The second largest US state by both area and population, Texas has a whole lot to offer. A diverse and impressive landscape, but also several major cities with elevated venues to enjoy dining and driking with a view.
From Houston and Dallas to Austin and El Paso, this guide will take you to the very best rooftop bars Texas has available. And while it is a large state with multiple climate zones, the Texas summer is in most cases both long and hot, perfect for al fresco fun.
Our complete and up-to date guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Texas feature all info you need about each rooftop, all at the same place, so you don’t have to scroll around on several different sources finding it.
For each rooftop, this guide presents:
We are full-time rooftop reviewers and content creators. Since launching The Rooftop Guide in 2015, we’ve visited over 1 200 rooftop venues worldwide.
Except from our own experiences and insights, we also work closely with thousands of rooftops and local reviewers, so we can secure correct and updated content for all our guides & articles.
With our vast experience and exclusive focus, we can present you with the most complete and up-to date guides about rooftop venues. And with our insider tips and knowledge, we can guide you to the best and most suitable rooftops for your own needs.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop dinner, a laid-back rooftop brunch, a vibrant rooftop party or a luxurious hotel rooftop pool, we’ve got you covered.
Situated on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake, close to dowtown Austin yet away from the buzz, the luxurious hotel The Loren Hotel Austin does not only offer an elegant stay, it also invites to the most elegant rooftop setting in all of Texas.
Perched on the 8th floor, this glamorous rooftop oasis is part sleek and velvet dressed interior dining room & bar with panoramic windows, and part comfy outdoor terrace, all surrounded with amazing views over acres of verdant parkland, Lady Bird Lake, and downtown Austin.
Open daily from morning to late evening for dining and sips, the Nido menu features seasonal and modern American dishes balanced with Texas Hill Country flavors, paired with crafted signature cocktails and an extensive curated selection of wine and spirits.
Filled with an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere and polished Southern hospitality, Nido at The Loren is great for everything from sunny lunches and vibrant weekend brunches, to sunset sips and a memorable dining experience.
Created by world-renowned Chef Tim Love, Ático Ft. Worth takes you on a tapas-trip to Barcelona, right in the most historic parts of Fort Worth.
Perched on top of the superb SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards, the rooftop is stylish, intimate and luxurious both inside and out, surrounded with amazing views, over the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards and the downtown skyline.
Settle down in one of the comfy loungers or by the long bar/open kitchen and enjoy a social journey through vibrant Spanish flavors. The tapas-style dishes are paired with expertly crafted cocktails, and a large selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Also a happening spot, you can expect buzzing events weekly, including live music every Thursday evening, and the Friday evening tasting series 'Sips y Sabores', filled with curated Texas flavors and charm.
Located in the Cedars area, just south of downtown Dallas, Gallery Rooftop Lounge is found perched on top of the stylish boutique hotel Canvas Hotel Dallas.
From the 6th floor terrace you get one of the very best views Dallas has to offer, with magical panoramics of the city skyline and other surroundings.
The most striking feature of the rooftop is the fantastic rooftop infinity pool. Usually only available for guests staying at the hotel, but from time to time there are also vibrant rooftop pool parties. And otherwise the Gallery Rooftop Lounge is open for everyone to enjoy a sunset drink or a full weekend night out.
The rooftop menu includes refreshing and art-inspired cocktails, domestic and imported craft beers, bubbles, Ice Wine pops and smaller bites to share.
Floating on top of the luxurious and fabulous Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk, The Moon’s Daughters is an enchanting indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge and bar, really raising the bar for the San Antonio rooftop scene.
Inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, the spacious and stylish venue mixes dining tables with plenty of comfy lounge spots. And with a 20th floor location, you are surrounded by some truly amazing 360° views over the San Antonio skyline.
Filled with an upscale lounge atmosphere, here you can sip expertly crafted signature cocktails, along with draft beers, sparkling and a nice selection of wines. Complementing the drinks is a quite large selection of Mediterranean bites, from shareables to the more filling kebobs, burgers and build-your-own mezze.
POST Houston is a former post office turned into a massive cultural hub, including concert venue, food and market hall, as well as work space. Best of all, the entire rooftop of the building has been transformed into a Texas sized rooftop park with an urban farm.
