Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Tucson

2023 update

Country United States

Currency US Dollar

Best time to visit March - November

Rooftop grade 5/10

Rooftop Tucson

5 best rooftop bars in Tucson

By:The world's leading experts on rooftops

Updated:September 2, 2023

With more than 300 days of sunshine, Tucson is made for outdoor fun. To enjoy your food and drinks both alfresco and elevated, the best option is to find a Tuscon rooftop bar.

This complete guide will lead you to the very best venues, packed with all info you need about each Tucson rooftop: opening hours, dress codes, pictures, locations and much more.

Located in southern Arizona, quite close to the Mexican border, you can expect to find both tasty tacos and refreshing margaritas at the Tucson rooftop bars. Just scroll down and find the rooftop bar Tucson best suited for you.

The list

Rooftop bar Tucson Gentle Ben's Brewing Company in Tucson — 1

Gentle Ben's Brewing Company

$$$ | 2nd floor | West University

Highlights

Brewpub

Fun & vibrant

Weekend brunch

Originally opened in 1971, and founders of Tucson’s first craft brewery in 1991, Gentle Ben's can be considered a Tucson institution. Located in the heart of Main Gate Square, right by the University of Arizona, Gentle Ben's Brewing Company is a spacious venue, combining interior seating with outdoor patios, both on street level and up on the rooftop. Serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Gentle Ben's is also famous for offering **a fun and vibrant atmosphere**. Watch your favourite sport team, or kick it off to live DJs.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Tucson AC Hotel Tucson Downtown in Tucson — 2

AC Hotel Tucson Downtown

$$$$ | 6th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Exclusive

Beautiful views

Rooftop pool

Found in the heart of the action in Tucson's Downtown Entertainment District, the modern AC Hotel Tucson Downtown comes with an **exclusive rooftop oasis**. Equipped with a rooftop pool, comfy cabanas, sun loungers and a rooftop bar, the terrace is usually only available to hotel guest, who can sip signature AC cocktails to the beautiful views over Tucson. But, from time to time, the AC rooftop is open to the public, throwing cool pool parties with live DJs, and other happeing events.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Tucson The Moonstone at Graduate Tucson in Tucson — 3

The Moonstone at Graduate Tucson

$$$$ | 15th floor | West University

Highlights

Restaurant & bar

Breathtaking views

Rooftop pool

Perched on top of Graduate Tucson, nestled in the heart of the University of Arizona’s campus, The Moonstone is a year-round rooftop retreat, made for elevated brews and views. This is **the highest bar in Tucson**, and the panoramic views over the city and Mount Lemmon are simply breathtaking. Mixing a comfy indoor lounge with a spacious outdoor terrace, here you can enjoy classic American cusine with a playful, regional twist, along with crafted signature cocktails and festive shots, perfect for both intimate gatherings and celebratory occasions.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Tucson Illegal Pete's in Tucson — 4

Illegal Pete's

$$ | 2nd floor | West University

Highlights

Mexican

Lively

Daily happy hour

Originally from Colorado, Illegal Pete's can be found at 12 locations across Denver and Arizona, where the one in Tuscon is set at Main Gate right by the University of Arizona. Mixing indoor and outdoor seating, the venue comes with a spacious street level patio, but also a more elevated rooftop terrace. Mostly famous for their **mission-style burritos**, Illegal Pete's also offers other Mexican-inspired dishes, along with a full bar and a selection of local beer. Usually filled with a lively and fun atmosphere, perfect for burritos, buddies and beer.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Tucson Playground Bar & Lounge in Tucson — 5

Playground Bar & Lounge

$$$ | 2nd floor | Downtown

Highlights

Contemporary

Rooftop dining

Playground Bar & Lounge is a contemporary venue made for **high-energy dining and drinking**, right in the heart of historic Downtown Tucson. Set over two floors, with a spacious rooftop as the true gem, this is a modern place to enjoy everything from dinner before a concert, a vibrant after work, to watch the game or to dance into the morning. Visit for the daily happy hour, or make VIP Bottle Service reservations for an extra fun and special night.

Everything you need to know

About the author

This guide was made by The Rooftop Guide, the world's leading experts on rooftop bars. With over 800 rooftops visited over the last five years, we keep you up to date in the ever growing universe of rooftop venues.

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City info

Rooftop bar Tucson

Rooftop-grade: 5/10

Prime season: March-November

Residents: 550 000

Climate: hot desert

Which are the best rooftops in Tucson? This complete guide will help you find the best rooftop bars in Tucson. The temperature in Tucson is usually outdoor-friendly pretty much year-round, but the surrounding mountains can create a cooler and wetter climate during the winter months. But the rooftop bars in Tucson is are usually open all year round.

Even though Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, it is not packed with sky-high buildings. So, with a few exceptions, the rooftop bars are at pretty modest levels. Most of the elevated bars can be found in Downtown, or by the University of Arizona.

About Tucson

Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, located about 60 miles from the Mexican border. Situated on an alluvial plain in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by minor ranges of mountains, the city is neighbor with plenty of dramatic nature. It is also home to the University of Arizona.

Rooftop Bars Tucson