this list, but it's still a great spot to enjoy a drink or two.
Cocktails start at around €10, and there's a wide range of beers, wines, and spirits on offer. The food menu includes snacks, salads, pizzas, pastas, and main dishes.
If you're looking for a more low-key spot to enjoy a drink, there's also a lounge area with comfortable sofas and armchairs. This is the perfect place to relax after a day of shopping.
Our recommendation:
The Spritz is a classic Italian aperitivo and it's the perfect drink to enjoy on a sunny day. Up Sunset Bar also has a great selection of wines, so it's worth trying one of those too.
If you're feeling hungry, the pizzas and pastas are all reasonably priced and very tasty.
Location:
Via del Tritone 61, Rome
Marco Martini
What's it like:
Marco Martini is one of the most popular rooftop bars in Rome. It's located on top of the Hotel Eden, which is just a short walk from the Spanish Steps. The views from here are simply stunning. You can see all of the city's major landmarks, including the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican.
The cocktails are some of the best in Rome. The food menu includes snacks, salads, pizzas, pastas, main dishes, and desserts.
Our recommendation:
There are so many great cocktails to choose from, but we recommend trying one of their signature cocktails like the Spritz al Lampone (Spritz with raspberry liqueur) or the Aperol Sunset (Aperol, prosecco, and orange juice).
If you're looking for something to eat, the pizzas are very good. The desserts are also worth trying.
Location:
Viale Aventino 121, Rome
Cielo at Hotel de la Ville
What's it like:
One of the most glamorous rooftop bars in Rome, this exclusive rooftop bar offers an incredible view of the Eternal City and a high-end vibe you won't get elsewhere. Enjoying a cocktail here will make you feel like you're rubbing shoulders with the beautiful people of the Italian capital, and if you show up in a T-shirt and shorts, you'll most probably feel out of place.
On the plus side, the food and drinks here are excellent - but they don't come cheap. You can expect to spend more than €20 for a cocktail here. Located at the top of the Spanish Steps, the roof terrace offers an amazing view over one of the most popular parts of the city. Enjoying the sunset at this cocktail bar is an experience you won't soon forget.
Our recommendation:
This gorgeous rooftop bar isn't exactly a secret, so it's probably a good idea to make a reservation in advance. And while there is no explicit dress code, it's never a bad idea to try and look your best here.
Location:
Via Sistina 69, Rome
Minerva Roof Garden
What's it like:
You would expect this place, housed at the top of the five-star Grand Hotel de la Minerve, to be fancy. And it is. If you're looking for a Rome rooftop bar that screams luxury, this is it.
More than just a rooftop bar, the Minerva Rooftop garden is a full-scale rooftop restaurant that offers incredible food along with stunning views over the city. Located just a stone's throw from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps, the lovely rooftop bar offers both indoor and outdoor seating on the roof terrace, and you'll be overlooking the famous dome of the Pantheon while you eat and drink. Rooftop restaurants don't come much more upscale than this, so expect to pay for exquisite service along with the beautiful view. But if you really want to spend an evening in a luxurious rooftop bar in the Eternal City, this is an option to consider, provided your budget stretches far enough.
Our recommendation:
This is another one of Rome's luxury rooftop bars where you will want to make a reservation. The panoramic roof terrace is often completely booked out for special events, so planning ahead is always a good idea.
Location:
Piazza della Minerva 69, Rome
Singer Palace Hotel
What's it like:
This centrally located hotel offers not one but two rooftop bars to choose from. On the fifth floor, you'll find two of the best rooftop bars in Rome: Jim's Bar and The Terraces. Either one will give you a spectacular view over the center of the city and, on a clear day, the mountains beyond.
Jim's Bar is one of the best rooftop bars in Rome and a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset over the city. The Terraces is more of a rooftop restaurant serving classic Roman and Mediterranean cuisine to enjoy as you look out over the city. The drinks menu is chosen to match the early 20th-century history of the hotel, so expect a lot of gin-based drinks and other authentic 1920s cocktails.
