Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Columbus

2024 update

Ohio’s state capital has seen a boom in elevated rooftop venues during recent years. We will guide you through the very best ones.

Country United States

Currency US Dollar

Best time to visit May - September

Courtesy of Lincoln Social Rooftop

Columbus Rooftop Guide

By:Rikard Fredricson

Updated:April 4, 2024

Columbus rooftop map

With its vibrant arts and culture scene, world-class attractions, and delicious cuisine, there's plenty to explore in Columbus. A recent boom of fantastic rooftop bars is just the icing on the cake.

From the stunning views of the Columbus skyline to the lively music, rooftop bars in Columbus are a must for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience. In summer of course, but most of the venues are equipped to offer elevated fun during the colder months as well. So just scroll down and find the Columbus rooftop bar best suited for you.

The list

12 best rooftop bars in Columbus

Rooftop bar Columbus Goodale Station in Columbus — 1

Goodale Station

12th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Amazing views

Weekend brunch

$$$$

Perched on top of the modern Canopy By Hilton Columbus Downtown Short North, Goodale Station invites to an elevated dining and drinking experience, high above the Arena District. At the 12th floor rooftop, a glass-enclosed and sleek interior almost seamlessly blends into two outdoor terraces, all surrounded with fantastic views over the Columbus skyline. Both **rooftop restaurant & bar**, here you can indulge in creative New American cuisine driven by the local bounty of Ohio and the Midwest, an amazing selection of craft cocktails, and weekend rooftop brunch.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Stories on High in Columbus — 2

Stories on High

28th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Tallest

360° view

$$$$

Towering 28 stories over High Street, Stories on High is the tallest rooftop bar in Columbus. Opened early 2023, the elegant and lux rooftop holds a sleek interior lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as two outdoor terraces, opening up to an **amazing 360° views over the city**. The curated and sophisticated rooftop menu comes filled with uniquely crafted cocktails, a fine selection of wine and sake, as well as Japanese-inspired small plates.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Lincoln Social Rooftop in Columbus — 3

Lincoln Social Rooftop

9th floor | Short North

Highlights

Urban

Amazing views

$$$$

Lincoln Social is a **four seasons rooftop oasis** by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, made to sip, savor and surround yourself with stunning views over the Colombus cityscape. Foremost a bar, up here you can enjoy an extensive selection of drinks, featuring creative signature cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. The drinks are perfect to pair with some of the the flavorful fusion bites, served in an energetic and trendy atmosphere.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Brass Eye in Columbus — 4

Brass Eye

8th floor | Scioto Peninsula

Highlights

Dynamic

River views

$$$$

Found on the Scioto Peninsula, directly across the river from Downtown Columbus, The Junto hotel houses an elevated venue where the drinks flow like the Scioto River. Called Brass Eye, this **modern and dynamic** rooftop offers panoramic views over Columbus and the river, as well as a fun selection of carefully crafted cocktails, inspired by Benjamin Franklin and his 'Drinker’s Dictionary'. The rooftop is open from after work to late-night, and every Sunday also for brunch.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Budd Dairy Food Hall in Columbus — 5

Budd Dairy Food Hall

3rd floor | Italian Village

Highlights

Multi-cuisine

Relaxing

$$$

Opened in the Italian Village in 1916 as “America’s finest milk bottling plant”, the Budd Dairy Building has since turned into **a sprawling food hall**, filled with a large variety of food, drinks and spaces. Best of them all: a charming rooftop terrace and bar, called Rooftop @ Budd. The spacious terrace blends bar spots and comfy lounge sofas, as well as covered and open-air seating, perfect to relax with a glass of rosé or some of the exquisitely crafted cocktails.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Lumin Sky Bar & Kitchen in Columbus — 6

