Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Seattle

2023 update

Country United States

Currency US Dollar

Best time to visit May - September

Rooftop grade 7/10

Rooftop Bar Seattle

13 best rooftop bars in Seattle

By:Rikard Fredricson

Updated:September 2, 2023

Surrounded by water and mountains, and equipped with a beautiful skyline, Seattle is in many ways a city perfect to enjoy impressive views from the rooftops. The only downside: the weather is not really rooftop-friendly year round.

But, the hot summers are made for gathering up on the terraces to enjoy elevated drinks and food, and this guide will lead you straight to the best rooftop bar Seattle. Packed with all info about each venue: opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps and much more. So, which is the best rooftop bar Seattle? Just scroll down and find the Seattle rooftop bar best suited for you.

The list

Rooftop bar Seattle Mbar in Seattle — 1

Mbar

$$$$ | 14th floor | South Lake Union

Highlights

Global food

Panoramic views

Spacious terrace

Perched on the 14th floor, Mbar offers **breathtaking views** over pretty much all of Seattle. Up here you can enjoy global food with plenty of influences from the Middle East, along with a wide selection of drinks, from signature cocktails to an impressive wine list. Friendly, fun, social and vibrant in both ambience and service, the open-air terrace is great for sunny coctails or cosy gatherings by one of the fire-pit lounge areas later at night.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Fog Room in Seattle — 2

Fog Room

$$$$ | 16th floor | Downtown Seattle

Highlights

Comprehensive cocktail menu

Panoramic views

Sleek & stylish

Set on top of The Charter Seattle hotel, the Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace serves both **impressive views and impressive drinks**. Blending indoor and outdoor seating in a modern-chic setting, the rooftop menu includes a wide range of hand-crafted cocktails, from Originals to creations made with real top-shelf spirits. There is also a selection of locally-inspired bites. A great venue for an elevated start or end to any evening.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Mountaineering Club in Seattle — 3

Mountaineering Club

$$$ | 16th floor | University District

Highlights

Campsite vibes

Amazing views

Playful menu

Instead of climbing Mount Rainier for views, climb the 16 storeys up to the top of the Graduate Seattle, where the charming Mountaineering Club offers **some of the best vistas** the city has available. The open-air and wooden-inspired outdoor terrace wraps around an indoor lounge which is campsite-chic and comfy. The rooftop bar menu continues on the trekking-theme, with reimagined campsite bites and playful cocktails.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle ALTITUDE Sky Lounge in Seattle — 4

ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

$$$ | 16th floor | South Lake Union

Highlights

Modern

Panoramic views

Live DJ sets

The 16-story Astra Hotel opened in summer 2022, and on top of the building you find a new and swanky rooftop bar, called ALTITUDE Sky Lounge. Mixing an interior lounge that feels like outside with an open-air terrace, the rooftop comes surrounded with **panoramic views over Emerald City**, the Space Needle and Lake Union. High above it all, you can indulge in a menu filled with crafted cocktails, a fine selection of wine and beer, as well as an array of charcuteries and small plates.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails in Seattle — 5

Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails

$$$ | 5th floor | Downtown Seattle

Highlights

Speciality cocktails

Rooftop curling

Playful

A **playful yet stylish** rooftop bar Seattle, perched on the 5th floor of the hotel Motif in downtown. Both indoor lounge and spacious rooftop terrace, Frolik Seattle offers a fun and vibrant atmosphere along with cool views admist the downtown skyscrapers. The cusine served is classic American with a modern twist, while the rooftop bar offers specialty cocktails along with 'Poppin’ Pops' (popsicle + bubbles). Long fire-pit bar tables and stylish lounge furniture are mixed with ping-pong tables, giant Jenga games and rooftop curling.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle The Nest in Seattle — 6

The Nest

$$$$ | 12th floor | Downtown Seattle

Highlights

Handcrafted cocktails

Panoramic views

Stylish

Perched on top of the fantastic Thompson Hotel in downtown Seattle, The Nest is one of the most stylish rooftop bars Seattle has to offer. Serves as both a **rooftop bar, cocktail lounge and terrace**, and up here you get one of the best views in town. Breathtaking vistas over Elliott Bay, downtown and the Olympic Mountain Range. Elegant and trendy in decoration, the beautiful lounge and terrace comes with comfy sofas, fire-pits and quite a lot of greenery and the rooftop bar serves fantastic handcrafted cocktails.

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Rooftop bar Seattle Rooftop Brewing Company in Seattle — 7

Rooftop Brewing Company

$$$ | 2nd floor | North Queen Anne

Highlights

Brewery

Sunset views

Relaxed & social

As the name suggests, Rooftop Brewing Company is a Seattle rooftop bar where the main focus is **fine and local beer**. Located on the Ship Canal Bike Trail and close to Fishermen's Terminal, the rooftop bar has 10 taps serving a roatating selection of 13 different brews. Fot the hungry ones ther is usually a foodtruck parked outside or you just bring your own bites. Easy-going, harmonious and very social in ambience, perfect spot for sunny beers in a friendly atmosphere.

