The 'Downtown' area in cities around the world is often synonymous with rooftop bars. And Los Angeles is no exception.
In Downtown LA you can find a bunch of great rooftop bars. Most of them located at high altitude with amazing views over the whole city or among the skyscrapers. The area is also home to the highest rooftop bar in the Western Hemisphere.
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Enjoy our list of the 5 best rooftop bars in Downtown LA. Made by the leading experts on rooftop bars and rooftop pools – The Rooftop Guide.
Located in downtown LA, and offering fantastic views of the entire city Perch operates both as a bar and a bistro, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a place to eat and drink.
Offering both indoor and outdoor seating options as well as comfortable lounge furniture and a relaxed ambience, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more welcoming spot to watch the sunset while enjoying some drinks.
With classy furniture, lush plants, fire pits and fireplaces, and stylish decor that transports you straight to the French Riviera, Perch stands out in more ways than one; Here, you'll be able to shed your worries and the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the moment.
The food menu is small, though still delectable, and the drinks are inspired, with well-crafted signature cocktails coexisting with more traditional offerings.
The ambiance is set not only by the decoration but also by the music with live jazz bands and the occasional D.J. sharing their talents with the music-loving crowd.
With reasonable prices, a welcoming atmosphere, fantastic music, delicious drinks, and a large open-air terrace one roof above, Perch is a frequented spot in L.A., so make sure to arrive on time.
PERCH
Broken Shaker is an elevated oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, located on top of the lovely Freehand Los Angeles.
Colorful, bright and buzzing, the rooftop comes surrounded with amazing and panoramic views over the Los Angeles skyline and the downtown area.
Open from noon to midnight, this is a venue to enjoy both sunny poolside hours, as well as fun filled evenings under the LA stars.
As a winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, it should be no surprise that Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails.
Infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city, the drinks are complemented with fresh and tasty small bites.
While dips in the refreshing rooftop pool is reserved for guests staying at the hotel, anyone is welcome up to the rooftop for an abundance of drinks, vibes and views.
BROKEN SHAKER
Perched on a 73th floor, Spire 73 is easily the highest rooftop bar in the entire Western Hemisphere, and, as such, it provides views that no other bar in the city can match.
Offering spectacular views of the entirety of Los Angeles –from downtown, where it's located, to the Hollywood Hills and the nearby beaches–, Spire 73 is the kind of place you visit when you want to impress and be impressed.
Up here, the weather tends to be colder than in the rest of Los Angeles, so the terrace comes equipped with fire pits and an array of comfortable seating options that give the bar a welcoming atmosphere despite its unique location.
Spire 73 doesn't coast by using its views as the only attraction, as this beautiful bar has a fantastic drinks menu that includes delicious signature cocktails, a wide selection of whiskeys, local wines, and beers, as well as more traditional drinks.
There's also a small menu of bar-bites, which you can order if you're feeling peckish. Despite its welcoming atmosphere, Spire 73 can be quite exclusive and comes with a rather strict dress code: No backpacks, no oversized bags, no swimwear, no flip-flops, no shorts.
Everything about Spire 73 is impressive, including the guests.
SPIRE 73
Found at the modern The Wayfarer DTLA, The Rooftop is a hidden urban oasis, high above the city streets.
Towering with the DTLA skyscrapers, the 12th floor terrace comes with plenty of comfy lounge spots, perfect to soak in the majestic views.
The rooftop menu includes contemporary American small bites and mains, as well as refreshing Tiki classics, house libations and craft beers.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, this is also a place where rooftop brunch dreams come true. Every Saturday and Sunday, you can take brunch to the next level with ten fire courses.
Whenever you visit, The Rooftop at The Wayfarer is a great Dwonton LA spot to sip, eat and chill with friends and family.
THE ROOFTOP AT THE WAYFARER
If what you're looking for is a modern bar with a trendy and vibrant atmosphere, then head to the Upstairs Bar and get ready to start the party.
This fantastic urban oasis offers stunning views of downtown L.A., two large terraces for you to enjoy, a heated rooftop pool, comfortable seating options, large umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun, and a fantastic bar-bite menu.
Offering a collection of fresh signature cocktails, tropical drinks, canned beers, and small but delicious bar-bites, Upstairs is a fantastic place to visit no matter the time of the day.
During the daytime, Upstairs offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, with its large pool, comfortable sun loungers, healthy bar-bites, and fresh drinks.
At night, Upstairs acquires a night-club like atmosphere, with a lively crowd, live music, pop up shops, and all kinds of community-oriented events.
If you want to feel like you're part of Los Angeles, a visit to the Upstairs Bar is a must.
UPSTAIRS BAR AT ACE HOTEL
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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