Lumin Sky Bar & Kitchen

8th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Skyline views

Spanish-inspired

$$$$

The 8th floor rooftop at the AC Hotel Columbus Downtown holds a modern interior lounge with floor to ceiling windows, as well as a beautiful outdoor terrace, all surrounded with outstanding views over the Columbus skyline. Offering guests **a Colombus-style journey to Barcelona**, the Lumin menu features Spanish-inspired small plates, filled with the heart and soul of Columbus and Ohio. Complementing the food is a great selection of complex, crisp, boozy and sweet signature cocktails, as well as seasonal draft and craft beer options.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Antiques on High in Columbus — 7

Antiques on High

2nd floor | Brewery District

Highlights

Brewery & cocktail bar

Cozy

$$$

For those looking for a unique and comfy Colombus rooftop experience, Antiques on High is the perfect place to go. This cool little bar is located on South High Street in the brewery district of the city, and offers **craft cocktails and sour beers** that will tantalize your taste buds. With a vintage and curated interior, AoH also offers three airy patios, including a charming rooftop terrace with a cozy fireplace. Partially-enclosed, the rooftop is open all year round.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Mandrake Rooftop in Columbus — 8

Mandrake Rooftop

10th floor | Short North

Highlights

Upscale

270° views

$$$$

Set on the 10th floor of Moxy Columbus, Mandrake Rooftop offers a truly elevated Columbus rooftop experience. Filled with custom designed furniture and lux details, the rooftop blends interior lounge spots with an elegant outdoor terrace, opening up to **sweeping 270° views over the city skyline**. Branded as 'the healthiest rooftop restaurant in the country', the menu exclusively feature 100% non-gmo MediterrAsian dishes, complemented with an elevated beverage program with signature craft cocktails, a diverse wine list, and premium bottle service.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Novak's Tavern & Patio in Columbus — 9

Novak's Tavern & Patio

2nd floor | Downtown

Highlights

Easy going

Weekend DJs

$$$

Novak's is an old-fashioned gem that combines a tavern atmosphere with a cozy rooftop patio. It’s a great place to unwind after a long day, or kick off an evening in the Arena District. Intimate yet energetic, both inside and on the somewhat narrow but charming rooftop terrace, here you can enjoy a large selection of brews and some great house cocktails from the rooftop bar, served as **happy hour drink specials** every day during the week.

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Rooftop bar Columbus VASO Rooftop Lounge in Columbus — 10

VASO Rooftop Lounge

8th floor | Dublin

Highlights

Year round

River views

$$$$

Located in downtown Dublin, about a 20 minutes drive from central Columbus, VASO Rooftop Lounge is a swanky and elevated venue for year-round rooftop fun. Surrounded with incredible views over Scioto River and the historic downtown, here you can indulge in a **unique Spanish-style tapas menu**, as well as signature handcrafted cocktails, Japanese highballs, and a nice array of wine, bubbles and brews. By the cosy fire pits in summer, and in rooftop igloos during winter.

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Rooftop bar Columbus Little Rock Bar in Columbus — 11

Little Rock Bar

2nd floor | Italian Village

Highlights

Charming

Weekly events

$$

Opened in 2013, Little Rock Bar is a **laid-back neighborhood watering hole**, found in Colombus's Italian Village. The red brick building features a rustic interior, a street side patio, and a charming and wooden decked rooftop terrace, overlooking downtown Columbus. In a casual and friendly atmosphere, here you can enjoy a great beer selection on tap, seasonal house cocktails, booze slushies, as well as pub-grub like pizza and subs.

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Rooftop bar Columbus BrewDog Franklinton in Columbus — 12

BrewDog Franklinton

2nd floor | Franklinton

Highlights

Weekend brunch

Craft beers

$$$

Once an old car mechanics shop, completely transformed into a vibrant and welcoming spot, BrewDog Franklinton is perfect for a fun day or night out with friends (including the furry ones). With a street level patio, as well as a rustic and spacious roof terrace and bar, there is plenty of space to enjoy brew and bites alfresco, up top with great views over Franklinton and downtown Columbus beyond. Enjoy a selection of **48 fresh craft beers on tap**, as well as a full kitchen serving everything from monster burgers to tasty tacos and weekend brunch.

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Rikard Fredricson

Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.