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Rooftop bar Seattle Patio Cielo at Mercado Luna in Seattle — 8

Patio Cielo at Mercado Luna

$$$ | 2nd floor | Capitol Hill

Highlights

Mexican

Year-round

Vibrant

Located at the corner of Pine & Summit on Capitol Hill, Mercado Luna offers **plenty of Mexican flavours** and vibes in several different venues. The main restaurant Mezcaleria Oaxaca is complemented by the taco takeout window Lado a Lado, the Mexican wine shop Vinaterita, Chonchos Churros, and (best of all), the rooftop Patio Cielo. Quirky and colorful, here you can enjoy eveything from tacos and burritos, to spicy margaritas, micheladas, Mezcal, and a large Mexican beer and wine selection. All you need for an elevated fiesta.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Terra Plata in Seattle — 9

Terra Plata

$$$$ | 2nd floor | Capitol Hill

Highlights

'Earth to plate'

Rooftop garden

Weekend brunch

Terra Plata is an **"Earth to plate"** concept created by James Beard award winning Chef Tamara Murphy. Part charming and bright downstairs dining room, the true gem is the upstairs, triangular-shaped rooftop garden. Here, dining and high top tables are surrounded with views over Capitol Hill, as well as herbs used in the dishes served. The creative menu at Terra Plata is seasonal and changing, but always include ingredients from local growers & artisan producers, complemented with both crafted cocktails and old-world wines.

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Rooftop bar Seattle Maximilien in Seattle — 10

Maximilien

$$$$ | 5th floor | Pike Place Market

Highlights

French restaurant

Panoramic views

Rooftop igloos

Maximilien is a **romantic and charming French restaurant**, equipped with a lovely rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the Puget Sound, mountains and skyline. The terrace used to be a summer-only hot-spot, but it is now also available during the colder months, thanks to some cool and cosy rooftop igloos. Here you can enjoy authentic French cuisine, refreshing cocktails and over 100 selections of exclusive French and Northwest wines.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Smith Tower Observatory & Bar in Seattle — 11

Smith Tower Observatory & Bar

$$$$ | 35th floor | Downtown Seattle

Highlights

Iconic building

Speakeasy-style bar

360° views

Smith Tower was the first skyscraper in the city, and it is a true icon on the Seattle skyline. Beautiful from the outside, things get even more impressive if you head up to the top of the building. Travel the original Otis elevator to the 35th floor, and arrive at the Observatory & Bar, where you are surrounded with **stunning 360-degree views** of Seattle and Puget Sound. The views are best enjoyed at the outside Observatory deck, while drinks and bites are served at the speakeasy-style interior bar, with a menu that includes barrel-aged liquors, classic cocktails and locally inspired plates.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Monsoon in Seattle — 12

Monsoon

$$$ | 2nd floor | Capitol Hill

Highlights

Vietnamese cuisine

Charming terrace

'Dim Sum Brunch'

Monsoon Seattle in Capitol Hill offers contemporary Vietnamese food in a refined setting. Year-round inside, and during the warmer months also on the **charming rooftop terrace**. Dressed with colorful dining spots, umbrellas and cosy string lights, here you can indulge in a great selection of contemporary Vietnamese dishes, a wide range of cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic housemade refreshments. Monsoon is usally open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Seattle Hard Rock Café in Seattle — 13

Hard Rock Café

$$$ | 3rd floor | Downtown Seattle

Highlights

Classic tourist spot

Fire pits & loungers

Hard Rock Café Seattle is in many ways similar to other Hard Rock-venues around the world. But this one also comes with a lovely rooftop terrace. Located on the 3rd floor of the **downtown venue**, the terrace is equipped with cabanas, a fire pit and lots of lounge seatings. The view over the Pike Place and Elliott Bay is great, located behind the markets famous neon sign. Great spot for relaxing, unpretentious and sunny drinks.

Everything you need to know

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.

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City info

Rooftop bar Seattle

Rooftop-grade: 7/10

Prime season: May-Sept

Residents: 740 000

Climate: temperate

Which are the best rooftops in Seattle? This complete guide will help you find the best rooftop bar Seattle. You can find some really nice rooftop bars in Seattle. Unfortunately, the climate is not ultimate for being a rooftop city. Lots of rainy days and cold winters. But there are some lovely terrace bars located in Seattle, and many of them stay open year-round, despite the climate.

Many of the Seattle rooftops offer breathtaking views over to city and impressive surrounding landscape. Some of the rooftop bars in Seattle are located at smaller restaurants, but there are also some more elevated and swanky ones perched on top of luxurious hotels.

If you like to enjoy the Seattle sky bars, the best bet is to visit during the warmer summer months.

About Seattle

Seattle is a seaport city and the biggest city in Washington State. With an estimated 700 000 inhabitants, it’s one of the fastest growing cities in US. The city is located in the Pacific Northwest and with a border to Canada. It’s also the fourth’s largest port city in United States with lots of trade with Asia. Seattle is a big home for tech companies and developers. One of the world’s largest companies – the Internet retailer Amazon - was founded here.

Rooftop Bars Seattle