Called Skylawn, the terrace holds seven distinct gardens, each with its own plant palette, and it is truly a lush oasis.
Surrounded with panoramic views over Houston in all directions, the rooftop park integrates the downtown experience with Buffalo Bayou park.
Up here you can just settle down on the lawn and take in the views, take a walk on the skyline promenade, watch both amateur and professional performers at the Stage, or catch a movie under the open sky. And of course, take some fantastic photos.
You can bring food from the POST Market to enjoy ay the rooftop, and buy alcoholic drinks from the rooftop mobile bars. Note that outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Areas of the rooftop can also be reseved to host private events, and it is bound to be a prime spot for those very special occasions.
Perched on top of the luxurious and superb The Westin Austin Downtown, Azul Rooftop offers a perfect mix of daytime relaxation and night time leisure.
20 floors above downtown Austin, the roof terrace is surrounded with some truly spectacular views over the city skyline.
Modern and sleek in decor, with comfy lounge furniture and cosy fire pits, you can enjoy both a lunch in the sun or dinner at sunset, with live DJs playing chill tunes. The rooftop bar serves refreshing cocktails, both on draft and as frozen libations, along with wine, brews and a selection of bar bites.
Not only a top rooftop bar, the top floor at The Westin Austin Downtown is also home to an amazing rooftop pool. Heated and surrounded with loungers and private cabans, the pool is mainly exclusive to guests staying at the hotel. But outsiders can also rent a cabana for the day.
La Perla is a contemporary rooftop bar and restaurant, occupying what was once the penthouse suite of The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in downtown El Paso.
From the rooftop you can enjoy some truly panoramic views, over El Paso, the surrounding Rocky Mountains, all the way over the borders of Mexico and New Mexico.
The setting at La Perla is about as beautiful as the view, and the menu includes reinvented classic cocktails as well as seafood-driven plates, like oysters, ceviches and coctel classico.
Located on the 17th floor, La Perla is the tallest rooftop bar in El Paso, and it might also very well be the best.
Pool bar by day and a rooftop lounge by night. The beautiful Waterproof does both, perched on top of the classic hotel The Statler in downtown Dallas.
To swim with panoramic views over the Dallas skyline during the day, you need to stay at the hotel or make reservations for one of the six private cabanas.
When the sun sets, Waterproof turn into one of Dallas’ most unique destinations for nightlife, with live entertainment and other special events.
The Waterproof rooftop bar serves a nice set of signature cocktails, as well as wine, beer and bubbles, available both by the glass, or as buckets / bottle service. There is also a selection of bar bites, like sliders, flatbreads and platters great to share.
On the rooftop of the PHIPPS, right next to San Antonio river, you find Paramour, a craft cocktail rooftop bar with amazing views over the San Antonio skyline. Chances are you will be equally impressed with the vistas on display as with the drinks served from the bar.
The whimsical rooftop menu includes plenty of signature creations, handcrafted to perfection and unique for Paramour. There is also classics, craft beers, a wide and fine selection of liquor and wine, along with lighter bites, like tacos, ceviches and sandwiches.
Hot, playful and trendy in vibe, but with friendly service, the rooftop blends inside lounge and a large rooftop terrace, all decorated in a unique, fun yet stylish way.
At the adjacent rooftop restaurant Colette you can also indulge in Executive Chef Darlen Narváez audacious cuisine from France, Japan, and Latin America.
Found at the fabulous Austin Marriott Downtown, Zanzibar takes you on a rooftop escape above and far from the inner-city buzz.
The byline 'seven stories up & a world away' feels very suitable, as this tropical and lush rooftop does not only offer stunning views of downtown Austin, but also the sense of being transported to an island far away.
Among the greenery and the modern lounge decoration you can sip craft cocktails made with a tropical twist, and indulge in flavorful and island-inspired small plates, like fresh sushi, shrimp skewers, spicy tuna poke and teriyaki sliders.
Next door you also find The Pool at Zanzibar, an exclusive oasis where guests staying at the Austin Marriott Downtown can chill out poolside and enjoy rooftop swimming and modern tiki cocktails.
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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