Our recommendation:
With two amazing rooftop bars to choose from, it's hard to go wrong with the Singer Palace Hotel. If you're looking for a more laid-back vibe, go to Jim's Bar. If you're in the mood for some fine dining with a view, The Terraces is the place to be.
Location:
Via Alessandro Specchi 10, Rome
Mama's Rooftop
What's it like:
In a city dominated by stylish and exclusive rooftop bars, Mama's Rooftop is something of an anomaly. Located at the top of Mama's Shelter, a quirky hotel not far from the Vatican, this cocktail bar is a little less stylish and a little more welcoming than many of its competitors. Plus, the views over Vatican City and the stunning dome of St. Peter's make this an excellent place to visit for an evening drink or a meal. The bar also offers ping-pong and table football, making it a fun place to spend a few hours and far less pretentious than many of Rome's other rooftop bars.
The rooftop terrace here even has sunbeds, so you could make a whole day of hanging out here and enjoying great food and drink. It's almost like visiting a beach resort while still staying in the heart of the city.
Our recommendation:
If you have the chance to lounge in a sunbed in Rome, you should definitely take it. Get there early to stake your claim.
Location:
Via Luigi Rizzo 20, Rome
Divinity Terrace at Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel
What's it like:
No prizes for guessing where you'll find this iconic rooftop bar. In ancient Rome, the Pantheon was the temple to all the gods, and you may feel like divinity yourself as you enjoy a drink overlooking one of Rome's most historic and beautiful squares.
The Divinity Terrace is open during the day for coffee and snacks, but it really comes into its own in the evening as a chic cocktail bar. The drinks menu includes a wide selection of classic and creative cocktails, as well as an impressive selection of wines.
Our recommendation:
This is one of Rome's most unique and atmospheric rooftop bars, so it's definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that it can get pretty crowded in the evening, so getting there early is a good idea.
Location:
Via di S. Chiara 4/A, Rome
Hotel Atlante Star
What's it like:
With views over some of Rome's most famous landmarks, including the Castel Sant'Angelo and St Peter's, the Hotel Atlante Star is one of the best places to enjoy a drink or a meal with a view. The hotel itself is located near Vatican City, so it's easy to explore all the city's major attractions while you're staying here.
The rooftop bar and restaurant here offer classic Italian cuisine and a wide selection of drinks, making it a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing. The outdoor terrace has its own retractable roof, so you can enjoy the views even if it's raining.
Our recommendation:
This is one of Rome's best rooftop bars for those who want to enjoy a meal with a view. The food is excellent, and the views are stunning.
Location:
Via Giovanni Vitelleschi 34, Rome
Ponte Sisto Hotel
What's it like:
If you're looking for breathtaking views of Rome, look no further than the Ponte Sisto Hotel. This modern hotel offers guests panoramic views of the city from its rooftop bar and restaurant. The drinks menu includes a wide selection of cocktails, as well as Italian and international wines. The food menu features both traditional Italian dishes and more creative fusion cuisine.
Our recommendation:
The wine list here is pretty impressive, so this is a great place to visit if you're a wine fan who also wants to enjoy a view with your drink.
Location:
Via dei Pettinari 64, Rome
Mecenate Palace Hotel
What's it like:
This modern hotel is located near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, making it a great place to explore the city's history. The rooftop bar and restaurant offer panoramic views of the church and the surrounding area. The menu features classic Italian dishes as well as innovative favorites with an international flair. The drinks menu includes a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers.
Our recommendation:
The views from this rooftop bar are simply stunning, making it a must-visit for any traveler to Rome. Be sure to get there early to snag a table with a view.
Location:
Via Carlo Alberto 3, Rome
Conclusion
As you can see from this list, the city of Rome is absolutely packed with rooftop bars that make the ideal place to escape the chaos of the city. Sipping a drink or enjoying a delicious meal on a rooftop cocktail bar is an excellent way to enjoy an evening in Rome. And while many of these locations don't come cheap, you may find that they are well worth it for the luxury experience they offer.
Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Rome, and you'll be ready to enjoy some of these incredible locations. Wherever you are in Rome, there's a rooftop bar for you.
